Tried & Tested: The Best Cushion Foundations For All Skin Types
By
6 hours ago
Cushion foundation is the K-beauty trend coming for your makeup bag
No doubt by now you will have seen the K-beauty boom in action – either on TikTok, on high street store shelves or at the beauty counter of our favourite luxury department stores. And the latest trend to come from the Korean Wave? Cushion foundation. Here’s everything you need to know about the viral product (and why you should make space for it in your makeup bag).
What Is Cushion Foundation?
A cushion foundation is a lightweight liquid formula soaked into a sponge or cushion, and set within a portable compact. ‘You press an applicator puff into the cushion to release the product,’ explains celebrity MUA Sarah-Jane ‘SJ’ Froom. ‘It’s designed for quick, convenient application, perfect for on-the-go touch-ups without any mess.’
Convenience also comes in the product’s multi-purpose format; blending skincare and makeup, most cushion foundations include a concoction of hydrating ingredients and SPF. ‘It’s skincare, coverage and glow, all wrapped up in one easy step,’ adds SJ.
And, like many buzzy beauty trend, this one hails from Asia’s beauty capital: South Korea. SJ, who spent much of her career living in Hong Kong, Penang, Japan and Singapore, working inside renowned Asian beauty houses like Shiseido, says that the rise of K-beauty plays a huge role in cushion foundation’s sudden popularity. ‘Korean beauty introduced the world to glassy, luminous skin, and cushion foundations were key to achieving it,’ she says. ‘In Asia, cushions were everywhere long before they hit the West. The focus was always on skin that looked healthy, fresh and naturally radiant. Skin had to be glass-like.’
@thebrontemarie It’s the combination of medium coverage and soft matte that hits that golden point of an “airbrush finish.” 💞 @cliocosmetics_global ♬ you look lonely – jimbotheboy
How Does It Differ From Other Foundations?
It all comes down to texture and finish, SJ tells C&TH. Where some liquid, stick or powder foundations might sit heavily on the skin, cushion foundation is designed to melt in seamlessly – and allow for buildable coverage. ‘Cushions are lighter, more breathable, and give you that second-skin look,’ explains SJ. ‘If you want fresh, dewy skin with minimal effort, cushions are ideal.’
Which Skin Types Does It Work Best For?
SJ emphasises that cushion foundations are designed to be compatible with all skin types: normal, dry and combination. ‘They’re packed with hydration, so they leave skin looking plump and radiant,’ she says. But if you still feel the need for a little setting powder, that’s also fine to use alongside cushion foundation: ‘It’s all about balancing that gorgeous glow with a little mattifying where you need it.’
How To Find Your Perfect Colour Match
When it comes to finding the perfect shade, you’ll want to go with the same rules you’d typically follow when looking for a regular foundation – namely: choose a shade that complements your undertones. And if in doubt, look for a shade with a neutral base, as this will work for most skin tones.
If you’re shopping in person, you can also ask someone in-store to shade match you.
@christinasmakeup Ultimate cushion foundation guide 📓using @cliocosmetics_global kill cover founwear cushion foundation shade 21C #cushionfoundation #makeuphacks #cliokillcover #aircushion #aircushionfoundation #lightasair ♬ original sound – christinasmakeup
How To Apply Cushion Foundation Like A Pro
Below, SJ shares her step-by-step guide to perfectly applying cushion foundation:
- Press the puff into the cushion to pick up the product.
- Gently tap the puff on your face (after skincare), starting from the centre and working outward.
- Use light tapping motions to build coverage as needed.
- Blend with the puff or your fingers for a seamless finish.
‘For normal or dry skin, setting with powder isn’t necessary,’ she adds. ‘But for oily skin, you might want a little extra support; you can lightly set the T-zone with a translucent powder.’
Cushion Care
Unlike bottle foundations, you might need to put in a little extra effort to take care of your cushion foundation. Makeup experts recommend you always close the compact tightly to prevent air from drying it out, and clean the applicator puff regularly by washing it with mild baby shampoo and water.
The Best Cushion Foundations
Best for a luminous finish: Clé De Peau Beauté Radiant Cushion Foundation
Best for mature skin: Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion
Best for long-lasting coverage: Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Cushion Compact
Best for hydration: Laneige Neo Cushion Glow Set
Best for protecting skin: Chantecaille Future Skin Cushion Foundation
Best for TikTok hype: TIRTIR Mask Fit Red Cushion SPF40 PA++
Clé De Peau
Beauté Radiant Cushion Foundation, £18.40
For seamless coverage and an all-over glow, you’ll want Clé De Peau. This makeup/skincare hybrid is made with the brand’s signature Skin-Empowering Illuminator, as well as antioxidant-rich chestnut rosa fruit extract, to leave skin feeling hydrated and fresh – without feeling heavy or thick. (Just note that the foundation case comes separate, so that you can keep refilling as needed.)
Sulwhasoo
Perfecting Cushion, £74
This K-beauty product is a favourite of SJ’s, who tells us that the cushion is ideal for mature skin due to its lightweight, buildable formula and boatload of nourishing ingredients (including apricot kernel oil and other herbal remedies). The result is soft, hydrated, mattified finish, with minimised pores and fine lines – perfect for combination and oily skin.
Shiseido
Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Cushion Compact, £39
Unlike other foundations, you won’t find cakeyness piling up after just a few hours with Shiseido’s cushion. The brand has infused their cushion with self-refreshing technology designed for long-lasting wear and a natural, buildable coverage. Perfect for the heat, a busy day without stops or just for those who don’t fancy a touch-up, this cushion foundation boasts a natural finish that lasts up to 16 hours.
Laneige
Neo Cushion Glow Set, £29.29
Another Korean skincare brand that has become a global staple, Laneige has fast become beloved for its quirky – yet effective – makeup/skincare products. But that doesn’t mean the brand is happy resting on its laurels. The latest iteration of Laneige’s Neo Cushion Glow Set is infused with panthenol and nelumbo nucifera extract to repair damaged skin and improve its elasticity, while hyaluronic acid helps keep skin feeling hydrated and plump throughout. This, of course, is teamed up with a cushion that offers light to medium coverage (breathable and buildable) so that you can achieve the most radiant finish possible.
Chantecaille
Future Skin Cushion Foundation, £132
Chantecaille has always been a gamechanger when it comes to makeup that feels as good as it looks – and its Future Skin compact is no different. The water-based foundation blurs imperfections for an airbrushed finish, and uses a network of botanical sugars to smooth and protect the skin from environmental aggressors. A formula of bionymph peptides, meanwhile, helps plumps the skin and leave it feeling even smoother in the long run.
TIRTIR
Mask Fit Red Cushion SPF40 PA++, £20.40
You’ll no doubt have seen this one do the rounds on TikTok, with the Korean beauty brand recently blowing up in Japan (and, as a result, the rest of the world). We can confirm TIRTIR lives up to all the hype it gets, with its viral cushion foundation combining skincare and makeup to create a bright and dewy look. Application leaves skin feeling super hydrated, promoting a smooth finish – while in the background niacinamide and propolis extract evens skin tone, and adenosine gives a collagen boost to minimise the appearance of fine lines. And with 30 shades to choose from, it’s one of the more inclusive cushion foundations out there.
