Face cushions were recently invented in Korea, and within a few years this product has become a real hit. The new convenient 2-in-1 format of foundation and sponge has gained popularity among girls and manufacturers, who began vying to produce these products. On the one hand, diversity is good, but on the other hand, it can be confusing. To make it easier for you to navigate, we have compiled a rating of the best cushions of this year.
The criteria by which we evaluate the cushions of each brand:
- Smooth application and optimal texture.
The color should apply smoothly without lumps or bald spots. - Quite dense color.
Still, we need to hide all the shortcomings! - Persistence.
It is desirable that the product pleases us with its presence on the face all day. - No comedogenicity.
We cover up pimples, but we don’t want to get new ones. - Additional functions: hydration and nutrition.
Wonderful bonuses of facial foundations. - Ease of use.
Comfortable packaging and sponge. - Compound.
Most users prefer natural composition. And, of course, the cream should not cause an allergic reaction. - Availability of SPF.
Photoaging is of no use to us! - Smell.
Should be neutral or unobtrusive, soft. - Price.
Saving is always good, but we're looking for the perfect example of value for money.
Point system:
By quality:
- 1 point for optimal texture: uniform application without lumps or bald spots;
- 1 point for an even, dense color;
- 1 point for staying power all day long;
- 1 point for lack of comedogenicity;
- 1 point for additional functions (humidification);
- 1 point for the presence of SPF;
- 1 point for acceptable composition. We deduct a point for allergy complaints;
- 1 point for neutral odor or light aroma;
- 1 point for convenient packaging.
By cost:
- 4 points for a cost of up to 1,000 rubles;
- 3 points for a cost from 1,000 to 1,500 rubles;
- 2 points for a cost from 1,500 to 2,000 rubles;
- 1 point for a price over 2,000 rubles.
By popularity:
- 6 points for more than 30,000 queries in Yandex per month;
- 5 points for 24,000-30,000 queries in Yandex per month;
- 4 points for 18,000-24,000 queries in Yandex per month;
- 3 points for 12,000-18,000 queries in Yandex per month;
- 2 points for 6,000-12,000 queries in Yandex per month;
- 1 point for less than 6,000 queries in Yandex per month.
After we highlight each of the 10 best facial cushion manufacturers and assign scores, we will collect all the data in a common table. When collecting information about products, we used: sites with reviews of real customers, personal sales statistics of KrasotkaPro, open data from the Yandex search engine.
Final rating table of cushions for the face
Cushion | Quality points | Points for value | Points for popularity | Total points |
Missha | 9 | 3 | 4 | 16 |
A'pieu | 9 | 3 | 3 | 15 |
LIMONI | 9 | 2 | 3 | 14 |
Pekah | 9 | 3 | 1 | 13 |
Chupa Chups | 8,5 | 2 | 2 | 12,5 |
Kims | 9 | 1 | 1 | 11 |
Yu-r | 9 | 1 | 1 | 11 |
Secret Nature | 7,5 | 1 | 1 | 9,5 |
SHISEIDO | 7 | 1 | 1 | 9 |
Lancôme | 6,5 | 1 | 1 | 8,5 |
Advantages and disadvantages of the product
The popularity of cushions is due to their undoubted advantages:
- complex effect (not only high-quality coverage, but also skin care);
- compactness and ease of packaging (no need for a separate brush, the “powder compact” will fit in any handbag, the cushion cannot be broken or spilled);
- lightness of texture (after application the cushion is not felt on the face, when touched there is no feeling of stickiness or greasy);
- natural coverage without a mask effect;
- ease of use (when pressed, the sponge “breaks” the product, turning it into an emulsion that applies evenly, without spots or streaks);
- the ability to dose the product (it is applied to the sponge in exactly the right volume).
A very light, weightless texture is one of the main advantages of the cushion.
There are also disadvantages:
- obvious imperfections (acne, post-acne scars, hyperpigmentation) are not covered by the cushion; a thicker product will be required;
- Compared to a regular foundation, the packaging volume of a cushion is smaller (12–15 ml), and it costs more; you have to reapply your makeup several times during the day, so the product is used up quite quickly (its durability does not exceed 5–6 hours);
- Bacteria from the skin that get inside, if you do not regularly clean the sponge, can cause pimples and acne.
Possible unhygenicity is what keeps many from purchasing a cushion, but if used correctly, the risk of introducing bacteria is minimized
Making the right choice
It is necessary to take into account not only the type and shade of the skin, but also the season, as well as the composition of the product.
For example, women with oily skin and enlarged pores are better off choosing a Korean cushion, because these versions have a high coverage effect and restore texture. But you need to look at your palette carefully. Koreans love paleness and therefore even the darkest color can look unnatural on dark or tanned skin.
The dry or normal variety allows you to choose European brands. The consistency of these products is quite light and similar to fluids, so they are applied in a thin and even layer. Most brands are trying to find their own “zest”, which gives rise to a huge number of varieties. Some produce moisturizing cosmetics, others prioritize vitamin complexes. Therefore, before purchasing, you should familiarize yourself with the composition. Focus on the season for use. In autumn and winter, the emphasis should be on options with oils or beneficial ingredients, and for summer, a facial push-on with an SPF filter of 20 or more is suitable.
Yves Rocher
The Yves Rocher cushion has good reviews, if only because this product is much cheaper than the first one, and a lot can be forgiven. The manufacturer offers a composition enriched with babassu seed oil and many other skin-nourishing ingredients. This product leaves a fashionable dewy effect on the face without the need for highlighter. Pure Light has several shades with pink and yellow undertones for almost any skin type, unfortunately, except for the lightest “porcelain”. For such a rare, beautiful shade, either Asian foundations or those from other European manufacturers are more suitable.
Buyers like that the product does not tighten the skin and moisturizes well. Those with dry skin appreciated the sexy dewy effect, but those whose skin is prone to oily skin lacked staying power, and the glossy finish did not add any benefits to the product.
Negative reviews
Like any cosmetic product, cushion (reviews confirm this) cannot suit everyone equally. Therefore, buyers noted some disadvantages:
- Lack of durability. After a few hours, it becomes necessary to touch up your makeup.
- The product does not mask severe rashes and dark age spots.
- Adds excess shine to oily skin.
- May accentuate flaking on severely dry, dehydrated skin.
- Some people think that applying foundation using a sponge is not the most hygienic way.
- Price. The cost of some products is quite high.
If your skin does not need thick coverage, and it lacks hydration and nutrition, then you should try a cushion foundation. Reviews, of course, create one or another reputation for a product, but, as they say, it’s better to see once!
Instructions for correct application
The technology of use is simple:
- Just as before using a classic product, cleanse the skin and moisturize with cream.
- Insert two fingers into the sponge. Place some product on it, pressing lightly on the pad.
- Place the foundation using patting movements. If necessary, repeat the algorithm.
Kushen is a product consisting of 30% mineral liquid and other moisturizing ingredients. Otherwise, it would dry out quickly. Due to this composition, a moist effect is created on the epidermis. To avoid this, choose matte versions, or use powder.
You can remove makeup using classic methods: using cleansing gels or micellar water.
What's special?
What is a facial cushion? In appearance it is identical to the classic powder compact (except for some types of blush).
The jar is round in shape, the mirror is located on the inside of the hinged lid. By the way, the developers took care of convenience and equipped the product with a button. So you won’t have to break the claws or chip off the varnish.
Inside the case there is a soft air sponge disc for direct contact with the skin. It lies on the inner lid, under which a porous cushion thickly soaked in foundation is hidden.
Some European and Korean cosmetic companies have changed the original design, functions and components of the original cushion. Because the invention is patented, anyone who wants to produce cushion cosmetics must contact the patent owner to obtain permission.
For example, the French fashion house Givenchy removed the porous pad and replaced it with a metal plate with holes in the shape of its logo. And the Korean company Dr. Jart uses a mesh restraint instead of a pad.
The Europeans also worked on the texture, making it lighter and as close as possible to a combination of cream-balm, makeup base and foundation.
Cushion cosmetics have a high degree of SPF and PA protection.
L'Oreal
Another means of mass production in an affordable price segment is the L'Oreal cushion. Reviews for this product are also conflicting. The manufacturer promises dense, but at the same time weightless coverage, moisturizing and saturating the skin with nutrients. This product has a rich palette containing 12 shades. Now it's much easier to find your ideal tone.
The big advantage of this foundation is that it hydrates the skin and has good coverage. The product can be applied in several layers and cover almost any imperfection, or, covering with one layer, create a light, refreshing veil of the complexion. The disadvantages include insufficient durability and the need to powder the forehead and nose area.
Getting to know the cosmetic product
This is one of the types of foundation. It got its unusual name due to the application method and intricate packaging. Thus, the word “cushion” is translated from English as “pillow”. By the way, this is not a type of cosmetic product, but a unique form of its release. It is a small powder compact.
Opening the box, you can see a sponge pad soaked in “foundation” of a specific shade and light texture, as well as a porous pad for applying it. The technology is simple: when you press on the sponge, part of the product is transferred to the sponge and then distributed over the skin. The idea was implemented in South Korea and then spread throughout the world. Today, any girl can choose the right tone in any cosmetic store.
Who is it suitable for?
As noted earlier, this foundation has a light coverage, which means that it will not cover severe rashes and age spots; in all other cases, the product works very well.
For those with oily skin and enlarged pores, an Asian cushion will be more suitable. Reviews of Korean products confirm that they mattify better, hide pores and even out facial contours. This is due to the fact that Asian skin is denser, oilier and more porous, unlike European skin. European women often have dry, thin skin that needs hydration and nutrition. If this is your skin type, then cushions from European manufacturers will be ideal for you. They maintain water balance, contain nourishing oils, herbal ingredients and perfectly protect against the harmful effects of sunlight.
Types of foundation
When they appeared on the market, the products were BB and CC creams containing vitamins, extracts of beneficial plants, pigments for sun protection, etc.
But the technology of use turned out to be so convenient that now cushions are powders, blushes, and lipsticks. If desired, the entire make-up can be done using this method. Nevertheless, cosmetic brands give preference to foundations, so we will talk about them further.
Sephora
This product has a higher cost than products from mass-produced brands, although the Sephora cushion has not only positive reviews. Buyers are divided into those who will buy this product again and those who will not buy it again. In this case, those with dry skin were dissatisfied, since the foundation can emphasize flaking and imperfect relief. For skin prone to oiliness, the foundation does not overload, hides imperfections and has good longevity.
Sephora produces not only cushions that even out the complexion, but also cushion blushes and lipsticks. Customers really like these products; they note the ease of use, compact packaging formats and rich “tasty” shades.
Cushion – basic information about beauty makeup product
For the first time, Korean manufacturers presented cushions about 12 years ago. Since that time, this product began to gain popularity and firmly holds its position in the cosmetics market to this day. In the country where the cushion was invented, more than 40% of all decorative cosmetics are produced in this form. This includes foundation, lipstick, blush, bronzers, highlighters, eye shadows, etc.
In principle, all decorative cosmetics for the face and body that do not have a dry texture can be produced in the form of a cushion. Since a cushion is a sponge soaked in pigmented cream, which can have different purposes. It turns out that cushion is not some special type of cosmetics, but simply a new and unusual form of its release. Take, for example, eye shadow - the release form can be different - in a jar, flat set, mini-tube or cushion.
This may interest you! There is good news for lovers of new products and all sorts of unusual cosmetics. Despite the fact that manufacturers mainly work on developing cushions for the face, and not for lips and eyelids, large brands are trying to introduce some innovations into their product. For example, the Givenchy brand has cushions in which sponges soaked in a pigmented substance are replaced with pads made of metal with slits for squeezing out the product when pressed. What does this know-how give the consumer:
- Stylish appearance of a cosmetic product. If you wipe the inside surface of the box with a damp antiseptic wipe, it is very difficult to guess that foundation is hidden under a metal plate with a geometric pattern of slits.
- The product has virtually no contact with air, so it does not dry out and retains its properties longer with a minimum amount of preservatives in the composition.
- The cream is very convenient to dose; even if you really want to, you won’t put more product on the applicator than required. Accordingly, the consumption of such a drug is reduced, it is used sparingly.
- The likelihood that pathogenic microorganisms will penetrate the makeup cream is very low. Especially if you don’t forget to periodically clean the sponge.
Method of application
- Cleanse and thoroughly moisturize your skin as before using regular foundation.
- Place the sponge on the index and middle fingers of your dominant hand and pick up the product, pressing lightly onto the cushion.
- Apply the product over your face using patting movements. Blend from top to bottom, from forehead to temples, then apply to cheeks, nose and chin. Apply a second coat as needed to help hide imperfections.