May 5, 2021

I Slept Until 8AM, I’m Procrastinating Like a Boss, and Is Now A Time for Luxury Beauty Launches?

I got my second COVID vaccine yesterday and it wiped me out a bit. I went to bed at 9PM and got up at 8AM. Very unlike me! I’m typically up at 4:45am daily but I just couldn’t get out of bed this morning. I have bad aches and pains all over my body and with a nice little headache on the side. I’m procrastinating a bit at the moment by being on TikTok and chatting with my bestie. I’m about to dive into my work day now but I’m doing it from bed.

How are you today? Hanging in there?

By the way, where’s all the new beauty? You’d think we’d be overwhelmed with Summer 2021 Collections by now! It’s been slow going on that front. Christian Louboutin is bracing to launch new palettes and I admit I rolled my eyes. Now doesn’t seem the time for luxury beauty. I mean, there’s so much of it on sale daily (Never in my life would I have thought to see some luxury fragrance houses discounted so heavily but here we are)! I’m convinced Tom Ford Beauty is doing horribly…! But here’s Christian Louboutin with a new makeup collection. I think we’ve all been waiting for that drop to happen as we’ve been tested with lipsticks, glosses, and polish for long enough right? But now feels like it isn’t a good time for it!

It is what it is. Someone out there is eager for it I’m sure.

The celeb beauty brands are going to keep rolling in this year as well….!

Right now, I think we all get a bit more excited about skincare than we do color cosmetics but getting my second shot yesterday made me realize that we’re all getting ready to get back to real life again. If you haven’t embraced makeup in the last year and a half you will be soon as you prepare to get back to work and a more normal routine. Maybe these launches are a good thing?

I’m still a little skeptical but let’s see how it goes!

Is there room for luxury beauty in a post-pandemic beauty world?

19 Comments

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Christina

    I’ve no problem with luxury beauty releases. If you can afford it, you can afford it! If you can’t (or aren’t willing to), you can’t! No hate, shade, or shame. I don’t mind luxury makeup and am willing to spend the money on it if it’s something I really like the looks of. It’s no different than luxury apparel. A leather bag is still a leather bag, designer sunglasses are still just sunglasses, etc. I buy them anyway. I don’t understand people’s complaints when a luxury beauty brand releases; you’re paying for the brand, and sometimes a bump in quality (sometimes, not always). I don’t expect Louboutin makeup to be inexpensive, just like I don’t expect Hermes bags to cost under $2000.

    That being said, I think the Louboutin releases haven’t really been worth it. The nail polishes were nice, but these new palettes don’t scream luxe to me, at least not in pictures. House of Sillage’s Disney release felt more luxe to me, even with Mickey and Minnie on it. LOL!

    • Isabella Muse

      I def have no issues with it either but the beauty bubble has def broke now and question whether luxury beauty launches right now are a good idea. It’s not so much about the money it’s more about the fact that things just don’t have the value they once did. People expect to buy lower than retail. The industry is really murdered in that aspect. Oh my god don’t get me started with House of Sillage lol! I have too many words!

      • Christina

        I think it all comes down to who they cater to. I have a friend who does not, and will not, buy drugstore or mid-priced items. Urban Decay? Too Faced? Wet n Wild? Not in her lifetime. She is someone who does not bat an eye at a $10K purse or a $70 lipgloss. Even though people are accustomed to paying for things on sale now, I think there will still be people who buy the full priced luxury cosmetics, like my friend. I am not wealthy by any means, but I also tend to buy luxury cosmetics at full price. I think the well-established houses like Chanel and Lauder will survive just fine, but an oversaturated market means newer luxury brands like Marc Jacobs (are they considered luxury?) won’t unless they have the right appeal.

        LOL! Did you buy the House of Sillage collection?

        • Isabella Muse

          Ironically, I have a friend like that (and I used to be that girl! total makeup snob) too but lately, it feels like the luxury market has absolutely no value. Honestly EL can probably live through an atomic bomb. They’ll be here when only coach roaches run around the Earth and humanity has long since gone lol! I do think Marc Jacobs is supposed to fit into the luxury realm and at some point maybe it did but with the many sales it’s lost some of that status. No! I was so good! I’m just pissy because I own so many of their fragrances which I paid full price for and now the 75% off 60% off buy one get one free emails are driving me up a damn wall!

          • Christina

            Ooh yeah that definitely hurts! LOL! I can’t even believe they’re on sale to begin with.

          • Isabella Muse

            RIGHT? They also had those super inexpensive mystery boxes with two full sizes perfumes! It kills me! KILLS ME! Did you get the Wonder Woman Collection?

  • Robin

    Oh sorry you are feeling bad. I had my 2nd Pfizer shot and I had no issues with it. I’ve heard Mederma can make you feel crappy for a day or two.

    Agree with you about the luxury launches. Seems silly. I’m curious to see if Marc Jabobs is leaving the cosmetic industry and will be perfume only.

    Feel better soon!!

    • Isabella Muse

      Aw it’s ok! It’s a small price to pay 🙂 I do wonder about Marc Jacobs too and also, Tom Ford! Thank you dear! I’m sure I’ll be right as the rain tomorrow!

  • kimkats

    I think it’s incredibly bad timing. I think we’ve all learned that we can do without a lot of things, and get by just fine, and one of those things is super high end makeup. Some will undoubtedly jump on the train as a reward to themselves, but I think a lot of us had the exact same reaction as you, Muse. HUGE eye roll. I’ve seen a couple photos of the stuff, and it’s pretty, but really, hasn’t everything been done already, and very likely , a whole lot cheaper? We’ve been bombarded with releases for years, and I just don’t know what else there is to release, and certainly not at Louboutin price points! I kind of expect a lot of the really high end, redonkulously expensive stuff to start fading from the scene, as I just don’t think it’s going to sell well anymore…. We’ll see… I’ve been totally wrong before, and I could be again! 😀

    • Isabella Muse

      It’s not really about affording things right now as people are really still going to buy regardless if they have the cash flow or not. I just think the value of luxury is so damn shot that it’s hard to launch a line right now without people expecting to grab it at a discount. But maybe I’m crazy thinking that. I’ve press shots too and it isn’t what I was expected from CL at all! I was expecting much better tbh! There’s absolutely nothing I can’t live without. I have hopes luxury gained footing again…! It’s been a rough time for high ticket items! Not just beauty ones but even clothes and accessories.

  • kjh

    I do think mjb and tf are in significant trouble. But I think EL will support tf, rather than dumping it. As for Loubou and other UHE, like Serge Lutens, I see the cosmetics ceasing. Despite the fact that those who purchased them likely could still do so. Loubou will be doing shoes and Lutens fragrance. I have no issue with people buying products beyond my personal reach. I’d get a Birkin bag (and hope no Kardashian/Jenner hiding inside.) No one would have a clue as to the extravagance.

    • Isabella Muse

      MJB seems like they are in trouble but it’s so hard to tell! EL did have 16% growth last quarter so that’s good news but TF I wouldn’t say they are doing poorly. If anything they seemed to have improved under EL’s leadership! LOL Kardashian/Jenner hiding inside! I believe they give a Kardashian/Jenner free with each birkin purchase!

  • Chris

    So glad you are now protected! We all need to do our part.

    After my 2nd dose, I had a dull headache, some body aches & fatigue & I took a 3 hour nap which was unusual for me as I never nap. Fortunately, we made no specific plans for the day after as we knew from heating others it would be wise to stay home & either order out for dinner or eat leftovers.

    Not a luxury cosmetic buyer.

    • Isabella Muse

      Absolutely agreed. Same here! I stayed in bed all day which I’d NEVER DO! I’m like a bee I need to be buzzing around doing stuff constantly so just laying in bed was so not me. But I felt yak! Today I am 100% back to normal! I’m glad you’re better and protected now too 😀

  • Shelley

    I had my J&J vaccine on Mon and felt really punky yesterday (headache, chills, body ache) but am back to almost normal today. Hopefully same for you. I am really enjoying using what I have right now. I buy a few things here and there like the new limited Chantecaille blush in the flower packaging but otherwise enjoy making dents in what I already love. Swatching was a gateway drug for me and now that it’s not possible that’s a blessing in disguise. I don’t want to think about how many of my beautiful creamy lipsticks went bad while I’ve been sticking to the least inoffensive liquid lip formulas I can find.

    • Isabella Muse

      Same for me! Body chills, felt hot one sec, cold the next, temperature up, and very achy but today I’m 100% back to normal! I know 🙁 You can’t even touch anything in stores anymore but yeah, maybe it helped save us $!

  • Lexi

    There are a lot people that have done well financially during the pandemic. The other half not so much.

    I think that the beauty market is reaching a saturation point, and the excesses of the past few years just aren’t working anymore. project panning was already trending even before the pandemic, and those who have lived without makeup this past year may not go back, or as much.

    Also, I just couldn’t get on board with Louboutin makeup, just seemed like a straight cash grab instead of anything creative with makeup.

    Hope you feel better soon! Your immune system is working! 🙂

    • Isabella Muse

      Truth. Some people made money, some lost, some stayed the same, some did worst…it was a weird year for everyone. I think you’re 100% correct! This has changed the industry forever. There isn’t a damn thing creative about the collection 🙁 SEEMS SO! I feel so much better 🙂 thank you!

  • MDW

    The eyeshadow palette promotions from the most unlikely really confuse me. Influencers not even from the beauty world. I heard eyeshadow palettes are the cheapest to manufacture.

    It’s like the spokesperson needs to make some quick money so puts out an eyeshadow palette.
    Surprised me to no end when Shane Dawson put out an eyeshadow palette. But maybe there are people out there who have his look and complexion?