When it comes to designer makeup, I’m a bit of a sucker for it. Paying extra Euros for products that are of higher quality with a high standard & good reputation seems very legit to me. So when my favourite shoe designer released his first beauty product collection, I was stoked! Christian Louboutin released the Beauté Louboutin nail polishes back in July 2014, and I was entranced by the visuals and promo photos, so off to Brown Thomas I went and yes, I did buy the nail polish. And here’s what I’ve got to say about it.

The story of Rouge goes all the way back to 1993, to a studio in Paris, as Christian worked on the Pensée, a shoe inspired by Andy Warhol’s “Flowers.” Something, he felt, was missing. As fate would have it, his assistant Sarah sat nearby, painting her nails. Christian snatched the bottle, despite Sarah’s protests, and coated the sole in a striking shade of red.

The rest, as they say, was history. – Christian Louboutin website

Product: Christian Louboutin Beauté Louboutin Nail Lacquer

The first of its kind, the history behind the iconic red soles lies in this nail colour and as Christian Louboutin said himself, “I am giving back to nails what the shoe took from the nails many years ago.” The polish features a super long 8-inch brush handle that’s designed for easy application, inspired by the tallest heel Louboutin ever created; the Ballerina Ultima in 2007, with its brush of high quality bristles. The polish itself has strong pigmentation and is available in 31 shades, ranging from Pops (vibrant colours), Nudes to Noirs (dark colours). It is also a bigger polish than most at 13ml. Available at €45 online at Christian Louboutin and exclusively at Brown Thomas stores.

Christian Louboutin €45 – Rouge Louboutin http://bit.ly/1ukMd4D

Christian Louboutin, €45 – Nail Lacquers http://bit.ly/1umQupB

Verdict: Christian Louboutin Beauté Louboutin Nail Lacquer in ‘Rouge Louboutin’ – 5/5

I have to say, I am pleasantly surprised at how brilliant this nail polish is! First of all, the packaging is lovely; the polish comes in a little box inscribed with the Christian Louboutin logo, and I love that ombré design on the fine crystal bottle, as designed by Pochet, and the spike brush handle is rather fierce! As for the product inside, it’s truly brilliant. The brush handle really is easy to hold and gives great leverage when using your bad hand. My right hand fingernails have never looked so good! The brush gathers a great amount if the polish and application was super easy. The pigmentation is so bold, and honestly one coat was enough, though for a full impact I chose two coats. The smell off the product is also good, as it’s not overly potent like other polishes can be. Yes this polish is expensive, but it’s a designer polish – and a Louboutin polish at that, and it really is worth a buy. I can’t wait to get more colours!

I also used Manhattan Nail Hardener base coat, Bourjois So Lacque #28 Rose Lounge base coat and Gloss Set Top Coat Shine, both from my Bourjois French Manicure Kit.

Images © Nirina Plunkett & Christian Louboutin