Would You Pay $225 for a Bronzer? Rock & Republic Sure Hopes So

Tue, 09/16/2008 by Karen | Posted in: Just For Fun, Makeup

Are you ready to rock? I hope so, because Fashion house Rock & Republic unveils its first ever cosmetics collection this week. The enormous 116-item luxury release includes makeup for the face, cheeks and lips, as well as a line of tools. While most of the items are priced up in the Chanel range, some of them, like the $225 Accentuate Bronzer compact studded with Swarovski crystals shown above, even exceed it.

I haven’t seen the line in person yet, but the sleek, silver packaging and cold, minimalist promo pics don’t do a lot for my soul. Sure, I get that it’s supposed to be exclusive and luxurious, but is this the right time to be releasing a $225 bronzer?

Beyond the startling cost of the items in the collection, I’ve been more into girly, fun, accessible makeup lines like Stila and Benefit lately.

Let me know what you think.

Accentuate Bronzing and Highlighting Powder for Face and Cheeks, $225

Trickery Tinted Illuminator for Face, $48

Extremist Mascara, $28

Contrived Pressed Blush, $40


Saturate Eye Colour, $24

Luxe lip Gloss, $26

Imitate Mousse Blush, $28

I gotta say … at these prices, the textures had better be amazing. I’ll invest $26 in a Chanel Glossimer (hey, it’s Chanel!), but there aren’t many other brands that can get away with charging prices like these.

Are you familiar with Rock & Republic? What do you expect from their new makeup line?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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  1. 1. Dao said, on September 16th, 2008:

    Holy cow! $225 for a bronzer?! It’s like buying a pair of jeans from them. I saw their ad in Marie Claire and didn’t think much about R&R until you told me the price.

  2. 2. Kelly said, on September 16th, 2008:

    That price includes the daily makeup artist that comes to my house and gets me out of bed, correct?

  3. 3. Are You a Beauty? said, on September 16th, 2008:

    I love the packaging but there is no way in heck that I would pay $225 for a bronzer. INSANE!

  4. 4. Karen said, on September 16th, 2008:

    HI Dao,

    I know! I get that its supposed to be luxurious and all… but man! That’s over the top!

  5. 5. Karen said, on September 16th, 2008:

    LOL, Kelly. I’d expect croissants and coffee, too, if I’m paying that much.

  6. 6. Karen said, on September 16th, 2008:

    Hi Are You a Beauty,

    Yeah… I mean, it *is* studded with Swarovski crystals and all, but I’d rather spend that money on a huge MAC splurge rather than just one item.

  7. 7. Brittany said, on September 16th, 2008:

    Wow. That’s insane! The economy is not doing so well, but yet companies are trying to sell $225 bronzers? That’s like a large hunk of my rent. Or a nice purse. Or a ton of other cosmetics, which I’d probably be more happy with :P

    Overall, this line looks nice, but I can’t imagine buying any of it because it all seems over priced.

    Oh, and since you asked about my car yesterday, I guess what happened is when I filled up last time I went to place that had watered down their gas. So, I was getting water in my engine instead of gas. Blah! :(

  8. 8. p. potter said, on September 16th, 2008:

    WOW. That’s a little pricey. How about we just do without the crystals – I care about how makeup looks on my FACE not in my makeup bag.

    Who on earth would pay that much? Especially for a brand new line of makeup? Until I hear artists raving about this (kind of like celebrities do over La Mer) I have no interest.

    I’m still trying to soak it in.

    p. potters last blog post..Humphrey

  9. 9. Karen said, on September 16th, 2008:

    Hi Brittany,

    That’s awful! I hope there’s some place you can report that station. I bet you’re not the only one who they’ve ripped off. Plus, their shady actions put you in danger. Grrr… I can’t stand it when businesses take advantage of their clients!

    Can you imagine all the MAC Lipglasses you could get for that one bronzer?

  10. 10. Karen said, on September 16th, 2008:

    Hi P. Potter,

    LOL, those crystals better tell my future or something if I’m going to pay that much.

    I dunno — I guess the woman that “has it all”? Still, if I had dolla bills to spare I probably would more likely buy a purse instead (hey, at least you can use it every day).

  11. 11. Tekoa said, on September 16th, 2008:

    Egads! That is one pricy bronzer. That gets one big stamp of “I don’t think so!” Okay, so it has Swarovski crystals. But if I’m paying $225 I’m going to the jewlery store to get them in the form of a pretty bracelet.

    Also, think of what could happen if you put the bronzer in your purse. The crystals might get knocked out.

  12. 12. Faye said, on September 16th, 2008:

    If you were the kind of woman who’d spend $225 on a bronzer, you could probably afford to have a makeup artist come and do your makeup on a regular basis in your own house, thus saving the bother of going to buy it in the first place :) .

    Seriously, though, $225 for a bronzer? Come on. I mean, clearly I’m not opposed to spending a lot of money on makeup, but that’s ridiculous. It’s like the $400 omelet I saw on the brunch menu at the Plaza Hotel a few years back — even if you could afford it, why would you want to?

    And on a more positive note, I will now feel positively virtuous buying my $24 Chanel glossimers, LOL.

  13. 13. Amanda said, on September 16th, 2008:

    meh, I’ll pass. I can give Chanel and Dior a little license for high priced beauty items, since they have been beauty and luxury brands for ages and ages. But I don’t get a NEW fashion brand feeling that they need to jump into the luxury beauty market. Especially when there are companys that *just* do beauty/cosmetics that are cheaper and probably better. Just my 2 cents. As for the prices, yeah, no. It’s getting to where I can’t spend ANY extra money on cosmetics (not that I *need* anything new ya know) so why would I spend THAT MUCH???

  14. 14. Lucy said, on September 16th, 2008:

    A bronzer for $225…that is ridiculous….how is $225 justifiable (even to myself)? If it has botox in it…maybe.

    Karen, did you see the LifeTime movie about Coco Chanel?…it was really good – not sure if the movie is accurate in portraying Chanel’s real life, but it was pretty inspiring! :)

  15. 15. Beth said, on September 16th, 2008:

    Bronzer for $225? They’re joking right? The decimal point must be in the wrong place.

    For $225 you could have a weekend somewhere sunny and get a real tan.

    Better yet, you could buy a bunch of stuff from brands that you know are good, rather than yet another fashion house jumping on the bandwagon.

    I’m totally with you on the Benefit/Stila thing, the packaging is adorable and is kinda part of the fun of using the products.

    Beths last blog post..Blah

  16. 16. Tami said, on September 16th, 2008:

    Lol! Does it somehow regenerate itself when it runs low? $225…that’s a whole lotta MAC!

  17. 17. gio said, on September 16th, 2008:

    There is no way I would ever pay $225 for a bronzer, that’s insane!

    gios last blog post..Product Review: Pupa Luminys Baked Eyeshadow

  18. 18. Elena said, on September 16th, 2008:

    Hey Karen,

    I really do like the look of their packaging. I suppose it would be awesome to pull something that dramatic and fancy out of your purse at some point, but… I think the ladies above covered it all rather well. The price is a complete joke. I’m not buying a bronzer that’s more than one-fourth of my rent! 0_o

  19. 19. Karen said, on September 16th, 2008:

    Hi Tekoa,

    I know! For that price I’d probably just end up displaying it and not using it.

    Knowing my clumsy self I’d end up dropping it…

  20. 20. Karen said, on September 16th, 2008:

    Hi Faye,

    HOLY CRAP! Why was that dish of eggs $400?

    Yeah, the price tag on my Glossimers is lookin’ downright budget right now. :)

  21. 21. Karen said, on September 16th, 2008:

    Hi Amanda,

    I feel the same way about Chanel and Dior.

    But hey, who knows, maybe these are phenomenal in person. I’d never buy the bronzer, though. Shoot, that’s practically a Kate Spade purse.

  22. 22. Luv J said, on September 16th, 2008:

    My Chanel gal at Bloomingdale’s penciled me in for their R&R cometics launch October 9th. I’m just curious to see how it compares to my beloved Chanel. I’m always trying out different primers and I’m curious to try Classic, desription of the product makes it similar to YSL Top Secrets, but R&R is tinted. I wonder if Trickery is just a luminizer.. I didn’t see any foudations, so I’m wondering if they consider this as one since it’s tinted as well.

    As far as the Accentuate Bronzer goes.. umm for $225 it better be packaged in the pocket of one of their hot new skinny jeans!!!

  23. 23. Faye said, on September 16th, 2008:

    Hey Karen,

    The omelet had all kinds of expensive ingredients, like the most rare caviar, etc., which is why it was $400. We asked the waiter if anyone had actually ordered it, and he said not as far back as he could remember.

  24. 24. Evie said, on September 16th, 2008:

    Yeah, one more voice of incredulity over here. Hopefully, this is aimed at that very small segment of young starlets with way too much money and not enough good sense to realize a poor investment. I can ALMOST see charging that much for some kind of groundbreaking eye cream with expensive ingredients, but just for bronzer? Hell no.

  25. 25. Karen said, on September 16th, 2008:

    Hi Lucy,

    I did watch it, and I really enjoyed it. I wasn’t crazy about Shirley Mac’s portrayal of Coco, so I’m glad they kept her parts to a minimum.

    I *loved* the clothes from the runway show in the last scene!

  26. 26. Karen said, on September 16th, 2008:

    Hi Beth!

    I am pretty new to Stila so discovering the different products has so far been a very fun journey. What are your favorites from the line?

  27. 27. Karen said, on September 16th, 2008:

    Hi Tami,

    Right? For that price it better teach me a foreign language, LOL!

  28. 28. Karen said, on September 16th, 2008:

    Hi Gio,

    I hear ya. But wait! It comes with crystals!

  29. 29. Karen said, on September 16th, 2008:

    Hi Elena,

    Yah, I can appreciate pretty looking compacts, too. I bet amongst beauty junkies that compact would cause quite a stir! I like to see it in person, but I know I’d never throw down that much for just one thing.

  30. 30. mcnals said, on September 16th, 2008:

    i actually find it insulting that they are charging that much for a bronzer. even if i had the money to spend leisurely i would never do that for a dam bronzer.. gosh rock and republic, if that is not highway robbery i do not know what is.

    but thanks for featuring it :) :)

    MCNALS

  31. 31. Karen said, on September 16th, 2008:

    Hi Luv J,

    RIGHT? I would also demand alterations, and I can never buy jeans right off the shelf cause I’m so short!

  32. 32. Karen said, on September 16th, 2008:

    Hi Faye,

    Wow. Even if I somehow ended up filthy rich (please, please, please let me win the lottery soon), I could not get down with buying a $400 plate of eggs!

    I bet when the dish actually gets ordered the staff makes a ruckus… I know I would be like, “Dude, that guy at table four just ordered THE EGGS!”

  33. 33. Glosslizard said, on September 16th, 2008:

    That is a gorgeous bronzer, I’d love to have it for free, heck, I’d even pay $12 for it! :D

    The eye shades shown are quite beautiful, I do love purples! All the textures look silky smooth, although the packaging strikes me as a bit sterile-looking. All in all, I’d probably go play with it at the counter and walk away empty-handed!

  34. 34. Brenda said, on September 16th, 2008:

    Who in the world would buy a 225 dollar bronzer with the current economy?! I love the packaging but if I’m not willing to dish out for 300 dollar jeans (Canadian price) why would I dish out 225 for a bronzer?! Ridiculous. If I had that kind of money to blow right now I’d march straight into MAC, Chanel, or Dior and splurge till my hearts content.

  35. 35. yadiq said, on September 16th, 2008:

    I am so I there with you guys !! I am A major sucker of good packaging design
    Their packaging is enticing but hello!! That’s what your paying for the packaging
    And if you all are anythinglike me I I know all the fancy compacts we carry around
    End up looking jacked up!! I agree I would rather spend the money on Chanel or Dior
    Those brands are just so chic and classy – how long are RR gonna be popular??
    Cute but not all that is my opinion!!
    Tomorrow I have a hot date at the Chanel counter
    For their new smoky eyes palette!!!
    I am so psyched!! ( this is my reward for
    Working out with my peronal trainer yesterday
    And taking my street fighting class this evening)
    What fun my iPhone is as I can post and read this fab
    Blog while riding the subway home it’s like I got a bunch of
    Makeup junkies keeping me company while I ride home !
    Thanks Karen and everyone foe keeping me entertained LOL :)

  36. 36. parisb said, on September 16th, 2008:

    If you are paying $225 I’d be paying close to RM800 which covers my housing loan for a month. Priorities! :) But thanks for the info Karen!

    parisbs last blog post..Stila Backstage Beauty – Cute Eyeshadow Palettes

  37. 37. Marisol said, on September 16th, 2008:

    Never heard of this brand before.

    Marisols last blog post..Happy Independence Day to Mexico!

  38. 38. HomeSpaGoddess said, on September 16th, 2008:

    Where did you even find prices? When you go to the site it’s just blaring Marylin Manson and LOTS of flash effects!

  39. 39. April said, on September 16th, 2008:

    Rock and Republic is a clothing brand, right? I can’t believe the price of that thing and the sad thing is that people will buy it!

  40. 40. Elena said, on September 16th, 2008:

    Hey Karen,

    On a not very related note, Estée Lauder has some wonderful lipstick and lipgloss combos on sale at Bloomingdales for Breast Cancer Research.

    The lipstick combo is here:
    http://www1.bloomingdales.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=126201&CategoryID=11434&AdID=10181&PageID=11314*1*24*-1*-1*12

    and the lipgloss combo is here:
    http://www1.bloomingdales.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=126200&CategoryID=11434&AdID=10181&PageID=11314*1*24*-1*-1*13

    Hope the links work and you get a chance to check them out! :D

  41. 41. Meesh said, on September 16th, 2008:

    Phfff!!!

    Ok. I’ll admit, I’ve paid full price for their jeans (can’t help being a denim snob). But $225 for a bronzer…blah.

  42. 42. lindsay said, on September 16th, 2008:

    The packaging is nice and sleek, but it’s SO EXPENSIVE! And on top of that, Rock and Republic is a clothing brand, so I don’t know if I would buy their make up (even if it was cheaper). For the price they’re asking they better deliver some amazing results. I’d rather spend that money on lots of clothes, or a VARIETY of makeup versus just bronzer

  43. 43. Erin said, on September 17th, 2008:

    I think this is so silly! They make JEANS! What would make anyone want to buy $225 bronzer from them? Nooo thanks!

  44. 44. Karen said, on September 17th, 2008:

    Hi Yadiq,

    You’re welcome! I love feeling like we’re just a bunch of gals hanging out and talking about makeup up. It’s fun.

    Can’t wait to hear about your Chanel haul… have fun!

  45. 45. jessica said, on September 17th, 2008:

    whooooaa thats amazing packaging
    im a huge fan of their jeans-just got a pair 2 days ago :)
    im excited to see how the makeup goes!
    where can i get this line?

  46. 46. tokyostargirl said, on September 18th, 2008:

    oh my!!! that is crazy expensive!

    tokyostargirls last blog post..Fashion Rules You Can Break

  47. 47. Beth said, on September 18th, 2008:

    Hey Karen

    I don’t have massive Stila experience, but I like the lip glosses in the twisty pens (God I love twisty pen applicators), the Convertible Colors are very cute and multi purpose (so you can always justify buying them because you’re getting two things, not one!) and I’ve got a Smudge Pot that I quite like too.

    Bx

    Beths last blog post..Blah

  48. 48. sandy said, on September 18th, 2008:

    well, I’ve shelled out $100 for dior 2007 holiday pendant before, so…

    but a $225 for a bronzer with swvroski crystal compact? no way.. La Mer looked nothing compared to this right now.. haha

    nice makeup blog, Karen.

  49. 49. Beau Nelson’s Essential Make-Up Tips: Perfect Bronzer said, on September 18th, 2008:

    [...] Would You Pay $225 for a Bronzer? Rock & Republic Sure Hopes So [...]

  50. 50. Erica said, on September 18th, 2008:

    That stuff looks haute!

    Ericas last blog post..What’s in your cabinet? Part Two

  51. 51. Erica said, on September 18th, 2008:

    But no, $225 is just not happening

    Ericas last blog post..What’s in your cabinet? Part Two

  52. 52. cloudburst said, on September 18th, 2008:

    I don’t buy their $275.00 jeans, but I might splurge for a $ 24.00 e/s if they’re fantastic…I don’t know the market is already so saturated with brands, look at Calvin Klein – how many times did they revamp that cosmetic line?

  53. 53. Makeup Queen said, on September 19th, 2008:

    Ok…so i had to check this out in person and let me tell you the bronzer/highlighter is AMAZING!!!! Not only is the packaging ga-ga-gorgeous but the product inside is what i’ve been looking for in a bronzer (no shimmer but just a warmth of color w/ a highlight of shimmer on the side) Would i pay $225 for it…NO! But that’s only because i can’t afford it…i would however pay for their refill bronzer/highlighter which is only $45.00

  54. 54. Valentine said, on September 26th, 2008:

    Bronzer aside, I do believe that these prices are right on par with other high-end department store makeup, although I have no idea how many ounces are in each product. Because I am a dirt poor student, I’ll have to see if I can simply get my hands on a lip gloss or eyeshadow. I agree, however, that these products need to be AMAZING for the price; I have never liked companies that simply get by on packaging and name alone, without ever delivering quality products with ingredients that match what I’m paying for them *cough*Benefit*cough*. And I also admit that I am in LOVE with Rock and Republic’s clothing line; it was one of my favorite lines for Spring 2008, which does amp my excitement up for these products, despite the fact that I JUST said brand name shouldn’t play a factor in how much you like a product. I’m also really loving the packaging–it’s girly and sleek, yet chic and sophisticated. Who wants a bunch of neon flowers engraved all over her lipstick case anyway?

  55. 55. CH said, on February 1st, 2009:

    I work at the warehouse where we store all Rock and Republic. I would not spend that amount! Rock and Republic is overly priced and it’s made in China and India. As for the makeup, It’s really nice and we all got the bronzer for free, however, I would not spend that amount on my own and don’t think your normal joe will be buying it either

  56. 56. Cody said, on April 30th, 2009:

    I have tried this, and I must admit.. I am VERY impressed. But as far as the price, not so much. It seriously is the best bronzer I have ever used on myself as well as others.. but all you are doing is paying for the Swarovski crystal compact. Not such a good marketing move for R&R .. They should carry a regular compact for us average consumers.. I know that the refills for the compact are around 45.00 at neiman marcus. Why not make a simpler version ? I do however recommend everyone at least TRY IT. You’ll fall in love. If I had no bills, and a grand job.. I’d most certain buy it.

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