Hermès Beauty redefines the boundaries between makeup and skincare with the launch of its first foundation. The new product, called Plein Air Luminous Matte Skincare Foundation, aims to help skin improve over time.
The key to this product is the significant increase in skincare ingredients in the formula. Hermès stated that 82 percent of the entire formula is skincare-based. They explained that it was designed to leave skin feeling moisturized and smooth even after makeup is removed.
Development began shortly after Hermès Beauty Creative Director Gregois Pirfilis took office in 2021, taking approximately four years. He emphasized that Hermès' foundation approach, which goes beyond simply covering up imperfections and instead aims to improve skin condition over the long term, is the approach he sees fit.
The formula features niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and white mulberry extract, all at its core. This combination aims to simultaneously moisturize, improve elasticity, and tone. The color palette is divided into five shade groups, from light to deep, with each group offering a cool, neutral, and warm undertone, for a total of 35 shades. The finish is matte, and coverage is medium.
Along with the launch, the Perfecting Primer was also unveiled. The primer can be used alone and is designed to help smooth pores. Hermès also offers tools like a palette, spatula, and brush, conveying the message that application is a ritual, not a routine.
The packaging was designed by Pierre Hardy, Hermès Jewelry's creative director. It features a translucent frosted glass bottle and a black and white lacquered metal cap, topped with the House Ex-Libris motif in gold. The design is considered to translate the house's obsession with craftsmanship into a beautiful object.
