I’ve become a big fan of foundation sticks in recent years. Whereas I wouldn’t ever think to throw a bottle of liquid foundation into my purse, a stick can rattle around with me wherever. I can easily apply it on the go, and it usually doubles as both foundation and concealer. That’s the case with the latest makeup must-have from Dior. Its brand-new Forever Skin Perfect Multi-Use Foundation Stick is versatile, effective and ultra-chic. I don’t know a single person who wouldn’t want to pull this product out of their purse (while others look on with envy). It’s a launch I wasn’t expecting from the brand, but I’m so glad it’s here.
What We Love About This Foundation Stick
Many foundation sticks have come across my desk over the years and they all seem to offer something a little different. Some are a bit more sheer for a dewy tint; others lean more matte with full coverage. Some have a smaller, rounded tip so you can easily apply them as concealer under the eyes. Other sticks are large and flat for quick coverage across the whole face. There are so many important nuances, and when it comes to Dior’s Foundation Stick, the brand made some really smart choices.
The texture has a creamy-powdery feel on the skin that’s really light, but covers what you want it to. It looks natural and lets your skin breathe, but it’s also completely waterproof. Soft-focus mineral powders give a little bit of a mattifying and blurring effect, but not at the expense of looking like you’re caked in foundation. For this, we can credit the addition of a skin-care ingredient called iris extract, which is the brand’s signature active ingredient that it uses throughout its Dior Forever franchise. It provides a hydrating benefit that continues for up to 24 hours, which was demonstrated in instrumental testing.
The foundation comes in 18 shades, and the brand says the color stays true for 24 hours. I don’t ever leave my foundation on long enough to prove that claim. But, I suppose if you’re planning to party ’til the sun comes up, you know it will last. However, during my testing—I’m shade 2N—the color stayed true from morning to night, even after being outside in high humidity.
How to Use It
First, always make sure your skin is prepped with serum and/or moisturizer. Foundation sticks don’t tend to work as well on bare, dry skin. To use it as foundation, apply directly to your face with the flat part of the oval. I like to start on each side of my nose and mouth and draw outward toward my ears (two or three lines on each side), and then once across my forehead. It’s creamy enough to blend it in with your fingers, but I prefer a foundation brush. You may also prefer using a blending sponge.
If you want to use it as concealer, just dot the edge of the oval onto your blemish or area that needs correcting. Then press it in with your fingertip, a concealer brush or a sponge. I’ve also found that it layers well if you need to touch-up throughout the day. Sometimes I rub my under-eyes throughout the day and my dark circles need a little pick-me-up in the afternoon.
