If the beauty buzz hasn’t already made you sit up and take notice, then I’m here to tell you that with the success of the Diorskin Nude foundation from 2 years ago, Dior has upped the ante, and launched a brand new formula for both their Diorskin Nude liquid and powder foundation. I absolutely adore the new liquid foundation, I’ll tell you that right now. Its seriously one of the best I’ve used in a while and that’s saying a lot, since its coming out together with a whole bunch of other brands launching new foundations this year. But more about the foundation later 😉
I’m going to tell you about the new brushes that Dior has launched together with their new base makeup. There are 4 new Backstage brushes for liquid and powder makeup. One brush for full coverage, one for light coverage.
For liquid foundation, the brush for light coverage is your typical flat paddle brush and for full coverage, we get a dense round bevelled brush (looks familiar? 😉 ) For powder foundation, the brush for light coverage is the typical round fluffy powder brush while for full coverage, we have a denser flat top brush.
The eagle-eyed amongst you will be thinking at this point “Hmm… doesn’t that liquid foundation brush look suspiciously familiar?” If you are thinking about that highly raved Shiseido foundation brush, you got it right. It was my exact thoughts the moment I laid eyes on it. Would be interesting to see how it fares eh? 😉
I’ve got an overview of the brushes and my thoughts on the 2 that I have, plus some quick comparisons for you to get a better idea. Ready? Settle down, its going to be quite a read 😉
I get fussy about my makeup brushes. I am quite willing to splurge on them because I’ve realised that often, it could be what makes or breaks your makeup. A brush that applies makeup patchy or unevenly is a disaster. I was quite happy to see that Dior has brought back their flat top foundation brush. 2 years ago, there was a lot of see-sawing about whether or not it was actually available here (I really liked it) If I might say so, I actually prefer this new packaging.
Top: Dior Backstage Full Coverage Liquid Foundation brush Bottom: Dior Backstage Light coverage powder brush
The new Dior Backstage brushes have a long tapered matte black plastic handle that gives it a sleek look. The long handle is easy to manage and I found the brushes quite well balanced with a good weight to them. The brush handles are a good size and fit in my hands well.
Dior Backstage Light Coverage Powder Brush
Size wise, I find that the light coverage powder brush has a rather large brush head and the bristles are not very densely packed. This allows for a light, sheer application of powder. I wouldn’t use this one to actually apply powder foundation, unless you want only a very light dusting or you want to go over it a few times. Instead, I’d use this one for loose powder or setting powder. I’ve got a video below that shows you how the different brushes are used, and the makeup artist uses this powder brush the same way I do – to apply a light dusting of powder set makeup 🙂
The bristles (natural hair – goat I believe) are a little stiff but aren’t pokey or scratchy on my skin. Although loose, its actually still quite dense so it picks up powder very easily and you only have to tap it on the surface of the powder for it to pick up the powder, and it applies quite comfortably on my skin. I have washed this one a few times and experienced no shedding or bleeding. It in fact feels a bit softer after washing. In terms of performance, I think this brush performs well for what it claims to do – to apply a light coverage of powder foundation on skin.
I have here a quick comparison with some other powder brushes I own and use.
Top Left – Right: Lunasol powder brush, Tony & Tina Powder brush, Dior Backstage Powder Foundation Brush L, Sonia Kashuk Powder brush
Of the powder brushes I use most often, I’d put the Dior Backstage powder foundation brush as most similar to the Lunasol Powder Brush. The difference is in the softness of the bristles. The Lunasol Powder Brush is much softer to touch and on skin. However, softness comes with its drawbacks in that a very soft brush does not pick up product very well. Its a bit of a fallacy that a soft brush = good brush. Sometimes, you need something soft, and other times you need something a little stiffer, depending on what you are using the brush for.
In the bottom pictures, you can see that sizewise, the Dior and Lunasol brushes are about the same with similar density. I would say that the Lunasol Power Brush is wonderful for the soft feel and for applying loose powder very lightly on skin but if you want something with a little more coverage then you should go for the Dior one as that does perform a dual function of applying setting powder as well as applying powder foundation, if you need it to. Oh, and price-wise, the Dior and Lunasol brushes are the same price too : RM210. So whichever you choose from these two will be a toss up on how you like the performance, as there is no difference in price.
Dior Backstage Full Coverage Liquid Foundation Brush
The full coverage liquid foundation brush has dense bristles and a bevelled flat surface to fit the contours of your face. To use this, you would pick up the liquid foundation, and stipple it on your skin (lightly dabbing it against your skin) and it builds coverage as you go long.
The bristles are synthetic and it does a fairly good job at applying foundation. Foundation goes on easily and it is so easy to build up coverage on areas where you need it, but simply dabbing on more product. It also diffuses the product very quickly on the skin so you get a very smooth and even coverage.
But you know what? You heard me say all this before LOL! Yes this brush functions pretty much the same way as the Shiseido Perfect Foundation brush does. Like the Shiseido brush, it applies liquid foundation quite flawlessly on skin. I find that it has a similar density and even a similar size of the head. If you found the Shiseido Perfect Foundation brush too small for you (I know some people have that issue) then this will similarly be the same. It will be too small for you too.
Top Photo: Left-Right Shiseido Perfect Foundation Brush, Dior Backstage Full Coverage Liquid Foundation brush
What I found when doing a side by side comparison, is that the bristles on the Shiseido brush are a wee bit longer that that of the Dior brush. Size wise, as the two bottom panels show, the size of the brush head is about the same. I don’t find that the length of the bristles impact on the performance of the brush. Both brushes perform well for me and when used, both are just as hard to get clean! Thank goodness for Daiso! 😉
The main difference in the two brushes therefore, would be in the length of the handle. The Shiseido one has a short stumpy handle and although it takes some getting used to at first, its fairly easy to get a hang of it. The Dior one has a much longer handle and I found that this allowed me to use the brush in two ways:-
- Held close to the metal ferrule to get a more dense and precise application of product
- Held further for a lighter product application which enabled me to use it for powder foundation as well
In a nutshell
Dior has launched 4 new brushes together with their new formulations of the Diorskin Nude liquid and powder foundations, for light and full coverage respectively. I sampled the Light Coverage Powder Foundation Brush and the Full Coverage Liquid Foundation Brush and I found that they both performed very well. The Powder Brush (L) feels firm yet applies powder lightly and evenly on skin. I feel that it is more suited to applying setting powder unless you only plan to apply a very thin layer of powder foundation on skin. It wasn’t scratchy and did not shed or bleed after a few washes. The Liquid Foundation Brush (F) has dense synthetic bristles and makes applying liquid foundation an easy and painless affair, ensuring flawless application each time. It is easy to use and the long handle made it useful for applying product with a lighter hand, and it can be used for powder foundation too. I must admit I was never very impressed with Dior brushes before this (mostly found them a bit scratchy) but these 2 are very good at what they do.
Pros: Both brushes featured here apply product very well, The powder brush is not scratchy or pokey, The powder brush applies a very smooth and even layer of powder on skin lightly, The liquid foundation brush helps with flawless liquid foundation application and can be used for both powder and liquid
Cons: Pricey initially
Who will like this: Anyone who wants a good liquid foundation brush, Anyone who wants a slightly more dense powder brush, Anyone willing to spend on makeup brushes
As befits Dior, each brush comes with a plastic sleeve to hold the bristles in place, and in its own velvet pouch. Its those little touches of luxury that makes buying these brushes different from buying a comparable one 😉
Here’s a video by Dior International Makeup Artist, Yadim showing you how the different brushes may be used and how to achieve a nude skin effect.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq0OU4QaUQg
Is your interest piqued by these Dior Backstage brushes? Which one would you be more keen on?
I have not yet tried the other 2 brushes in the range, and I hesitate to tell you to run right out and buy these because they are pricey (good brushes usually are). So, whether you need these brushes depends on what you are looking for to fit your current brush collection. If you want to pick up just one, I’d suggest the Full Coverage Liquid Foundation Brush because you can easily use it for both liquid and powder and the long handle does allow for better manipulation of the coverage you need. I personally find that its easier to find a powder brush that works, but finding a good liquid foundation brush took me years.
Paris B
Dior Backstage Makeup Brushes : Full and Light Coverage Liquid Foundation Brush Price: RM180 each; Full and Light Coverage Powder Foundation Brush Price: RM210 each Availability: Dior counters
I saw these in the store and took pics sneakily! Was going to Whatsapp you but I forgot once I got home 😐 Attention span of a goldfish >< Thanks for reviewing. 🙂
Haha! You know what’s the ironic thing? The new Dior Nude foundation goes on better with fingers than a brush. I tried it both ways and fingers definitely does a better job 😉
Lovely brushes. Thanks for the review, Paris. One day when I’ve honed my skills like yours, I will get them. I think having good brushes is one of the best feeling when you get ready to leave house. Feels great to doll up with soft brushes sweeping across face:)
Hey Jennifer! Personally if you really want to get into doing proper makeup, one of the first investments would be a good brush – can never underestimate how well it can make even crappy (ok not crappy but not so wonderful) makeup look great 🙂 But for some foundations, fingers still do the job well enough 😉
Yeah, I agree with you, the tool is as important as the makeup product 🙂 I’m now trying to use mineral foundation and still learning to apply it sparingly with the kabuki brush. Usually for a long day, I will use mineral foundation to last till late night. I’m also tryig L’oreal True Match foundation – this one I apply using fingers and so far so good because it spreads out smoothly.
Mineral foundation is so tricky! But once its on, it stays on all day and that’s the good bit. Which Kabuki brush are you using? I find that its helpful sometimes, to leave the cover on, shake the tub hard so some powder gets on the lid, then swirl the brush in the lid with whatever powder is there. It usually does the trick 😉
Hehe, I am using the Mineral Hygienics kabuki, thanks a dear lovely friend 😉 Takes a while to get used to mineral powder and only when time permits especially in the morning rush hours. Thanks for your tips Paris, practise makes perfect 😀
Thanks for the review. 🙂
With the price difference, I’d probably go for the Shiseido one. 😛 Thought I’m still contemplating between the Shiseido and the Urban Decay new foundation brush. Haha.
Did you mean the something diffusing UD brush? I think I remember a bit of buzz about it but didn’t pay much attention 😛
At this pricing, I will buy two Shiseido brushes.
One for liquid and one for powder.
It does wonders not only for better looking skin but also makes the entire look more lasting.
As for the powder brush, i think i’m very happy with my MAC 134 “at the moment”. I’ve been using it for about 3 years. And yes, this is one product i actually really like from MAC. 😉
I personally do think that MAC makes great brushes 🙂 I have one of their eye ones but never quite liked their face brushes. Still prefer the Japanese for face brushes 😀
hi Paris,
do you have recommendations for a good blusher brush and highlighter/ sculpting brush?
right now, im using my blusher brush for all 3 functions (horror!!!) but now im looking for upgrade.
thanks for any info you can provide 🙂
st
Hi ST, I use the Lunasol Cheek brush for blush and I don’t use a highlighter/sculpting brush because I use the same one for everything too 😛 It must be said that I don’t do the highlighting/sculpting thing a lot. If Meteorites application is counted then that has its own brush 🙂
i have got both the lunasol and shiseido ones thanks to you Paris! XD
and they are both awesome brushes! glad that i bought them!
however, due to my laziness, i found myself still using more fingers than using the shiseido brush for foundation… somehow both lunasol and rmk foundation works well with fingers.. not much difference in terms of finishing whether i use fingers or brush… does that happen to u too???????????
or i am doing it wrongly Paris????
been awfully busy these days… maybe u noticed how my comments appear lesser…….. T.T
Hiya Gin! Yep, real life can be such a pain sometimes can’t it? LOL Its ok if I don’t see you around the comments so long as you visit 😉 I have gone back to using my fingers for a couple of new foundations too. Despite they having brushes made for them, I found that they applied better with fingers than brushes! You’re right about the RMK foundation. Its much faster and smoother to work with fingers so I only use a brush when I have the time. The effects are much better with a brush though but time is more of a priority these days eh? 😉
I have the paddle foundation brush with the new black handle and I’m loving it so far. The bristles are thicker than most paddle foundation brushes.
Thanks for sharing, Joyce! Its good to know that the paddle foundation brush does a good job too. I think Dior did well with these set of new brushes even if they are rather pricey
Usually, I’d use my Sigma paddle brush for foundations, or my Etude House Duo Fibre brush if I didn’t use it for blush. However, for better blending, I’d use my fingers, heh heh heh~ ^.^ I once had the Sigma flat top kabuki, but I washed it until all the hairs fell out (because I couldn’t get to the center bit). It served as a PAINFUL lesson *sighs*
Oh dear you killed a brush! LOL 😀 I find some foundations work better with fingers too although a brush can give a more air-brushed finish that fingers can’t really achieve.
Great in depth review, Paris! 😀 Could just be my eyes, but it looks like the Lunasol brush has a superior cut in comparison — its bristles curve very smoothly at the tips but I see unevenness in the Dior. Do you happen to know where these Dior brushes are made?
Thanks Peach! And your eyes aren’t deceiving you. The Lunasol does have a smoother more even cut. I don’t know if its a fact, but I read that their bristles may not be cut, so they taper off naturally and therefore feel softer. Not sure about that. Might also be because its squirrel vs goat 😀 I have a soft spot for Japanese brushes 😉 No idea where the Dior brushes come from but I’ll try to find out!
I am a brush fanatic. I didn’t know of this, and now that I know, I want it all! To be honest, I feel like I have already reached brush Nirvana, because I currently have perfect powder brush, a perfect medium coverage liquid foundation brush, and a perfect full coverage one. Every single one of the Dior, I seem to have a replacement for it. But still, I am so tempted to at least pick up the light coverage powder brush. haha, and maybe the heavy coverage powder brush. =P
Haha I went through a brush phase once too! 😀 Its great to know that you already have good brushes that you love for everything you need. I think good tools are very important 🙂 Take a look at your local counter and have a feel of the brushes. You may change your mind…. or you might end up going home with one or two LOL!
Thanks for the thorough review, Paris! I saw these in person recently, and I also thought the one for dense liquid foundation application looks very familiar 🙂 I actually haven’t tried too much in terms of compact foundation, so I’m curious about that and the brushes that go with it!
You’re welcome Sunny! 😀 I usually use a sponge with powder foundation or a denser brush. In fact I usually use the Tony & Tina Powder brush that you see in the collage photo because its dense enough yet a bit fluffy so the powder diffuses better. With Dior foundations, I find that the flat brush they include do an excellent job as do their sponges 🙂
my sentiment exactly! when i first saw the dior Full Coverage Liquid Foundation Brush, I thought of shiseido’s perfect foundation brush… I have an older version of the powder foundation brush for heavier coverage and it’s also quite good in buffing the 2way pact as well…
keep up the good work!
Hi Leesa! You have the old flat top brush! 😀 I was dithering over whether to buy it at the time, and then I was getting all sorts of conflicting news about whether it was available locally so I just gave up 😛 I think it similar to my other flat top brushes but I like the long handle. Somehow, it doesn’t apply powder as thickly as a short handle brush, don’t you think?
I saw your post this morning b4 i went shopping, wanted to get the Shiseido foundation brush ( finally )… but only 1 SA at the counter and after few rounds of looking and touching else where, she is still busy when i went back. Worst, the last round i went back after i walk from MJMV – Jusco – MJ, the same “aunty” was still occupying the SA while the same older aunty sitting beside her. The difference is this time where were 2 other customers glaring at the aunty. SO, in the end I still didn’t get the brush ==”’
p/s I like the slim handle of Dior foundation brush compared to Shiseido’s, I feel it’s easier to put and take out from a bunch of brushes.
Hiya Bugs, it sucks that there was no one to serve you at the Shiseido counter! It really bugs me when that happens to me too, especially when I really want something and am ignored, I usually just give up and go to a different counter 😛 As for the handle, I actually find the Dior one easier to handle for the same reason – the longer handle. Funny what you don’t realise till there are options 😉
Thanks for the review! All the brushes are sold out so I can’t even touch them 🙁 I was wondering about the comparison between the Shiseido foundation brush and I guessed right. I also have the Lunasol powder brush, so I guess I can skip both these brushes! Logically speaking that is… doesn’t stop me from wanting them too. Heh 🙂
Yikes! They are sold out already?! That’s super quick >.< Logically, yes we all have enough brushes. Irrationally, we just want MORE! 😉
I got the Shiseido foundation brush after reading your review on it and I must say I do love it. So no lusting for the Dior brush esp if I have to pay almost double just for a longer handle.
Glad to know the Shiseido brush works for you! 😀
I noticed the foundation brush and it retails for 80sgd in sg, huge price difference between this and the shiseido one.
Personally I have both the shiseido brushes, the one you have and a similar one that is found in Japan and called 131. I haven’t tried the 131 yet but I feel the bristles is not as densely packed as the foundation brush. I bought the foundation brush at 50sgd I think or lesser and I bought the 131 brush at 33 sgd after conversion (my friend’s friend helped me to bring back from Japan). Gonna wash my foundation brush tmr so I can alternate between them for my foundation application. The foundation brush works well with liquid foundation and compact powder, I’d say it’s a good buy.
I did a quick comparison of the Shiseido 131 brush in my previous review too 😀 Its a good little brush. I did think there was a slight, very very slight difference between the 131 and the Perfect Foundation brush, but they ultimately fulfill the same job very well 🙂
I’ve been curious about the new foundation – I’m glad you think it’s awesome! Will have to test it out the next time I make it to a counter. And thanks for the thorough brush review!
You’re most welcome Larie! I did like the foundation a lot, but I also noticed that when I had a patch of dry skin, I could see the flaky skin so that wasn’t very satisfying.
The only thing I can say is… WOW! That is beautiful….. I haven’t seen it here but I will keep my eyes open for it.
They are, aren’t they? Hope you get to check them out soon! 😉
Came back from Korea a week a go and guess what? THE FACE SHOP HAS A BRUSH LIKE THE SHISEIDO AND DIOR LIQUID FOUNDATION BRUSH TOO! =O A trend?
LOL Sounds like it indeed! Thanks for the heads up Esther!
One issue I have with Shiseido type foundation brushes, after you apply foundation for more than 4 people it gets very very hard to washed as everything gets stuck inside the dense brush. Sigh, makeup artist problems. Hence I suggest that people who use them for personal use wash them as often as possible.
Oh yes!! I have been guilty of leaving it too long to wash and it gunks up quickly. Needs a few rounds with the Daiso cleaner before it gets clean again 😛