Dear readers, let me confess: for a very long time, I’ve been in love with foundations. In the past, I preferred to be faithful only to one, now I'm experimenting more with different finishes and textures. That's why it does not work without surprises. Sometimes you spend a lot of money on a product and it turns out to be a total disappointment, but sometimes you take the first thing you see and you are absolutely happy with it. To which category does this foundation belong? Let’s find out!
I have a sample with 5 ml. Well done! It was enough for several applications. I ignored Lancome earlier, I thought they had a too radiant complexion. And now I had the opportunity to try one of their foundations out and see if that's really true.
Design:
My sample came housed in a simple non-transparent beige tube.
Full name: Lancome Idole Ultra Wear
SPF 15
For all skin types
Promised Longevity: 24 H
The fragrance is high quality, like an eau de cologne (but I do not think such a fragrance is suitable for a foundation). Luckily, it disappears after a few minutes.
Promises:
For those long days, this foundation gives you the full coverage, comfortable, long wear that you need. Not thick or greasy, this foundation's innovative formula gives all skin tones flawless, complexion-perfecting coverage, while the broad spectrum SPF 15 sunscreen protects. Redness, pores, and imperfections visibly disappear, evening the skin tone and leaving a mattified-yet-natural result. Formulated with color-true NAI pigments, it maintains your skin’s pH level so that color stays put all day long—meaning your makeup doesn’t need to be re-touched and provides transfer-resistant coverage—plus, it’s infused with perlite and silica, absorbing oil for a shine-free wear.
Ingredients::
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polypropysilsequioxane, Isododecane, Dimethicone, C30-45 Alkyldimethylsilyl, Polypropylsilsequioxane Silica, Glycerin, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Polyglycerinej-3 Crosspolymer, Sodium Chloride, Nylon-12, Paraffin, Cyclomethione, Aluminum Hydroxide, Disodium Edta, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Dipropylene Glycol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Acrylates Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol Chlorphenesin, Ethylparaben, [+/- May Contain CI 77007 / Ultramarines, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 / Iron Oxides, CI 77891 / Titanium Dioxide].
MY COLOR: 03 beige diaphane
The color range is pretty wide.
But since it was a gift, I could not choose the color myself. If I could, I would have taken 010 or 02.
But I got a slightly reddish shade named beige diaphane. I would describe it as mid-beige with a cinnamon undertone.
I’ve been testing it occasionally for 6 months.
THE CONSISTENCY is like a fluid. It is easy to apply and blend. It is possible to create a natural seamless transition between face and neck.
THE COVERAGE is medium. The foundation does not cover pigment spots on the face or freckles, even though it was promised.
MY SKIN: a mature combination skin with a slight shine in the T-zone, problematic, has pigment spots, and no visible dry spots.
THE APPLICATION: I applied the foundation with a brush in two ways. 1) on prepped skin and 2) on a base (too faced poreless).
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Now a few words about the promises. What does the Foundation do?
The application is easy. Even with fingers, the foundation is easy to spread. And even though the shade 030 beige diaphane does not match my natural skin color, I still managed to adapt it to myself. And importantly, the foundation does not fade or oxidize during the day!
There was no matte finish though, and I doubt this foundation can give it to anyone, because the finish is clearly satin, even with a makeup base.
In the photo below you can see how I wore it: left - without make-up, then only with foundation, on the right foundation + face powder.
The foundation has medium coverage, so the pigment spots and freckles can be seen!!! But thanks to its silky soft and light formula, it smoothes all the visible flaws. Only the driest spots will be seen.
The skin looks radiant, well-groomed and young! The foundation feels nice on my face and the makeup stays fresh all day long. But there is a BUT:
The Foundation soaks into lines at the nasal folds and forehead wrinkles.
I was confused when testing, how come? On the one hand, the foundation provided a light coverage without cakiness, and stayed fresh all day long. But on the other it soaked into the lines and shone in the T-zone. The lasting power was about 8 hours on my combination skin, not the promised 24 hours.
Pros:
- applies effortlessly
- the shade adapts to the skin tone
- does not oxidize
- comfortable to wear
- no cakeyness
- only emphasizes the driest spots
- does not clog pores
- SPF 15
Cons:
- not matte
- no 24 H durability
- soaks into fine lines
- smelly
✔ Who could fit the Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear:
1. Women with normal skin, no dryness or acne
2. Women without wrinkles
3. All women who expect a radiant effect from a foundation and can wear it with powder. But only if durability is not important.
Yes, such a contradictory opinion.
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Finally, I want to say that the Lancome Idole Ultra Wear Foundation has positively surprised me with the freshness it provides. I always want to look in the mirror and admire the radiance of my skin, whenever I wear it. But I still wouldn’t recommend this foundation, because you can find a better option among mid-end products!
Three stars for the pros, but the promises weren’t kept!
