I told you before this that you would be seeing a whole bunch of foundations pop up on my blog, and you will! There’s been a spate of new foundation releases in recent times, and if there’s one makeup product that is sure to grab my attention, it’s a new foundation. Just like this Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation.
My initial impression upon seeing the new packaging, was “Meh!” I felt that it was not representative of a luxury brand like Dior. I hold to that view. The light, plastic squeeze bottles of the Face & Body Foundation and clear acrylic packaging of the other products in the Dior Backstage range of makeup is underwhelming. It almost looks and feels like toy makeup.
But the concept behind the Dior Backstage range is interesting. Basically, Dior made this range to represent what goes on backstage at Dior runway shows. Plastic squeeze bottles, because backstage makeup artists need to be quick, and plastic is light to pack and less prone to accidents. The eye, face and lip palettes come in a variety of shades and textures, to allow for easy blending and quick changes of looks backstage. As a concept, it makes sense.
But my interest was purely fixated on the Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation. How it is different from their other foundations?
Named a Face & Body Foundation, this is one you can use on face and body (but can’t all foundations be used this way?) which I imagine, is something that happens mostly backstage. In real life, I have yet to meet many people who apply foundation on their bodies. Maybe on their necks? But I don’t so if you do, I’m happy to know how you’d use it 🙂
The bottle is a light, squeezable plastic that comes in a very dinky little size. I was very surprised the first time I saw it, for I never expected it to be that small and compact. What this means is that it is very portable. It slots nicely in your travel makeup pouch, and even if you drop it, it won’t break and cause an unholy mess.
Texture-wise, it is a liquid-cream with buildable coverage. You can use it to apply just a thin, sheer layer, or you can build it up with more layers for more coverage. I do find however, that out of the bottle, the coverage is relatively high for what they say is a light coverage. So for me, this is primarily a medium coverage foundation. I can sheer it out, which means blemishes aren’t as concealed as they should be, but yet it is opaque enough to cover redness and even out skin tone.
I find that it dries down a little more matte than I expected. It is both a good and bad thing. Good, if that’s the sort of effect you like. Bad, if you prefer something more glowy. I find the Dior Backstage face & Body foundation to be a little too matte for my preference.
This is about 2 layers, so I can show the colour better. You can probably see that the coverage is quite high. My shade is 0N (0 Neutral). That is about as close to a size zero as I’ll ever get! LOL 😀 It is for very light skintones and has a neutral base so it does not pull too pink or too yellow. By way of reference, I usually wear 010 in Dior bases.
From the official launch event, I ended up by mistake, with the shade 1N (1 Neutral) which is for fair skins with a neutral base. However, what surprised me is how warm and peachy it looks next to 0N. The shade jump between the two is quite startling.
There are 40 shades available, with each shade boasting a slight variant of neutral, warm and cool. They have even catered for olive skin tones and some half-shades for those who are between shades. It is all quite interesting, because the idea here really, is to be able to offer you the perfect match for your skin tone.
I purchased my bottle of the Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation at the store, and we spent a little time trying to get the right shade for me. Aside from 0N, I also tested 0W (0 Warm) and 1N. Once it goes on skin, it is quite apparent which shade works, and which doesn’t. For this reason therefore, I highly recommend that you do not buy this foundation sight unseen. It is preferable that you visit a Dior counter or store and get yourself properly colour-matched.
You may think that 0N is too light, but in actual fact, it is my shade. Trust me on this LOL! You can see it below in this before-after collage. For reference, I have dry skin and I’m not in the spring of youth LOL!
I find that a brush is the best way to apply the Dior Backstage Face & Body foundation. I use a round fluffy one like the Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Brush, and I use very little product. One little squeeze of a few drops is all I use. But I’ll explain below why this is also a challenge.
You may notice that the foundation evens out my skintone quite nicely. I will need to layer it on if I want a little more coverage on blemishes. You may also notice that it mattifies my skin somewhat. I have decided that aside from showing the before-after with foundation reviews, I will also show you how it looks with the rest of my makeup on. This is because I rarely, if ever, walk out of the house with just foundation on LOL! 😀
I have not applied any other powder to set (it almost seems to set itself) and have topped up with a little concealer, brows, a bronzer, light blush and a lipstick. I think you can agree with me that once I’ve got my face on, the base looks much better. Because that’s what it is – a base for your makeup 😛
On me, this lasts without settling too much into lines and pores. But I must say that I do use very little foundation – far less than what you will see used online. I believe this might be why, as I believe in allowing the layering of my makeup to build coverage. I’ll share this revalation another day 🙂
There is however, one major problem with this Dior Backstage foundation that really, really irritates me. How messy it gets. Let me show you what I mean.
The plastic squeeze bottle squeezes out the foundation through a nozzle. It would be wonderful, if the design was not so defective. I believe that the screw-on cap does not block the hole of the nozzle, or if it does, it causes the pressure inside the bottle to build up. What happens the first time you open your bottle of Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation, is an unholy mess!
If you think I’m being overly dramatic, seeing as I’ve already used my own bottle of foundation prior, let me tell you that the bottle of shade 1N is a brand new bottle that I had just removed from the box for purposes of taking these pictures. That is the mess I was faced with, and I have intentionally left it messy to show you that this is what you will get.
What this also means is that the INSIDE of the cap is a right mess, and it is nearly impossible to clean! If you are OCD about cleanliness this will drive you up the wall! I’m not that OCD, so for it to bug even me is quite something.
Strangely however, I do not see anyone mentioning this packaging flaw. I looked up a selection of online reviews to see if it might be a known issue, but no one talks about it. Is it because it’s only happening to me, or are people just glossing over this? I really cannot tell. But it bugs the hell out of me! 😛
UPDATE: I’ve been informed by some readers that in order to avoid this mess, you should remove the cap of the foundation before shaking to mix. Be sure to cover the nozzle with your finger or risk an even bigger mess! 😛 I will note that my bottle exploded right out of the box without my having shaken it. Perhaps you can try this, once you’ve cleaned it and the cover up and leave it on your dresser. That however, negates its portability. Conundrum!
The second flaw I’d mention is the scent. It has a powdery scent of ‘old’ that it could honestly have done without. It even smells musty after a while. It does not last, but it is there.
I hear that the Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation was used on Meghan Markle for her wedding. Not being much of a Royal nor celebrity watcher, I wasn’t paying attention. But if so, then it might explain the heightened interest in this product.
Personally however, I am not terribly impressed. The matte finish isn’t to my liking and the messy packaging kills me. The only thing I really like is how dinky it is.
IN A NUTSHELL
The Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation is part of the new Dior Backstage makeup collection. It boasts 40 shades and caters for a wide variety of skintones and colours. I do find however that the deeper shades tend to pull rather more peachy than is normal. That said, the inclusion of warm, cool and olive tones are welcomed for those who often find it hard to find a proper foundation shade match. The finish is matte, and if you apply it too thickly, may settle into lines and pores. A very light layer does not. However, I do find the powdery finish isn’t very flattering. The biggest minus point for me is the packaging. The minute you open the bottle, the whole nozzle and inside of the cap is a mess. It’s happened to me twice thus far, and I can safely say it’s a deal breaker for me. And I’m not even that OCD. I highly recommend that you test it out yourself, but in my view, there are better foundations out there – even Dior’s regular foundations are better. And that’s saying quite a lot.
PROS: Very portable packaging, Wide shade selection to suit most skin tones, Buildable coverage, Not as pricey as other Dior foundations, Matte finish if you like that
CONS: Packaging is very messy as the foundation tends to leak into the cap on its own even when brand new, Perfumed with a strange musty scent, Matte finish is not terribly flattering for textured or dry skin, Deeper shades may pull rather peachy and potentially oxidises
WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who likes a matte-finish foundation, Anyone who may have trouble finding a good shade match in foundation
PRICE: RM155 | US$40 for 50ml (that is a whopping amount! Most foundations are only 30ml)
WHERE TO BUY: Dior beauty boutiques, Sephora
If you’re interested, here is the ingredient list for the Dior Backstage Face & Body foundation.
It is interesting to note that items in the Dior Backstage makeup collection are priced a little lower than the regular Dior products. This makes it more affordable for people to own a bit of Dior makeup. I do think however, that this is reflected in the more plain, utilitarian packaging that you either love or hate. Let’s just say I’m not in love 😛 But I was a Dior-girl for a long time, and it was the first luxury makeup brand I bought into, so I guess you could say I’m just not feeling this new approach 😛
Have you tried the Dior Backstage foundation? Your thoughts?
Importantly, tell me if your bottle packaging sucks too!! 😛
Paris B
Great review, very thorough and objective (as always!). I often combine matte foundation with a glowy primer, for a long lasting, dewy finish.
I’m looking forward to more foundation reviews, I’m all about that bass.
Have a wonderful day. 🙂
I do the same as you Maja, or I moisturise the heck out of my skin before putting a drier foundation on 😀 I do have a few more foundations I should talk about. By the time I’m done, I’m sure a whole new batch would be out again LOL! 😀 have a good day ahead!
Now that you mention the packaging, it may drive me nuts. I think I’ll hold off and check It cosmetics one as well then decide.
I do like the It Cosmetics CC Cream! I was curious about their foundation but I was told we don’t get it here. I’m told that shaking it up without the cap helps with the mess. But to be honest, I think it’s just a design flaw
I swatched this when I was in KL last and I’m pretty sure I’m 0W because 1W is so much darker. But I saw the testers and they are so messy! I had an inkling the bottle would blow up and I’m glad you confirmed it. I’m a bit OCD so this will drive me nuts. I bought the MUFE water blend foundation instead. Beautiful light watery texture with skin like finish. Have you tried that before?
Yes indeed! I didn’t get to see the tester in store because they had just got in their stock the day I went and they must have just cleaned it up. Meh. And no I don’t think you’re a 1 at all. It’s just too orange LOL! 😀 I do have the MUFE Water Blend Foundation and yes, I like it very much too! It is very very light and very very sheer, but yes, I like it – I just need a touch of concealer here and there 😀
I wonder if mixing in some liquid/gel highlighter would help with the matte issue.. nevertheless thanks for the review!
Yes it will, or a radiance primer. But if I were to do that, I’d just get a foundation in that formula in the first place haha! That said, I do mix it in now and again, and occasionally, I do wear it on its own with a very moisturised base. That helps too
Thanks for the honest review. After applying full makeup, the shade looks more natural on photo. I do find it a tad too flat on the face. Just like you, I would prefer the finish to be a little more dewy. But perhaps, this type of finish looks the best on body.
I’m glad Dior did mark down their price to go in tandem with the more casual-looking packaging. The price seems very affordable for a 50ml quantity. This may appeal to someone with body flaws to conceal.
Most matte foundations do end up making the face look too flat LOL I guess that’s why many YouTubers or Instagram makeup artists like it – it allows for their contour to show up better 😀 Actually I think this is good for some of the younger ones who may have oilier skin (Not too sure how it’d perform though logically, it should look better than it does on dry skin) and it will fit their budget, as well as allow them to own a bit of luxury 🙂
Funnily enough, I did not buy any actual makeup from this range (yet) but I splurged on 2 brushes and I really like using them. I’m keen on trying the makeup next and will do so when I go back to Dior for my complimentary makeover. I am so amazed by the contrast between the 0 and 1 shade. I wonder what they would match me with ? I always find that muas tend to shade match me a lot lighter than what I like. But then again, maybe I’m in denial about how fair I am and just gotten so used to my typically bronzey disposition 😛
I remember you telling me about the brushes! 😀 Glad they’re working out for you – I haven’t really checked them out yet but I’m a little brushed out so feeling very little temptation in that sector. Actually MUAs here do tend to go a little lighter – I think it’s what the people here want – to look fair and lovely LOL! 😀 But in any event, there’s always bronzer to liven up the complexion!
Great review! I was very unimpressed with the foundation but the container really turned me off. I hate a messy container. I do agree the container is very travel friendly. Thanks again.
Glad you found it helpful Jan 😀 I’ve tried to clean the cap, but it’s near impossible to get it totally clean, so I keep having bits of foundation on the outside of the nozzle, and that isn’t nice at all! Here I was thinking it was portable. Tsk!
Hahaha it sounds like a bottle of carbonated drink ???
Gorgeous as always dear Paris, without and/ or with makeup (even though you’re not 100% convinced by that foundation!)
Would love to see pics of you on every single post hihihi
Love xxx
Path’
LOL!! Yes, exactly like a carbonated drink! 😀 Thank you so much lovely, but having a pic of me everywhere would be overkill LOL 😀 It took me years before I would even show my face online, and until today I still hate taking photos – I know. Call myself a blogger eh? 😀
Hello, so angry about the waste of good money! Shocked when I opened the product at home: “A cheapo plastic bottle and no pump to minimise the flood of the product”. The point of the pump action is that you don’t need much. Today, I threw away this bottle as it’s leaked badly in the cupboard. Finally, the product is so dry on my face and/or hands to be “really unattractive”. I actually assumed that the plastic bottle I was being shown was a sample and that I would receive the usual nice glass and pump action bottle (after purchase)! If only the foundation had been gorgeous, I could have written off this rip off, but the foundation acted like it had no oil to make it glide – just “chalky and very cheap, I suppose”. Ripped Off!
Hi I do feel the same way as you do about the packaging. It really doesn’t make you feel like you’re using something exclusive from a prestige brand like Dior. I am told that it’s very popular, maybe because of the lower price point, but the texture isn’t the best either as you and I have realized. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Pamela
Dior backstage have 40 shades and I still can’t find the shade that suits my skin tone.
I was matched up to 3W but it was too dark and goes peachy after a few hours.
The 2W looked too yellow making me look sallow and then the neutral shades looked too ruddy.
Th warm olive tones made me looked sickly green. Their shades are not true to skin colour.
I am a shade 4.25 in Bobbi brown and this shade has pink and yellow tones. I could not find this mix in the dior backstage. Does anyone have a clue about shade matches the bobbi brown 4.25?