I was slightly nervous about the fact that the epic Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear foundation had been reformulated. And I say epic with not even a hint of irony because it was just that: very few high coverage, ultra longwear foundations came close to it in terms of the quality of finish, ease of application, shade range and longevity. The original Teint Idole covered every blemish and imperfection – no concealer needed – but it somehow managed to not obliterate all of the life from your skin at the same time. It looked flexible, comfortable, slightly juicy, but also gave that perfect, flawless, airbrushed sort of finish that completely removes redness, dark circles, areas of pigmentation. And it had a subtle glow, an expensive luminescence, yet the finish was velvety-matte.
Ad info: no paid or sponsored content. Contains press samples sent with no obligation to review and affiliate links, marked *
And the feel! Oh the feel of the thing. It was cushiony, it didn’t settle into lines, it moved with your skin…if ever there was a full coverage foundation for grown-ups then this was it. And so: my nervousness over the reformulation. What would Lancome tweak? What aspect of the original formula would us diehard fans sob over? How could Lancome improve upon perfection and a face base that had been around – successfully – for decades?
Well, let me tell you; they have. Lancome have taken their Teint Idole Ultra Wear foundation and made it just as comprehensive in coverage, just as cushiony to apply and just as long in wear-time, and they’ve somehow added a load of skincare ingredients into the mix along the way. And do you know what? You can actually feel the difference.
Buy Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear*
After a week of daily testing, with the old formula on one half of my face and the new formula on the other (how I suffer for my art) I can categorically tell you that the new side of my face feels continuously hydrated throughout the day. More plumptious. The other side doesn’t feel dry, as such, it just feels…normal. There’s a definite difference. I was sceptical beyond all polite reason about the hydrating skincare element of the relaunched formula but it’s there. And it works. My new face side is juicier and more springy to the touch but with the same amount of coverage on the skin.
I really don’t think that many (if any) Teint Idole users will be disappointed with the new version. It’s the same marvellous foundation, plus a (very) slightly more hydrating feel. I personally welcome the additional plumptiousness because I still get the same coverage but now it feels even more comfortable and flexible on the skin.
This newly reformulated Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear is not to be confused with the new Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care & Glow. It’s incredibly confusing and I wish that Care & Glow was just a totally different product line, in a way – it’s less coverage, more dew – but you can easily tell the two foundations apart by looking at the lids. White for the lighter coverage Care & Glow* and black for the higher coverage Idole*.
Interestingly, I prefer the feeling of the high coverage Idole on my skin to the Care & Glow. But Care & Glow does give an exemplary level of high-wattage luminosity – it’s the sort of glow level where I personally feel I don’t need a highlighter. (Though as a disclaimer, I do feel as though highlighter is one of the most overused and misused products in the entire makeup world. Looks great for the gram but honestly, in real life, some people look absolutely wild. Like robots. At the very least it just looks incredibly unnatural, which is surely the opposite of the desired effect.)
I should add, because it’s pretty important, that I use very little product when I’m applying Teint Idole. It really doesn’t need to be trowelled on and I think it looks best when it’s applied very lightly, from the centre of the face, and built up only if needed. One light coat is enough to knock back most blemishes, dark circles and areas of redness – take a look at the before and after photos:
The single layer of foundation, applied very wispily with a small powder brush and not a flat-topped foundation brush, even part-conceals the glasses marks on my nose. Those are always a nightmare to disguise, when I’m filming, because they are red and indented and just a general pain in the arse to deal with. No problem for the Teint Idole. And if I’d gone back over with another little light coating then I’d have obliterated them completely.
The photos do a pretty good job of showing the finish too: it looks quite velvety-matt but there’s a real luminescence that isn’t glittery or shiny but just…expensive looking. It’s the kind of base that really is a base, coming into its own as the bronzer goes on, then the blusher… it’s the perfect starting canvas, flawless and smooth.
You can find new Teint Idole Ultra Wear online at Lancome here*, LookFantastic here* and Selfridges here*. There’s a whopping range of 45 shades and Lancome have also improved on the pigments to create tones that are always flattering and enhancing on the skin. No ashy undertones. I use shade 220C – I used to use 02 in the old formula which was ever so slightly warmer in tone. I’ll do some experimenting next time I’m near to a counter!
It suits all skin types and doesn’t slide from oily patches or settle in fine lines. Here’s a little quickfire video if you’d like to see application:
I used to wear 024 foundation but i can not really find the matching shade in the new formula…Can somebody help me please
This was my question. Did you ever find out
Just found your foundation reviews and they’re so helpful! I’m about to invest in my next bottle… I’m a diehard Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow user. But your review of the new Teinte Idole makes me think I should try it. Which would you choose?
This one has more coverage and is more matte than the Chanel!
I bought some Teinte Idol at an airport when I realised mine probably wouldn’t last on my holiday [it actually did last] I asked for my usual colour of 03 which I have been using for the last 30+ years. I have just opened the new product to find the colour significantly paler than my usual shade and looks very pasty on my skin. To say I’m disappointed is an understatement and I feel I may have to find a new product with a different brand :[
Yes, the shades are different – they should have been aware of that. Mine is actually the same in the new formula but lots seem to be changed.
Tried 220C as I always used 02 Lys Rose..for 30 years in fact. New 220C not like original. Too orange and no pink warm tones. Have stopped using Lancome foundation. Very disappointed
I miss the old 215 N color for this and the stick. Once you find a color you love it’s so hard to switch. I bought the 215 C. We’ll see how it goes.
I agree! I am still on the hunt dor my original color and the new ones are either too yellow or make me ghostly?
For contact wearer, don’t bother with the new formula. With the increased SPF in the new formula it creates a cloudy film on my contacts. And yes, I put my contacts in AFTER applying my makeup. After decades of using Lancome’s foundations I’m ditching the product and moving on.
Do you know how I find the old to new conversion? Find it hard to get to counters to try. Thanks.
It’s on the Lancôme website, the photos for the foundation have the full conversion chart
I’m so disappointed in the new shades. I was 005 and 010 (I’m a red head, pale but with redness in my skin). I cannot find a shade in the new range. So yellow/orange. No shades light enough.
So yellow! I’m on my fourth or fifth new bottle trying to find my new shade. Is have returned most of them. I am terribly disappointed, but trying not to give up, yet.
Hey! So I’m exactly the same with needing 005 and sometimes mix in 010 if I’ve got a tan (a tan by my standards anyway!) and even the Lancôme counter struggled to give me a sample that was pale enough.
Not sure if you found a solution but I managed to order a few bottles of both original colours on Fenwick (they list 005 as 05 but it’s got the right name of beige ivory and it was 005 when it arrived)… they give you 10% off first order and at the moment you get a free bag of beauty products if you spent £150 (so I stocked up!). Hope this helps :-)
Hi Laura,
I’ve been working my way through numerous samples in the new range having previously worn 005 and 010 blended like yourself. I’d recommend 115c!
I hope this helps!
Lara
I was using 340 bisque n in the Teint Idol formula. Since it is no longer available what has replaced that shade
I was using 340 bisque n in the Teint Idol formula. Since it is no longer available what has replaced that shade
Yes, I am looking for the replacement colour for 340 bisque N. as well. Does anyone know what that would be?
What would be the nearest match for 035 beige dore?
I have been wearing Lancôme teint idole in 010 for years now and it was a perfect match for me. The new version which is supposed to be my match is 210c but unfortunately it is subtly different in colour. Too dark and yellowing on my skin. I am very disappointed that they have not kept the same shades, by all means add to them but why take away my perfect match! I now have a full bottle of foundation wasted as I won’t wear it.
Anyone Know where I can buy up old stock before it disappears?
I think it’s probably best to be matched on counter, they’ve added shades and they’ve tweaked some of them with slightly different undertones I think so it’s not like-for-like with the numbers. x
I found some the old formula shades on Nordstrom, Saks fifth avenue, Bloomingdales and even Kohls websites!! And even better, the old formula is half off. Bought 4 bottles for $28.50 each.
Oh NICE!
I also used the 010 in the old version and found that the recommended new shade was off. I went for 105W instead and it is a better match for me than the recommended shade.
This is the exact same for me. Ice been pointed to that shade 3 times now and it’s nowhere near my old 010 or the 050. When on my skin it is terribly yellow. The counter staff have tried to them try different shades, all yellow or orange on my pale skin! Horrendous. So disappointed.
The exact same thing happened to me
It’s really yellow and looks awful on my skin, I’m was so disappointed and also annoyed to have wasted my money
What is new shade for 048
The new formula makes my eyes water so I can’t convert to thr update version plus the 007 which has pinkish hues was perfect the replacement shade 205c is warmer and not the same I’m actually extremely annoyed if it ain’t broken done fix it I’ll have to covert to another brand I was a loyal customer for years not now
What is new shade for 048
I was a loyal fan of this foundation for many years.i used 010 and have tried the new version 210c which has a more yellow tone than the 010 which had more of a pink undertone so definitely not like for like and it has started to make my skin come out in a rash so there are obviously new ingredients which doesn’t agree with my skin.I will have to find a new brand now so very annoyed that they have changed it.I can’t understand why they would change what was a perfectly good product. Definitely lost a loyal customer in me as I will be in search of a new one now!
I agree with you. The replacement colours are not even close to the same shade. Very disappointed. I have worn this foundation for many years. I wore 360bisque N. it’s been replaced with 355N. This colour is very yellow. When I compare the two shades, the new one is very off shade. Not happy!
The other one also had SPF. This new one doesn’t state that.
See below, Pat – I think it’s best to be matched on counter, though agree it’s annoying when you’ve used the same shade for years!
I after the new formulation has not worked out for me. Can’t find the right shade even with though I’ve wasted too much time getting color matched. Moving on to a new foundation. Too Faced Born this Way may be my new one. So dissatisfied with Lancôme
It looks beautiful on the skin.
Lancôme is a brand I used years ago, but it’s slipped off my radar; so to speak, over the last decade or so. I used Beige Albatre originally, so I don’t know where that fits in the current colour range. I may trot down to John Lewis and avail myself of a sample or two.
Yes they are usually quite good at having little samples in John Lewis lancome!
I haven’t tried Lancome’s foundations yet. After years as an EL Doublewear LIght gal, I finally got out of my rut and moved to Armani Silk and By Terry Cover Expert. Once I use up what I have of those, I will get me to a Lancome counter.
P.S. I think a foundation has to be pretty awful to look bad on you Ruth.
Ah, thank you Ali but honestly some of them are terrible! Cakey and heavy. Or just pointless. I should post them all I suppose but I don’t have the energy for the inevitable backlash!