In the ever-evolving world of beauty, make-up has traditionally been an art of illusion — designed to enhance the skin temporarily, only to vanish once removed. Hermès, however, is redefining the rules with its latest innovation: the Plein Air Luminous Matte Skincare Foundation, recently recognized at the Wallpaper Design Awards 2026*. With an 82% skincare base, this foundation not only delivers immediate radiance but also nourishes the skin over time, leaving it smoother, plumper, and more hydrated after each use.
“It’s a paradox that my team and I spent years creating something you barely see,” explains Gregoris Pyrpylis, Hermès Beauty’s creative director. “This foundation isn’t just a visual fix. It’s designed to improve the skin over time — that’s the only way Hermès could approach it.”
Pyrpylis began developing the foundation in 2021, inspired by the house’s Plein Air Complexion Balm — a lightweight, hydrating cream with a veil of color and SPF protection. His goal: to translate the benefits of skincare into a higher-coverage foundation that enhances skin health while providing flawless coverage.
The result is a carefully formulated product featuring niacinamide for nourishment, hyaluronic acid for hydration, and white mulberry extract to brighten skin and reduce pigmentation. Hermès has also introduced an inclusive range of 35 shades, with five intensity groups from light to deep, each available in three undertones — cool, neutral, and warm. The matte-finish foundation offers medium coverage, ideal for minimizing pores, discoloration, and blemishes while improving skin over time.
Accompanying the foundation is the Perfecting Primer, which can be worn alone for a subtle, pore-blurring effect or layered for additional coverage. The collection also includes a custom-designed application palette, spatula, and brush, crafted to make the daily ritual of applying make-up an elevated self-care experience.
“We are a house of craftsmanship, and tools are just as important as the products,” Pyrpylis says. “I wanted to honor that moment each day when someone chooses to apply make-up. Whether it takes five or fifteen minutes, it should feel like a ritual, not a routine.”
The packaging, created by Hermès jewellery creative director Pierre Hardy, reflects the brand’s signature elegance. Frosted glass bottles are topped with black-and-white lacquered caps and a gold ex-libris motif. The Le Perfecteur blending brush mimics the shape of a horse’s hoof for precise product distribution, while the palette’s design — inspired by an artist’s palette — allows for effortless mixing and application.
For Hermès, the Plein Air collection embodies the philosophy of “Hermès time”: a deliberate, meticulous pace that prioritizes quality over speed. Pyrpylis notes, “Even if it means a product is released a year or two later, it’s worth the patience to ensure the idea is executed impeccably.”
With Plein Air Luminous Matte Skincare Foundation, Hermès isn’t just offering make-up — it’s presenting a fusion of luxury, skincare, and mindful beauty rituals, transforming a daily routine into an act of intentional self-care.
