Luxury On Your Lips: Explore The Most Expensive Lipsticks Of All Time

An essential part of everyday makeup rituals, lipsticks have found their niche in the world of luxury cosmetics. Their exquisite packaging, intriguing or even rare ingredients, and often limited availability make certain lipsticks coveted assets. Some of the most expensive lipsticks not only accentuate beauty but also symbolise one’s status and affluence.

Whether you like a bold lip crayon or a matte lipstick for daylong styling, the most expensive lipstick brands are elevating the makeup bag essentials to a whole new dimension with their creations. While many of them were limited-edition items, some continue to retail with sky-high price tags. A luminous sheen, creamy texture and longevity are some markers of an expensive lipstick. Add to it the craftsmanship of high-end designer brands, or gold and diamond studded artistic casings, and their values effortlessly run into hundreds of thousands of dollars, even reaching millions.

Moreover, the elite beauty market is continuously expanding with new entrants like Chanel’s luxurious lipstick range 31 Le Rouge lip colour line. Calling it a worthy investment, some magazines have even equated it with the fashion Maison’s noted garments, handbags and shoes.

These are some of the most expensive lipsticks ever made

H. Couture Beauty Diamond lipstick
Value: USD 14 million

Presumably the most expensive lipstick to be created, the H Couture Beauty Diamond lipstick is the ultimate makeup item for beauty lovers with a taste for luxury. Although it is no longer available, it tops the list because of the staggering price for a single piece. The lip colour was refillable and came accompanied by a stunning mascara from the label.

While each stick contained 110g of pure 18k gold, it was the precious lipstick tube that stole the show. It was studded with 2,500 blue and 1,200 pink diamonds and allowed custom name engraving or even a short message. However, this wasn’t entirely an original idea by H. Couture Beauty.
According to reports, H. Couture Beauty advertised one of their jewel-encrusted lipsticks in the Life & Style Weekly magazine. It was spotted by an anonymous client who, then, placed an order with the now-defunct brand to recreate their signature Socialite lipstick and replace its Swarovski case with a gold and diamond iteration.

Guerlain KissKiss gold and diamond lipstick

Value: USD 62,000
Trust Guerlain to amp up any makeup collection with exquisite products, and their KissKiss range of the most luxurious lipsticks is the perfect specimen. While the products are currently retailing for about USD 95 each, in 2007, the label launched a special stick worth an astonishing price of USD 62,000.

It was reportedly modelled on the 2005 range designed by Olivier Echaudemaison and Hervé Van Der Straeten and made available in 15 luscious shades. However, once again, it is the stunning case that caused its price to skyrocket.

Crafted out of 110g of 18k gold and studded with 199 diamonds that amounted to 2.2 carats, the lipstick case also allowed customisations with gems such as emeralds and rubies. It was then packed in an elegant black wooden case, while a black suede pouch and lip brush, a Straeten design, accompanied the lot.

Speaking of the KissKiss range, the French brand says, “Naturality and performance come together in ultra-comfortable formulas that take care of lips and adorn them in fresh shades. KissKiss is also a totem object created by designer Hervé Van Der Straeten: a sculpture that nestles in the palm of the hand.”

Dior Rouge Premier lipstick

Value: USD 500
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The Rouge Premier lipstick has extracts of hibiscus and 24-carat gold. It has the smell of rooibos tea and bergamot. The lipstick comes in 12 special-edition shades. One of its unique features is that it is refillable, which is significant given that the case it is housed in is available in limited quantities.

The cylindrical ceramic case which holds the lipstick is covered in Toile de Jouy print as a nod to Christian Dior’s original boutique and Maria Grazia Chiuri. It is just 0.8 mm deep and is as thin as a fingernail. It is made by the 160-year-old French porcelain house Maison Bernardaud.

Bond No.9 with Swarovski Crystals lipstick

Value: USD 400
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Elegant, timeless, exquisite and precious — these words aptly describe this expensive lipstick. Two ranges of red — Nolita and Madison Avenue — each with their own array of shades make it a must-have for any couture moment. Nolita offers a selection of classic retro Hollywood reds while Madison Avenue leans on the more in-vogue stop sign hues. Plus, they are refillable.

Each stick contains a luxurious, high-performance formula fused with the finest high-quality materials and innovative technology. Enclosed within the brand’s iconic gold case, which is studded with hand-applied Swarovski’s ruby fancy stones or crystal clear stones, the Brand No.9 lipsticks are luscious, vibrant and chic.
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Christian Louboutin lip trio Coffrete

Value: USD 300
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Redefining presentation, Christian Louboutin retails one of its most expensive lipsticks almost like a piece of jewellery. As the name suggests, the set of three gourmet lipsticks offers three of Christian Louboutin’s Rouge Louboutin shades that were created to complement all skin tones. The Coffret set has the Silky Satin, Velvet Matte and SooooO…Glow versions.

Just like its red heels, the brand has made red lipstick an exquisite treat with the Rouge Louboutin 001M, Rouge Louboutin 001, and Rouge Louboutin 001G colours as the perfect choices.
The three tubes are connected by a gold chain and placed as a stunning necklace.

Guerlain Rouge G Lucky Bee lipstick

Value: USD 290
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In the league of luxury makeup products and expensive lipsticks, Guerlain holds an irrefutable position with exquisite craftsmanship. The Rouge G Lucky Bee lipstick is a fine example.
The expensive lipstick uses a plethora of rich ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and guggul resin, which are known for their lip-plumping properties and keep the lips hydrated and smooth. Jojoba and mango butter offer instant and lasting comfort, while silver microcrystals have a reflective power that creates an intense and luminous colour.

The red 214 lip shade, with a silky satin finish, comes in a majestic double mirror case designed by acclaimed jeweller Lorenz Bäumer. It is adorned with sparkling embellishments transforming your Rouge G lipstick into a piece of couture collectable. It flaunts a large bee motif encrusted by precious rhinestones — an ode to the label’s heritage.

Lipstick lovers can find this piece at Saks Fifth Avenue only.
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Chanel 31 Le Rouge

Value: USD 150 (around AUD 235, CAD 205)

Luxury fashion house Chanel’s beauty segment Chanel Beauty unveiled the gorgeous and expensive lipstick range 31 Le Rouge in September 2023, making it a must-have for those eyeing some deep bold colours.

Ushering in timeless beauty and a long-lasting smooth finish, the refillable lipstick is nothing short of an heirloom piece. The exclusive range takes its name after the iconic address of Chanel’s birthplace — 31 rue Cambon, Paris. The collection has 12 shades that are inspired by the silhouettes of Gabrielle Chanel as well as the ateliers and the apartment of the luxury designer.

Besides the repertoire of the luxury brand and its stunning craftsmanship, there is another reason behind the hefty price tag. “The inspiration began with an extrait de parfum bottle, as well as the N°5 spray with its golden ring and that very CHANEL little “click” you hear when you open and close it,” Sylvie Legastelois, Chanel Beauty director of packaging creation and graphic identity, Sylvie Legastelois told Bougeoir

The faceted glass case is carefully packed in Chanel’s quilted suedette case inspired by the house’s Coco Crush jewellery. The use of Gardenia oil doubles it up as a lip care solution, too.