Louis Vuitton Faces Backlash Over $160 Lip Balm in Debut Beauty Collection

Louis Vuitton may reign supreme in the world of luxury handbags, but the brand is now stepping into unfamiliar territory with the launch of its very first makeup line. The debut collection, named La Beauté, officially drops on August 29 and is already sparking heated debate for one reason: the price tag.

A bold first step into beauty

The collection arrives with 55 lipsticks (a nod to the brand’s LV initials in Roman numerals), 10 lip balms, and eight eyeshadow quads. Each product is housed in sleek, refillable Louis Vuitton packaging designed with the same attention to detail as the brand’s iconic bags. On Instagram, the pieces look like instant collector’s items.

Louis Vuitton has teamed up with legendary makeup artist Dame Pat McGrath for the launch. Known for her innovative brand Pat McGrath Labs and her decades of work backstage at runway shows, McGrath played a central role in shaping the collection.

"Working backstage for over 20 years at Louis Vuitton fashion shows, I am thrilled to now play such a key role in the launch of La Beauté Louis Vuitton, which is the result of extraordinary craftsmanship, creativity and innovation,” McGrath said in a press release. She added that every shade was “uniquely crafted” to suit a wide range of skin tones, with both matte and satin finishes.

“The beauty universe is about so much more than just product, and what we are creating here will unlock a new level in luxury beauty.”

Sticker shock: $160 lipstick and $250 palettes

While the design and artistry behind the products are hard to deny, the prices have left many consumers stunned. Lipsticks and lip balms are priced at $160 each, while the eyeshadow quads will retail for $250.

For comparison, a Dior lipstick retails for $47, while a Chanel lipstick averages around $45. Even Hermès Beauty, known for elevating everyday items into luxury status, prices its lipsticks at $78. By contrast, Louis Vuitton’s pricing is in a league of its own.

The collection arrives with 55 lipsticks (a nod to the brand’s LV initials in Roman numerals), 10 lip balms, and eight eyeshadow quads

Social media reacts

The response online has been swift and largely negative. Many beauty fans argue the brand is out of touch, pointing out that makeup is not a permanent luxury asset like a handbag. Unlike leather goods that can last for decades, cosmetics typically expire within two years.

"Absolutely tone deaf and honestly desperate looking," one critic wrote under the launch announcement. "This brings nothing of worth to the beauty table, just yet another logo-cashing venture to be dispensed to influencers for TikTok posting."

Another added: "I think it’s a good time we as customers show and teach those brands that WE ARE NOT STUPID to pay extravagant prices, especially for makeup that expires. Remember, makeup is more about your skills than the product itself."

Celebrity hairstylist Sam McKnight joined the chorus with a sharp remark: "Good luck with that."

Others poked fun at the pricing. "Handbag included, right?" one commenter joked. Another noted the irony of Louis Vuitton describing makeup as a "heritage asset," writing, "This might be the shortest-lived makeup brand ever."

"Absolutely tone deaf and honestly desperate looking," one critic wrote under the launch announcement. "

Luxury or overreach?

The question remains whether Louis Vuitton’s pricing strategy will resonate with its loyal clientele or alienate the very customers it hopes to attract. Luxury brands like Chanel and YSL have long used beauty lines to create accessible entry points into their worlds, allowing everyday consumers to buy into the brand without spending thousands. Louis Vuitton, however, seems intent on keeping even its cosmetics firmly out of reach for the average buyer.

Whether La Beauté will be embraced as the pinnacle of luxury beauty or dismissed as an overpriced experiment remains to be seen. For now, the conversation surrounding Louis Vuitton’s lip balm suggests the brand may have underestimated just how sensitive beauty shoppers are to price — even in the world of luxury.