When MAC Cosmetics launched their Mineralize Skinfinish 13 years ago (Millenials on the older end of the spectrum would remember Soft and Gentle), it was a hit. Finally, a highlighting product that wasn’t chalky, overtly glittery, and did not “slip” around on one’s complexion the oilier they got. Strangely, highlighters — be it cremes, powders or liquids — have gone the complete opposite in recent years. Not everybody wants to look like an Oscar statue and for the life of me, I can’t imagine myself connecting to the relentless churn of grooming trends being pursued by Gen-Z.
While I teeter on the bleeding edge of newness — all the freshest drops delivered to my email inbox — direct from the front lines of grooming conglomerates, the Hermès Poudre d’Orfèvre (FYI, it’s a festive drop!) reminded me that is a great joy to be had from a product that does its job quietly.
The beauty is in the packaging too: a classic orange box.
Highlighters, which basically means you’re faking the effect of light hitting your skin, isn’t particularly new like I mentioned. While it picked up rapidly as of recent years, it seems strange to me that the bigwigs of male beauty seem to have forgotten what it was originally invented to do: a dialed-up imitation of the natural sheen one gets when he is properly hydrated and moisturised. And this is where the Hermès Poudre d’Orfèvre comes in.
Firstly, it imparts a mother-of-pearl sheen to the face that flatters all skin tones (I wager that it’ll look good up to those with NC45 skin tones) that doesn’t lean too gold or silvery. Too gilt-like and it becomes gaudy and too pearlescent is when it really looks like you’re wearing highlighter. While it applies lightly when used with a brush — one can moisten his brush to “foil” the powder or even use his fingers — the magic in its make is that it seems virtually impossible to overdo it. One stroke gives a subtle shine, two give a dialed-up glow and even if you do 10 as I did, its almost cream-like formula settles into the skin without creasing or cracking.
Secondly, it works wonderfully too on those with oilier skin. A point of contention I have with its competitors is that sometimes, a powder formula often “sits” over a layer of grease but the Hermès Poudre d’Orfèvre “melts’ into the skin when you start shining up. While it seems like I am intensely lauding this product, the one small twine I have with it is that it has a tendency to patch up on drier skin (especially so with drier skin, thanks Dad for being a sport). But that is what a heavily hydrating product or a primer is for.
Thirdly, is its design: an Ex-Libris chiseled on its surface reminiscent of the motif the House’s creative directors employ in their clothing, silk, jewellery and shoes as done by Émile Maurice Hermès with his books. While it does flatten with repeated usage (Hey, no product is 100% perfect), fall out is nonexistent with it. Simply put, the Hermès Poudre d’Orfèvre does not flake or crumble no matter how hard one pushes their brush into the product.
If the above three points can’t convince you, I’m happy to report too that because of its formula and colour pay-off, one can apply it in the dark or in a moving vehicle. And yes, I’ve tried the powder in both situations and have gladly won in both.
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