Dior Backstage Face and Body Foundation Review
BY SOPHIE CHUNG & REBECCA DIEUDONNE
If there is one makeup item that people are picky about - it’s foundation. With so many variables to get right - it can be hard to find the perfect one.
18 JUL - 2018
Dior Backstage Face and Body Foundation is a favourite of numerous makeup artists and has found it’s way on to countless ‘favourites’ lists. It was even Meghan Markle’s foundation of choice on her wedding day.
The Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation - nice pared-back packaging, I like the matte finish on the bottle. It’s also a handy size. I usually prefer a pump but the squeezable bottle is a very good second best. I’m also very impressed with the shade range – there are 40 shades in total, with six undertones. I selected 1N which is the second lightest neutral shade. It's a light beige shade that stays true to tone on the skin which I love! (i.e. doesn’t oxidise to a warmer or pinker shade).
The application is smooth, it has a fluid, creamy texture that feels like second skin. I quite like a velvet satin finish for everyday wear. I applied with my fingers to press the formula into my skin, I generally prefer this over brushes as I can get a smoother finish, rather than a layer that sits on top. The formula doesn’t ‘set’ so blending the layers was seamless. On this particular day, I was suffering from a few large blemishes and so the coverage didn't quite build up to the maximum that I needed. For the days I feel the need to thoroughly hide my acne, my holy grail of high coverage is Estée Lauder Double Wear.
However I found myself wanting to put on layer after layer to achieve that flawless finish I get with my holy grail Double Wear (Estée Lauder) – but I never quite got there. Ordinarily, this would be fine, I quite like a velvet satin finish for everyday wear – but I had a few blemishes and this didn’t quite do the job.
Dior Backstage Face And Body Foundation, NZD$80
Dior Backstage Face And Body Foundation, NZD$80
The Verdict
The formula boasts to resist all extremes – from the hot lights on the runway, to a high intensity workout. Can’t say we did either, but it kept my skin hydrated and comfortable for over eight hours on a cold and wet Sunday. I bounced from cafe heater to heater before finally ending up in the spa at home. The foundation wasn’t patchy, overly shiny, or creased in any fine lines. It was also easy to remove, unlike some other long-wearing formulas and came off with a gentle cleanse.
I would recommend this formula to all skin types. Oilier skin types may like to add a light dusting of powder to take any shine off t-zone areas throughout the day. Dry skin types will enjoy the soft hydration. As with all foundation applications though, I would recommend a light exfoliation beforehand and apply a primer to ensure you have a smooth base to work with. Additionally, It doesn’t have any SPF (makes sense, to avoid any reflection with flash photography), so make sure you apply sunscreen prior. Overall, I would rate this foundation a 9/10 - I only wish it provided slightly more coverage! Additional points awarded for the inclusive shade range, and I loved the variety of undertones to cater for all skin types.
Sophie’s Thoughts
I seriously love the new Dior formula - being so fluid with a low viscosity, you can mix and blend the shades easily as the season and your skin colour evolves accordingly. There are 10 shades in the skin tone cohorts of Cool, Neutral and Warm from 0 to 9 - so there's bound to be a colour to match you.
The purpose of this formula, alongside the rest of the Backstage collection, is to provide a light and sheer coverage that builds up easily via layering. The finish is quite luminous rather than a flat matte which makes your skin look a lot more dimensional and youthful. If you've got an oily t-zone but have been wanting to don that radiant look without the greasy shine, this is perfect! I go in with a light dusting of the new Hourglass Translucent Setting Powder to mattify it without losing the subtle glow factor.
I reckon one layer with the Light Coverage Fluid Foundation Brush N° 11 is perfect for everyday wear. This evens out the skin tone and texture while letting freckles show through. As I'm all about the mela-fade with super clear glass skin as my end goal, I prefer to go in with another layer to hide the pigmentation on my cheeks. If you want full coverage, go in thrice.
"If you've got an oily t-zone but have been wanting to don that radiant look without the greasy shine, this is perfect!"
The Final Word
If a sheer formula is no-game for you, then I highly recommend you try the Dior Forever Undercover 24H Full Coverage Foundation (click for a review) - it's balls to the walls.
Considering the Face & Body is a premium luxury foundation, the price is pretty attractive at $80NZD for 50mls. To be fair though, you'd naturally use a bit more in quantity each time compared to a high coverage formula as it's so fluid. Plus, if you're wanting more coverage, you'd be inclined to go in with another layer.
Personally, I reckon Peter Phillips was bang on with the entire collection! It's a 10/10 from me. I'm so freaking impressed that the formula is so glowy and sticks like second-skin, giving us oily freaks a chance to go luminescent for once. If you know, you know. The shine can get reflective AF.
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