After a somewhat disappointing trial of Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate earlier this year, I was once again invited by Beautyheaven to participate in the trial team of another Lancôme product - this time the Teint Idole Ultra Wear - a new reformulation of its Teint Idole Ultra 24h.
This product was gifted for the purpose of trial and review. The trial period was approximately 1.5 weeks.
Claims
Claims from the Australian Lancôme website:
In 2017, a new chapter begins: Teint Idole Ultra 24h becomes Teint Idole Ultra Wear. Our iconic long-wearing formula was the first to guarantee 14h of hold, then 18h, and finally up to 24h of optimal comfort and an impeccable complexion without any need for touch-ups.
Teint Idole Ultra Wear foundation provides velvety, perfect all-day complexion. It is easier than ever to create a full coverage flawless complexion – without discomfort, streaks or caking – and looks that you can customize for each moment of the day, depending on the occasion, from natural to sophisticated.
Retouch free. Shine free. Transfer proof. Flawless.
This foundation comes with SPF 15.
Ingredients
Usually I do not worry too much about ingredients in makeup products (VS skincare). By the time I put my foundation on I would probably have layered 5-6 different types of serum, oil, moisturiser, sunscreen and/or primer. By that time my skin can tolerate a range of unpopular ingredients including alcohol denat. For completeness here is the full ingredients list:
AQUA / WATER, CYCLOHEXASILOXANE, ALCOHOL DENAT., ISODODECANE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, ACRYLATES/POLYTRIMETHYLSILOXYMETHACRYLATE COPOLYMER, NYLON-12, ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE, PEG-10 DIMETHICONE, ISOHEXADECANE, SILICA [NANO] / SILICA, PERLITE, ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE, MAGNESIUM SULFATE, DISODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE, CETYL PEG/PPG-10/1 DIMETHICONE, BHT, PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRA-DI-T-BUTYL HYDROXYHYDROCINNAMATE, PARFUM/FRAGRANCE, LINALOOL, GERANIOL, EUGENOL, ALPHA-ISOMETHYL IONONE, COUMARIN, HYDROXYCITRONELLAL, CITRONELLOL, HEXYL CINNAMAL, BENZYL ALCOHOL, BENZYL SALICYLATE [+/- MAY CONTAIN CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 / IRON OXIDES, CI 77891 / TITANIUM DIOXIDE]
My experience
The colour I selected was 01 Beige Albâtre, a great colour for my complexion.
(for comparison, some of my other foundation colours are MAC NC 25; Giorgio Armani LSF "5"; Estee Lauder Double Wear in Ecru / Desert Beige)
The bottle is sleek and neat and comes with a pump.
For background purposes, my skin type is normal. On a daily basis I prefer to wear a tinted moisturiser or a BB cream. I usually only wear foundation on special occasions.
I tried wearing this foundation in many different ways: from sheer coverage to full coverage, with or without beautyblender, etc. This foundation is overall very good. It has a "semi-matte" finish, but can be easily transformed to a dewy foundation by using an illuminating primer and a wet sponge. The coverage is excellent. When I do just a medium coverage, I do not even feel the need to apply any additional concealer. It is quite comfortable to wear on most days, including in hot and humid weather. The only exception was when I wore it for an extra full coverage (I really packed it on - it was between 1 to 1.5 pump) - I felt that my cheeks were slightly dried and my skin wasn't very breathable after 6 hours (although it looked amazing). Other than this, I do not have any major issue with this foundation, and I agree with most of the claims made the brand. To summarise:
Pros
Lightweight and comfortable to wear
Silky texture, easy to blend without drying too quickly
Highly buildable coverage
Flawless finish
Does not settle into pores
Does not cake
Versatile - can be used for sheer, medium and full coverage; semi-matte or dewy finish depending on the primer and the way that it is applied
Comfortable to wear for more than 12 hours (except when wearing it for a full coverage)
No shiny T-zone at the end of the day
Long lasting. Retouch is not necessary
Only very minor creasing into fine lines
Does not cause congestion or breakout
Cons
Very strong fragrance
It can accentuate dry skin
If I wear it for a full coverage, it is slightly drying for my cheeks and uncomfortable to wear beyond 6 hours (this could be specific to my skin type)
Left: not wearing any foundation, concealer or powder; Right: after wearing Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear in 01 Beige Albâtre, with no powder and no concealer. No editing or filter used in either picture.
My preferred uses
1. Medium coverage with a satin finish
A satin finish can be achieved by using a hydrating or illuminating primer and apply the foundation with fingers. I use approximately 3/4 for a medium coverage. A dry sponge can also be used for a satin finish, but I found that a dry sponge soaks up too much foundation, so I prefer to use just fingers for most areas. For areas that need more blending (such as the drier areas around and under my nose), I use the tip of a dry beautyblender to push the product into my skin (this requires another 1/4 pump of foundation, bringing the total amount of product to 1 pump). I do not even feel I need any concealer when I do a medium coverage.
2. Sheer to medium coverage with a dewy finish
One of the strengths of this foundation is the versatility. When I use an illuminating primer and apply this foundation with a wet beautyblender, the finish is surprisingly dewy. Using the foundation this way eliminates the issue with dry skin. The foundation feels comfortable on my skin for the whole day and night.
Recommendation
I would recommend this foundation to someone who:
is looking for a versatile foundation
is not sensitive to fragrance
does not have dry skin
Overall rating 4.5/5
About me
Makeup artist and hair stylist based in Sydney. Founder of the well-known award-winning bridal specialist team Faces Makeup & Hair. Beauty junkie with an obsession for skincare.