Burberry's products span multiple categories, and value varies significantly. The Kisses Liquid Matte lipsticks offer genuine quality for £43, but the Rocco Backpack at £1,532.93 requires careful consideration of your needs. The Thomas Bear baby gift set sits in the luxury middle ground. Not every Burberry piece demands your money—this guide separates the worthwhile purchases from the pure-brand markup.
Why Burberry?
Burberry was founded in 1856 by Thomas Burberry and built its reputation on the iconic trench coat and gabardine fabric innovation. Today, the British luxury house operates across fashion, accessories, fragrance, and beauty, with a heritage-first positioning that justifies premium pricing in certain categories. Their lipstick formulations use specific pigment blends and long-wear bases developed in-house, while their leather goods employ heritage tanning methods. However, not every product carries the same level of craft—knowing which lines receive genuine investment versus brand-name markup is essential.
Top Picks
Burberry Kisses Liquid Matte – Rich Caramel No. 81
£43.00 — Best for everyday luxury with genuine formula quality. This liquid matte delivers a 12-hour wear claim with a precision applicator and doesn't crack or separate like cheaper alternatives. The Rich Caramel shade suits most skin tones and works as both a statement lip and neutral everyday colour. The formula uses Burberry's proprietary pigment suspension, which keeps the colour from oxidising throughout the day. If you're spending on a single lipstick, this justifies the premium over high-street options.
Burberry Kisses Matte Rosewood No. 38
£43.00 — Best for deeper undertones seeking a versatile neutral. Rosewood bridges burgundy and brown, making it adaptable for both professional settings and evening wear. Like the Caramel shade, it uses the same long-wear liquid matte base, so performance is identical—the difference is purely colour choice. If you prefer cooler, more muted tones, this outperforms the Caramel option.
Thomas Bear Cotton Blend Two-Piece Baby Gift Set
Price not specified — Best for occasion gifts where luxury presentation matters. This set positions itself as a premium baby offering with Burberry's signature Check pattern (likely printed or woven onto cotton-blend fabric). Baby sets are inherently markup-heavy at luxury price points, but Burberry's version offers recognisable branding and gift-worthy packaging. Value depends on final price—if under £150, it's competitive with other luxury baby brands; above that, generic cotton blends offer the same functionality at half the cost.
Rocco Backpack
£1,532.93 — Best for statement luxury pieces you'll keep for 10+ years. This is a heritage Burberry accessory with full-grain leather and the house's signature lining. At this price point, you're paying for brand prestige, recognisable design, and genuine leather durability rather than technical superiority. Comparable backpacks from Coach or mid-tier luxury brands cost £600–£900 and perform identically. Buy this only if Burberry's aesthetic specifically matches your style and you're comfortable with luxury brand pricing.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Price | Best For | Standout Feature | |---------|-------|----------|------------------| | Kisses Liquid Matte Caramel | £43 | Daily luxury lipstick | 12-hour wear, precision applicator | | Kisses Matte Rosewood | £43 | Deeper skin tones | Cooler burgundy-brown tone | | Thomas Bear Baby Set | TBA | Gifting | Branded presentation, Check pattern | | Rocco Backpack | £1,532.93 | Statement accessory | Heritage Burberry design, full-grain leather |
What to Look For
- Formula consistency: Burberry lipsticks use a thickened pigment suspension that prevents separation after 6+ hours. Cheaper liquid mattes separate, leaving patchy colour and exposed base—look for brands specifying binder-to-pigment ratios if comparing alternatives.
- Leather grade: The Rocco Backpack uses full-grain leather (the entire hide with natural markings visible), which ages well and costs £1,000+ at entry-level luxury houses. Corrected-grain or bonded leather feels cheaper and won't last a decade.
- Gift packaging: Luxury baby sets justify premiums partly through presentation. Burberry's packaging includes branded boxes and tissue—if you're gifting, this matters; if you're keeping it, it adds no functional value.
- Versatility of shades: Both Kisses shades are adaptable across seasons and occasions. Caramel leans warm and works year-round; Rosewood leans cool and pairs better with autumn/winter wardrobes. Pick based on your existing palette, not trend.
The Bottom Line
Burberry's beauty products—the Kisses Liquid Matte lipsticks at £43—offer genuine formula quality that justifies the premium over high-street alternatives. However, the Rocco Backpack at £1,532.93 is pure brand positioning; comparable leather backpacks from other luxury houses cost half as much. The Thomas Bear baby set lands in between, offering recognisable branding for gifting but no technical advantage over non-luxury alternatives. Start with a lipstick to test Burberry's quality; invest in the backpack only if the design resonates with your long-term style.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burberry good value for money?
Burberry offers genuine value in beauty (lipsticks use proprietary formulations and perform as advertised), moderate value in gifting (packaging justifies modest premiums), and poor value in accessories (you're paying heavily for brand recognition versus technical superiority). Buy selectively by category rather than assuming all Burberry products are equally justified.
How long does Burberry Kisses Liquid Matte last?
Burberry claims 12-hour wear, and this holds under normal conditions—eating and drinking without reapplication extends wear to 8–10 hours realistically. The formula doesn't flake or separate like cheaper alternatives, though it will fade gradually rather than disappear completely. Removal requires makeup remover; soap alone won't take it off.
Should I buy the Rocco Backpack or choose an alternative?
Only if Burberry's aesthetic is your priority and you're comfortable paying £1,000+ for brand recognition. Functionally identical leather backpacks from Coach, Mulberry, or even high-end versions from Fossil cost £500–£900. The Rocco Backpack will last decades if maintained, but so will alternatives at half the price. Buy it for design preference, not durability or features.
Are Burberry lipsticks better than drugstore alternatives?
Yes, specifically in wear time and colour stability. Burberry's pigment suspension prevents the oxidation that makes cheap mattes turn orange or brown throughout the day. If you reapply lipstick frequently, drugstore mattes work fine; if you want 10+ hours without touch-ups, Burberry's formula justifies the £43 price over £8 alternatives.
