Hermès' Silky Lipstick Shine comes in buildable, silky shades from beige to red, made with up to 85% naturally derived ingredients in a Pierre Hardy tube.
Hermès introduces Silky Lipstick Shine, a shiny new addition to its beauty family that embodies the lustrous finish of its legendary silk. Created by Hermès Beauty Creative Director Gregoris Pyrpylis, the collection offers an array of wear-friendly shades, imagine soft beiges, light pinks, and bold reds. The one highlight hue, Rouge Brique, is a reddish-brown with warmth that echoes the richness of terracotta at dusk.
The formula is buildable, from a light, sheer wash of color to a richer, layered effect. It's formulated with as much as 85% naturally derived ingredients, such as raspberry leaf extract for hydration, sesame seed extract to smooth, and Abyssinian oil to condition and protect the lips. A Hermès signature gesture, the lipstick is subtly scented with a blend of arnica, sandalwood, and angelica by in-house perfumer Christine Nagel. The signature scent, created by Hermès's in-house perfumer, is distinctive but may not be ideal for those sensitive to scent. The angular bullet tip ensures precision, and the finish is silky, smooth, and buildable for varying coverage.
The lone exception is the packaging: a minimalist, high-design reinterpretation of the classic Rouge Hermès lipstick tube by Pierre Hardy. Fitted in a brushed high-gloss metal tube and paired with a protective canvas sleeve, it's almost as much an object of extravagance as it insists on being.
A collector's item? Possibly. A makeup must-have? We are not so sure.
However, with all its appearances, the lipstick does not entirely live up to its high price as a performer. Yes, the texture is beautiful and the shades wearable, but not the amount of pigment payoff or wear one would hope for in this category. A stunning piece, certainly, but perhaps better left on the collector's shelves rather than on those looking for a workhorse of an everyday product.
Whereas Rouge Hermès Silky Lipstick Shine achieves the look perfectly, the formula is a little lacking. The texture, though silky, is too thin, requiring several swipes to leave visible pigment, especially from deeper shades like Rouge Brique. The wear also falls short, with touch-ups needed every few hours.
Along with its moisturizing claims, the formula can cling to dry patches and settle in fine lines, particularly on parched lips. The signature scent, created by Hermès's in-house perfumer, is distinctive but may not be ideal for those sensitive to scent.
For this price tag, more than gorgeous packaging is expected. And although the metallic tube and canvas case are stunning, the performance simply isn't worth the splurge. A collector's item? Possibly. A makeup must-have? We are not so sure.
L’Officiel India DigitalRead L’Officiel India in the digital libraryEvery issue and every cover story, on TCG Media.Read now
