I Tried Hermès's $145 Foundation—Here’s My Genuine Review.

      As a beauty editor, I assess products based on their performance rather than their price. Whether I’m exploring drugstore favorites or high-end investments, I won't hesitate to label a product "overhyped" if it fails to deliver outstanding results. This context is essential for my discussion today regarding Hermès's inaugural foundation.

      Naturally, Hermès is a luxury brand, and its beauty offerings reflect that status. (It’s understandable that a brand known for the Birkin Bag would create other investment-worthy beauty products.) However, I was taken aback to see the foundation priced at $145, which made me curious about its worth. Consequently, I decided to put it to the test. Below, you’ll find my candid review after two weeks of use.

      Hermès Plein Air Luminous Matte Skincare Foundation

      Presenting the Hermès Luminous Matte Skincare Foundation, developed by Hermès Beauty's creative director, Gregoris Pyrpylis. This foundation merges high-performance makeup with effective skincare to achieve a natural-looking finish (the ideal combination!). It provides medium coverage and, as its name suggests, a matte finish. Unlike the heavy, flat foundations of the past, this formula is contemporary and features a velvety, cloud-like effect. It boasts a 16-hour wear time, resilient against heat, humidity, and sweat—plus it offers skin advantages.

      In fact, this foundation is primarily a skincare product, containing an 82% skincare base enriched with a triad of active ingredients: niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and white mulberry extract. Niacinamide is multifunctional, smoothing, brightening, and enhancing skin quality; hyaluronic acid is a well-regarded hydrating agent; and white mulberry extract acts as an antioxidant that helps to plump the skin while shielding it from oxidative stress.

      That all sounds quite impressive, but does it truly live up to these claims? Can it genuinely create a flawless, velvety-smooth appearance? To answer these questions, I conducted a practical test. Check out my before and after photos below.

      The Before-and-Afters

      Before

      Beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock prior to applying Hermès Plein Air Luminous Matte Skincare Foundation (Image credit: @kaitlyn_mclintock)

      After

      Beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock post-application of Hermès Plein Air Luminous Matte Skincare Foundation (Image credit: @kaitlyn_mclintock)

      My skin is extremely dry, dehydrated, and prone to redness. In fact, I put this foundation to the ultimate test during a particularly severe rosacea flare-up. Remarkably, it concealed my patchy redness without emphasizing my dryness or texture. It appeared smooth, resembling a second skin, blurred my pores, and imbued my complexion with a natural, luminous glow. It maintained this effect hour after hour, day after day, throughout two weeks of testing.

      Honestly, I believe my "after" photo doesn’t fully capture how well it performed. In real life, the foundation looked nearly undetectable on my skin, and it didn’t settle into fine lines, oxidize, or separate, even when I applied face mist throughout the day. When I added blush, bronzer, and powder on top, it achieved a near-flawless look.

      Needless to say, I am impressed with this formula, and I believe that I should be considering its high price tag. I would never suggest anyone *needs* a $145 foundation, but I would recommend it if your budget permits. I am officially including it in my list of must-have foundations for rosacea, a decision I do not make lightly!

      Hermès Plein Air Moisturizing and Unifying Perfecting Primer

      It's also important to mention that Hermès offers a matching primer for $110 per bottle. I didn’t use it with the foundation since I wanted to evaluate the foundation independently. Nonetheless, this primer is designed to prepare the skin and enhance the foundation's effectiveness, featuring a lightweight, smoothing, and moisturizing formula. It is a universal primer that works for all skin tones, melting seamlessly into the skin for a transparent finish with a radiant, lit-from-within appearance, while blurring pores and refining skin texture. It is also resistant to heat, humidity, and sweat.

      Shop 3 More Hermès Beauty Products

      Hermès Matte Lipstick in Rouge Casaque

      I’ve been extolling the virtues of Hermès’s Matte Lipstick in Rouge Casaque for years. While it's undoubtedly pricey, I believe it is worth the investment for anyone who occasionally wears red lipstick. The velvety matte texture and stunning color payoff are exceptional. The shade itself, Rouge Casaque, is the perfect fiery red. Even after years, my obsession remains as strong as it was upon my first use.

      Hermès Les Mains Hermès Nail Polish in Rouge Casaque

      There’s nothing more stylish than coordinating