This Lancôme Powder Foundation Pays for Itself With Compliments for Faking Flawless Skin From Day to Night

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During the time of year when our skin is on the fritz from indulgent foods and fluctuating temperatures, it can take an extra beat to get glam for, say, a holiday soirée. Pesky pimples, fine lines exacerbated by dehydration, and redness are difficult to camouflage — but there’s a secret weapon solution that’s quietly winning over makeup artists and industry insiders: Lancôme’s Dual Finish Powder Foundation.

Powder foundations get a bad rap for sitting on top of the skin, settling into fine lines and creases, and looking stale after a long day of wear. That doesn’t bode well for long days and nights that the holidays entail, particularly when you want to arrive to function looking refreshed and radiant.

The genius of Lancôme’s powder foundation lies in the formula’s skin-softening ingredients that you’d typically find in liquid formulas. And by combining the benefits of foundation and powder, Lancôme’s Dual Finish Powder Foundation looks and feels undetectable on the skin, all while blurring texture from fine lines or breakouts. Another big benefit: You don’t need to fuss with setting sprays, due to its long-wearing finish. In short, this foundation works like a real life filter to blur away texture and delete discoloration — all while keeping your skin looking fresh for hours.

Our beauty writer was introduced to Lancôme Dual Finish Powder Foundation nine months ago and has been using it religiously ever since. Read on for her review.

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How We Tested Lancôme’s Dual Finish Powder Foundation

Lancôme Dual Finish Powder Foundation Review — Testing Notes

I’ve been a cream foundation loyalist since I went to makeup school in 2006. I opted for professional-grade creams because of the coverage, finish, and length of wear they provide. I also found it easier to contour and blend with these creamier foundation formulas than powder ones. 

Fast forward nearly two decades, and I’ve since been blessed with both acne and wrinkles. While my tried-and-true cream foundations still deliver the coverage I crave, I wanted to try something lighter to avoid creasing — heavier formulas now settle into my fine lines easier, especially in the crow’s feet around my eye area.

Lancôme’s Dual Finish Powder Foundation hits all of the criteria I look for in great foundations. I love how versatile it is, offering sheer to full-coverage. Because it has a mattifying effect on the skin without feeling heavy or drying, I’ll sometimes even dust it on as a finishing powder for more staying power. It’s surprisingly buildable without being cakey, providing a natural, second-skin finish that really does last all day.

There’s a common misconception that “older” skin can’t wear powders. I’m happy to report that’s not the case with this one. If you prep with quality face serums, moisturizers, and a makeup primer, powder foundation can work on any skin type. Serum foundations, tinted moisturizers, and skin balms are also great options for wrinkled skin, but they often do not provide as much coverage for redness and other skin discolorations.

Another bonus: Application is quick and easy. I use a dense, flat-top makeup brush to buff it into the skin in circular motions, focusing more on my oiler areas like my T-zone. If there is any redness showing through, I’ll use a smaller, tapered brush to stipple more product on those areas. If you don’t have as many skin woes as I do, you can use a larger fluffy brush all over for lighter coverage. I use a rosewater spray to set it which also helps lessen any dryness.

Lancôme created the perfect shade for my extremely fair, cool-toned skin (100 Porcelain). Most foundations are either too dark for me, too warm, or both, but there are solid options for lighter skin here. While I’m thrilled with my own color match, my biggest gripe with the product is that the shade range is lacking for those with dark skin tones. I hope the brand expands to offer more inclusive options in the future. Note that the formula is also lightly scented, which is worth considering if you have sensitive skin or a sensitive nose.

This luxury powder is worth the splurge in my opinion, but cost might also be a barrier. Did I want to fall in love with a $54 foundation? No. But the pros still outweigh the cons for me, making Lancôme’s acne-friendly foundation a permanent resident of my carefully curated makeup bag.

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Meet the Author

Katie McBroom is an award-winning writer and content creator with over a decade of experience in digital media. Prior to contributing to WWD, she served as Content Editor for Google and Beauty Editor for Hearst’s Best Products. Her work has also appeared in publications including Cosmopolitan, Elle, Oprah, CNN, Business Insider, and Men’s Health, among others. Well-versed in all things beauty, she is also a licensed cosmetologist and professionally certified makeup artist. McBroom has been using Lancôme Dual-Finish Powder Foundation for nearly a year, and she used her firsthand experience to write this honest review.