This Month In Beauty: Fendi Goes Big On Perfumes, Hermes Beauty Expands Its Body Care Range & More
The 4-1-1 in the beauty world right now
By Keng Yang Shuen,
As we head into the vacation season, brands are ramping up on making sure you smell good from head to toe - and not just with summer fragrances (though you'll want to check out Fendi's first complete collection of perfumes).
More and more, you can now see brands launching entire set of body care and complementary products inspired by their staple perfumes, ensuring that fans can get even more out of their favourite scents - see Hermes and its new Le Bain range, which has head-to-toe options modelled after eight of their olfactory creations. More details below.
… on the new limited-edition sizes of the maison’s effervescent Eau Fraiche Eau de Parfum that is. Launched last year to great acclaim, the new flanker to the first version of Chance, which first debuted in 2002 as an Eau de Toilette. The Eau Fraiche Eau de Parfum is said to balance the density of an Eau de Parfum with the brightness of the original Eau de Toilette. Perfumer Olivier Polge enhanced its intensity while maintaining freshness, resulting in a new, unique fragrance. This version has a more intense trail, with an exhilarating citron accord, richer jasmine, and an ambery teak wood accord - and it now comes in two new sizes, an ultra-portable 35ml ($145), as well as a 150ml ($345) for those who can’t get enough of this perfume.
And for those who dig collectibles, there’s also a Les Des de Chance Eau Fraiche - a limited-edition set of four dice-shaped gentle hand and body soaps ($137 for the set), all of which are delicately scented with notes of the Chance Eau Fraiche Eau de Parfum; the better to completely envelope yourself in this sparkling concoction.
Available now at Chanel Fragrance and Beauty boutiques, counters and online store
A lot of brands are going big on body care, but Hermes might take the crown this summer with its new Le Bains collection, which comprises everything from shampoos to body moisturisers, all of which are informed by existing Hermes fragrances: three from the maison’s Colognes family (Eau d’orange verte, Eau de rhubarbe ecarlate and Eau de citron noir), and five from its Parfums-Jardins range (Un Jardin sur le Nil, Le Jardin de Monsieur Li, Un Jardin sur le Toit, Un Jardin sur la Lagune and the recent Un Jardin a Cythere).
If you prefer something more energising and refreshing, go with the Colognes family - Eau d’orange verte, Eau de rhubarbe ecarlate, and Eau de citron noir are available as hair and body shower gels ($122 for 200ml), foaming hand and body washes ($129 for 300ml), and body moisturisers ($135 for 300ml).
Look to the Parfums-Jardins series if you prefer something gentler - Le Jardin de Monsieur Li, Un Jardin sur le Toit, Un Jardin sur la Lagune, Un Jardin sur le Nil, and the recent Un Jardin a Cythere similarly will come with complementary hair and body shower gels, and body moisturisers. The latter two perfumes also offer a dry body oil ($94 for 50ml). And trust Hermes to make body care extra-exquisite - all come in chic glass bottles, which are coloured according to the perfume that inspired it. Bonus: they’re refillable too.
Available now at Hermes boutiques, counters and online store
The Rose de Granville has been at the heart of Dior Prestige (their top-end skincare range) since 1999. In 2022, the maison introduced Rosapeptide, a powerful blend of rose-derived ingredients, such as its petals, repairing sap, and a collagen-boosting peptide that reportedly works on three levels to rejuvenate and revitalise, enhancing both the skin matrix and the skin barrier.
The maison has upgraded their Dior Prestige Le Concentre Yeux eye cream ($340 for 15ml) by adding an infusion of Rosapeptide, as well as a yeast extract - the new formula targets signs of aging around the eyes, combating inflammatory aging effects like drooping eyelids, hollow tear troughs, crow's feet, and loss of cheek density, helping to promote hydration, firmness, and microcirculation, resulting in visibly rejuvenated eyes within a month, according to Dior.
Available now at all Dior Beauty boutiques, counters, online store, and Sephora
Perfumery might not be the first thing one immediately associates with Fendi but that’s about to change in a big way - cue the Roman maison’s first complete collection of eau de parfum fragrances, seven in total ($480 for 100ml), each inspired by a personality in Fendi’s famously close-knit family.
Founding matriarch Adele Casagrande Fendi is captured in Casa Grande (a spicy myrrh, amber, cherry and leathery ode to her legacy), while Anna Fendi, her daughter and one of the renowned Fendi sisters, evokes the memory of a mother's kiss with the green and floral Dolce Bacio (apricot, Indonesian patchouli and Damascene rose). Perche No is dedicated to the visionary current matriarch Silvia Venturini Fendi, the third-generation creator of bags like the Baguette and Peekaboo - it’s a comforting skin scent of basil, sandalwood, and incense.
Silvia’s daughters, Leonetta Luciano Fendi and Delfina Delettrez Fendi, representing the fourth generation, are represented in Ciao Amore (a solar scent of fig, orange blossom, and tonka bean), as well as the warm and sensual Sempre Mio (bergamot, cedarwood, and orange blossom).
The youngest generation - made up of Delfina’s young twins, Tazio and Dardo Vascellari Delettrez Fendi - is signified by La Baguette, a rich, powdery number of iris, Madagascar vanilla, and leather. And finally, current Fendi womenswear head Kim Jones’ early childhood days growing up in Africa is bottled in Prima Terra, an earthy blend of tangerine, rosemary, and oak moss.
Available now in Fendi boutiques and online store
Chanel’s Cometes Collective has launched its second salvo, Ombre Essentielle, a collection comprising 14 individual eyeshadows in rich, pretty shades, all inspired by the maison’s heritage, such as Beige Suede, a matte camel-like shade inspired by the sofa in the late designer's apartment at 31 Rue Cambon in Paris, or Rouge Cuir, a matte dark red that replicates the color of the 2.55 handbag's lining. There are also three new shades for the maison’s signature Noir Allure mascara: brick brown, an orangey red and a pastel lilac mauve.
Ombre Essentielle is masterminded by the Serge Lutens-trained, Paris-based makeup artist Cecile Paravina, who’s famed for her dab hand at creating colour-saturated images. (A quick recap: Paravina is one of three emerging beauty talents that constitute the brand’s Cometes Collective, an initiative started by the brand in 2022 to have a more pluralistic perspective at Chanel Makeup Creation Studio.)
Each eyeshadow, available in matte, satin, or iridescent finishes, is formulated to be creamier for effortless blending to adjust color intensity. The concept is to show that with a single shade and ample creative freedom, one can transform the idea that monochrome is monotonous.
Available now at Chanel Fragrance and Beauty boutiques, counters and online store
Swedish label Acne Studios has finally forayed into perfumes and they’re off to a good start by tapping on a legendary name in the industry: Frederic Malle, who is the man known for giving a spotlight to perfumers through his eponymous line (perfumers previously toiled behind-the-scenes and were unknown outside the industry).
Titled Acne Studios par Frederic Malle ($427 for 50ml, $608 for 100ml), the fragrance has previously been described to be reminiscent of ‘fresh laundry’ drying under the sun (read: it’s a clean skin scent). Redolent of aldehydes, it contains notes of rose, orange blossom, vanilla, white musk and violet - Acne Studios founder Jonny Johansson says the overall effect is a tactile experience, akin to wearing a luxurious mohair sweater.
Available now at Acne Studios’ Marina Bay Sands boutiques and select retailers
Korean skincare powerhouse Sulwhasoo introduced the Ultimate S range last year, which focuses on Ginseng Berry Elixir, an ultra-concentrated version (50 times more potent) of the brand's signature fruit that reportedly is able to penetrate deeper into the skin to effectively combat signs of aging.
It's steadily continued to build on the collection: this month sees Sulwhasoo adding The Ultimate S Enriched Water ($172 for 150ml), which revitalises the skin by deeply hydrating and reducing signs of aging, fine lines, and pore size. Utilising fine particle technology, the Micro 980 texture allows the formula to penetrate quickly and deeply, enhancing absorption and leaving the skin feeling refreshed and radiant.
There's also the Ultimate S Enriched Emulsion ($195 for 125ml) is said to help increase resilience and balance oil and moisture, giving the skin a supple and revitalised feel. Its innovative formula penetrates deeply and is quickly absorbed, effectively treating rough and dry aging skin.
Available now at Sulwhasoo boutiques, counters, and online store
The latest entrant to the lip gloss movement is Laneige. Their signature Lip Sleeping Mask is insanely popular of course, but now the brand is also introducing daytime counterparts; cue the new Lip Glowy Balm, a collection of lip treatments ($28 each) that come in six sheer hues (Berry, Blueberry, Gummy Bear, Mango, Sweet Candy and Vanilla). Each Lip Glowy Balm contains shea butter and murumuru Seed butter, providing effective moisture retention. The lightweight, subtly glossy balm can be used alone for a glossy look, under lip makeup to reduce flakiness, or over lip makeup for a soft, glossy finish.
Available now at Laneige boutiques, counters and Sephora
If you're looking to counter sallow or tired-looking skin, you might want to try looking at the new limited-edition lavender version of Nars' Light Reflecting Prismatic Powder. Available in both pressed and loose powder formats ($68 each), this powder makes use of colour theory - purple cancels out yellow tones, so it helps to counteract a dull complexion. The pressed powder offers sheer, translucent coverage with a satin finish, while the loose powder gives a radiant, undetectable finish. Both formulas leverage Nars' signature Light Reflecting Complex, ensuring makeup is set effortlessly with a lightweight feel.
Launches exclusively on Nars' Lazada store on June 14
For those who can't get enough of the gentle florals of Dior's evergreen Miss Dior scent, you can now fully wear the scent from day-to-night: cue the new bath ritual by Miss Dior, which introduces three rose-infused treatments: the Exfoliating Body Oil ($108 for 175ml) with rose extract, Indulgent Shower Gel ($86 for 175ml) with rose water, and Comforting Body Milk ($108 for 175ml) with rose wax.
The Miss Dior bath ritual consists of three steps: the Exfoliating Body Oil is a gentle exfoliator, with 83 per cent natural ingredients and a rosy pink hue, leaves the skin soft and radiant. Next comes the Indulgent Shower Gel - this translucent pink gel transforms into a silky foam when in contact with water, enveloping the skin with the fresh scent of Miss Dior. And finally, lock moisture into your skin with the Comforting Body Milk, which is enriched with 93 per cent natural ingredients - this is helps to nourish and moisturise the skin, leaving it soft and supple.
Available now at all Dior Beauty boutiques, counters, and online store