But the Birkin-bag maker, famously known for creating products of the highest quality and designed with chic restraint, has become surprisingly playful when it comes to the new range, known as Le Regard Hermès.
The collection includes mascara, eye brushes, eyelash curler and eye shadow, each encased in signature metal packaging designed by Pierre Hardy, creative director for Hermès shoes and jewellery, and designer of objects for Hermès Beauty.
The six palettes include pigmented shades ranging from natural to intense, including some of the house’s iconic colours. They contain two round and two square eyeshadows in an ultra-graphic geometric composition that echoes Bauhaus style.
But beyond the simple black and brown mascara and neutral powder eyeshadow shades, there’s a surprising pop of colour in the new makeup options. For example, the mascara also comes in four further unique hues of burgundy, emerald, sapphire and violet. The eyeshadows include bold pink, orange (that almost mimics Hermès’ famous orange packaging) and blue hues.
The brand says this is because beyond it’s obvious formulation expertise it has ‘given pride of place to colour and its light and mysterious harmonies.’
It’s more likely the influence of Athens-born makeup artist, Gregoris Pyrpylis, who joined the brand as Creative Director of Hermès Beauty in 2022. The makeup wunderkind has made a name for himself in the beauty world, and has worked with celebrities including as Cindy Crawford, Carla Bruni, Alexa Chung, and Laetitia Casta before joining the luxe brand to help with development and direction of the beauty range and its limited edition seasonal releases.
The addition of eye makeup also means for the first time since the first beauty items – a range of matte lipsticks – launched in 2020, its possible to create a full-face using Hermès. In the years since, the collection has slowly increased to include complexion products, bronzer, blush and nail polish. Pyrpylis recently implied in an interview skincare will also be added imminently.
The fashion house already had an extensive fragrance offering, releasing its first perfume back in the 1950s.
“The inspiration for this collection comes from a perception of nature paired with the house’s expertise,” says Pyrpylis.
Application tips for the eyeshadow suggest using a satin eyeshadow to the entire eyeline in a veil of diffuse colour, trying a shimmering eyeshadow layered over other shades to bring light to the eyes and applying matte eyeshadow to add contrast along the lashline for a dramatic effect.
That colourful mascara is unique not only for its shade range. The ultra-fine wand is made with plant fibres derived from the castor bean. Its shape forms a subtle H that contains reservoirs on the sides that hold just the right amount of product to coat each lash. The formula, suitable for sensitive eyes, is made to be layered up so you can keep swiping until you reach the level of volume desired.
