When Hermès first expanded into the beauty space six years ago, it started with a lipstick range, Rouge Hermès. Gradually, the Maison's 16th métier (it's a rather extensive universe at Hermès) has grown to be a complete offering of makeup, especially with its flagship foundation that was just recently released. The Hermès Plein Air Luminous Matte Skincare Foundation is the Maison's first foundation, and like the other products in the Plein Air range, fortified with skincare benefits.
Developed by creative director of Hermès Beauty, Gregoris Pyrpylis, the Plein Air Luminous Matte Skincare Foundation is a follow up to the Plein Air Complexion Balm released in 2022. The latter is formulated more like a tinted moisturiser and offers light coverage with a luminous, skin-like finish. The Plein Air Luminous Matte Skincare Foundation on the other hand, provides medium coverage and a more matte finish, although, I find that it really depends on your skin type and how much product you use.
I do have to stress that if you're looking for a foundation that will completely help to mattify your skin, the Plein Air Luminous Matte Skincare Foundation is not what you're looking for.
Like most long-wear foundations (it boasts a staying power of up to 16 hours) the Plein Air Luminous Matte Skincare Foundation is largely silicone-based. However, its topmost ingredient is water and this means that it has less of that thick, creamy consistency typical of silicone-based makeup yet still providing a smooth finish that's resistant to sweat and oil. 71 per cent of its formula is made of up ingredients of natural origin, and because it's a "skincare foundation", 81 per cent of its base is skincare.
The Plein Air Luminous Matte Skincare Foundation focuses on a trio of skincare ingredients that aids in giving skin that natural uplift as well as improving it. Niacinamide nourishes and improves the quality of skin, leaving it smoother day after day; pure hyaluronic acid aids in skin hydration; and white mulberry extract plumps up the skin and protects it from oxidative stress.
Most importantly, the formula has been dermatologically tested to be non-comedogenic, and suitable for all skin types, including more sensitive skin.
Yes, the formula sounds great. But how does it actually feel on the skin? From the first pump, it's pretty obvious that the Plein Air Luminous Matte Skincare Foundation wouldn't be a full coverage foundation. The consistency isn't too runny nor is it heavy, making it easy to blend with either Le Perfecteur Brush or simply using your fingertips. I find that it works exceptionally well with Le Perfecteur Brush or even a dense foundation brush, and wouldn't recommend using a sponge with this as it's going to take in a lot of the product more than actually spreading it due to its consistency.
Pyrpylis worked together with Pierre Hardy—the man behind a lot of the designs at Hermès Beauty as well as its other métiers—to come up with a number of complementary tools to be used with the Plein Air Luminous Matte Skincare Foundation. Aside from the aforementioned Le Perfecteur Brush that's designed with a bevelled shape and made of high-quality synthetic fibres (so that the product is not absorbed by the hairs), there's a palette and an applicator. The former is a beautiful brushed, gold-tone metal palette bearing the Hermès ex-libris that acts as a grip, while the applicator is fitted with a flexible tip for mixing, collecting, and applying products to the skin. Granted that there's actually no need for either of the two, they're luxurious additions that add to the use of the foundation—very Hermès.
But that's not to say that they're completely unnecessary. I find that the palette is a great tool to control how much product you'd want or need to use. The applicator does feel a bit indulgent personally, but hey, if you're used to applying foundation using a spatula, this would achieve a similar effect.
The fact that you've read this far down means that you're curious on how this would fare on a man. It's 2026, and it's high time we put aside those heteronormative norms around makeup. Repeat to self: I'm a man and it's completely fine to want to look my best and care about how I look.
Before even putting on the Plein Air Luminous Matte Skincare Foundation, skincare is key. Yes, it may be a "skincare foundation" but that doesn't mean that you skip your usual skincare routine. No matter whether you're on the oilier end of the spectrum or have a drier skin type, hydration is key. Moisturise well and you'd find that the foundation goes on better and smoother. There's also the Plein Air Perfecting Primer that is boosted with skincare properties as well. It's formulated to prolong the hold of makeup and helps to blur imperfections and refine skin texture. It feels great on the skin—wearing it on top of my usual moisturiser and sunblock, my skin definitely feels smoother but without feeling heavy.
I'd recommend starting off with two pumps of the Plein Air Luminous Matte Skincare Foundation for the entire face. Start off with the middle areas—the mouth, nose, and forehead—and blend the product towards the outer areas, buffing the it into the skin as you go along. Even with an initial application, I find that the foundation easily covers redness and reduces the appearance of texture, especially around areas where they are a bit drier. Personally, two pumps are sufficient to even out my skin tone and provide a good base for other products (colour corrector, concealer, etc.) should they be needed. But if not, the result is very skin-like—it's like my actual skin but better.
So does the Hermès Plein Air Luminous Matte Skincare Foundation actually live up to its name? I'd say so. It's quite undetectable; it doesn't look like you're wearing makeup. I can't speak to the skincare benefits because it does require consistent and prolonged use, but tests done with 55 subjects across four weeks reportedly show improvement in the appearance and feel of their skin. If anything, the instant visible results upon application should already be a big draw.
The Hermès Plein Air Luminous Matte Skincare Foundation, Plein Air Perfecting Primer, Le Perfecteur Brush, palette, and applicator are all available at Hermès boutiques and online.
