Last month during Spring Break, my friend Gerry and I treated ourselves to food and shopping downtown as we had not gone out together since 2019. After having some brunch at OEB Breakfast, we headed to Nordstorm and Pacific Centre to specifically peruse some beauty and jewelry. It was a rainy day and I hate trying on clothes when I'm wearing multiple layers, boots and carrying an umbrella so we stuck to easy things to "sample"! I had a few things on my shopping list to look at including the new complexion products from Hermès. I knew that these were going to be a large chunk of my shopping budget so I had planned for weeks accordingly just in case I decided to bite the bullet!
I have mentioned numerous times that I rarely wear foundation anymore, but in recent months I have started drifting over to the tinted moisturizer/sunscreen/illuminator side of the foundation spectrum. Even though we are still wearing masks at work, there are times when I would like my skin to look JUST a little bit better than usual which is why I picked up the Plein Air Natural Enhancing Complexion Balm!
At $115 for 40mL of product (FYI usually foundations are 30mL) and coming in 12 shades, this light to medium buildable coverage is formulated with hyaluronic acid, evening primrose and Baikal skullcap, which offers antioxidant protection. As with most foundation products, these skincare benefits are all the way at the bottom of the ingredients list after big silicone molecules so I would not think much of these skincare ingredients. The finish is radiant, natural, brightened and glowy skin said to last 8 hours. This product can be used as a spot treatment to brighten up dull areas or around areas like the nose, cheeks and chin to combat redness.
Note, that this product contains the mineral sunscreen titanium dioxide and has an SPF 30/PA+++ rating, but it has not been cleared in Canada yet so when I picked up this product, it did have a sticker covering this SPF rating. I peeled it off only to show you that it does have SPF that just doesn't have a DIN yet.
Note, that this product contains the mineral sunscreen titanium dioxide and has an SPF 30/PA+++ rating, but it has not been cleared in Canada yet so when I picked up this product, it did have a sticker covering this SPF rating. I peeled it off only to show you that it does have SPF that just doesn't have a DIN yet.
The outer packaging has the shade colour incorporated into the actual tube design so that shade of beige you see right there (30 Ficelle) is the shade of the product. One thing I am disappointed about is the fact that this complexion balm did not come in GLASS packaging. I mean, it's Hermès! If I can buy foundations with a much lower price point that come in glass, surely this French maison can spring for glass! It's not like the consistency of the product is too solid for a pumping mechanism and for $115, a plastic tube is not luxurious.
The Hermès logo is printed into the plastic cap and though I did not take a photo of it, the nozzle is nothing special and a little wide if anything so you have to be careful when squeezing out product.
This can be applied with fingers for a more natural look or with a sponge/brush and each shade apparently adapts to anywhere from 2-3 skin tones. It initially looks very yellow/white on me, but after blending my skin looks less red and a little bit more even. Even with the side by side comparison below, I really have to look for where there are improvements in my skin because the coverage is so subtle. I mainly notice it around my nose.
With a full, but natural looking face of makeup, my skin does indeed look brighter and more radiant! I should also mention that as with many luxury products, fragrance is a large part of the experience and that is truly the case with this product as well as the fragrance was created by Swiss perfumer, Christine Nagel, who has been the Hermès in-house perfumer since 2016. She has created "hits" like Narciso Rodriguez For Her (with Francis Kurkdijian), Miss Dior Cherie and Wood Sage & Sea Salt for Jo Malone. This particular scent is a blend of arnica, sandalwood and green tea and is quite lovely. It smells very chic and expensive!
Final verdict: If you love Hermès, this is much less (and easier to get!) than a Birkin! It is a perfectly pleasant foundation/tinted moisturizer/spot concealer/sunscreen and one that I have enjoyed using mainly for the fact that I know I paid a luxury price for it! Is this the best foundation I have used? Certainly not, but it stayed on the whole day with and without setting powder. Was it worth $115? Not really, but personally I don't regret buying it as it represented a makeup splurge I hadn't done in a long time. I wouldn't repurchase this though.
You can find the Hermès Plein Air Natural Enhancing Complexion Balm at Hermès boutiques and Holt Renfrew in Canada.
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