Hermès Beauty’s First-Ever Eye Collection Is Full of Unexpected Color

The French fashion house Hermès has slipped seamlessly into the luxury beauty market since first unveiling in 2020. And much like its leather goods and covertable accessories, Hermès Beauty's blushes, lipsticks, and complexion product shades are sartorially curated (akin to how carefully the colors of a Birkin are paired with hardware and texture). And now, six colorful eyeshadow palettes and mascaras usher in a new era of creativity.

The Inspiration

“The inspiration for this collection comes from a perception of nature paired with the house’s expertise," says makeup artist and creative director of Hermès Beauty, Gregoris Pyrpylis. Named "Le Regard," the tightly edited range invites experimentation and self-expression with unexpected pops of vibrant color color.

The Products

You won't find electric neon hues in the Ombres d'Hermès Eye Shadow Quartets ($108). Instead, graduated trios of approachable neutrals are coupled with a fourth, unexpected shade—like hot pink or bright mint—making for the perfect marriage of bold and understated. Matte, satin, and shimmering finishes—reminiscent of the finishes one may find in a range of silk Twillys—give way to endless combinations of color and texture.

Amplifying the color story is six Trait d'Hermès, Revitalizing Care Mascaras ($68) inspired by heritage Hermés shades, including Violet Indigo, a deep cerulean; Vert Titian, a dark teal green; Bleu Encre, a true cobalt blue; and Rouge H, a cherry brown with a hint of burgundy. The formula contains millet seed extract, known for its protective and lengthening properties, as well as nourishing shea and moringa butter, which gives an easy glide while applying. As expected, Hermés thought of every little detail in the creation process, even shaping the mascara wand bristles to form a subtle letter "H."

Our Reviews

Holly Rhue, associate editorial director

"These shadows are so soft and finely-milled that blending is foolproof. Using the 05 palette, I pressed the metallic, galactic silver shade all over my lids, then swept the excess into my creases with a windshield-wiper motion. I topped the look with a cool taupe to line my bottom lashes for dimension and a few swipes of the mascara in shade Vert Titien (a moody teal). I love how the silver and teal complement each other, and the green tints in the mascara really play up a different color portfolio in my iris. There really are endless looks you can create with just four shades and your mascara of choice."

Jasmine Phillips, social media editor

"I’m a natural eyeshadow girlie—I typically gravitate towards browns and neutral colors. This eyeshadow quartet from Hermes is right up my alley as it gave my lids a nice light and frosty shimmer. I layered two shades on top of each other for a little dimension and a little extra in the corner of my eyes to make them pop. I was a little skeptical at first about the mascara because it took quite a few coats in order to get my desired length but it didn’t clump and the formula is definitely buildable. I can see this mascara being good for an everyday lash."

Abby Dupes, associate editor

"Satiny eyeshadows are kind of my jam, which means I can be super picky about which ones I use. And let me tell you—the 01 palette has earned a spot in my rotation. The champagne shade was super buildable, with no fallout whatsoever. I used the matte mauve and plum shade in my crease to bring out the luminosity of the lid, and it was a whole vibe. Now, I know this is an eyeshadow palette, but I really felt like the poppy pink was begging to be swooped across my cheekbones—so I did just that to get the full Hermès experience. I'll admit, I was a bit nervous about the colorful Bleu Encre shade, as my last experience with non-black or brown mascara ended in a lime green eyelash 'dye job' that lasted weeks in middle school. But fear not—this go around has a successful ending that left me with a super subtle smoky cobalt color that was easily washed off with warm water."

Ali Webb, associate editor

"I have a fear of blue eyeshadow stemming from my middle school days, but the Hermès Ombres Marines palette just may be pretty enough to help me finally get over it. This eye quartet pairs three neutrals—a pale shimmer, a rich light brown, and a smoky navy—with a vivid, oceanic blue shade, providing plenty of versatility to mix and match for both everyday and bolder looks. I opted to create a classic smoky eye with the neutrals, using the statement shade along my upper and lower lash lines for an eyeliner effect. The luxe formulas were easy to work with and lasted well throughout the day, as did the Brun Bistre shade of the Hermès mascara, which complemented the palette beautifully and made me wonder why I as a lifelong blonde haven’t experimented with brown mascara more. The palette is sure to become a go-to for me this fall and beyond, and I’m excited to get creative and uncover all its possibilities."

Bella Cacciatore, news editor

"I'm not really an eyeshadow girl, but I couldn't resist the unique shades of this pretty olive palette. The shimmers were so gorgeous and wet-looking, while the matte shades were easy to blend and added defintion and dimension. I don't think this will be an every day thing, but I will definitely be busting it out for special occasions."

Up Next: These Limited Edition Hermès Lipsticks Are Like a Birkin for Your Lips (But Way Less Expensive)

Read the original article on Byrdie.