The latest innovation from Dior Beauty, Diorskin Nude Air Serum Foundation (CAN $53.00, available in 8 shades), is a medium coverage ‘light-as-air’ talc-free foundation, and loaded with volatile oils that evaporate almost immediately, leaving behind a weightless veil of pure pigment along the skin. According to the brand:

“For the first time in a foundation, Dior has introduced an innovative combination of plant oils, vitamins and minerals. Hyper-Oxygenated oil loaded with air bubbles, breathes vital energy into skin cells. Ideally stimulated from within, the skin breathes and becomes more beautiful. Cranberry oil – rich in essential fatty acids – provides the skin with the necessary antioxidants to help it glow, day after day. The complexion is velvety, imperceptibly even, and looks radiantly healthy”

Thanks to a slew of technological breakthroughs in the beauty industry just these past few years alone, foundation has come a long way; Dior has taken things to a whole new level with with their new Serum Foundation, a product that not only provides coverage, but leaves a flawless finish behind, and this with added skincare benefits plus SPF 25.

This may be Dior’s first Serum Foundation, but Giorgio Armani Beauty was the forerunner of this type of product, with the release of Maestro Fusion Makeup back in 2012. Even the bottle shapes and droppers are quite similar between the two powerhouse beauty brands, although the texture is where things start to take different paths (more details on this further down the post).

Other new releases in the Diorskin range, also include Nude Air Loose Powder (CAN $60.00, available in 4 shades) Nude Air Pressed Powder (CAN $59.00, available in 3 shades – review forthcoming), as well as Nude Air Tan Powder (CAN $59.99, available in 3 shades – review forthcoming), all products that are meant to impart that healthy glow ‘bonne mine’ effect, and further enhance the flawless look that begins with application of the Nude Air Serum Foundation.

Diorskin | Nude Air Sérum de Teint 020 Light Beige

Diorskin | Nude Air Sérum de Teint (6 of the 8 available shades are shown)

Diorskin | Nude Air Sérum de Teint 020 Light Beige

Diorskin Nude Air Sérum de Teint 020 Light Beige | The shade I was sent, 020 Light Beige, turns out to be quite the perfect match for my skintone at the moment (although I’ll probably have to get something deeper once the warmer weather hits), and even though I detect a slight pinkish hue to this shade which had me concerned about any clashing with my light yellow undertone, it instead serves to bring about a more brightened appearance to my skin. Before starting application, you do need to shake the contents of the bottle thoroughly to ensure that all components are properly mixed together. The fragrance is a not-unpleasant herbal/green scent that I’ve come to associate with most Dior foundations, although I do not detect any scent once the product is applied (still worth noting for those with sensitivities).

For initial application I prefer using Dior’s paddle-style foundation brush (reviewed), although you can also use your fingers; I just find the brush easier for spreading the product along the skin. After shaking the contents, I add about 4 drops of the Nude Air Serum Foundation into the palm of my hand, apply that to my face (don’t forget your neck, ears, and jawline) then if needed, I add another drop or two to areas that need a bit more coverage. While this foundation is not too layerable, you can build up some areas that require a touch more opacity – but don’t expect fully opaque coverage.

Alternately, and probably my favourite method of applying this type of dry-oil foundation, is by using a dual-fibre brush; I add about 4-5 drops of foundation to the back of my hand, lightly dab the brush through the product and then start by stippling that all over my face (to begin with), followed by sweeping the brush along the skin until the desired coverage has been achieved. This method yields an almost ‘air-brushed’ effect, and can pass muster even under the closest scrutiny.

Once applied, I sometimes go in with Dior’s flat-topped foundation brush (also reviewed) to buff it all in and give the most seamless, flawless-looking finish to the skin (you can also use a dry beauty sponge, or a dense-headed face brush – it all depends on what you already own and what you’re comfortable using). Once set, the resulting finish is not exactly matte, and definitely not dewy; there’s a natural-looking radiance to the skin, while the complexion is truly enhanced and very even-looking. Lasting power is excellent, and I’m able to get a full day’s wear (easily 10-12 hours), without any oxidation whatsoever (where the foundation colour begins to take on a yellowish cast) and neither do I notice any separation, as sometimes can happen around the nose area. My pores also seem a lot less noticeable and even though this is not touted as a mattifying product, I find that it does an excellent job at keeping any oiliness I usually get around the T-zone, to a minimum. Stated as being equally wearable for all skin types, my feeling is that the Nude Air Serum Foundation will be more suitable on those normal, combination, or oily skin, as this formulation has the potential to emphasize any dry patches on the face, which can be reduced to a certain degree by ensuring your skin is properly moisturized beforehand. Even if you do have dry skin, I still recommend giving it a test run at your local Dior counter just the same – it’s well worth looking into. Overall, there’s a subtle but absolutely gorgeous luminosity imparted to the complexion with this finish, and I love how even my skin looks without any of that heavy caked-on feeling at all.

Diorskin | Nude Air Sérum de Teint 020 Light Beige (click to enlarge for ingredients list)

Diorskin | Nude Air Sérum de Teint 020 Light Beige with dropper

Diorskin | Nude Air Sérum de Teint 020 Light Beige, applied

Diorskin | Nude Air Sérum de Teint 020 Light Beige, lightly blended

Diorskin | Nude Air Sérum de Teint 020 Light Beige, blended out

The following are all similar in formula to the Nude Air Serum Foundation (although not necessarily in colour/shade). As stated above, the Armani Maestro Fusion foundation was first out of the gate in this category, and has since gone on to spawn numerous versions from most brands across the board. During humid, hot weather, the Maestro foundation is a Godsend, as it keeps my skin oil-free throughout the wearing; the only issue is that it really doesn’t do well with any dry bits, catching & emphasizing them quite vividly. CHANEL’s Velvet Lumière has the most plush dry-down of them all, although I’m not that crazy about the strong scent (which eventually does fade) and how pink-tinged it is (this brand needs to include more yellow bases in their foundation ranges), as well as the fact that it’s the messiest to use, seeing as how there is no included applicator system. Fusion Ink from YSL is the closest in both texture and finish to the Diorskin Nude Air, and my only issue is that the shade I own is too dark for me to use now. Lastly, Maybelline’s Dream Wonder is great bang for the buck, providing a finish that may not be an exact duplicate, but damn close to its [much] pricier counterparts.

Quick comparison breakdown:

• CHANEL Perfection Lumière Velvet (30 Beige) – (CAN $48.00/30 ml 1 fl.oz) No applicator, the strongest scented of the group, slightly more pigmented (which translates as deeper coverage), touch more of a velvety finish
• GIORGIO ARMANI Maestro Fusion Makeup (6.5) SPF 15 – (CAN $68.00/30 ml 1 fl.oz) Dropper applicator, softest overall fragrance, driest finish, excellent mattifying properties
• YSL Fusion Ink Foundation (B 40 Beige) SPF 18 – (CAN $64.00/25 ml 0.84 fl. oz) Spade shaped applicator, fragrance starts off a touch acrid but dries down more powdery, close in finish/texture as Nude Air (gives that same radiance)
• Maybelline Dream Wonder Liquid Touch Foundation (40 Nude) – (CAN $14.99/20 ml) Spade shaped applicator, slightly more silicon-like in feel, thinner coverage but still well within the same finish as the rest, best price point

Diorskin Nude Air Sérum de Teint & applicator comparisons

Diorskin Nude Air Sérum de Teint 020 Light Beige & comparisons, applied

Diorskin Nude Air Sérum de Teint 020 Light Beige & comparisons, lightly blended

Diorskin Nude Air Sérum de Teint 020 Light Beige & comparisons, blended out

Even though I’ve tried out several other dry-oil foundations, there’s something almost magical about the Diorskin Nude Air Serum Foundation, as it meets al my criteria: a lightweight feel (I cannot stand the suffocating feel of heavy/opaque foundations), enough coverage to even out but one that still lets your skintone show through, mattifying (which also eliminates the need for excessive powdering to keep those pesky oils slicks at bay), and a flawless finish. If you like your foundations weightless, light-medium coverage, and have normal, combination or oil-prone skin, then look no further: this is the one. For those with drier skin or who prefer something that provides serious coverage, you might want to skip this and look instead to something a lot more emollient. Thank God for choices.

PS: With Valentine’s Day around the corner, Diorskin Nude Air has you covered – and I’m betting your sweetheart will surely be mesmerized by your flawless complexion, amongst other things.

Lauching at all Dior counters across Canada as of mid-february. Find more information on the brand at www.dior.com

Press sample provided for my unbiased consideration