Here's to another makeup review! I don't do these often, not because I don't use makeup, but because I have more to say about skincare than makeup. I've been very fortunate and won the review event at Jolse and they have gifted me this product to test and review. Notice how it's the same brand as the fixing spray! I was definitely thinking - this is a great combination!
I've always been a more foundation kind of person because of 3 reasons: 1) it's more hygienic - I can wash my brushes afterwards; 2) I can mix and match the colours to match my skin; and 3) I am happy to use cheaper drugstore brands. So really, I haven't been actively using cushion foundations much so this product is a challenge for me.
Colour
I' going to tackle this first, because this has always been my issue with cushion foundations. THE COLOUR DOESN'T MATCH!!! I get it, everyone wants to look white and most people in Korea probably have the same skin tone, but most cushion foundations still come in more than 1 shade. This? One shade. Basically if you're darker than white, this might not be for you. And to be honest, this colour did not match my face either. The trick for me was to not apply a lot at once and not to build up too much coverage, and blend to the neck (or wear turtlenecks, scarves...etc. Wrap up other skin so no one can tell the difference).
Coverage
Buildable. Which is something really nice about this, because then you can add more to areas where you need a bit more coverage without sacrificing dewiness, especially if you normally use a concealer that doesn't have the same finish.
I had some redness in my cheeks and some scarring on your left hand side of the face and this has reduced that and I haven't worn concealer over it.
Usually I get hyped when a product has SPF, but I have learnt from Lab Muffin recently that you need a certain amount of sunscreen proportionate to the size of your face for the sunscreen to actually work. I will never use the required amount with this foundation on my face for the SPF 50 to protect me, and if you don't either, I would recommend having sunscreen under your makeup.
Finish
Oh so dewy. I was genuinely surprised - that shine is not an oily shine and I didn't really need to powder. Although I would recommend that you use a fixing spray to prolong this, or a little bit of translucent powder if this finish is not for you.
When I use this product, there are only some areas of the face where I had 2 layers on - where there is redness and texture. On a day-to-day basis, I personally detest thick makeup. Full coverage makeup for me is rare, even going out in the evening, but that is really because makeup coverage tend to be high when I shoot. I am really fond of the dewy-ness this foundation gives and you can see that under different light, there is still a lovely dewy shine to the face.
Comfort
The one qualm I have with foundations is how they sit on the skin for a long period of time and for this reason I prefer cushion foundation/bb creams because they sit far more comfortably on my face. Reason being that a lot of Korean and Asian cushion foundations actually have a lot of skincare properties in them to make the product not only work as makeup, but also skincare.
Yes, Asian are absolutely obsessed about skincare and I love it.
With makeup, expect it to crease, especially in drier areas or oilier areas. This product has done well for me and have been long lasting - I put this down to the skincare ingredients as well as skin prep before makeup application. I don't think I can emphasize enough how important skin prep is and I genuinely believe that it contributes at least 70% to good makeup.
Many low coverage foundations still make my skin feel like it can't breathe - not this cushion. Eventually I forget that I'm wearing foundation on my face.
How to use
I know what you're thinking - there is only 1 way to use this. Dab and apply right? Well I am here to shed some knowledge to what I have learnt. Here are some tips to applying and using cushion foundation:
- Don't take too much product on your puff: instead, dab for a little, apply, and dab again. This will avoid having too much product in one area of the face. Because you have not squirted the product out on a palm or back of your hand, it's slightly harder to manipulate it
- Pat more than you think you to: the cushion isn't just there for you to apply the product normally. If it is then you should just go use a sponge or a brush. Using the puff itself should make the product adhere to your skin more and patting it more times makes the product mesh in with your skin more than if you just simply applied it.
- You don't have to hold the puff in one way: most people would just slide the fingers between the ribbon and the puff, but I have squeezed it thinner to reach areas that are harder to reach, e.g. around the nose, eyes, and chin. This gives you more control on where you put the product and how you blend it
Ingredients
After I've spoken highly about the skincare aspect, it's only natural that I cover some key ingredients in this cushion.
This product contains Centella Asiatica extract, camellia lower extract, snow lotus flower extract (patented component), aloe vera leaf extract, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and chamomile flower extract. There are probably 1 or 2 more extract that I'm not 100% sure what they are. Essentially there is a lot of calming and moisturising ingredients that make this suitable for those with sensitive skin too
The Verdict
I would give this a 4/5 - the one point missing being the colour! This, however is not unique to cushion foundations and it is also the very reason why I don't buy many, or any, of them, because the colour just doesn't match me. I am impressed, however, by the skincare components, and the finishing of this product and it would be one of the things I would purchase if I suited the colour.
Interested in giving this a go? Here is the link on Jolse.com (opens new window).
This product has brought me back to taking interest in cushion and BB products. Although honestly, foundations last for so long for me (don't use much of it) that it would be a long time before I start buying more. I would gladly buy more skincare than makeup!
Did you find this helpful? Would you try it? Have you tried it and what are your thoughts? Let me know :)