What colors come to mind when you think of India? The phrase, ‘Pink is the navy of India’ came to mind when I saw the new collaboration between jewelry and fashion designer Sabyasachi and Estee Lauder. The partnership launched a limited-edition lipstick collection of 10 shades that retail for $63. It is interesting to see beauty and jewelry collaborate. Estee Lauder has worked with Monica Rich Kosann on bejeweled compacts.
Purchasing a lipstick
When I saw the lipsticks, I decided I would splurge on one. Recently I’ve been getting into vintage beauty and buying lipsticks. I picked the Devi Pink to purchase. That color was the only one I found unique to Estee’s regular lipsticks.
It is too bad Sabyasachi did not go a bit bolder with the colors or update some of Estee’s favorites like Rebellious Rose. His work is bold with lots of color and sparkle. A few of the designers pieces below.
Admiring my purchase with a few suggestions
The package arrived in the standard size box you get with any other lipstick. A better presentation box or lipstick holder to enhance the luxury of this collaboration.
The lipstick looked about as pictured. The case is fun with the gold tiger embossing. The tiger is also on the lipstick mold! It has a slight cinnamon smell. (Not a big fan of that scent so that is a plus)
I plan to wear it for very special occasions which I can’t imagine many will need a bright pink. The reviews so far rate this 4/5 stars. I would give it a 3.5 out of 5. For the price this lipstick does not have the full feeling of a luxury piece. The case itself is beautiful as well as the color I picked. The issue I have is that the case is not refillable. Estee has refillable lipsticks and cases so they could have designed this to refill with Estee lipsticks. For $63 I would like to reuse the case.
Estee has been in the news for having some rocky profitability. As brands struggle in the current climate, I applaud Estee Lauder for collaborating, but they fall short of what could have been a fun and exciting purchase. With all the history and elegance of their founder, Estee already has an identity they just need to let it shine.