Louis Vuitton Launches First Makeup Line With Lipsticks at ₹14,000 Amid Luxury Market Slowdown | Fashion

Louis Vuitton Launches Its First-Ever Makeup Line, La Beauté (Photo: Louis Vuitton)

Louis Vuitton has finally entered the world of cosmetics with the launch of its first makeup collection, La Beauté.

The French luxury fashion house has designed the makeup collection in partnership with makeup artist Pat McGrath. The Maison, in a statement, stated, “The globally acclaimed makeup artist lends her unparalleled vision and expertise to crafting a beauty experience that extends beyond products, continuing her longstanding partnership with the House. With the debut of La Beauté Louis Vuitton, a new dimension of the House emerges, broadening Louis Vuitton’s vision while honouring a pursuit of creative excellence.”

The launch has been kicked off with a focus on eyes and lips, with 8 LV Ombres eyeshadow palettes ($250 / approx. ₹21,766 each), 10 sheer LV Baume lip balms ($160 / approx. ₹14,000 each), and the LV Rouge Lipstick, available in 55 shades ($160 / approx. ₹14,000 each).

According to Daniela Morosini for Business of Fashion (BOF), “The range has all the trappings of luxury, incorporating elements of the fashion house’s Monogram and Damier motifs in packaging created by the industrial designer Konstantin Grcic, known for his conceptual furniture pieces. Refills are $69 / approx. ₹6,000 and $92 / approx. ₹8,010 for lips and eyes respectively.”

Alongside the makeup line, La Beauté will also feature a collection of small leather goods crafted in the Maison’s Monogram canvas, further blending beauty with Louis Vuitton’s heritage in luxury design.

The line will first launch in China on August 20, and this will be followed by a worldwide digital prelaunch on August 25. The cosmetics will be available from August 29 online and in select Louis Vuitton stores globally. The LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) brand is also set to celebrate the launch with a dedicated pop-up in New York, US.

Louis Vuitton’s foray into cosmetics comes at a time when the luxury sector has been struggling with a slump, as it gears up for a luxury market slowdown in 2025. LVMH reported a disappointing first half of 2025, with total revenues down 4% to $46.7 billion from $48.9 billion last year.

With many cheaper options available, will somebody buy a lipstick worth $160 when the French Maison is struggling with profits? Does this trend mean a recession? Is this the “Lipstick Effect” kicking in? According to the Lipstick Index, the purchase of lipsticks tends to be inversely related to the economy because women start buying smaller products and replace more expensive purchases. In autumn 2001, US lipstick sales increased by 11%. And back during the Great Depression, cosmetics sales overall increased by 25%.

The term Lipstick Index was coined by Leonard Lauder, chairman of Estée Lauder, during the economic downturn following September 11, 2001.

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