The beauty product that changed my mind about foundation
I was introduced to it while on a trip to the Cannes Film Festival last spring. Dior Makeup's creative director Peter Philips was enthusiastically showing me and a couple of other beauty editors his most exciting launch in years: a shiny, palm-sized black case with a foundation stick within.
Foundation sticks, in the world of make-up, used to feel a bit old-fashioned. They were the popular go-to product in films and in the theatre in the mid 20th century; back then, the sticks usually meant a thick formula that would add a mask-like layer of coverage on the skin. It may have looked great on camera, but only on camera.
But Dior has spent five years developing the Forever foundation stick. Since its launch in the UK last autumn, it has been flying off shelves, which is not always a given for a luxury make-up product. But I can see why – rather than looking cakey on the skin and feeling drying, this foundation stick goes on like butter.
It's also incredibly easy to use – just scribble on where you need it and blend – and there's no need for concealer, either. 'You can draw the stick straight on to your skin, and then blend it in with a brush or a beauty blender,' says Philips. I've been using a brush, which blends the foundation beautifully on to the skin, but I've also used my fingers and it works very well. You have a minute or two to blend the product in before it sets.
'The make-up result is a 'filter'-like finish,' says Philips, 'luminous and perfecting.'
It can of course be used all over the face, but for the most natural finish, just apply it where you feel you need to even out the complexion a little, and blend. It has enough coverage to cover my dark circles, which is always impressive in my book. I also love that it's a portable size and easy to carry around for quick touch-ups or for travelling. It hasn't left my handbag in weeks, and has become my go-to foundation for evening events.
If you're not into the trend for 'dewy' (read: shiny) liquid foundation, you'll love this. It gives the skin a semi-matt finish that looks grown-up and polished. The obsession with shine and gloss makes sense on the smooth skin of a 20-something, but as soon as you hit your mid-30s onwards, I think a semi-matt foundation offers the best finish. You won't need to use a powder over it, either, unless you have very oily skin. But as the formula is hydrating, Philips says you can apply a little less of your moisturiser underneath.
To find the right shade for you, I'd suggest going to a counter in a department store or a big Boots – foundation is notoriously tricky to match online. Dior's foundation stick cleverly takes undertones into consideration, so as well as covering shades from fair to deep, it includes different tones based upon whether your skin is more golden, pinky or neutral. This makes it match your skin perfectly – as long as you are confident of your undertone. I'm a 3N, a shade that disappears when I draw the stick on my face. Exactly as a good foundation should.
Three more ace bases
Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint, £35, Charlotte Tilbury
If you've ever tried Tilbury's Hollywood Flawless Filter before, this is like a solid version of it. You get a very light amount of coverage and a mega-watt glow on the skin. An excellent option for holidays when you just want a little 'something' on the face.
Skin Rewind Complexion Stick, £48, Ilia
This foundation comes in an impressively large array of shades – 42, to be exact, so you'll definitely be able to find your perfect match. It has a medium, buildable coverage, but can be sheered out to give an overall subtle, natural finish.
The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick, £34, Merit
This is part concealer, part foundation stick; the finer nib makes it really easy to get into the under-eye area to conceal dark circles, but it can also be scribbled all over the cheeks and blended in with a brush to give an overall even complexion.
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