Luxury cosmetics brand Dior have recently released their Backstage Collection – a range of products which feel much more modern and trendy than their classic (but equally as beautiful) line. The packaging, pricing and marketing seems to be aimed at the millennial demographic – so naturally, I’m a sucker for it. The Backstage Collection is comprised of face, eye and lip palettes as well as a foundation and primer. I’m always really excited by foundation launches, I love trying new complexion products in hopes of finding my new favourite base. I appear to have hit gold with this one – the Dior Backstage Face and Body is absolutely beautiful and is now my most worn foundation!
Dior Backstage Face and Body foundation was created with runway models in mind – they needed something that would photograph well, be versatile enough to give varying levels of coverage while building well and needed to be long-lasting, holding up well under extreme conditions such as walking the runway under lots of warm lights.
The formula claims to be waterproof and able to resist extreme conditions such as workouts, extreme temperatures and humidity. It also claims to have a photo-ready finish for 95% of people.
There are a total of 40 shades in the line, with 6 different undertones to choose from: Cool, Cool Rosy, Neutral, Warm, Warm Peach and Warm Olive. I must say though, there are definitely more light and medium shades than deeper shades in the range – hopefully the shade range will be expanded soon to be more inclusive.
The shade I have is 3N (similar to MAC NC35), which I wear when I have fake tan on. I need to go get colour matched when I’m at my palest too so I can wear this all year round – it’s on the to-do list!
My Skin Type: For reference, I have oily, acne-prone skin. My skin is also dehydrated, but I don’t have any dry patches.
The finish is a 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. Other powder products such as powder 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.
This finish 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!
The coverage of this foundation is completely customisable, from a barely-there skin tint through to a full coverage base. Working in thin layers is the best way to apply this, using either your fingers or a buffing brush. 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.
The consistency of the formula is quite fluid, so will run quickly down the back of your hand. Thanks to this fluidity, it feels really lightweight and comfortable on the skin. It 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. It’s also best not to use a sponge to apply, as the sponge just absorbs all the product because it’s so liquid-y.
The foundation is scented, but personally it doesn’t bother me. I actually quite like its 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.
I also really like the packaging of this foundation – the squeezy bottle makes it super easy to only dispense the exact amount you need. It’s also lightweight and won’t break as it’s not made of glass. Despite being plastic, it still feels like a luxury product which I appreciate. Although, this is actually very reasonably priced for a high end foundation – retailing for £29.50 for 50ml (foundations usually tend to be 30ml).
Have you tried the Dior Backstage Face and Body foundation? What’s your favourite foundation right now?
Steph, xo
I had a few sample bottles of this last summer and loved it. I need to repurchase and I want to try the new primer too! xx
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