Backstage is the other half of the story. It is the collection inspired by the backstage energy of Dior runway shows, which fits how practical the products read.

The Backstage Face and Body Foundation is the one that gets the most attention, and I like the idea of a base that goes from face to shoulders to hands in the same shade. The Backstage Concealer sits in the same family, and it is the one I use under the eyes and around the nose. The Forever Skin Perfect Foundation Stick is a multi-use stick, and it is what I pack when I want fewer things in my bag.

Then the glow. The Backstage Glassy Glow Stick is a multi-use highlighter balm that I swipe on cheekbones, brow bones and the bridge of the nose, and it works on bare skin too. The Backstage Glow-Up Skin Tint is a hydrating tinted moisturizer with SPF 20, which means it is the daytime option, light and easy, for the days when even a foundation feels like too much.

If you like sheer bases, start with the skin tint. If you like coverage, start with the face and body foundation. A stick, in my experience, is the easiest way for a beginner to get a good result, since you can see exactly where the product is going.

A foundation is only as good as its application, and I think tools matter more than most people admit. The same product can look flat or wonderful depending on what you blend it in with.

Beautyblender's Original sponge is the classic, and the rule is to dampen it first, squeeze out the extra water, and press rather than drag. Damp sponges leave a soft, skin-like finish, which is what a glow foundation wants. Rare Beauty's Soft Touch Makeup Blending Sponge is another sponge, a simple place to begin if you have never used one.

Brushes give a different result. Hourglass's Vanish Foundation Brush is a foundation brush, the one I use with a matte foundation when I want a smooth look. Makeup by Mario's F4 is dual-ended, a foundation brush on one side and a face brush on the other, which makes it good for travel. Use small circles on the cheeks and short strokes around the nose. Whichever tool you pick, start in the center of the face and work outward, because that is where you usually need the most product and the edges need almost none.

What I would skip: applying a matte foundation with a soaking wet sponge, and never washing your tools. A dirty sponge pushes old product around and can leave streaks. Rinse it after every use with a little mild soap, squeeze it clean, and let it dry in the open air.

How to choose, then. Look at your skin on the day. If it is dry or tired, go for Forever Skin Glow or the skin tint. If you are oily or have a long day, choose Forever Skin Wear or the velvet compact. If you would like one product for everything, take the stick.

Shade matching is easier in daylight, at your jaw. Try two shades next to each other and wear them for an hour before you decide. Blend down your neck, and be gentle around your eyes. Match the tool to the finish, and clean it often. A base should look like skin that had a good night, and not a mask, so keep the layers thin, and stop before you think you are finished. If your skin becomes sore or reacts to a product, stop using it and ask a doctor or pharmacist. If you want to keep browsing, I also put together Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer and the Best Dior Makeup Around It and Twelve Lipsticks in 1994, Now a Complexion Cabinet.