Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24 Hour: Review, Pictures and FOTD

I've never been a fan of the dewy foundation look. There, I said it. I prefer more of a matte finish, with a decent level of coverage, that's going to hang around all day. It's been kinda lonely in the matte camp over recent years, as all things sheer and glowy took the beauty industry by storm. Matte was almost a dirty word, in makeup circles, being associated with a heavy, caked on look when the trend was for ever decreasing levels of coverage. 

But happily, with makeup as with all things in this life, seasons change*. And thanks to some pretty cool scientific innovations, matte is back, and it's better than ever. 

Launching on February 1st, Lancôme's Teint Idole Ultra 24H benefits from the latest  scientific advances and more than 8 years of research to provide a coverage that sounds almost contradictory: high-coverage but natural? Matte but not drying? Longwearing, but comfortable and light? Weary as we are of cosmetic houses promising us the moon, is all this just too good to be true? 

Well, no actually. This foundation is really very, very good. I can't attest to the 24-hour claim but I've been testing this over the past two months and I feel very comfortable that it will stay in place for as long as it's needed. It has lasted throughout a full day of work, not budged through an after work party and stayed intact for a full day and night of shopping and lunching and cocktails and dancing. 

Taking pictures of myself is not my forte...any suggestions for how to improve?

It applies flawlessly and easily with either fingers or a brush, giving a matte, medium-to-full finish that evens out my skintone and covers up blemishes while still giving a natural, real-skin result. A little goes a very long way, and there is a wide range of shades available for all skintones -  Lancôme worked with the Women of Colour Association to make this their most complete global range. I was matched to (and given) shade #35 at the launch event, a neutral shade which suits my skintone perfectly.

Now, there are very good scientific reasons for why the product performs so well. These are to do with special polymers that are a different shape and structure and so can offer enduring long-wear and a comfortable finish. To be honest I don't fully understand all of that. But I certainly like the results.  

What do you think,  will you bat for matte or go with the glow?!

Teint Idole Ultra 24H (€35) is available from February 1st, at Lancôme counters nationwide.

* And now this (wonderful) song is totally stuck in my head.