Dior vs Lancome

Or should I say Dior meets Lancome? Let me explain...

These two products are my favourite foundations. They are easy to apply, cover evenly, don't feel heavy on the skin and offer all day cover that doesn't leave your skin greasy or looking drained.

Now, 'Why two foundations?' you might ask:

Simple, I use the Diorskin Sculpt foundation during the day as its coverage is more subtle than Lancome's Absolute Teint foundation. Once applied, the Lancome foundation has that special 'va va voom' effect, which makes it the perfect acquaintance for any social gathering or evening events.

Both products are great on their own, so no need for powder touch ups. The Lancome even offers a light glow and keeps its promise of being 'revitalizing,' as even after some hardcore partying it still looks and feels fresh. However, I wouldn't go as far as calling it 'nourishing'.

In regards to the Dior foundation, I don't really feel a lifting or line smoothing effect. But I assume I am not the right target market for this product, which is most likely the cause for that. Either way, it feels like a second skin, which makes its price tag more than worth it for me.

Product Rating (For Both Products): 9/10

Tribal on a leash at Dior

John Galliano mesmerizes his audience by capturing tribal influences.

Manganese blue rays started to flash on the forest of metal poles. It was only then that the celebrity packed front-row hushed. Amongs

t them, pop starlets Katy Parry and Lily Allen; actresses Eva Green, Georgina Chapman and Emma Watson; and burlesque diva Dita Von Teese – Galliano would have to work wonders to please all.

And so he did. Models with rouge coloured lips and accentuated cheekbones appeared, parading a multitude of structured python bustiers with cinched waists, suggesting a restrained 1980s comeback. Floaty chiffon knife-pleated and micro-skirts in white or tiered, transparent black enabled bustiers to emerge as wearable outfits and softened gothic elements. With 1950s inspired pants to counteract sheerness, Galliano reflected on previous decades to combine classic with modernity. Deriving from Dior’s infamous ‘New Look’ collection, the ‘bar’ jackets reminded of this period through enhanced hips and soft, sloping shoulders. Updated using less restrained waistlines, introduction of deep v-necklines and added flap pockets; jackets were ready to hit the urban-jungle.

To satisfy expensive tastes, Irina Kulikova opened the show clutching a fan shaped bag, similar to last season’s soft bebe bag, with embroidered monochrome coloured shells. The ‘tribal chic’ leashed out, wearing six-inch sculptured high-heels embodying an African fertility symbol. In addition to providing safe childbirth the 19^th century figure, called Akua'maa, represents youth – a petit touch à la Galliano to exhaust Dior’s Mademoiselles wallets. The ancient African theme continued, with hair crimped and pulled back into chignons or sculptured to resemble a tribal drum and extended eyebrows to look feline and strong.

Back in the future playful daffodil yellow, satsuma orange, delphinium blue, fuchsia and bubblegum pink mini dresses complimented the otherwise earthly colour pallet. The most eccentric look derived from a raspberry pink suede shoulder strap dress with embroidered cowrie shells, achieving a modernised tribal look through its subtle fringing. Although the faux-ivory jewellery looked diminished, reminding of a holiday gift-shop purchase gone wrong, elegant full-length mushroom-grey cocktail eveningwear, made from tulles and chiffon offered sophistication for the grown audience. Choose strapless or halter necks to highlight collarbones or shoulder blades.

Abandoning last season’s sensible tailoring, pleasing aristocratic Dames and the First Lady, John Galliano’s tough but elegant collection wins back Dior’s young, wealthy and influential clientele. Using luxurious and expensive fabrics in these fragile times, verifies Dior’s immunity to the current recession – rejoicing in a healthy 1.54 billion Euro profit for the first half of the year instead.  Yet, Galliano’s creations refrained from their usual grandeur. Actress Milla Jovovich sums it up nicely: “It was restraint for John’s normal style”, she continues, “Still, it was wearable. The look is totally chick of this world”. No wonder Galliano has been head of design for over 11 years.

CHRSITIAN DIOR: A Purse

The Quilted-Lady-Dior-Pouch-with-carnage-stitching-six-card-slots-three-billfolds-and-one-zipped-pocket-with-two-compartments had finally arrived. It had to be the last of its kind in succulent fuchsia pink. Black-is-back was not an option, even if it meant the shop assistant had to call Paris to order it and a week of storing coins inside a folded tissue.

During those recession stricken times it is advisable to opt for the ‘investment piece’, which in fashion world translates to: spend as much on a 19.5 x 10cm small purse as one would on a full-grown Louis Vuitton handbag in a financially secure climate.

So is it worth it? The pouch will remain hidden inside, and cost more than most bags transporting it – certainly a rival to any Chihuahua, with the exception that the dog can be washed. With a heavily stained purse, a mere two weeks later, back at the store and all the once-so-eager-to-sell shop assistant can utter: “Madame, there is nothing I can do, a Dior portemonnaie is not for every day use.”

Parfait.