My tale begins with a gift card, a serious case of having the blues and desperately needing a pick-me-up, and ends with me firing off an incensed email to Hermès CS. Jump in for the ride! (Obviously, I’ll share my first impressions as well, now that I could wear every product two or three times.) Find the Rose Hermès collection review of blushes, lip enhancers and travel brushes below.
What is it?
Rose Hermès collection review: general info
“The second chapter in the Hermès Beauty story, Rose Hermès is the hue of a sensitive and radiant presence. (…) Rose Hermès Silky Blush and the rosy lip enhancers are refillable objects of beauty.”
Hermès
- Eight powder blushes (68€, also comes in refills for 42€ a 6g/0.21 oz.),
- Two powder brushes (one goat hair blush brush $100, sold out right now at the European Hermès site, and a synthetic hair travel brush, 48€),
- A trio of lip balms (64€ a 4g/0.14 oz.).
I also bought one of the three limited edition Rouge Hermès lipsticks from the Spring collection, Rose Oasis (No. 43), with a satin finish. Oh yeah, and then there’s the little pink leather pouch for 3.000€.
The blushes, contrary to the ‘Rose’ in each name, aren’t actually that rosy. They’re also not as light as I had thought at first. Still, I guess there’ll be only two suitable for POC (the two darkest ones). As far as I know, the collection isn’t a limited edition.
Packaging and Presentation
Let us get the tenet of this post out of the way first: you don’t buy luxury makeup because of its quality. It’s possible to buy quality makeup for a much cheaper price. Don’t fool yourself: my bh cosmetics eyeshadow palette is on par with my Natasha Denona ones. My Max Factor blushes are dupes of the incredibly pricey Hourglass ones.
When I’m buying luxury makeup, I do that for the experience, the allure, and the name. And, for that kind of money, I want an impeccable experience: I want to feel valued as a customer, and I want every step of the process to reflect that.
Because I wanted to feel the purchase like a gift for myself, I obviously checked the ‘gift wrapping’ option at checkout. While fedex shipping was both free and incredibly quick (I got my order from France, and it arrived the next day), the presentation let much to be desired. I got a simple white cardboard box with a Hermès paper bag. No samples.
Compared to the Chanel eyeshadow Astrid gave me for my birthday last year that arrived impeccably gift-wrapped with samples, this was a rather big let down. (Which I promptly told CS, but, unsurprisingly, I haven’t heard back.)
I’ll detail the individual packaging of the single pieces below.
Rouge Hermès 43 Rose Oasis review
What is it?
“Rose Oasis, a fiery rose, between fuchsia and magenta.
Hermès (US here, EU here)
A light-filled satin-finish lipstick with a shimmering glow. Its texture, as fine as it is rich, delivers vibrant, long-lasting color; offering softness and comfort.”
My impression
Rose Oasis is a deep pink satin pink, filled with silver glitter. The satin finish stretches the truth a bit; I find this to be a proper cream ‘lipstick’ formula, the formula that comes to mind when you think about your mom’s lipsticks. It’s similar to Guerlain Rouge G’s in that.
In the swatches you’ll see that of all my lipsticks that are similar, it’s the one with the weakest pigmentation. It wears well if you don’t eat or drink, it’s comfortable to wear, and it has silver glitter the description did tell me nothing about and that I find both looking cheap and annoying as hell. (You can also feel them as a slight grittiness on your lips.) The colour is wonderful, and I wouldn’t have minded a bit of silver shimmer. But those particles are definitely glitter, and the most superfluous thing since makeup wipes. WHY.
Fragrance and packaging
It has a discernable fragrance that you can smell AND taste. Apparently, it’s sandalwood, arnica and angelica.
The case is wonderful. I dig the beige/yellow combo, and while the lipstick is pleasantly weighty and the magnetic closure closes with a satisfying ‘clack’, you won’t break your back if you’ve this in your bag (Rouge G, looking at you!). Hermès tells me the case is ‘a durable object in lacquered, polished and brushed metal’. It’s refillable, and I’d love to refill it with a colour I actually love.
Hermès Silky Blush Powder 023 Rose Blush review
What is it ?
“A fresh pink blended with coral, for a healthy glow. (…) its ultra-light, pigmented texture allows color intensity to be tailored as desired, softened or asserted, from the most natural to the most sophisticated finish. This long-lasting powder clings to the skin with the first touch.”
Hermès (US here, EU here)
My impression
A softly pressed powder (with a bit of kick back if you’re not careful) that swatches lighter than it appears on the skin. It’s fool proof: it applies and blends very easily. Longevity is good – Rose Blush isn’t one of those blushes that disappear into your skin after a few hours.
I’ve tried it with synthetic and natural blushes and found it really uncomplicated and unfussy. I was a bit puzzled by the colour description: for me, Rose Blush isn’t coral, but rather a yellow-leaning peach.
Fragrance and packaging
The fragrance is pleasantly light and has notes of sandalwood and green tea. Why blushes need a fragrance is another question. I was rather astonished when I read Chicprofile’s account on IG that she tried to change compacts and pop another refill in and couldn’t, because apparently, they are glued into the compact. Which kind of defeats the concept of refills.
The compact has a magnetised closure and a brushed metal bottom. It feels rather light.
Hermès Travel Brush review
What is it?
“A travel blush brush, ideal for use on the go. Its metal handle has a white lacquer and brushed gold finish. Its generous, slanted shape follows the contours of the face and applies the perfect amount of powder to the skin. (…) synthetic fibres are hardwearing and easy to clean.”
Hermès (US here, EU sold out right now)
My impression
I also own Chanel and Hakuhodo travel brushes that come with their own retractable mechanism and cap, which make them true travel brushes. The little Hermès travel brush doesn’t even come with a pouch.
The synthetic fibres remind me of the MUFE synthetic brushes, which I like. Contrary to those, it’s made in China. I used it with the Hermès blush, and it picks up A LOT of pigment, but is a bit sub par in blending. The travel brush is soft, and very bendy, which would generally suggest a more diffused application.
Hermès Rosy Lip Enhancer in 49 Rose Tan review
What is it?
“Rose Tan is amber-toned, warm, the imprint of sun on the lips. Its weightless and translucent halo reveals the lips’ natural beauty. With its fine and delicate waxy finish, the rosy lip enhancer melts over the lip, leaving a hint of transparent pink and a matt luminosity. Lips are delicately smoothed with a soft-focus effect. Sesame seed and raspberry seed oils help soften and nourish.”
Hermès (US here, EU here)
My impression
I chose the darkest of the three lip balms, and I was right to do so. They’re only slightly tinted. I’ve got rather pigmented lips, and Rose Tan manages to just slightly change my natural lip colour to a cooler, rosy hue. I’ve to admit that this is the Hermès product I love the most: from the brushed brass/pink case to the formula, for me, this is a winner.
The formula feels a bit peculiar: it has a soft, waxy texture that’ll be hell in warmer weather (don’t leave it in your bag!!!). It nevertheless ‘melts’ when it meets your lips, and is definitely moisturising, but beware: it’ll leave a notable waxy film on your lips. You’ll have to swipe a few times to get the colour to build up. The Rosy Lip Enhancer has a slightly sweeter, but still very perfume-y scent.
I wouldn’t call it matte – this is a proper satin finish IMO. (I’d love to compare it to Astrid’s Nars Soft Matte Tinted Lipbalm, but that’ll have to wait until we can meet again.)
The money question – worth it?!
If you compare the products to other luxury brands, you’ll see that they’re not as outrageously priced as it might seem: Hourglass blushes are about as expensive, Chantecaille is pricier and Tom Ford slightly cheaper.
Guerlain Rouge G lipsticks are only a few dollars cheaper, but with a clunky packaging that a lot of people hate. Louboutin and Serge Lutens top Hermès’ lipstick price easily. Other travel brushes are much more thoughtfully and sturdier designed, but match the Hermès price.
None of the products I tried tanked. The quality was definitely there, even if there were components I didn’t like (fragrance, glitter). The whole luxury experience was a big let down, though.
Buy again?!
I’d even be interested in choosing another blush shade if there’ll ever be the possibility for me to swatch them in person. If I ever finish the Lip Enhancer, I’d also choose a new refill. The regular lipsticks, for me, are nothing special.
Again: I own both blushes and lipsticks that perform either similarly or even better. But that is not the question here. All the products definitely have their allure. I like the packaging more than that of other high-end or luxury makeup brands, and they will definitely have their place of pride on my vanity.
Please note that this post is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods or money for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
I’m happy for You that You like the blush and the lip enhancer, is so sad when You splurge and then the products disapoint.
Just had a close look at the other two shades from that spring collection, they all have glitter in them. So glad I didn’t buy one, was contemplating buying Corail Aqua.
I agree that the packaging looks standard in presentation and the least they could do is refund you the gift wrapping fee. I still think this purchase would definitely pick me up if I was feeling down. Very pretty colors but I am not spending that much unless I see them in person like you said. At least you received a little bit of France!
Thank you Nancy! One year into the pandemic and I still hate order things unswatched, especially high-end makeup. But the lipsticks are standing on my desk right now and definitely make me smile!
I definitely know now that I have to examine their pics REALLY closely next time I contemplate to order something! Especially as the Frankfurt Boutique doesn’t carry the beauty collection… *eyeroll*