Earlier this year, we were treated to a slew of new foundations from different brands, and noticeable among the new offerings were these “serum foundations” – liquid foundation infused with skincare benefits like that of a serum, so your makeup doesn’t compromise your skin.
I tried the one from Bobbi Brown a while ago, and I liked it, much to my surprise. It might be because of the texture, which is a little creamier and therefore kinder to more *ahem* matured or drier skin types. Then, I was later offered to try the Dior Diorskin Nude Air foundation. Naturally, I said yes. I had to see if one of my favourite brands for foundation got it right.
Well, let’s just say that I wasn’t as enamoured with the Diorskin Nude Air foundation as I was with the Diorskin Nude which I still use and still love to bits. That one’s one of my Top 8 foundations and suffice to say, this one won’t make it. It won’t even get a sniff at anywhere near the top BUT I don’t think it’s all bad. I think I am not as in love with this as many people, because I believe it suits someone with combination-oily skin better than someone with drier skin.
Packaging-wise, I think Dior did a good job. The lovely frosted bottle is hefty yet comfortable to hold and I like how it’s transparent so you can see how much is left unlike Bobbi Brown’s fully opaque black bottle. I also like how the dropper pump at the top, which is rubber, looks like metal to blend in with the general aesthetic. The bottle is aesthetically pleasing to the eye, and the dropper is also well designed.
It is very easy to pick up the product with just 1 squeeze of the rubber bulb which is very handy, as the product itself is very very liquid. Think water type of liquid texture. Yet, the dropper picks up the product without dripping, and the insert in the bottle mouth cleans the glass tube so it slides out fairly clean, without making a royal mess. Little details that mean a lot when you’re working with something potentially messy like this one.
This is a foundation that, as the name implies, is light as air and infused with serum. It has a watery texture which means you have to work fairly quickly as it sets quite fast on skin. Because it’s so light in texture, it is also fairly sheer. When I first tested this at the boutique a while ago, that was my first thought.
This foundation spreads very easily, but it is very sheer when it comes to coverage. So, if you have blemishes or pigmentation on your skin that you want to cover, this will not be the product you reach for. Yet, after using it for a week or two straight, I did notice one other thing. It has a nice way of evening out the skin.
Let me demonstrate (hopefully) in this before-after photo
On left, naked skin in its glory. On right, I’ve applied the Diorskin Nude Air foundation which I use in shade 010 Ivory (I’ll get to the shade selection in a bit). You may notice how the pigmentation on my cheeks aren’t well covered. It offers a little coverage, but not a lot. However, you may also notice how my skin looks a little more even toned, and maybe just a bit better. Redness appear to be neutralized and skin looks smoother in tone.
You can’t see it in this picture, but the unfortunate thing I noticed, after a few days with Diorskin Nude Air, is that it emphasizes flaky skin. I had some flaky skin on my nose, and using this foundation just made it more prominent than it should. That part, I didn’t like and this is why I say that it might be more suited to someone with combination-oily skin or at least someone who doesn’t have flaky skin.
It doesn’t make my skin feel tight or uncomfortable and in fact, I rather like having it on. With a little powder and some concealer, this is a nice foundation. But I have to have well moisturised skin to fully appreciate this, and sometimes, that doesn’t happen which then pisses me off.
The other complaint I have is the shade selection. There are for now, 6 shades available here. I use 010 which is the lightest. I take 010 in all Dior foundations so was pretty much a no-brainer pick. However, I noticed that the 010 in the Nude Air is darker and more yellow than the other 010 shades in the more prolific ranges. The reason I use 010 is because of it’s slight pink tones that suit my skin better. So I’m hazarding a guess that if you are anything from a 010, 011 or 020 to 021, you might have to go with 010 in Nude Air because 020 does go on a little deeper. But because it’s so sheer, you pretty much get away with it.
Here is a swatch comparison of a few foundations for you to have an idea of texture and shade selection. This was just 1 drop of Diorskin Nude Air, which over a small area, looks fairly opaque. Once you spread it out all over, it’s fairly sheer and 1 drop can go quite far, but isn’t sufficient for your whole face, no matter what they say. I use a couple of drops of product each time.
In comparison to the Bobbi Brown Intensive Serum Foundation, you may notice that the BB one is lighter with a slightly more creamy texture. I feel that the BB one sits much better on my skin while the Dior one potentially emphasizes lines, as this swatch may show.
The product itself however, has a very strange foundation-in-oil feeling. I feel like the liquid has an almost oily feel to it, which is rather strange. It doesn’t oil up on my skin though and it dries quickly to a powdery finish, but it is a little strange.
I did however, note that the foundation sits well through the day. I often apply a layer of powder over to set and to add some coverage which is a nice way of having light layers of product on skin. This isn’t a bad foundation and in fact, I’d go so far as to say that it’s a pretty decent foundation for anyone who doesn’t need or like heavy coverage products. You don’t need very much, and it’s very easy to use and I don’t mind pulling it out for use from time to time. But I am not crazy about it.
Who is Diorskin Nude Air for then? It’s for someone who wants to just even out skintone. You can use concealer on the blemishes or marks if you like, and applying a layer of powder over everything offers better coverage too. Or if you have perfect skin. In which case, I don’t think I like you very much 😛
IN A NUTSHELL
The Diorskin Nude Air foundation is a very liquid foundation that comes in a dropper style bottle dispenser. I find that although very sheer in coverage, it offers sufficient coverage to even out skin tone and redness but it doesn’t do much for covering blemishes or marks on skin. It is very light and comfortable to wear despite the initial rather strange oily texture. I find that it dries down quite quickly to a powdery finish which on my normal-dry skin, emphasizes some lines and flaky skin. I think those with combination-oily skin might appreciate this better. It’s not a bad product, but it doesn’t sit high on my ladder of favourite foundations.
PROS: Lightweight texture is comfortable on skin, Easy to blend, Light coverage that evens out skintone and neutralises redness on skin, Packaging is well designed and aesthetically pleasing, Dropper is easy to use and picks up product well without dripping
CONS: Potentially emphasizes flaky skin, Sheer coverage does not work for blemishes and marks, Powdery finish feels a little strange on skin
WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who likes a very light coverage, sheer and lightweight liquid foundation, Anyone with combination-oily skin as it may emphasize lines and flaky skin otherwise, Anyone who has perfect skin that only needs some evening out
Here is the ingredient list for the Diorskin Nude Air foundation.
Gosh, there is quite a load of silicones in there! So if you are sensitive, please take note. Otherwise, that might explain the powdery dry down.
If you’ve tried the Nude Air foundation, do you like it? Do you like these serum foundation type things?
I’m not crazy about this as you can tell. For my skin the Bobbi Brown version sits better but this one has a far better dispensation system so it would be perfect if I could marry the two 😛
Paris B
Dior Diorskin Nude Air Serum Foundation comes in 6 shades 010, 020, 030, 040, 050, 060 Price: RM191 | US$53 for 30ml Availability: Dior counters, Dior beauty boutiques and Sephora
Unfortunately I really hated this foundation. I have super oily skin but it made my skin look really dry throughout the day. And when I have blemishes, it emphasized them even more.Which is really surprising, this never happened before. I didnt like the shade range either, 010 is too pale but 020 is too orange on me. And the light but oily feel of it is just a bit weird for me.
Thank you so much for sharing this from an oily skinned gal’s point of view! I could only hazard a guess that it would work better for oily skins, but it appears it doesn’t. The shade range is really strange. They’re neither here nor there, while I find that the regular foundations have a much better shade selection. And what’s with that weird oily texture eh? 😛
Yes I think it’s the weird powdery finish it gives. It breaks down very fast on my skin like 3 hours, so it leaves the skin looking weird and dry.
Not a fan of this foundation either. The coverage is just way too little for me. And like you say, the finish is just a little bit odd. There are other light coverage foundation that I think fares better than this.
By the way, congratulations on the new YT channel! 😀 Really excited about it.
Thank you Sze Ling! I’m excited about the YT too although it’s still pretty daunting 😀 As for this foundation, the coverage is very low isn’t it? I do think it works best for those who don’t really need to cover anything except some redness in skin. It’s nice for that. But otherwise, there are better products out there especially for the price.
Oh no. I think I need to warn everyone with even an iota of oil-patched skin. If you have combination skin, stay away from this. If you have a T zone or oily eyelids, stay away. If you have acne/blemish prone skin, steer clear since it will make you breakout and that redness will not be covered with this foundation.
Over all, stay away if you have oily skin. You will hate it no matter how nicely the shade matches your skin (it did to me, gaaaahhh. The 020 was perfect on me 🙁
I think normal skin types are fairly in luck with this foundation. I know my sister would love it but she told me the limited shades had no match for her tone. Le sigh. I dont know whats up with Dior.
Thanks for sharing Rage! I thought that it might work better with oily skins but it appears from your comment and Natasha’s, that it in fact doesn’t! I didn’t mind it too much, but the fact that it accentuates flaky skin bums me so I have to ensure that my skin is nicely moisturised or primed, before using it.
The rhyme-ish wordplay of the title on this post is on point hahaha. Sad to say it didm’t work for me. I breakout and no matter how well I moisturise my skin before applying the nude air, it just dries around the pimple in this horrific way. On the topic of serum foundations, I like them but only those emollient ones, for example the one from Bobbi Brown. Not a fan of the ones that claim to be as light as air as those often just don’t do it for me (e.g. YSL fusion ink).
Yay you noticed the title 😀 And yes, gosh! It really does bring flaky skin or pimples to the forefront and center doesn’t it? I had flaky skin on my nose while wearing this foundation and it was like telling the world “Hey! Look at my flaky nose yo!” I haven’t tried the YSL one but I probably will give it a rest now
Ah! I see why Dior Nude Skin Air cannot be your favourite. I am very sorry to hear that it doesn’t blend well with flaky skin. Such a bummer since I have dry skin too.
I liked the sample I had because I prefer low coverage bases. The sample was little so I didn’t manage to realise that this foundation does not sit well on dry skin.
I liked the way it lasts on the skin too.
Like you, I was pleasantly surprised that the foundation will not drip from the dropper!
You are spot on with this review. Sounds like I am still going to wait for the new Marc Jacobs.
If you have dry skin but no flakes, then I think it’s still ok. I like how it is very subtle about covering redness, especially if you don’t have blemishes or marks. But the minute you have dry patches, it really accentuates them. So, if you moisturise your skin well, or wear a primer, it will still be OK 🙂 I’d read about the Marc Jacobs one too! But thus far, I haven’t been very impressed by MJ makeup so I’m not sure yet about trying it. Am curious about the Too Faced Born This Way though!
I was quite happy with the tester for Born This Way. Not awestruck, but felt good.
I actually have this in my stash and I love it to bits! The foundation stayed very well on my oily skin and it lasted for about 5 hours before the oil from my skin started to break the foundation apart. I do agree though that the foundation will not fare well on drier skin.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts for oily skin Evan 😀 It seems like the others didn’t like it, but it’s nice to hear that it actually works for someone with oily skin too. I definitely think dry skin peeps won’t like this as much, mainly because I don’t, but any skin with flaky skin should just stay far away! Good to know you’re enjoying yours 🙂
I bought the Diorskin Forever foundation a month and a half ago. The SAME tried to sell the new Nude Air to me but I already have aightweight foundation option in one of Lunsasol’s and I was looking for something with more coverage.
Alas it doesn’t last any longer on me than Lunasol’s though otherwise I like it. My quest for HG foundation continues.
I found Diorskin Forever quite drying so I don’t use it as much as I should unless I blend it with moisturiser or a serum. If you’re looking for more coverage, it was wise of you not to go with the Nude Air! I thought Diorskin Forever did offer quite decent coverage and it did last on me quite a long time. Sorry to hear it didn’t work for you (but Lunasol is hard to beat! 😉 )
Drying is good for me as my skin tends to oil up gradually throughout the day. It just doesn’t last long enough! My skin in addition to oiling up also has the habit of eating makeup (foundation, powder, blush, highlighter, etc..) all tends to disappear around the 4-5 hour mark. Only foundation I’ve found that doesn’t disappear is one by Vichy (which I purchased in Canada as it isn’t sold in Asia) but that one is very thick and heavy so I don’t use it very often.
Ah makeup-eating skin! haha sorry had to laugh but yes, it does sound like an oily skin problem. Have you tried setting it with powder? Or using a primer? Then again, you probably have tried all the tricks already right?
Yes, powder and primer (sometimes two different types at once), I’ve tried it. Only thing left to try is some sort of makeup setting spray which I’ve not seen sold anywhere in Taiwan or Hong Kong.
An SA told me that my problem was skincare that it wasn’t giving my skin enough to work with so I’m also trying out different things every two years or so.
Ooh yes that Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray gets a lot of love. People swear it makes their makeup stay put and not budge at all! Haven’t tried it myself but you can get it from feelunique online 🙂
I supposed to buy NARS foundation but then I went to Sephora, the SA promoting this foundation, she claims that it is full coverage foundation and tried on my skin, I thought of giving it a try… still using it though, nothing so special, neutral comment. lol
Huh? How on earth did the SA tell you this is a full coverage foundation?! LOL It’s not bad, but gosh, definitely not full coverage haha! Which NARS were you eyeing? I like Sheer Glow!
I always love your foundation reviews!! So many on my Wishlist already but at the same time I’m stopping myself because I need to finish up those I already have first. It does take forever to finish a bottle, don’t you think? Anyway, keep these reviews coming please. My priority may shift. Who knows? :p
LOL That ever growing conundrum of want vs need 😛