Dior Backstage Powder No Powder

Where I got it

It’s March 2021 and Dior has launched quite a number of makeup products lately, with their Forever Natural Nude foundation, Skin Veil primer, Cushion Powder, setting mist, and an array of eyeshadow singles. The Backstage collection has not been neglected. Dior has come out with a new pressed powder as well. The only place online (in New Zealand) that stocks Dior Backstage is Sephora.nz so I kept checking for it on their app.

I finally found it and ordered it straight away for $80. I selected shade 2 Neutral which is the third lightest shade. The shade range from 0N to 9N. I was a little confused as to why all the shades have the same undertone, but it does reach a good range of intensity. My guess is that the powder is quite sheer so the undertone probably doesn’t really matter? Let’s find out.

What I got

This is the Dior Backstage Powder No Powder in shade 2N (11g). Face & Body Powder-No-Powder helps create an even, naturally matte and luminous complexion that lasts all day long, with no powdery finish. Instantly, the skin appears perfected: imperfections are blurred, shine is reduced, the complexion is naturally more even and skin texture is smoothed. Multi-use, the powder may be worn alone or on top of foundation to mattify or set makeup, or to create a sun-kissed effect, depending on the intensity of the chosen shade. The result is astonishingly natural and translucent. The powder is effortlessly suited to men as well: its natural perfecting finish leaves no visible streaks, making it the perfect ally for a discreet, flawless complexion.

How I find it

The compact came in their signature mirrored silver cardboard box packaging. The compact is clear, and the snap closure lid has a silver border around it and the word Dior on top. You can clearly see the product through the see-through lid. The Dior oblique logo is pressed all over the product and it is so beautiful.

The powder doesn’t look entire matte and flat, but it does look like satin or silky sheen on top. It definitely not glittery or shimmery at all. It does take a few uses for the embossing to disappear so you do get to see the monogram for a while.

I swiped my clean fingertips over the product for the swatches and it was really smooth and soft. It did not get bunchy on my fingers, but at the same time, I did not see too much product on my finger. I had to use about 2-3 swipes to get this swatch. Please bear in mind that applying this powder over the face with a powder brush is quite different to what you see on the arm swatch.

For the first few times I used this powder, I used the Dior Backstage Primer as well as their Face & Body Foundation. I love both of these products because they are not particularly dewy or mattifying, they leave a really natural finish with medium coverage. It is so comfortable to use and when I apply this powder over the top, it sets the foundation and ensures that it wears longer. It’s not mattifying or shimmery-looking, it doesn’t seem to change the finish of the foundation which is nice. It also did no alter my foundation change as it is so sheer it provides no additional coverage.

Personally, I saw that my foundation looked fresh like I just applied it on the 3-hour mark. I see a little natural oil come through to my t-zone area, but it still looks really natural. I guess if you use a mattifying foundation, that would help. I don’t see any foundation or powder getting into fine lines or my pores. At the 5th-hour mark, I can see that my skin is still looking very good. The foundation has held up really well with the powder, it hasn’t gone cakey at all and my forehead is still very natural-looking. My nose and either side of my nose is a little greasy, but I could easily blot and reapply powder.

So after touching up at the 5th hour, my makeup went on very nicely for at least another 4 hours! I am impressed!

I tried to do a swatch of this powder in comparison to the Diorskin Forever Powder Foundation and the Chanel Compact Powder Foundation that I use for my skin tone. You can clearly see that there is a slight sheen on the skin and a bit of colour because I did a few swipes so that the camera would pick it up.

Overall

You might be thinking, so what does this powder do if it doesn’t mattify and provides no coverage? This powder sets the makeup without altering the finish and coverage of the foundation of choice. It is really versatile in terms of what type of foundation you use underneath. If you prefer a more dewy foundation, you could still use this without dialing down the glow. Use a light hand and just dust it onto the skin. This makes your skin look really smooth and petal-soft without looking cakey.