The Hermès Beauty Lipsticks: What We Really Think of Them

Last month, the beauty scene was abuzz with excitement over some pretty big news. Hermès had finally delved into a new métier: The world of luxury cosmetics. Its foray into beauty has kicked off with a lipstick collection. At the core of this collection are 24 shades — a number that had been deliberately chosen as homage to the Maison’s iconic Parisian address — dubbed the Emblematic Collection. Of those hues, ten are matte, while the other 14 result in a satin sheen.
Staying true to Hermès’ identity as a house of objects, the lipsticks are approached as objets d’art, described as “an object for the senses, for the eyes, and for its feel on the lips”. It’s luxury in a lipstick. Each tube is deliciously weighty, and has a magnetic closure as a “simple, intuitive gesture” for the user. On the cap, a gold ex-libris seal is engraved.

Texture-wise, the result is akin to a leather finish, offering the powdery feel and soft appearance of Doblis leather, and mirroring the smooth sheen of calf skin. Velvety and smooth, the lipsticks contain extract of white mulberry, often used in the silk world, combined with beeswax wrap lips in a sensual, weightless feel. As a further luxurious touch, the nose behind Hermès, Christine Nagel, has created a scent bolstered by notes of sandalwood, arnica, and angelica.

The colours take inspiration from the silk metier, which encompasses 75,000 shades in its Lyon archives. The hues range from Beige Naturel, a tanned, soft and flattering beige, to the violet-hued and darkened, smoky purple of Rose Zinzolin. Its signature colours include Rouge H, an ode to the Rouge Hermes, a colour introduced by EmileHermès in 1925 as the house’s first signature leather colour; Rouge Casaque, a luscious and sultry red that evokes the Kelly in Clemence bullcalf, as well as the Orange Boite, the colour of the house’s signature and emblem. 

The lipsticks are packaged in refillable, colour-blocked tubes and crafted from brass and permabass, the same materials you’ll find in the hardware of its handbags. Its finish is distinguishable by a matte or shiny label on its case. These are encased in pop-up cases made from Madame Calfskin and boasting impeccable corner stitching. 

And then there are the limited edition lipsticks of the Totem collection. The three shades — the Violet Insensé, Rose Inouï and Corail Fou — are intensely pigmented. For those looking for a subtle sheen, the Poppy Lip Shine appears intimidatingly orange in the hue, but applies luminous and sheer with mother-of-pearl micro-particles to deliver radiance. The Lip Care Balm is, as its name suggests, a mega hydrating boost. Accessories to the lip collection include a hand-laquered wooden lip brush and a lip pencil with a second-skin texture in a transparent shade. From what we hear, more soon will be added to its beauty range, including face makeup and skincare.

Hermès Beauty is a result of a collaborative effort from its trio of head honchos, artistic director of the women’s universe Bali Barret, creative director of shoes and jewellery Pierre Hardy, and creative director for Beauty Jérôme Touron.

All images are courtesy of Hermès. This story first appeared on Prestige Online Singapore.