Beauty Review: The Year of Cushions
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!
We're halfway through January, I can't believe it. Last year passed by in a flash, and I can't wait to see what will happen in 2016.
For my first post of the year, I'd like to write a short review on my latest addictions, cushion-based foundations. Beware! It's a long, wordy post with some self-taken pictures.
Cushion foundations aren't a new thing. They first became well-known in South Korea, when they're introduced by a Korean brand around 2012. Since then, they have become cult favorites everywhere, especially in Asia, and has now started to get a place in the western world (I'm looking at you, L'oreal Lumi cushion foundation). The basic idea is to store or trap the liquid products underneath a special pored sponge which is called a cushion because of its cushy properties. It's designed like a compact powder and a special air puff is included in it so you don't need a separate brush/sponge for application. Most of them are also packed with high SPF, so you can skip sunscreen if you're in a hurry. Therefore, it's a good alternative to traditional liquid foundations or BB/CC creams, which can be bulky, spilled, and a hassle to carry around, especially if you fly abroad where you're faced with a lot of limitations regarding liquid. They also come with refills and interchangeable cases that in a way make them more environmentally friendly and produce less waste than regular foundations.
Cushion foundations aren't a new thing. They first became well-known in South Korea, when they're introduced by a Korean brand around 2012. Since then, they have become cult favorites everywhere, especially in Asia, and has now started to get a place in the western world (I'm looking at you, L'oreal Lumi cushion foundation). The basic idea is to store or trap the liquid products underneath a special pored sponge which is called a cushion because of its cushy properties. It's designed like a compact powder and a special air puff is included in it so you don't need a separate brush/sponge for application. Most of them are also packed with high SPF, so you can skip sunscreen if you're in a hurry. Therefore, it's a good alternative to traditional liquid foundations or BB/CC creams, which can be bulky, spilled, and a hassle to carry around, especially if you fly abroad where you're faced with a lot of limitations regarding liquid. They also come with refills and interchangeable cases that in a way make them more environmentally friendly and produce less waste than regular foundations.
Cushion technologies have also expanded, from being used solely for foundation and base make-up, to blushes, lip tints, and even liners, though they're not as impressive and popular as their foundation sister. In Korea, for example, cushion foundation has become a staple for almost everyone, including celebrities and idols, due to its practicality, good performance, and compact size. Another deciding factor in its popularity is a wide range of choices to choose from. Every Korean brand has its own cushion, with its own unique properties, and different packaging. Yes, packaging. Though mostly round like compact powders, many brands collaborate with designers or other companies to make their cushion even more special and attractive by designing special artworks for their cushion cases. Along with their regular packaging (which are refillable and interchangeable), limited-editions series are launched every season. From superheroes to cartoon characters, many brands offer different kind of touch to their ever-so-popular cushion lines.
All of those traits bring us to the main reason I'm hooked at cushions. After having tried my first cushion in 2013, I actually stopped at 1 particular brand (Etude House) and didn't find any reasons to expand my collection. But in 2015, a lot of Korean brands launched limited edition cushions that really appealed to me, mainly because they were either cute, adorable or plainly different. They featured Minnie Mouse, Snoopy, Garfield, Princesses, superheroes and so on and on. I finally gave in to my cravings for more.
I may not have a big collection, but as a person whose job is a teacher and doesn't go out that often, having more than 1 cushion seems useless, right? That's what I think so too. But I hope that you can understand and justify my action. Some people are just a sucker for packaging, and I'm clearly one of those suckers. I started with one, and now end up with 4, with potentials to grow, as I've ordered 2 more cushions and they're still on their ways.
So, how well do they actually perform and how cute are they that I spent all my paycheck on 'em? You are the judge.
1. Etude House Precious Mineral Any Cushion with SPF 50+/PA+++
Shade: W13 - Natural Beige
Price: $$
Coverage: ★★★
Packaging: ♥♥♥
Packaging: ♥♥♥
Overall performance: ☺ ☺ ☺
It's the first cushion I tried, and it performs well on my skin. When I wear it, it stays on for a good 8 hour, with no need to touch up unless I'm being very active and sweaty (please notes that I work indoors in air-conditioned rooms). It has decent coverage and satin finish. It looks natural on my face and is buildable without making your face looks cakey. The price point is one of the best among its competitors, it's a good choice for people who are looking for their first cushion and not wanting to spend a fortune. However, because it's a Korean brand, there aren't a wide choice of shades to pick from. Etude only provides 2 shade, light and natural beige, so people with medium to dark skin tones are better off looking for another brands.
I got mine in a sultry Minnie Mouse case, which was a limited-edition case from 2013. Ever since then, Etude has released so many different cases for their cushion lines, but none has caught my attention like this XOXO Minnie series so far.
2. Skinfood Royal Honey Cover Bounce Cushion with SPF 50+/PA+++
Shade: #2 - Natural Beige
Price: $$$
The main reason I bought it, of course, is because of the classy but adorable packaging, which features Snoopy, the most famous beagle in the world. Housed in a rose gold color case, with Snoopy and the gang carved on it, this cushion definitely won first place in my heart among my other cushions. Not only the case is sturdy, cute, and feels luxurious, it also has an ultra cute puff in it. The cushion itself has a slightly different feeling. Unlike other cushions which is flat, this one is somehow bouncy (just like the name), and smells a tinge of honey. Sweet! It provides a natural, satin finish and decent coverage. It applies very smoothly and evenly, and just like Etude, it stays on for more than 8 hours indoor. With a higher price point than Etude, it definitely still worthies of your money. Similar to Etude House, Skinfood provides only 2 selections of shades, light and natural beige. I guess it's the most common skin tones in Korea, where the people are as white as porcelains.
The Snoopy case is limited, of course, and even if it's gone, you can get the cushion in its regular packaging. Up until now, I leave its puff clean and unused because I don't have another spare with Snoopy imprinted on it, and apply it with Real Techniques' miracle complexion sponge. It works just as well if not better!
3. The Face Shop CC Intense Cover Cushion with SPF 50+/PA+++
Coverage: ★★★
Packaging: ♥♥♥♥♥
Overall performance: ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺
Overall performance: ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺
The main reason I bought it, of course, is because of the classy but adorable packaging, which features Snoopy, the most famous beagle in the world. Housed in a rose gold color case, with Snoopy and the gang carved on it, this cushion definitely won first place in my heart among my other cushions. Not only the case is sturdy, cute, and feels luxurious, it also has an ultra cute puff in it. The cushion itself has a slightly different feeling. Unlike other cushions which is flat, this one is somehow bouncy (just like the name), and smells a tinge of honey. Sweet! It provides a natural, satin finish and decent coverage. It applies very smoothly and evenly, and just like Etude, it stays on for more than 8 hours indoor. With a higher price point than Etude, it definitely still worthies of your money. Similar to Etude House, Skinfood provides only 2 selections of shades, light and natural beige. I guess it's the most common skin tones in Korea, where the people are as white as porcelains.
The Snoopy case is limited, of course, and even if it's gone, you can get the cushion in its regular packaging. Up until now, I leave its puff clean and unused because I don't have another spare with Snoopy imprinted on it, and apply it with Real Techniques' miracle complexion sponge. It works just as well if not better!
3. The Face Shop CC Intense Cover Cushion with SPF 50+/PA+++
Shade: V201 - Apricot Beige
Price: $$$
Coverage: ★★★★
Packaging: ♥♥♥♥
Overall performance: ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺
This particular cushion is a CC cushion, unlike the first two which are BB cushion. What are the differences? Well, to put it simply, a CC cushion has more skin-care properties than a BB cushion, and usually provides sheerer coverage as well due to its moisturizing effect.
Despite being a CC Cushion, the CC intense cover cushion from TFS amazingly provides high coverage and still maintain all of its skin care goodness in it. Between the 4 cushions I discussed here, TFS surely gives me the best coverage, and is very moisturizing as well. It can give you a dewy finish, though not overly dewy (they have a different line for the ultra moisture effect). Its staying power is also good, I can wear it all day for work and again, needn't any touch up during the day.
I bought this cushion, again, because of its case. TFS collaborated with Jeremyville a while back, and I found it to be unique and has a heavy pop art feel to it, which I adore. They have 2 different versions, the intense cover and the ultra moisture cover, with 2 different artworks. I actually love the artwork on the ultra moisture case, which features a hugging cat and dog. I settled for the intense cover, nonetheless, because I have a combination skin and don't want an extra shine, since it'll naturally become shiny anyway due to my oiliness.
Overall, I'm very impressed with this cushion and recommend this if you're looking for a cushion with good coverage and moisturizing ingredients, even if you have to pay more. CC creams are generally more expensive than BB creams, anyway. It's available in 3 shades, V103 Pure Beige, V201 Apricot Beige, and V203 Natural Beige.
4. Aritaum Real Ampoule CC Pact with SPF 50+/PA+++
Shade: #2 Natural Beige
Price: $$$
Coverage: ★★
Packaging: ♥♥♥♥♥
Overall performance: ☺ ☺ ☺
Okay, the last one of the lot isn't technically a cushion. It's a pact. But since it's housed in a similar way a cushion is, I included this baby.
First of all, a collaboration with sticky monster is enough to get my attention. Its case is pink and includes 1 extra refill. I fell head over heels with the monster on it and decided to get my hand on it no matter what. I didn't care about its performance what so ever as long as I got the case. I'm pretty simple, aren't I?
As I've said before, it's a pact, with ampoules. It has swirly textures and the white swirls are supposed to give you a brightening effect - and it does. It has the best brightening feature among my other cushions and the lightest texture of them all. Thus, it provides the sheerest coverage, and no matter how much product you apply to your face, it still can't cover your pimples or pores perfectly. For people with non-problematic skin, this CC pact will give the most natural result and will not disappoint you if you want to achieve the 'no make up' make up look. If you have a lot of imperfections, on the other hand, you'll need to put on another layer of foundation or BB cream/cushion to get the coverage you desire. On my combination skin, this CC pact stays on for a pretty long time, though I can see clearly it fades after about 7 hours of working indoors. But it's still there, and it doesn't get patchy or blotchy at all. It fades naturally just like a good CC pact should.
Seriously, I can stare and hold the case all day and be very forgiving about its performance. Am I wrong?
Alright, I'm tired from typing this much and my mom keeps pestering me about my car and how I need to wash it right away, so I'll end my first, long post of the year here, hoping that all my hasty actions of buying things I don't really need are justified because of the reasons I stated above. I hope I can also persuade you to start trying one of these cushions, and if you do, tell me how you feel in the comment box below. Until the next post, ciao! ;)
Overall performance: ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺
This particular cushion is a CC cushion, unlike the first two which are BB cushion. What are the differences? Well, to put it simply, a CC cushion has more skin-care properties than a BB cushion, and usually provides sheerer coverage as well due to its moisturizing effect.
Despite being a CC Cushion, the CC intense cover cushion from TFS amazingly provides high coverage and still maintain all of its skin care goodness in it. Between the 4 cushions I discussed here, TFS surely gives me the best coverage, and is very moisturizing as well. It can give you a dewy finish, though not overly dewy (they have a different line for the ultra moisture effect). Its staying power is also good, I can wear it all day for work and again, needn't any touch up during the day.
I bought this cushion, again, because of its case. TFS collaborated with Jeremyville a while back, and I found it to be unique and has a heavy pop art feel to it, which I adore. They have 2 different versions, the intense cover and the ultra moisture cover, with 2 different artworks. I actually love the artwork on the ultra moisture case, which features a hugging cat and dog. I settled for the intense cover, nonetheless, because I have a combination skin and don't want an extra shine, since it'll naturally become shiny anyway due to my oiliness.
Overall, I'm very impressed with this cushion and recommend this if you're looking for a cushion with good coverage and moisturizing ingredients, even if you have to pay more. CC creams are generally more expensive than BB creams, anyway. It's available in 3 shades, V103 Pure Beige, V201 Apricot Beige, and V203 Natural Beige.
4. Aritaum Real Ampoule CC Pact with SPF 50+/PA+++
Shade: #2 Natural Beige
Price: $$$
Coverage: ★★
Packaging: ♥♥♥♥♥
Overall performance: ☺ ☺ ☺
Okay, the last one of the lot isn't technically a cushion. It's a pact. But since it's housed in a similar way a cushion is, I included this baby.
First of all, a collaboration with sticky monster is enough to get my attention. Its case is pink and includes 1 extra refill. I fell head over heels with the monster on it and decided to get my hand on it no matter what. I didn't care about its performance what so ever as long as I got the case. I'm pretty simple, aren't I?
As I've said before, it's a pact, with ampoules. It has swirly textures and the white swirls are supposed to give you a brightening effect - and it does. It has the best brightening feature among my other cushions and the lightest texture of them all. Thus, it provides the sheerest coverage, and no matter how much product you apply to your face, it still can't cover your pimples or pores perfectly. For people with non-problematic skin, this CC pact will give the most natural result and will not disappoint you if you want to achieve the 'no make up' make up look. If you have a lot of imperfections, on the other hand, you'll need to put on another layer of foundation or BB cream/cushion to get the coverage you desire. On my combination skin, this CC pact stays on for a pretty long time, though I can see clearly it fades after about 7 hours of working indoors. But it's still there, and it doesn't get patchy or blotchy at all. It fades naturally just like a good CC pact should.
Seriously, I can stare and hold the case all day and be very forgiving about its performance. Am I wrong?
Alright, I'm tired from typing this much and my mom keeps pestering me about my car and how I need to wash it right away, so I'll end my first, long post of the year here, hoping that all my hasty actions of buying things I don't really need are justified because of the reasons I stated above. I hope I can also persuade you to start trying one of these cushions, and if you do, tell me how you feel in the comment box below. Until the next post, ciao! ;)
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