DCYPHER CUSTOM FOUNDATION REVIEW
Would you trust AI to create your perfect, exact-match foundation?
Here’s something to think about…
With ‘mixed-to-measure’ cosmetics reshaping the beauty industry, Dcypher is leading the pack with its custom-made foundation.
Just choose your desired coverage, skin type and preferred finish. Then scan your face using a laptop or phone camera. In two seconds flat, AI technology will analyse your skin tone (depth, vibrancy, undertone, the lot) to create your signature shade.
So could this remove the trial-and-error of buying foundation online? And — unlike foundations with often limited shade ranges — is this the solution for people who have a skin tone or texture that most beauty brands don’t cater for?
Dcypher’s Custom Foundation: The Fact Sheet
The concept: Using world-first beauty AI, every bottle of Dcypher foundation is formulated to match your skin tone, skin type, preferred finish and coverage. Just answer three easy questions and scan your face using the camera on any digital device.
Shade range: No shade range — it’s literally made for you. More than 70,000 custom shades have been created, to date.
Price: £39
Vegan and Cruelty free: Yes
Complimentary products:
My Custom Concealer which is formulated to your unique skin tone to conceal or brighten
My Custom Drops can be added to your moisturiser to create a bespoke tinted moisturiser
Custom Glow Booster which is a ‘complexion booster’ made to match your exact skin tone — somewhere between a primer and tinted moisturiser
About the brand: Dcypher was co-founded by Ruth De Leo (she has extensive experience of the beauty industry, having worked with brands like LVMH and Charlotte Tilbury), and Adam Triantis (who is focused more on the technology side, developing the AI that powers the shade-matching system).
Packaging: The 30ml bottle is fitted with a removable cap and pump dispenser for application.
How does it work?
Head to the website here Dcypher’s Custom Foundation and fill in their basic three-question quiz
Choose your preferred coverage — matte, natural or radiant
Pick your preferred finish — sheer, medium or full
Enter your skin type — oily/combo, balanced or dry
Analyse your skin tone by scanning your face using the camera on any digital device. No glasses, no makeup, good lighting, and keep your hair pulled back!
You’ll see your ‘Skin Tone Analysis’ — in other words, where you sit on the scale of depth, vibrancy and undertone which makes up your signature shade (this consists of three numbers)
To finish, add your Custom Foundation to basket
Why it’s worth the hype
This process removes the usual pitfalls of finding a suitable foundation online — by using AI and the selfie scanning process you get a truly personalised tone and undertone (unlike products with standard and, often, limited shade ranges). It also means that if you have a skin tone that isn’t usually accommodated for by mainstream beauty brands, Dcypher have you covered.
The shade match guarantee is a definite selling point — if your custom product doesn't perfectly match your skin tone, Dcypher will remake it for free. You have 14 days from delivery to request this (even if you've opened/used the product).
The formula has skincare benefits, such as the addition of hyaluronic acid for a boost of hydration, skin barrier-supporting emollients and antioxidant extracts. And this really shows, the product feels both nourishing and moisturising when applying to the skin.
Verdict - the perfect match?
Given the sheer speed of the ‘Skin Tone Analysis’ process — it literally takes two seconds — I was skeptical about its efficacy. Was it really ‘seeing’ me or just whipping some impressive numbers out of the ether? I had my suspicions. The investigative journalist in me rolled up her sleeves and devised something of a booby trap: I compared the results given to me on my iPhone vs. laptop camera, and also at different times of day, when the lighting was different. I can reveal… the numbers in my Skin Tone Analysis were pretty much like-for-like in each circumstance.
On my first application, I was really impressed with not only the colour match, but the seamlessness of the whole process. The formula felt fluid with an almost lotion-like consistency, making it easy to buff into the skin and build coverage where needed (I opted for the natural finish for combination skin).
My only criticism would be — and this is being picky — the shade was perfect for the lighter areas of my face which are typically paler than the rest of my complexion. But, at the more tanned/flushed parts of my face, the product was slightly paler and had less of a pinky undertone than I would like.
The bottle dispenser can give out a considerable amount of product per pump, so watch out! I think to see the best results with your colour match start with a small amount and buff it into the skin, building up coverage to determine if it’s your perfect match.
In terms of its staying power, the Dcypher formula doesn't have the same longevity as a foundation like Estée Lauder’s Double Wear, simply because the product has more slip and glides more easily on the skin. This is something to bear in mind if you need all day coverage.
This foundation, at £39, leans towards the luxury end of the market. However, if you consider that you’re getting a bespoke colour and formula — no more mixing, matching or guesswork to find your perfect shade — it’s a worthwhile investment.
