New Diorskin Forever Cushion (and Lip Sugar Scrub) Review

Dior's just launched the brand new Diorskin Forever Cushion, and this latest foundation offering promises to not just be matte and long-wearing but also skin perfecting. As a fan of traditional bottle/tube foundations, I'm always eager to check out matte cushions simply because most have never been able to deliver on the promise of setting matte or staying fresh for hours.

The tropics are a terrible place for cushion foundations. Cushion formulas are lighter and more fluid than bottle foundations; they usually stay moist and don't set quickly or completely. Even the ones targeted at oilier skins tend to be a bit lacking in staying or mattifying power compared to typical bottle or tube formulas. The constant humidity, heat and sweat throughout the day causes them to slide, smear, or oxidize to a different shade, even for someone with normal to dry skin like myself.

I was quite drawn to the new Diorskin Forever Perfect Cushion formula because besides promising a lasting, luminous-matte finish that blurs imperfections and pores, it also contains pore-refining ingredients, and a new color-lock pigment technology that resists oxidation through the day. So I gave this a good test for the whole of the past week.

At SGD$78 for a set of cushion and case, and $59 for just the refill sponge, the pricing is quite standard for a luxe brand. It comes packaged in a sleek midnight blue case with the standard soft patting sponge for quick application on the go.

Texture and scent

The foundation is weightless as you would expect of most cushion formulas. It has a fresh scent that almost smells like cologne. The formula has a light cooling feel on the skin and while it's not meant to be a hydrating formula it still felt comfortable on my dry areas.

Once it's on, it's weightless and there is no tacky or sticky feel after it sets, which is a big plus for me.

Finish

I tried it with a traditional paddle-shaped foundation brush, a buffer brush, an egg-shaped blender sponge as well as cushion puff in the last week. I find I get the most matte finish using the accompanying cushion puff or a blender sponge in a tapping motion. 

The formula does slowly set to a more matte finish after you give it a minute on the skin, and you end up with exactly what it says - a luminous matte finish.

Coverage

This has a light-medium coverage which is buildable to a fuller medium as you can see below. It can cover small marks or uneven skin tone, but will not cover dark circles or blemishes completely. Where it excels is in evening out skin texture and the appearance of pores, without looking too flat or powdery-matte. A "my skin but better" effect.

Diorskin Forever Perfect Cushion applied (right) without concealer or powder

Tip: It's best not to over-apply cushion foundations (regardless of brand) because a very heavy layer will not set the way the manufacturers intended. If you need extra coverage in areas, apply a proper concealer instead. Your makeup will look and last better through the day.

Longevity

This cushion formula stayed fresh-looking for me and doesn't darken after a 10-hour day. The other thing I like is it doesn't go tacky and smear off to the touch after a few hours in heat and humidity. However I do still need to powder the T-zone to take down some of the natural shine of the skin but if you don't mind the slight glow and you have drier or more mature skin, you probably won't need to powder at all.

For oilier or combination-skin gals, the cushion formula will not hold off shine in the T-zone for a whole day so you should still powder in problem areas. It has oil-absorbent powders but the airy-light cushion fluid texture is not designed for hardcore oil absorption.

Coincidentally I've been using (and raving about) Diorskin Forever & Ever Control Powder for awhile now, whenever I want to mattify any foundation, and it's a perfect partner to this cushion because it erases pores and helps keep the finish matte and airy without dulling or darkening the pigments.

For the shot below, I added under eye concealer and then set the center portions of my face with the Control Powder. The shine is completely muted and you get more of an air-brushed effect to your skin. (Right click to open the images in a new tab if you want a larger image for a clearer look.)

All in all, I think this is a fantastic cushion for combination and slightly-oily to normal and slightly-dry skins that want a fresher, non-dewy, dry-touch finish on the go. I haven't used it long enough to observe any pore refining skincare effects though!

If you have very oily skin or need extra coverage or mattifying power, I would recommend checking out other products in the Diorskin Forever range.

• Diorskin Forever Fluid Foundation - this long-wear matte liquid foundation is a long-time repeat purchase for me and the revamped 16Hr formula is silkier and lighter-textured than the original without losing out on coverage and lasting power.
• Diorskin Forever Compact - the pressed powder foundation is formulated to melt into the skin and is great for those who want coverage and a velvet finish on the go.

For maximum coverage and long-wear, you can even set your Diorskin Forever Perfect Cushion with the compact powder foundation and just bring the powder out for touch-ups.

Diorskin Forever Perfect Cushion shot in natural light (right-click to expand)

Final thoughts?

The new cushion has been my go-to this past holiday season, and I've worn it literally every day. This is my "low-maintenance good skin" base. I want my skintone even and pores around my inner cheeks less visible, but I don't want to do it at the expense of overall skin radiance, and this formula seems to have just the right balance to achieve both.
I've been able to take it really matte (below) with more Control Powder so the emphasis is all on the super vampy purple-toned makeup but I prefer a bit more luminosity on most days.

Vampy holiday makeup with Diorskin Forever Perfect Cushion, 962 Poison Matte lipstick and 156 Femme-fleur palette

Speaking of vampy lips, I do want to add a quick shout-out for my new guilty pleasure, the new Lip Sugar Scrub ($48). This balm-scrub hybrid is the only lip exfoliant I've used in the last few years that didn't make my uber-sensitive lips break out in rashes.

The tiny sugar crystals are designed to exfoliate, then melt right into your lips while the balm conditions and adds the subtlest flush of rosiness at the same time. It's genius because there is no mess to clean off after use. Perfect if you need some prepping on the go.

 

HEADS-UP! Dior Rhinetone Customization Event

All my Singapore boys and gals, Christian Dior is offering a free rhinestone customization service for every purchase of the new Diorskin Forever Perfect Cushion at Parfums Christion Dior ION (B2-44/46) from 14-15 Jan 2017, 2-8pm. If you're picking one up, don't miss the chance to bling up your compact with your initials!

Customized Diorskin Forever Perfect Cushion