My Full Dior Liquid Foundation Guide: Find Your Best Pick Here!

When you hear the name Dior, many things may come to mind, but for me, two for sure are Luxury and Iconic. For decades, Christian Dior has occupied the luxury retail space and has expanded its brand to include incredible beauty and skincare products. 

Over my 13 years as a pro makeup artist, I recall my first encounters with the Dior makeup line. I remember falling in love with the DiorShow Iconic Overcurl Mascara and the Dior Addict Lip Glow Balm. 

But did you know that besides their popular mascaras and lip products, Dior has some spectacular foundations? Are they a bit of a splurge? Sure! But they have a lot to offer, and it is worth giving them a go. 

Whether you’re looking for skin-mimicking coverage, long wearability, or a reliable shade range, Dior has something for everyone and then some. They have also pledged to create sustainable beauty products and packaging that don’t harm the planet. For me, that makes them a go-to in my kit for usage with my clients and myself. So let’s break down their foundation line and help determine which is right for you. 

My Dior Foundations Ratings at a Glance

• Dior Backstage Face and Body [Best Overall Pick]: It does everything a great foundation should do! Hydrates without looking greasy, blurs imperfections, mimics the skin, and has plenty of shades to choose from. This is one of my favorites in my kit and I use it all the time. 
• Dior Forever [A Close Second]: The most universal formula for pros. I can add a bit of beauty oil to it if I want to tweak the finish, or I can let it be as it is.
• Dior Forever Skin Glow [Great for Many]: Looks beautiful on dry skin types and is safe for people with sensitive skin.
• Dior Forever Natural Nude [Just Okay]: I’m kind of neutral on this one. I think they could eliminate this from their lineup because it doesn’t offer much to me besides mainly having natural ingredients.
• Dior Capture Totale [There’s Better Finds for the Price]: The product doesn’t justify the price point, and there are more affordable options out there.
• Dior Forever Undercover [Needs More Range]: Lacks shade range for several groups of people, does the same thing as Dior Forever.

Dior Forever Skin Glow ($55)

The Dior Forever SkinGlow is a liquid foundation. It’s one of their highest-rated and best-selling, according to reviews. It is the premier choice if you’re looking for a foundation that hydrates your skin and provides a naturally radiant, glowy finish. It also has a great range of shades. I have used this particular formula on my clients for weddings, photoshoots, and special occasions. 

In my opinion, this foundation works best on normal and dry skin types because of its finish. So, if that’s you, this standout formula from their line could suit you best. Below are a few of Dior Forever Skin Glow’s key features that helped it to make its way into my professional makeup kit:

Formula

Dior has laced this foundation with a formula base that provides the following:

• 86% floral skincare ingredients
• Lightweight consistency and texture
• Light sun protection with SPF 15

The floral skincare ingredients obviously make the pricepoint what it is, but also what makes their formulas so incredible. Skincare treatment that improves my skin over time in a foundation? Baby, That. Is. Luxury. And the good news, if this foundation isn’t a fit for you, high-end floral skincare ingredients are in just about every other foundation they offer. So no matter which one you choose, you get to experience that. The lightweight consistency and texture help it to melt into your skin. I’d recommend using a buffing foundation brush for the easiest and smoothest application. Lastly, it is also non-comedogenic. So, if you’re acne-prone or have sensitive skin, it’s completely safe to wear daily. 

Coverage

This foundation provides sheer to medium buildable coverage. The coverage is one of my favorite features about this foundation besides the shade range. There are days I only need light coverage in a particular place on my face, but I don’t want to apply it all over. This one allows you to build it where you need it while still getting a pretty seamless look because it mimics real skin. 

Finish

Glowy, radiant, and natural finish? It delivers. 24-hour wear? It delivers. As I mentioned, I love using this on my bridal clients and clients who want to let their skin do the talking. I’ve had clients dance the night away in this foundation, and their makeup held extremely well without looking like an oil slick. I reach for this foundation mainly in the cooler months because my skin tends to be drier in the fall and winter. However, Dior’s site claims to have tested it on 20 women to prove its wearability throughout any season.

Shade Range

With one of their largest shade assortments, this foundation has 42 shades. Another reason it is one of my favorites is its unique skin color-adjusting pigment technology. In layperson’s terms, this means that it makes the foundation’s color shift according to your complexion. The technology will ensure the most accurate reflection of your skin tone, which is pretty genius to me. When I’ve used it on my clients, I’ve been able to match them effortlessly. As a pro MUA, I NEED options. Even for myself, I NEED options. I’m sure you do, too. With this one, you won’t have to fret over Dior not catering to your summer tan or paler winter complexion. They have it covered in this formula, and the skin-adjusting technology is a top-tier luxury feature. 

Bottom Line

If I were in search of a glowy foundation that has:

• Natural, buildable coverage for everyday wear
• Non-irritating ingredients to prevent breakouts on sensitive, dry skin
• Sun protection
• Plenty of shade options

I’d buy this one if I were you. As I stated before, I have this in my kit. That’s how reliable it is for me. Not because it’s perfect and can work on every skin type but because it works exceptionally well for those it’s formulated for. 

Dior Forever Natural Nude ($55)

By the title alone, you can guess what this foundation is giving. But if you can’t, let me give you some insight. It’s similar to the Forever SkinGlow, but there are a few distinct differences. 

Formula

For starters, this foundation is made of 96% naturally originating and floral skincare ingredients. 10% higher than the Forever Skin Glow formula. I would consider this to be their “organic” formula if you will. The majority of the ingredients are naturally derived, but Dior has no spoken claims of it being organic. Likely, that’s because there are misconceptions in the cosmetic industry about what’s considered organic, clean, etc. If you’re someone who looks for natural ingredients and prefers them, this could be a good option for you. 

Coverage

This foundation has very sheer coverage. It’s slightly buildable but not made to cover harsh blemishes or dark spots. Paired with a slightly fuller coverage concealer, it can achieve skin-mimicking results while covering some of your imperfections. I would compare the coverage to that of a tinted moisturizer. It will even your complexion but not hide much. You will need to have almost perfect skin to get the best result. So, if you need more coverage, I would skip this one. 

Finish

The result provides a natural, nude, skin-like finish that is luminous and makes the skin appear healthy and hydrated. 

Shade Range

Another stark difference is the more limited shade range. This foundation only has 25 shades. Most women could find something workable for their skin tone. I’m interested in foundations that make applying my makeup less of a hassle. The biggest struggle for most people is matching their complexion correctly. Most of the shade range caters to light and medium skin tones, leaving the darker shades very limited in options. If you fall in a light to medium complexion range, you can find something here.

Bottom Line

Dior Forever Natural Nude:

• Feels extremely lightweight on the skin

• Provides hydration

• Made mostly of natural ingredients

Other brands can offer these same benefits at a similar or cheaper price. I also know you can find a dupe that caters to more diversified shades. According to Diors’ claims, it has a 24-hour wear period, which is nice but should also be the standard. If you’re interested in what I’d suggest as a dupe for this one, check below for my recommendations toward the end of the article. 

Dior Backstage Face + Body ($43)

Hands down, this is my absolute favorite foundation formula that Dior currently offers. Out of their entire foundation line, this is the one I recommend for anyone with any skin type over the rest. It’s my current foundation, and I wear it regularly. I use it on my clients, owning about 8 of the 43 shades in my professional kit. It’s pretty epic, and let me explain why!

Formula

The formula contains hyaluronic acid and squalane, which are two of my favorite skincare ingredients that I use daily. Those ingredients, partnered with the fact that it is also made up of 94% naturally derived ingredients, make this gentle formula truly a star. Hyaluronic acid is an ingredient that hydrates and plumps the skin. Most times, you apply it as a serum.

When included inside a foundation, it takes it from average to stellar. This ingredient is excellent for all skin types on its own. So, it being a key ingredient in the Face & Body formula says a lot about the chemists that made it. Secondly, squalane is great for oil control, minimizing pores, hydration, and calming redness. These are all the things I have seen this foundation do for myself and my clients. The texture is lightweight and almost water-like but not runny. 

Coverage

The coverage is truly remarkable. It is medium to full buildable coverage. But it will never, ever get or look cakey. You can build it to the high heavens, and it will look like your skin but flawless. I love the coverage because it’s forgivable. That flakey little stubborn dry patch on your nose that looks crusty by the end of the day, yeah, this one smooths it right over. It doesn’t have a heavy feel on the skin. I have had several clients tell me they can barely feel anything on their faces when I’ve applied it on them. As a pro artist, I like to layer my coverage on clients because the look needs to last. By doing so, I can still maintain a consistent look overall.

Finish

Few foundations in the Dior line claim to be water resistant, but this one does and is. When completely dried down and set, the foundation gives a pretty soft matte effect. It can withstand the hot summer sun very well. I recently wore this to an outdoor wedding in July, and I received so many compliments for how great my skin looked after withstanding the heat for over an hour. It has a blurring effect, too, which is one of my favorite features about the finish. Pores can be annoying, and I appreciate that this foundation smooths the texture of my skin. 

Shade Range

43 shades are available in this formula. I have stocked 8 in my kit that I mix and match to create custom shades. However, while 43 options sounds inclusive, the darker complexions’ undertones could use a little tweaking. Many of them run very red, offering little to no golden undertones for dark/deep faces. In the fair/light/medium complexions, the undertones are spot on. This formula also has the color shifting technology as the Forever SkinGlow. So, it will adjust, but they still need a good range of undertones to get the best use out of it. 

Bottom Line

I love it overall. Besides another brand that I reach for a lot in my kit, this is my other favorite choice. Every time I wear it, I get tons of compliments on my makeup, as do my clients. My skin always looks flawless. 

• It blurs and covers my imperfections.

• It lasts all-day

• Is easy to remove at the end of the night

• It holds up great in sweltering temperatures 

• It’s water-resistant. 

You can wear this foundation on those “no makeup” makeup days or those nights you want to be super glam and snatched. I love its versatile coverage and its excellent skincare benefits. I have tested it on so many skin types and have yet to be disappointed. Also, a little goes a long way. You’ll have it for a while, and it’s the most affordable foundation Dior offers! The only thing I would improve is the undertones of the dark/deep category. Other than that, it’s a YES for me! 

Dior Forever ($55)

In my OG beginner days as a makeup artist, I used to work at Sephora. I remember selling so much of Dior Forever to clients that had oily/combination skin. I used it quite a bit for in-store appointments, and clients liked the results. Forever launched in 2007 and was the first of its kind. It was a skincare & makeup hybrid that ultimately changed how we saw makeup in the future. In fact, Dior began to formulate all of their foundations with this hybrid model. (I.e., Face and Body, Forever Skin Glow) One big thing that changed, though, is that it used to have SPF 35 and now has SPF 15. However, it is still worth trying if you’re in the market for a full-coverage matte foundation that can give your skin the love it needs. Below, I’ve listed the key reasons I think it’s still worth being added to your makeup stash. 

Formula

As I mentioned a second ago, the formula underwent a slight change. The biggest is the change in SPF, from 35 to 15. If this is a big deal to you, I encourage you not to let the SPF change to stop you from trying it. You can always apply sunscreen separately before you apply makeup. On the upside, it is now transfer-proof, waterproof, and heat-resistant. That makes it an excellent option for pro artists and everyday women who like a matte complexion.

The primary skincare ingredients in this formula focus on refining/smoothing texture, hydrating the skin, and providing antioxidants to the skin. It has a creamy liquid-like texture, and it blends very easily. Slightly heavier in texture than its counterparts, you can use a sponge, brush, or your fingers to apply, and you’ll still get a smooth, even look. 

Coverage

Dior Forever is a full-coverage foundation. However, it doesn’t feel or look heavy and cakey on the skin. Many full-coverage foundations can look like a mask by the end of the day, but this one holds its name in weight. I love using full-coverage foundations for most clients because they’re pretty versatile. This one, in particular, still looks natural once it has set on its own. It also doesn’t start looking weird or like too much when you apply powder on top.

Finish

This foundation provides a natural matte finish on its own. When I used to sell a ton of it, many women appreciated how even their complexion looked. They always mentioned how much smoother their pores appeared too. Most times, you couldn’t pinpoint where someone had texture on their skin. I love setting it with a light translucent powder for even more of a blurring effect. 

Shade Range

This one has my favorite shade range from all the Dior foundations. It has great diversity in undertones for all complexions, making 43 options worth bragging about. I am always skeptical of brands that claim to have a high number of shades, but most of them don’t really match anyone. That’s giving smoke and mirrors, and that’s a no-no for me. I will always say that brands can go deeper and darker, and Dior is no exception to that rule. That’s just my take. The darkest foundation in this formula is 9N (Neutral), and I think they should go up to 13 or even 15.

Bottom Line

I recommend this for those who like full coverage but still want to look natural. Every other feature, such as the heat and water resistance, is a bonus. In my opinion, the blurred matte skin-like finish alone makes it worth the investment. Honestly, I am not sure why I haven’t stocked this in my kit yet. Before its reformulation, I can recall the shade range needing to improve. They had very limited options. Perhaps I didn’t revisit it for that reason. When I worked at Sephora, I definitely could not afford to put luxury brands in my kit or for personal use. Today, I would add this to my collection and my pro kit. 

Okay, I’m going to be real with you guys. These next two, I have very little to say about them. Not because I haven’t tried them personally. But because I am genuinely shocked by the lack of diversity in the shade ranges. It was when I visited the Dior site that I even knew they existed. Unless you order directly from the Dior website, you aren’t going to easily find these to see them in person. I did my due diligence and found one of them (Capture Totale Serum Foundation) at my local Neiman Marcus. Neither Sephora nor Ulta carried them in-store, not even online. I still want to go into a bit of detail about them in case some of you are still interested. See my thoughts below: 

Dior Capture Totale Super Potent Serum Foundation ($85)

This is Dior’s most expensive foundation on their site. Priced at $85, I will admit I understand why it is so expensive. It is a serum foundation packed with many ingredients that treat the skin as if the foundation were skincare itself. For example, this is the only one that targets wrinkles and hyperpigmentation out of their entire foundation line. I love that. And I especially love that if it means I can skip buying separate skin care products to address those issues. I think if you’re in your early 30s, with a steady paycheck, and want to get ahead of your skin aging, you should try this. Please know you may not be able to find your shade, though, and that’s no shade. 🙂

Formula

You can expect the Dior standard of blending skincare science and color pigment. The Capture Totale name comes from their skincare line. It contains longoza flower extract, allegedly known for its anti-aging and cell-regenerating properties. Also, it has hyaluronic acid, which I love because of its plumping and hydrating effect. 

Coverage

Think sheerer than a tinted moisturizer, and you’ll have a clear understanding of the coverage. When I swatched it at Neiman Marcus, it definitely gripped onto my skin instantly and melted down. However, it was as if I had just a light veil over my skin. Overall, I liked how natural it looked, but I was honestly hoping for just a little bit more coverage. It has a barely-there look and feel. So, don’t expect this to conceal much. 

Finish

As I stated above, it appears like a thin natural veil over the skin. I wouldn’t say it has a dewy finish, but it did make my skin look glowy and healthy.

Shade Range

The shade range is the most disappointing thing about this foundation. It only has 13 shades, barely covering 4 of the five major complexion categories. (Fair, Light, Medium, Dark, Deep) And what they do offer needs to be more extensive for me. I would hate to fall in love with the formula and then realize I have to buy two of them to mix for my perfect shade. To be frank, it’s just too expensive for that!

Bottom Line

I like the fact that this does a bit more for correcting problem areas on the skin, but I can’t justify the price. Limited shade options, barely there look. I just don’t think it’s worth the extra money. Perhaps if it had a bit more coverage, similar to the Forever Skin Glow, I’d consider it. If you do buy it, I recommend applying with your hands. 

Dior Forever Undercover ($55)

The Dior Forever Undercover Foundation is very similar to the Dior Forever Foundation. Below, I’ve listed the key differences between the two.

Dior Forever	Dior Forever Undercover
Standard Full Coverage	2x amount of pigment for fuller coverage
24 hour wearability	24-hour wearability
Natural Matte Finish	24-hour wearability
43 Shades	13 Shades (darkest shade is in the medium shade category, no shades in the dark or deep category)
Sold at most local beauty counters	Only available on dior.com

Alternative Foundations to Dior’s LineUp

• Dior Forever Skin Glow 
• Dior Forever Natural Nude
• Dior Backstage Face and Body
• Dior Forever
• Dior Capture Totale Serum Foundation
• Dior Forever Undercover
• Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk 
• Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer
• Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop
• Estee Lauder Double Wear
•  LYS Beauty Triple Fix Serum Foundation
•  NARS Soft Matte Foundation

FAQs

Dior Bottomline

If you want to try a luxury brand for the first time, Dior has something for everyone. They have a lot of great options for people with different skin concerns. Their foundations have skincare ingredients that will improve and correct your skin over time. I love Face and Body the most, and it’s also the cheapest option in their lineup! I hope this guide helped you tap into the world of Dior beauty. Let us know what else you’d like to learn more about!

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