As a seasoned beauty journalist, I've tested countless foundations, but finding a perfect shade match has always been an elusive goal. That changed when I discovered Dcypher Beauty and its revolutionary custom foundation service.
The Quest for the Perfect Foundation
Despite my extensive experience in beauty journalism, I've never been a regular foundation wearer. Until my late twenties, I stuck exclusively to tinted moisturisers applied sparingly. However, when pigmentation appeared on my cheeks and hormonal acne began affecting my skin, I knew it was time to find a solution offering better coverage while addressing my increasingly dry and ageing complexion.
Over years of experimentation with various products, I consistently struggled to find my ideal shade. Most foundations left me either looking ghostly pale or slightly orange – never quite matching my natural skin tone. This frustration led me to Dcypher Beauty's much-hyped shade matching technology.
Testing Groundbreaking Custom Technology
I decided to put Dcypher Beauty's claims to the test by ordering their newly launched Custom Glow Booster at £29 and Custom Foundation at £39, both available with a 15% discount using code REACH15 at checkout. The brand's 'World First' skin-matching technology promised something I'd never experienced before – a truly personalised foundation shade created specifically for me.
The process began with uploading a current photograph of my face taken in natural light using whatever device was available – in my case, my mobile phone. The technology analysed my image to determine my precise skin tone and undertones before creating a custom shade from scratch.
I'll admit to feeling sceptical when I saw the generated skin tone image before checkout – it appeared slightly darker than I expected. Nevertheless, I trusted the process and completed my order.
The Moment of Truth: Application and Results
When my custom products arrived, I tentatively applied the Glow Booster to one half of my primed skin (using bareMinerals' Prime Time primer) for comparison. The results genuinely astonished me. The colour match was practically identical to my natural skin tone – the treated side appeared smoother and less dull but maintained perfect colour harmony with my untreated skin.
The Glow Booster provided exactly what I needed for no-makeup-makeup days – a subtle boost without heavy coverage. It smoothed dark lines and hyperpigmentation while adding a veil of coverage that felt hydrating thanks to ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid and Glycerin. The product didn't cling to dry patches, particularly the flaky area between my eyes that often causes foundation problems.
While I didn't experience the promised 'soft focus' effect – my pores remained visible around my nose – this has been a persistent issue with every foundation I've tried, regardless of claims.
The Custom Foundation, available in sheer, natural, or oily/combination finishes, appeared slightly warmer than expected upon first glance. However, once blended into my skin, it created a seamless match. It provided extra coverage for problem areas like pimples and dark spots while leaving my skin gorgeously dewy for hours, even in humid conditions, without pilling.
I discovered that a little goes a long way – applying too much caused the foundation to cling slightly to extra-dry patches near my hairline and between my eyes. The solution involved ensuring those areas were thoroughly moisturised before application, for which I used my trusted Wonderbalm from Amazon (£29).
Final Verdict: Is Custom Foundation Worth the Investment?
Dcypher Beauty's Custom Glow Booster and Custom Foundation have genuinely impressed me with their unprecedented shade matching capability. Worn together, they create a glowy, smooth, and most importantly, natural-looking finish that justifies the cost for anyone struggling to find their perfect match.
While £29 for the Glow Booster and £39 for the Foundation represent a significant investment, the current 15% discount with code REACH15 makes this innovative technology more accessible. I'll certainly be repurchasing when I run out – finally, I've found foundation that truly understands my skin.
