Review: Dior Backstage Face and Body Foundation (Oily, Acne-Prone Skin)

Dior Backstage Face and Body foundation was created with runway models in mind – they needed something that would photograph well and be versatile enough to give varying levels of coverage without caking.

The formula also needed to be long-lasting, holding up well under extreme conditions such as walking the runway under lots of warm lights and the rapid outfit changes backstage. The formula is waterproof and sweat-resistant.

formula

Finish: very skin-like, satin matte that dries down after a few minutes. Once set, the skin feels soft and smooth with no tackiness to the touch.

Coverage: completely customisable, from a barely-there skin tint through to a full coverage base.

Consistency: thin and fluid, it will run quickly down the back of your hand. Thanks to this fluidity, it feels really lightweight and comfortable on the skin.

Scent: delicate fragrance, which dissipates quickly as it sets. If you’re sensitive to fragrance, I’d recommend popping by your local counter for a sample.

longevity

This formula works well on my oily skin, lasting about 4 hours or so before any oils appear. I do powder through my T-zone as this is my oiliest area, however I don’t always set the rest of my face unless I need my foundation to be extra long-lasting that day or I have an event.

When my oils do start coming through, it doesn’t break down the foundation or turn cakey. I can easily blot and apply a light layer of powder on top which freshens up the base perfectly.

I’ve also read reviews from people with drier skin types who like this foundation too, so it seems to be a great all-rounder!

application

Working in thin layers is the best way to apply this, using either your fingers or a buffing brush. I wouldn’t recommend using a sponge to apply, as it sponge absorbs most of the product because it’s so liquid-y.

The formula has the tendency to separate slightly when sitting, so you’ll need to give this a good shake before applying to make sure the formula is mixed well.

I tend to go for a light-medium coverage most days, applying 1-2 layers using a ^Sigma F80 Flat Kabuki Brush*. This evens out my skin tone while letting some of my freckles still shine through.

When I’m aiming for a fuller coverage base, I use 3 thin layers which apply really easily on top of each other and never cake, crack or look thick on the skin.

Thanks to the self-setting finish, powder products such as blush can be applied directly on top of the foundation without setting with a face powder first – they won’t cling or apply patchy. Likewise, cream blush and liquid highlight apply and blend effortlessly without lifting or moving the foundation underneath.

shade range

There are a total of ^40 shades in the line, with 6 different undertones: Cool, Cool Rosy, Neutral, Warm, Warm Peach and Warm Olive.

My shade match for when I’m wearing fake tan is 3N (similar to MAC NC35). The shade 0N matches my natural skin tone which is very fair with neutral undertones (I’m Scottish).

packaging

The squeezy bottle makes it super easy to dispense the exact amount of product you need.

Despite being plastic and lightweight, the bottle still feels like a luxury product. You won’t need to worry about it smashing if you’re travelling.

The bottle contains 50mls of product (foundations usually tend to be 30ml). For a high-end, high-performance foundation, this is actually very reasonably priced.

Available from^Sephora UK ^Boots ^John Lewis ^Harvey Nichols ^Sephora US