As day-to-day problems go, my beauty conundrum was pretty insignificant. But like trying to find the perfect-fit pair of jeans or ideal bra size, discovering the correct foundation for my ever-fluctuating skin tone was a mean feat.
I prefer a foundation coverage that doesn’t look like I am wearing any makeup – a second skin finish, as they call it in “the industry”. But I also don’t want my skin misgivings (in my case, pigmentation patches) showing through either, which unfortunately a “sheer veil” can’t promise. Matte, full-coverage foundations do, but I banished heavier base formulations from my makeup bag a few days after my 40th birthday, when my skin became dryer than the desert in a precursor to perimenopause.
So here it lies: is there such a miracle as a radiance-giving foundation that perfects skin tone, disguises discolouration and offers long-lasting coverage without being too heavy?
The new Dior Forever Hydra Nude Foundation, £50, may be the solution I’ve been looking for.
It claims 24 hours of natural perfection, non-transferable and 48 hours of hydration enriched with hyaluronic acid. Also, 55% of this foundation contains water, which is probably why it feels so refreshing and lightweight when I apply it to my skin.
It declares inviting and wonderful things such as “skin-blurring”, “hydrating” and “lasts all day”. What’s not to like?
It comes in 18 key shades, available in 3 undertones. I chose shade 2N, but I could have gone up a shade as I prefer my skin to look warmer. I’d say that the coverage is medium – one swipe was enough to cancel out redness and cover my pigmentation, however, it’s extremely buildable, so you can easily add a second layer to get fuller coverage.
The addition of hyaluronic acid and water didn’t leave a wet-look film on my face, which I was concerned about; instead, it offered a slight glow as I moved my face into the light.
After its ability to “erase” discolouration and even out skin tone, I was also impressed by how comfortable it was to wear. On the first day of wearing Hydra Nude, I had several “What’s different about you?” comments. And I kept finding excuses to look in the mirror to ensure it was still “working”.
However, for full transparency, even though I’ve fallen hard for Hydra Nude, I did find that by 3pm, it had started to fade on oilier parts of my face, such as the chin and nose. Next time, I’ll set it with a translucent powder or setting spray to extend wear.
So, is the Dior Forever Hydra Nude Foundation on my wish list?
Radiance-giving? Tick. Disguises colouration? Tick. Lightweight coverage? Tick. Skin-perfecting? Tick. Long-lasting? Well, four out of five isn’t a bad start…
