Dior’s Backstage line seems to have a few interestingly uncommon products, and one of them is the Face & Body Powder-No-Powder. After using it, I’m not sure it fits my needs enough to warrant a permanent place in my makeup collection, but it is so unique I might repurchase it just because I haven’t found anything else quite like it, ever.
This is supposedly a multipurpose powder that can act as a standalone face product if needed, but I only tested it as setting powder, over foundation (I like the extra coverage a foundation provides). Below you can see the colour and finish under natural lighting on my finger swatches. The 1N colour is ever so slightly darker than my complexion, but it matches my hand skintone perfectly, so much so that the back-of-the-hand swatch may be completely pointless. If you notice where there is a really soft shine on my hand, that’s where the powder is.
Texture and Application: the interesting thing about this powder is that it feels and looks like a powder gelée formula, which is uncommon for a setting powder: dense, firm but not dry – actually leaning more on the creamy side – and slightly luminous. It feels smooth to the touch and you can notice its creaminess with a heavier finger swatch.
In order to apply a decent amount of product I have to use a coarser brush, as it’s expected with this formula. Softer bristles just pet the powder, picking up no useful amount, and may even contribute to the appearance of hardpan (which is when powder products form a hard, shiny film that sits on top of the pan and makes it almost impossible to pick up the powder underneath). A “scratchier” brush works best. Applying it on the skin was easy, and it did not lift up the foundation underneath, but if the face is too dry it can cling to dry patches and make them look very obvious.
Coverage and Finish: this provides some coverage, light to medium I would say, depending on how much you apply. You can see the added coverage in the skin swatches below. The finish is what is really noteworthy.
This is what they call a Monet – good from afar, kind of a mess up close. Up close and under natural light, the finish would be best described as waxy – not dry at all, and a bit luminous, but very artificial, and my skin looks quite cake-y, with wrinkles and fine lines slightly emphasised. But from afar? Oh darling. My base is smooth and perfected. And under artificial lighting? Poreless. Truly, Chef’s kiss. This is a powder that’ll make you look your best in a candlelight dinner. Or an elevator. If you have an indoors event where there are going to be a lot of pictures taken, this is a great powder to wear.
Longevity: I don’t find it prolongs the longevity of my makeup – however much time your foundation lasts without setting powder, that’s how long it’ll last with Dior’s Powder-No-Powder. I’m not a fan of this fact, I depend on my setting powder to make my makeup last well. This is not transfer resistant, and if you have oily skin, I don’t think this is for you – not good for oil control. My skin looked even more cake-y on my T-zone after 8 hours, and terribly so after 10 hours. At least it does not oxidise.
Packaging & Other Info: The compact is made of clear plastic and even though it is not flimsy, it’s not particularly luxurious. I like that the powder comes with a patterned Dior pan embossing, even though you can no longer tell on mine because I’ve worn it out. It contains 11 grams of product (generous full size) and costs 45€ (not-so-generous full price).
Final Thoughts: This is an interesting one. Definitely not a daytime powder for me, I don’t aim to look like I escaped Madame Tussauds’ museum, but for a night out, when I’ll only need this to last for 3/4 hours and I’m under lighting that is the farthest thing from natural that it could be, this is stupendous. Thing is, I’m a recent mother, so nights out are like a unicorn: dreamy and non-existent. I understand this powder’s purpose, I think there is a time (that I don’t have) and a place (that’s overfilled) for it, but not currently in my makeup collection.
