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Introduction to Dior

Introduction to Dior

I’m new to this brand. Where should I start?

A Few Notes | Dior frequently reformulates their products and discontinues older lines; as a result, I have found myself with very few lipstick shades to recommend that actually exist (a mental note has been made to consider to trying a few in the future). Most of their lip products have a floral/rose scent. They also are a brand that tends to have primarily limited edition blushes and highlighters with a limited permanent range (none that exist permanently now I have tried!).

They are famous for their Diorshow mascara options, while most of their liquid foundations have fairly favorable reviews to my knowledge, but I haven’t tried any of their current formulas in awhile. I am actually more curious to find out what Dior fans would recommend as so much of what I’ve tried from Dior in recent years has been limited edition (I try to only recommend currently-available products).

What would you recommend to someone just trying Dior for the first time?

NEIMAN MARCUS NORDSTROM SAKS BLOOMINGDALE’S MACY’S

BERGDORF GOODMAN JOHN LEWIS (UK) HARVEY NICHOLS (UK)

SELFRIDGES (INT’L) HARRODS THE BAY (CA)

116 Comments

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tirurit Avatar

I was really curious to read your recommendations, as, for some reason, dior never really grabs my attention. I have a few of their brushes and one blush and that is it!

Katherine T. Avatar

Love the Dior Monofusions! I have Millenium and Aventure, and they’re very sparkly, but I wear them during the daytime by popping them on top of powder shadows to give the eyes great sparkle and dimension, without going OTT. I have some shadows (browns, taupes, matte grays) that are very boring on their own, but when I pop Millenium or Aventure on top, wow! Easy way glam up a day look or transform it into a night look. Also if you have some powder shadows that aren’t so great (dry, patchy, hard to blend), try popping one of these on top, as they will hide a multitude of problems, and make the shadows last longer too. Love, love!

Katherine T. Avatar

The Dior Monofusions have saved me quite a few times! In the morning, I grab shadows from my stash, put them on my eye, and by time I realize there are some issues, it’s too late to remove everything and start all over again, so I pop one of these on top, and voila! They fill in patchy parts, soften harsh lines/blending issues, and add instant sparkle/dimension to flat, dull colors.

Laura Avatar

I like the monofusions but have sort of forgotten about them. I have one. These are excellent ideas. Operation Organize the Stash is today, as I just got something off Amazon to store palettes (it’s kind of like a big acrylic CD holder. Only better) so maybe I will pull it out. PS: I just read somewhere that somebody stores her “single” eyeshadows by color (colourpop, UD, etc) in ice cube trays in drawers. Far too organized for me, but what a great easy idea!

Aline Avatar

I have a couple of the Monofusions and I’m wondering what brush, if any, you use with them? I like the sponge applicator and have used my fingers too, but sometimes I want them to be more precise.

Katherine T. Avatar

I usually just use my fingers, but for more precise placement, I think a smaller, flatter synthetic brush might work too, since it’s a hybrid cream-powder formula.

Nancy T Avatar

Naw, it’s alright. I now know how to think about it and talk about some of it, but let go of any feelings associated with it. It must sound weird, I know!? But then there are the ambush triggers that really set off the PTSD: SEEING or hearing something in that vein!?

As for brands, oh goodness yes! There are others that are grabbing any of my old Lux end attentions: Tom Ford!!! ?

Joy Avatar

Dear Nancy T, I read the entire past year on Temptalia. Saw your comments: what happened. I did not want to bring it up for that reason. What you were used to changed beyond your control. Dior is a pricey drugstore makeup to an extent. You use ColourPop and so many great things you know work for you I feel you aren’t missing anything. You’re enjoying yourself. Nothing prettier than that. ?

Nancy T Avatar

Hi Joy, I do love Colourpop for that type of hybrid, also the one that MAC puts out when the spirit moves them. Both are more colorful and/or more interesting looking to me. I finally do get some higher end stuff again, just shy of luxury. It’s my one major creative outlet of late. I used to write song lyrics and some poetry, and then along came writer’s block! Oddly, I’m okay talking about some of it at this point, but I’ve been out of that situation for over 13 years.

Joy Avatar

Hi there Nancy, nice you are better. Brave to talk. You come across with very great attitude.! Fun! Humor! Can’t see past that but if it is any indication: You’ve come far. Your makeup and style show creativity! It’s not gone! Coming out in ways words don’t. Good to know you are doing well. Enjoy makeup! ? ?

Stacey Avatar

Dior Rouge Lipsticks. Not a variety of shades. But my favorite lipsticks…even more so than Tom Ford. Wish I could like the shadows. Products are hit and mixed.

Erin Avatar

I love Dior’s powder foundations. They provide medium coverage that’s velvety and not too matte and look better as the day goes on. They do have a strong scent though. Even though their lightest shade 10 is a bit dark in the winter for me in liquids, the powder foundations seem to suit a range of skin tones in very shade. 13 is the next shade which is a little too pink to disguise my Rosacea as 10 is a little more yellow so it works as a beauty powder. Shade 23 and 22 are great bronzers with coverage. Think Les Beige but with more coverage. I haven’t used it since my skin has been drier but it was perfection for my combination skin from 30 to 35. It’s also pretty spendy but now that I’m talking about it, I’ll have to try it again on my next trip to a store. it looked very natural when applied with a powder brush in rolling technique and then you could also just dust it where you needed less coverage. Then I’d use the sponge tip that came with it to get in the corners to to add a little more coverage to blemishes.

I also like their lip enhancers but I find the scent to strong as the taste influences food flavors.

I love their Abricot Cremé though. It’s amazing for hands and nails.

I also love original Addict and Fahrenheit!

Jessica Avatar

I will second this comment about the brand’s powder foundations – the Diorskin Forever Compact has fantastic texture and coverage (and some nice shades for girls with pink tones like myself). My skin is also super finicky – dry but with bad acne – and this does not break me out, otherwise irritate my skin, or accentuate the dry patches.

Also – this is my first time commenting but I’ve been following Temptalia for a while now. This is a fantastic site and I think you provide the most candid and detailed beauty advice on the internet. Thank you!

Ale Avatar

I agree. Dior powders are fantastic. I had a similar experience regarding the wear, at first it’s like meh…, nothing special but as the day goes on it gets stunning. But you have to consider that they are higher coverage, not really on trend lately.
You should try their bronzers too. They have shimmery ( but not obvious) and matte depending on your preferance which is a plus.

Bonnie Avatar

I can also second Erin’s recommendation of Dior’s powder foundation. It’s literally the best there is. I’ve used the Dior Forever compact powder foundation for years and it’s fantastic. It covers so well and does actually look better as the day goes on, it meshes with the skin really well. Dior’s loose setting powder is also very good! Oh, and Airflash! If you want full coverage, Airflash is amazing as long as you get the application down. I’ve always sprayed it on a brush (like a flat-top buffing foundation brush) and buffed it onto the skin.

Ludovica Vantaggiato Avatar

I have one of the permanent blushes, it’s called Corail Croisette and I really like it, but I don’t think it is a must have. However, I absolutely love the Diorshow Art Pen: it’s a felt tip eyeliner, it’s very black and you can do very fine lines with it, but the best thing is that I had it for like, two years, and the tip never dried out! still going strong!

Lulle Avatar

Honestly I would not recommend their Fluid Sticks as a first introduction to the brand, but that’s just me… I would definitely recommend the Rouge Dior, their best lipstick formula by far (I’m not sure I own any with the latest formua, but I haven’t heard that the quality went down in any way), the Nude Air Serum Foundation, the Iconic mascara, Cuir Cannage palette, and their nail lacquers in general. Maybe a Dior Addict lipstick for someone who likes really glossy, light lipstick. And a product I haven’t personally tried, but that seems extremely popular: the Lip Glow.

Joy Avatar

They have a variety of lipsticks now from their beginning to hybrid types. Ther special classic rouge color #999 is found in all of them. It would be interesting if you could compare each type of Dior lipstick! For the price I find them 100% worth it. Dior Addict, Rouge Dior, Dioriffic, Rouge Dior Baume. Those are the sticks. I agree about the scent of the rose balm. By Terry is even worse. I think Dior Addict glosses are underrated. They have an extensive range of impressive colors and finish. Sheer shimmer to opaque fun. Worth noting is an excellent lip brush on the end of the lip liners. The lip brush is amazeballs too. ?

Sofie Avatar

I’d really recommend their fix it stick. It’s a concealer that has a core made up of a priming substance and it works great! It’s not as creamy as you think a concealer stick would be but its blendable and durable and non creasing!
Other than that the Dior lip glow is my daily savior, and the newly relaunched forever foundation is something I’m getting great customer feedback on, but it lacks shades light enough for me (like all Dior foundations, boo) so I can’t wear it myself.
The rouge Dior lipsticks are also something you really should try!

Helene Avatar

I have hardly looked at the Dior counters in years after having so many disappoining buys with their eyeshadow quads. Maybe I should take a look again, but stay away from the quads, and give the Fusion mono’s a chance. A long time ago, I was all Dior, I loved everything they did, I had a few amazing lipsticks, maybe time to try one again.
Next time I’m at a department store, or at Sephora, I will take a look and see what I think. Nice to feel a bit curious, thanks to Christine and all who had an input in the discussion!

Genevieve Avatar

I have the Jardin quint and it is pretty good. Funnily enough, a few of the colours echo the famous Bonne Etoile quint- which was one of their best. Their Mono Fusion range has been quite successful.
Unfortunately Dior is not really known for its quality cosmetics any more. They have lovely lipsticks, mascaras etc. but they are very expensive and the dupes are often just as good.

Anne Avatar

I always watch for their highlighters. The spring ’16 are sold out now, but they are beautiful. In general, I always pay attention to their powders — finely milled and offer some cool shades. I’ve also had good luck with their nail polishes as well.

lisebeth94 Avatar

For me Dior is a brand more close from my heart because I always remember my mom’s Dior makeup that I admired in my childhood. I think that’s one of the reasons of my purchases, because Dior or Chanel are “houses” who have a all time stamp. I love the dior addict lipsticks because I feel like I won’t need to put a gloss above, the lipstick has already done the job… The dior addict lipgloss in rose en diable is an amazing shade. I also love the mono fusion eyeshadows and dior addict it lashes mascara.

lisebeth94 Avatar

Here in Europe they still sell them but perhaps they have stopped that selling in the united states… I dont know 🙁 It is Thrue that even in one same brand they sadly don’t always sell the same products worldwide. For exemple I can not find the dior airbrush foundation in Belgium but I know it is sold at the US Nordstrom.

Jessica Avatar

Diorshow black mascara, the original brush formula, hands down my HG mascara! Right now, my new LOVE is the Dior glowing gardens nude illuminator powder in glowing pink, it is GORGEOUS!

Sally Gannett Avatar

I use a lot of Dior (have since the 1980s!!) I would say, start out trying their eyeshadows, the quads. They are really excellent quality and the color selection, texture and curation are superb. Also I would try their nail polishes, they are gels and the colors are great. Dior seems to have unique and interesting seasonal options is a strong point of the line.

Mackenzie Avatar

I used to work for Dior so I might be a little biased, but there are quite a few hits, although I agree about the incessant reformulations.

I really love and stand-by (and continue to repurchase after not working for them :P) the Dior Addict Lip Maximizer (I know you have a difficulty with plumpers usually but I find this one has a nice result without being too irritating to the lips) and the Airflash Foundation (sprayed onto the back of the hand and applied with a beauty-blender). Their eyeshadow brush #21 is one of my absolute favourite brushes of all time. I also really love the Diorblush, specifically New Red, it’s a really fun bold pink. Beyond those, all of my favourites are limited edition items as well, or an old formulation. I can say though, any Dior lipstick that comes in the shade “Incognito” is my perfect natural nude, it’s my favourite shade in the old Addict Extreme formula and the new Addict lipstick formulation.

Bonnie Avatar

When we would go to Dior school twice a year they would tell us that they were constantly trying to improve on their formulas with the newest technology and ingredients and whatnot. So I suppose that would be their reasoning for the constant product switch-outs. I think it’s also marketing hype, you know “try the NEW and IMPROVED formula!!!” And all that.

Bonnie Avatar

Hi Mackenzie,
I used to work for Dior as well! In fact, I may be going back to freelance for them again soon!
I second your recommendation for their “incognito” lipsticks, while adding their nail polish in that shade as well. Both are my HG nudes of ALL TIME.
I have a lot of LE favorites and discontinued favorites as well, as it’s been a couple years since I’ve worked for them so most of my stuff is old formulation!

Jan Avatar

I used to love Dior. Then, they just somehow lost it for me. I never wore their lip products because of the smell and taste. I used to love their nail polish but that lost it too. There are so many new and exciting companies. The older companies need to evolve and up their game. Sorry, Christine. I’m of no help.

Arpita Avatar

In recent times, i havent found much to absolutely love dior. Nevertheless, i love their nail polishes, some lippie shades; and their perfumes. I would definitely recommend nps ( do try 999) and fragrances ( hypnotic poison).

Shana Avatar

Lips : Dior addict extreme has a great formula.
I won’t recommend the fluid sticks for first try in Dior, cause they are not that easy to wear for every day. They are too shinny. I have mirage and an other one, and I rarely wear them.
Their lip products are great in general.

Love their cream eyeshadow. My favourite is Olympe (LE). I even prefer them to Chanel. The sparkles are pretty in Dior.

Love the serum air foundation, it has a great opacity to cover redness and little pigmentations. It’s also light weight.

Love the liquid blush, there are only one.

The lash primer is great.

The it-lash mascara is lovely too, it holds well my curls.

The nail polishes : one of the best formula and brushes on the market.

Cora Avatar

I use their Diorskin Nude BB cream every day, because it evens out my skin tone and hides my redness without looking too heavy or obvious. I’m also a huge fan of their Iconic Overcurl mascara, because it gives me good definition and really opens my eyes up.

Lydia Avatar

I’ve seen other commenters haven’t been the biggest fans of the fluid sticks but I love mine! I love the limited edition items from the last spring collection. As far as the permanent range goes, other than the fluid sticks I have an eyeshadow quad called ‘stylish move’ that my mum bought at least 10 years ago. She would use it on me for ballet concerts when I was young and then I acquired it along the way! It is basically a neutral quad but more interesting than your average one because it has a purple and some shine. I’m not sure if they still make that exact one but I’ve seen a similar combo at the counter. I think because that palette is my first makeup memory, I will always have a soft spot for Dior!

Sarah Avatar

My favorite quint- hand down- is Femme Fleur. The purple I such a gorgeous shade.

I also like the lip balms. Lilli is a beautiful rose that permanently lives in my makeup bag for the simple fact that I can wear it with almost anything. That being said, I could do without the heavy fragrance.

My HG foundation is Airflash 201. It has a yellow base, tough to find in a foundation for fair skin.

Gillian Avatar

That reminds me that I should be using my fluid sticks more! I love them but keep forgetting about them. I have about eight of them so I really need to show them dive love.

As for what I’d recommend besides the above it would be their Addict Lipgloss. Specifically the sparkly ones. I just love them! I would pick Fancy Purple, Diablotine, Paradise and Spring Ball as the ones to look for!

The new formulation of their Addict Lipstick is good too but I only have the one colour so I’m not sure of shades (I have Be Dior). I love all their lipsticks actually. Look out for Rouge Dior Nude lipstick in Swan, a gorgeous pinky nude, and Rouge Diorific Mat lipstick in Radieuse, another slightly deeper and matte pinky nude.

It’s all about the lip products for me when it comes to Dior! However, I do like their mascaras, cream eyeshadows and blushes too. I’ve only sampled a few of these though. ?

Mariella Avatar

Almost all the Dior products I have that I really like or would recommend are LE/discontinued ones: the newest Glowing Gardens Illuminating Powder, the long gone Rose and Amber Diamond powders, Golden Savannah and Bonne Etoile 5-pan shadow palettes….the only permanent products I have that I’d recommend are their Nail Glow (pricey but really worth it), Creme Abricot for cuticles (ditto!) and Diorskin Star liquid foundation. To be honest, though, I haven’t tried a lot of Dior products.

Gabriela Avatar

I have only tried their nail products, they have a very good top coat, and the color products are very good but really expensive, the nail polish brush is amazing. I have tried only one Dior makeup product the backstage eye primer, I liked it, I can´t say that it works for me because i have very oily and my eyelids drop, I like to use it as color only in weekends. I’ve read reviews here and in other sites and some of their products seem very interesting like the lip glow line, they are really expensive here so i´ve found dupes in clinique babyliss.

Alisha Avatar

I like their bronzers, concealer, diorshow mascara, miss Dior perfume, the mono cream shadows you listed along with the single shadows I thought you reviewed a few of? The palettes can be hit or miss, but I just pick up the good ones! Cuir cannage seems to give beautiful sexy blended eyes no matter what for me. I have not tried the fluid sticks, foundation, or powder but all are supposed to be good. If you can get past the smell of the gloss and rouge lipstick I recommend those. I have old addict/addict extremes but no new colors to advise on or current perm. blush colors. We should start a petition to bring back Amber diamond, the best highlighter ever!!!!!

Alisha Avatar

Oh, I have an eyeliner I think is a miss. I much prefer felt tip. This has a brush and you dip it in a pot. And I see others mentioned the lip balm, lip glow, and lip maximizer which are all very popular but I have just ignored because I honestly don’t believe in splurging on basic balms/colorless glosses – personally. And I’m not into maximizers- most use something to irritate your lips to make them more plump and I hate mint and cinnamon and stinging so I guess I just assumed that was probably where that one was going. I know a lot of people like high end lip moisturizers, I just wasn’t impressed with sugar or a korres pot so now I’m just like whatever might as well be ChapStick to me. I also don’t know if you can still get some of the older quints because I would def give specific colors although with all the nude palettes out now and even smoky ones, it is a tougher market I think.

Alecto Avatar

The only thing I’ve ever used from Dior is my current mascara: waterproof Diorshow. I’m actually pretty happy with it because it doesn’t flake, and other than a few drugstore versions (mostly from Maybelline) I’ve never encountered a non-flaking-on-me mascara (and the drugstore ones smear!). It doesn’t do anything amazing for my lashes, but I’m happy with just enough thickening, lengthening and color to keep my lashes from looking nonexistant if it means no flaking or smudging.

Bonnie Avatar

My favorite Dior items that aren’t discontinued (or reformulated) are the Lip Glow (amazing), the universal brow styler (was around before the Anastasia brow wiz and is better IMO), Forever powder foundation and Airflash foundation, the Lash Maximizer, Iconic Overcurl Mascara, Nail polishes (the brush is so good!), the Nude Bronzers and the Rosy Glow blush is nice too. I also like their translucent setting powder, but I’m not sure if that’s been reformulated or not. And of course, the mono fusion eyeshadows – I really wish they would expand that line permanently! I love all my Dior lip products, but the vast majority of them now have been reformulated and I haven’t tried the news ones.

LeAnn Avatar

I have to respectfully disagree with the popular opinion- I love Dior! I always say that if I had to choose one brand to wear forever, it would be Dior or NARS. Though I agree it’s irritating for them to constantly reformulate, I think it also shows that they are truly committed to putting out the best quality product that they can with the latest technology. I wear Airflash almost every day, and love the LE highlighters/blushes. I’m also a huge fan of the mono fusion eyeshadows like some have mentioned! The only things I can really say I’ve never loved are the powder shadows. I’ve also worn a few different foundation formulas, concealers, the brow styler, lipsticks, mascaras, etc. I definitely purchase Dior consistently! Also, I promise I’m not a rep for them, haha

Susan Dowman Nevling Avatar

I have used and liked the Dior Show black mascara and a couple of their five color palettes in the distant past. I do like the look of the lip colors you posted today as well as the individual eyeshadow.
I don’t wear nail polish so can’t comment on them.

Aniek Avatar

I love the Diorshow New Look mascara, it is in the permanent range and the formula is amazing: it keeps my lashes long, defined and soft at the same time. Love the brush, because it is quite small, it is perfect to reach lashes in the inner or outer corners of the eye to keep your lashes perfectly separated without getting messy or clumpy.

I also love the Dior Addict lipsticks. They are sheer (they are supposed to be sheer), but they have a wide colour range and they are extremely hydrating on me (and I have very very dry lips). My personal favourites are 333 Nude, 623 Not Shy and 643 Diablotine. If find these to be perfect for work days where I want some colour to complement my look, but I don’t want a very bold lip.

denise Avatar

I love the Diorblush Check Stick. The color I have was apparently LE (cosmopolite rosewood) but it’s one of my top three blushes right now.

The other Dior product I adore is the lip glows. I know many companies have created similar products but none of them get it quite right. The Dior lip glows are just magical.

Jess Avatar

I’m kind of like you, Christine…I tend to snap up Dior’s LE items and am not super familiar with their permanent range. That being said, I would definitely recommend the Lip Glow, the Eye Reviver Illuminating Eye Palette for anyone who likes soft neutrals, and the recently reformulated Diorskin Forever Perfect Makeup foundation. I have combination oily skin, and I recently bought this foundation and love it. I get good wear time out of it, and it buffs to such a lovely finish that’s sort of softly matte and very natural looking.

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