As Creative and Image Director of Dior Beauty, Peter Philips has long shaped the way modern beauty looks and feels. But today, even he acknowledges that the role of foundation is changing.
“Foundations were meant to cover up and give an even skin appearance,” he says. “It is almost like a paint job. The world of foundations and skincare evolved and started to merge. Now people expect more nuanced qualities from their foundation, almost like a made-to-measure finish with caring qualities.”
That shift from coverage to enhancement sits at the centre of Dior’s latest complexion launch.
On Skin, Not Coverage
For Philips, foundation is no longer about masking imperfections, but adapting to individual need.
“It’s all about your individual needs,” he explains. “Some might need more coverage, but the great thing in today’s beauty world is that you can look natural and luminous, even when you need more coverage.”
He pauses on that idea of illusion – arguably the defining principle of modern makeup.
“In essence, it’s about giving the illusion of enhanced skin, whatever your natural skin condition is.”
On Dior Forever and the Skincare Shift
That philosophy is realised in Dior’s reformulated Forever foundations, designed to sit somewhere between makeup and skincare.
“It’s key to bring them together,” Philips says. “When you wear your foundation for the day, it’s essential that this foundation takes care of your skin.”
Combining what Dior describes as “the makeup perfection of a filter with the skincare expertise of a serum” , the formulas are designed to perform instantly while also improving skin over time.
Infused with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and peptides, they move beyond surface-level coverage-working to hydrate, refine and enhance the skin itself.
On Glow, Matte and Modern Finish
The idea of finish, too, has evolved.
“Both finishes, in all their nuances must be caring,” Philips says. “Even a mat needs to have a hint of radiance to be modern.”
It’s a subtle redefinition. Matte is no longer flat, and glow is no longer excessive. Instead, both are designed to feel believable skin that looks perfected, but still alive.
“I always build up my makeup in thin layers,” he adds. “This gives control over the final outcome and makes your makeup sit much longer.”
On Beauty in an Image-Led World
With beauty now viewed through high-definition cameras and constant digital scrutiny, performance is non-negotiable- but Philips is measured in his response to that pressure.
“It influences us in a way that we must stay alert and keep going on the path that we’re already walking,” he explains. “Quality, diversity in finishes and shades are our strengths, and this is highly appreciated and expected in today’s image-led world.”
Dior Forever foundations are developed to meet those expectations—designed for close-up, camera-ready skin that holds up under every condition, from runway to real life.
On Shade, Precision and Inclusivity
Shade range remains a central focus.
“With Dior Forever, each woman should be able to find the shade that suits her skin, but also looks the most natural and gives her the most radiant complexion possible,” Philips says.
With 45 shades developed across a wide spectrum of skin tones, the approach is less about expansion for its own sake, and more about precision – ensuring every finish feels authentic to the individual.
On Design and Responsibility
Even the packaging reflects a shift in thinking.
“Not only did we proudly place our silver Dior logo very prominent on our bottles, but we also focused on mitigating our carbon footprint,” he notes.
The redesigned bottles use lighter glass and recyclable elements, reducing environmental impact across global production.
The Future of Foundation
For Philips, the future of beauty isn’t about transformation, it’s about refinement.
“There is a finish for whatever your expectations are,” he says. “From sheer to pancake, from matte to glowing… anything is available.”
The difference now is how those finishes behave lighter, more adaptable, more intelligent. And ultimately, more in tune with the skin itself.
