I’ve always been skeptical about foundations that claim to be long-lasting. The bulk of them tend to dry out my skin, yet paradoxically worsen the oily patches on my face. If I weren’t so frustrated, I’d be amused. So, when I received the Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear foundation ($68 for 30ml), I tried to keep my expectations realistic. Spoiler alert: It performed above and beyond, and then some.
The iconic Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear foundation is a fan favourite thanks to its breathable 24-hour long-wear formula and what the brand calls a “comfort matte” finish. On my skin, it translates to a mochi-like texture that remains flake-free through the entire workday. That’s truly impressive, considering that I suffer from seborrheic dermatitis on the face. While I obviously do not have the gruelling schedule of South Korean star Suzy Bae, a Lancôme ambassador, I do share her appreciation of not having to worry about touching up foundation throughout the day.
I wore the foundation over a few swipes of a stick primer, but went without a setting spray. Despite that, it held up through alternating bouts of humidity and the frigid, dry air of the office. The “comfort matte” and “breathable” descriptors also lived up to their claims – although it had a matte finish, the foundation never once felt drying, heavy or uncomfortable on my skin.
At the end of the day, I noticed that my skin’s natural oils had melded with the foundation to produce a nice, satiny finish that looked even better than when I’d first applied it in the morning. Colour me impressed.
Come August 2019, Lancôme will be adding eleven new shades to its Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear foundation range, expanding the line-up to 25 shades. Five of the shades will be exclusive to Asia and only available in Department Stores, and we hear that the formula for these five has been lightly tweaked to produce the kind of radiant finish that’s popular in this region.
To better help you find your perfect foundation, Lancôme offers a complimentary Shade Finder service. The process is overseen by trained beauty advisers, with help from a specialised Shade Finder tool. It’s so accurate that my colleague was able to find her perfect shade even in a club. (The story of how we discovered that, however, is for another day.)
Besides shade-matching, the tool takes your preferences and needs into consideration before it displays the results. It also dispenses plenty of useful tips to help you get the most out of your foundation, like how you can mix it with a few drops of Lancôme’s Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate serum for a glowing finish.
The Shade Finder service is currently available at Lancôme counters in Robinsons Raffles City, Takashimaya D.S. and Tangs at Tang Plaza, with more locations to come in the last quarter of 2019. Sign up for The Shade Finder service now – it’ll be worth your time.
Catch Suzy Bae in action, rocking the new full coverage and breathable foundation anytime, anywhere.
ALSO READ: REVIEW: DOES THE LANCOME ADVANCED GENIFIQUE RANGE REALLY GIVE YOU YOUNGER-LOOKING SKIN?