With the launch of a new métier, Parisian luxury stalwart Hermès has created a thing of sheer, ultra-covetable wonder
From the niche new beauty brands doing something different, to the industry’s evergreen icons, Sophie Bew opens up AnOther’s dream vanity in a new series…
- Who should use it? Lipstick fiends (for the colour shy, there’s a balm but you’ll want to carry these lippies round nonetheless!)
- How long until I love it? I defy anyone not to love one of these once they’ve held them in their palms
- How planet-/people-friendly is it? Hermès was recycling long before it was cool and has always been attentive to its footprint
- How do I use it? I don’t need to educate you on this, do I? But there is a very sexy lip brush to assist with application
Let’s start with the packaging: designed by the masterful Pierre Hardy, creative director for Hermès shoes and jewellery, these lipsticks have a luscious magnetic click upon closure and a reassuringly hefty weight in the palm. While special-edition shades come in retro colour-pop combos (these will change with each season), the forever shades are locked in a sleek monochrome unit, complete with brushed gold handle. Each boasts a pleasing concave top with the brand’s gold ex libris, as designed by Émile Hermès in 1923. Basically you just want to touch them.
They smell amazing too. Bien sur! The house nose Christine Nagel has blessed them with captivating notes of sandalwood, arnica and angelica. The result is a powdery sweet shop sort of smell, reminiscent of my grandmother’s bathroom cabinet but with a bit more of a sugary pep.
True to the fashion house’s form, the colours are of course exquisite. Inspired by the infinite collection of silk and leather swatches in the label’s archives (OK, not infinite but there’s more than 75,000), Jérôme Touron, Creative director for Hermès Beauty, created a collection of 24 shades. Ten have a seductive matte finish, while 14 offer a satin sheen in a plethora of hues spanning peppery pink, voluptuous burgundy, a punchy coral, velvety red. There’s a sparkling orange and a colourless balm too, each with a capital lettered HERMÈS stamped succinctly into the waxy pigment. They might be the most luxe lipsticks I’ve ever laid my eyes on.
A little bird tells me to expect more lip shades, blushers, eyeshadows and an extensive range for skin. I, for one, cannot wait!
Available at Hermes.com.
