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Best Cushion Foundation: Which Cushion Foundation Compact is the Best?

Published Categorized as Makeup Tips

When it comes to beauty, everyone who is enthusiastic on the subject works hard to keep up with the trends. Apart from new methods and techniques emerging, new makeup are introduced almost every month. The cushion foundation is one of the newest trends right now. Let’s look at why, as well as our picks for the best cushion foundation for a flawless look.

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ETUDE HOUSE Double Lasting Cushion Glow #W21 Beige | 24-Hours Lasting Cushion with a Radiant Natural Finish

This foundation cushion compact makeup trend actually started in Korea back in 2016 and has since then taken the beauty world by storm.

Cushion foundations are considered among the hottest base makeup today because they made liquid foundation handy and easier to work with. For that reason, a lot of women turn to cushion foundations for both the ease of use and quality of formula.

With their popularity and the stellar reviews they receive, hundreds of cushion foundations currently flood the market. As such, there are many new (and emerging) cushion foundations out there, which can get overwhelming.

It’s going to be quite a challenge to find the best cushion foundation that will suit your preferences and needs. Lucky for you, we’ve got that covered!

Below, we take a closer look at five of the best options. They are among the most highly-reviewed cushion foundation makeup, meaning they’re the cream of the crop of best cushion foundations.

Let’s get started!

What’s the best cushion foundation?

We’ve made it easier for you by choosing the 5 best cushion foundations for different skin types and needs:

  1. Missha M Magic Cushion
  2. IOPE Air Cushion Cover
  3. Wet n Wild Megacushion Foundation
  4. Troiareuke H+ Cushion Foundation
  5. Hera UV Mist Cushion Cover
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Best Cushion Foundation for Oily Skin – Missha M Magic Cushion No. 23

Missha No.23 Bundle Magic cushion & BB Cream

Cushion Foundation Highlights

Here are some of the Missha M Magic Cushion‘s amazing features:

  • Perfect coverage
  • Long-lasting
  • Lightweight adherence
  • Can make your skin look more luminous

Pros

  • Can cover all your blemishes
  • Very affordable
  • Can stay for a long time on your face
  • Makes your skin look alive

Cons

  • The cushion foundation dries out when you let it sit for a long time
  • The darker shade is a bit pale

What’s to Like About Missha M Magic Cushion No. 23

Missha never fails to deliver when it comes to skincare and cosmetics, and this cushion foundation is definitely one of their best releases.

As a South Korean skincare company, you can always expect the best from them when it comes to makeup and skin care.

If you have an uneven complexion and want a long lasting cushion foundation, the Missha M Magic Cushion No. 23 is perfect for you.

The best thing about this cushion foundation is the perfect coverage it offers. It will literally cover all of the blemishes in your face and make it look flawless and clear.

This best cushion compact for oily skin can make your face more luminous, giving it a look that’s fresh and vibrant as well.

It also lasts for a very long time as the smooth silica bead powder can absorb sebum and sweat. If you sweat a lot or your face is always oily, you won’t have to worry about your foundation wearing off. If you’re looking for a long lasting cushion foundation, this one’s for you.

Missha M Magic Cushion also doesn’t have any dulling effects! This is also a great cushion foundation if you’re looking to even out your skin tone and complexion.

What’s Not to Like About Missha M Magic Cushion No. 23

One of the things that you may not like about this is the shade itself.

Missha M Magic Cushion in shade No. 23 is already the darkest shade that they carry, but once you apply it on your skin, you might find it a bit light or pale. If you want something a bit deeper, this is not the right choice for you.

This cushion foundation itself can’t be kept for a long time. It lasts long on your skin, but you cannot store it for very long because it would dry out even if you don’t open the compact regularly.

Missha No.23 Bundle Magic cushion & BB Cream
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Best Dewy Cushion Foundation – IOPE Air Cushion Cover

IOPE Air Cushion COVER (SPF 50+/PA+++) No.21 Vanilla, 30g(15g +Refill 15g)

IOPE Air Cushion COVER

Cushion Foundation Highlights

Let’s check out what the IOPE Air Cushion Cover can offer.

The Iope cushion foundation is more than just a traditional foundation. It offers a lot more features that would definitely blow your mind.

Here are a few of the main features that this cushion foundation has to offer:

  • Air Cushion feature
  • Air prism water
  • Multi-porous prism powder
  • High broad-spectrum protection
  • Long-lasting without any dulling effects

Pros

  • Moisturizes the skin
  • Has a long-lasting effect
  • Offers SPF 50 protection
  • Perfect for people with dry skin
  • Covers various skin blemishes

Cons

  • Not for women with oily skin
  • Not for use during the summer

What’s to Like About Iope Air Cushion Cover

This foundation comes from IOPE, one of the most exceptional skincare and makeup manufacturers in the market.

This cushion foundation for dry skin is created by IOPE so you can expect that the quality and effectiveness is top-notch.

The Air Cushion foundation feature can make your skin appear vibrant. Its moist formula will not make your skin dry. By smoothly covering all the blemishes on your face, it can make you look young.

It can also increase the reflection of light on your skin and make it more bright. It doesn’t have any darkening effects, and it can last for a long time on your skin.

RELATED: Best Dewy Foundations

What’s Not to Like About Iope Air Cushion Foundation Cover

If you are planning to use the IOPE Air Cushion Cover, you should remember that it is a cushion foundation meant for dry skin. With that, it is ideal if you are going to use it during the winter season as it can help moisturize your skin.

It is also advisable to use this cushion foundation if you are just staying at home, but it is not effective during the summer. It will go off when exposed to too much heat.

IOPE Air Cushion COVER (SPF 50+/PA+++) No.21 Vanilla, 30g(15g +Refill 15g)

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Best Drugstore Cushion Foundation – Wet n Wild Megacushion Foundation

wet n wild Megacushion Foundation, Natural Beige, 0.52 Ounce

wet n wild Megacushion Foundation

Cushion Foundation Highlights

Here are the main features of this best drugstore cushion foundation:

  • Buildable coverage
  • Versatile foundation
  • SPF 15 for skin protection
  • Chemical and physical sunscreen ingredients

Pros

  • Moisturizes your skin
  • Protects the face from sun damage
  • Has a long-lasting effect
  • Can cover the blemishes on your face

Con

  • Has an intense fragrance

What’s to Like About Wet N Wild Megacushion Foundation

If you are looking for value and a great price, Wet n Wild is definitely your best option. The company is considered as the number one value brand in the United States.

Let’s check out the main features of the Wet n Wild Megacushion Foundation.

If you’re looking for some of the best liquid foundations in a cushion compact, the Wet n Wild Megacushion Foundation is one of your best options.

The best thing about this is its buildable formula, which would boost the hydration of your skin. This means that your skin will stay fresh and moisturized the whole day. It can also last for a long time so you won’t need to reapply the cushion foundation often.

It contains SPF 15 to provide added protection. Although it is not too much, it is enough to provide a level of protection to your skin. This is a water-based gel formula, and it can cover the blemishes on your skin and make your look natural.

What’s Not to Like About Wet N Wild Megacushion Foundation

The only thing that most people don’t like about the Wet n Wild Megacushion Foundation is the fragrance. If you are very sensitive to perfume, it’s not a good idea to use this as you can smell its scent while wearing it on your face. It’s not really a big deal, but some people don’t want anything too fragrant on their face.

wet n wild Megacushion Foundation, Natural Beige, 0.52 Ounce

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Best Cushion Foundation for Sensitive Skin – Troiareuke H+ Cushion Foundation

TROIAREUKE H+ Cushion Foundation, 21 Light Beige - SPF50+ PA++++ Healing Skincare Cushion for Dry Skin

TROIAREUKE H+ Cushion Foundation

Cushion Foundation Highlights

Here are some of the features that it can provide:

  • Dewy glow finish
  • No breakouts
  • Multi-functional
  • Covers your blemishes

Pros

  • Provides a dewy finish
  • Perfect coverage
  • Very affordable
  • No breakouts on the skin
  • Healthy for your skin

Cons

  • Has a heavy scent
  • Not very long-lasting

What’s to Like About Troiareuke H+ Cushion Foundation No. 21

Troiakreuke is a popular company offering beauty products and cosmetics. The Troiareuke H+ Cushion Foundation is one of their latest offerings.

If you want to know if this is the best cushion foundation that you’re looking for, let’s check out its features.

The Troiareuke H+ Cushion Foundation can make your skin more vibrant and conceal all the blemishes from your face.

This cushion foundation for sensitive skin provides a dewy glow on your skin. It is not too matte and not too glossy. This will guarantee that there won’t be any dry patches on your skin.

Troiareuke H+ Cushion Foundation in shade No. 21 is more than just makeup; it’s a skincare product as well. The ingredients of this cushion foundation are focused on skincare to help take care of your face. It has anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, and UV protection ingredients. It can also be used for brightening your complexion.

You won’t have to worry about breakouts because there is no acne, skin irritations, or redness after applying this cushion foundation. It contains ingredients that can soothe the skin like Portulaca oleracea extract, chamomilla Recutita flower extract, and Centella Asiatica extract.

What’s Not to Like About Troiareuke H+ Cushion Foundation No. 21

The Troiareuke H+ Cushion Foundation doesn’t stay long on the skin. You will have to reapply the foundation after a few hours. As a result of using it more frequently, you will also have to buy another one sooner.

The scent can also be a bit of a problem, especially if you are sensitive to perfume. If you don’t like scented foundations or makeup with heavy perfume, this is not a good choice.

TROIAREUKE H+ Cushion Foundation, 21 Light Beige - SPF50+ PA++++ Healing Skincare Cushion for Dry Skin

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Best Full Coverage Cushion Foundation – Hera UV Mist Cushion Cover

The last pick for best cushion foundation on the list comes from the popular beauty manufacturer, Hera. It has been in the market for several years and is known to provide great-quality cosmetics and skincare releases.

HERA UV Mist Cushion Cover SPF50+/PA+++ 15g2 #C21 Vanilla Cover

HERA UV Mist Cushion Cover

Cushion Foundation Highlights

Let’s check out its foundation features:

  • Day and night whitening
  • Offers UV protection
  • Anti-wrinkle formula
  • Lightweight
  • Full coverage

Pros

  • Contains whitening features
  • Can help prevent the appearance of wrinkles
  • Can fully cover blemishes
  • Offers extra protection
  • Great value

Con

  • Heavy scent

What’s to Like About Hera Uv Mist Cushion Vanilla Cover

The Hera UV Mist Cushion Cover is only one of the many cosmetics and makeup created by Hera. It is also one of the best cushion foundations you will ever find.

This cushion makeup is not your regular foundation; it can also provide a wide range of benefits like, day and night brightening, UV protection, and wrinkle prevention. All these extra skincare features are definitely a good addition.

When it comes to cushion foundations, you need to make sure that it can provide full coverage, which is what you’d get from this cushion foundation. It also has a vanilla cover that can provide a medium skin tone to your face and cover signs of dullness. It is very handy as everything it offers is placed in a compact.

What’s Not to Like About Hera Uv Mist Cushion Vanilla Cover

According to Hera UV mist cushion review posts from users, it does have some cons.

The only thing that you may not like about the Hera UV Mist Cushion Cover is its scent. Most cushion foundations have a scent, but the perfume used for this particular foundation is a bit heavy. If you are not fond of using a foundation that has a strong scent, this is not for you.

HERA UV Mist Cushion Cover SPF50+/PA+++ 15g2 #C21 Vanilla Cover

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Choosing the Best Cushion Foundation: A Complete Guide

Now that you have a list of the best cushion foundations to choose from, you should at least have an idea on how to determine which is the best of the best.

If you are looking for something more specific, this buying guide can help you make the right choice.

1. Foundation Coverage

The fist thing you need to consider when deciding on a cushion foundation is choose what type of coverage you want. There is full coverage, and there is sheer coverage. Basically, if you want to find the best foundation, you need to think about your personal preference more than anything else.

Full coverage allows you to cover all of the blemishes on your face, so they won’t be visible. It provides a solid layer of foundation to make your skin appear smooth and even. This is applicable for people who want to hide the redness of their skin or if they want foundation that covers up acne scars.

Sheer coverage is the most common as it provides an appearance of having no foundation on your face. It lets your skin breathe more than the typical foundation would. This type of foundation won’t mask your natural skin, so it is perfect for women who only want to even out their skin tone.

As we mentioned above, our top pick for full coverage cushion foundation is the Hera UV Mist Cushion Cover so feel free to try it out!

Best Cushion Foundations - Ellis James Designs

2. Your Skin Type

You need to assess your skin type if you want to buy a cushion foundation.

People with oily skin have larger pores, and their skin usually becomes oily throughout the day. People with dry skin have smaller pores, and their skin would need more moisture.

RELATED: Best Gel Moisturizers for Dry Skin

Cushion foundations are often made for skin that is a bit dry, so you will see a lot of creamy ingredients from the formula. They have moisturizing and hydrating properties to counter the dryness.

If you have oily skin, you can check matte or semi-matte options. The Missha M Magic Cushion we reviewed above is a great choice for a cushion foundation for oily skin.

Before you buy anything, make sure that you check your skin type so that you won’t waste your money on a foundation makeup that won’t work for you.

If you use cushion foundation for dry skin, but you have oily skin, it will wear off after a few hours. So it’s important to choose one that really suits your skin type.

3. Your Skin Tone

The cushion foundations made from Korea only comes in four to six shades, and they are not really made for people with dark skin. If you have a deeper skin tone, you can check out Western brands as they provide a better selection of foundation shades.

If you have light skin, there are different shades for you. Korean brands only have a few shades because most Koreans have fair skin. Their products are meant for them.

It won’t be too difficult to find the right shade if your skin is fair, but if you have a darker skin tone, you will need to find a way to work with these makeup.

A makeup brand that makes cushion foundations for deeper skin tones is Maybelline. Check out the Maybelline New York Dream Cushion Fresh Face Liquid Foundation.

If you’re interested, here’s a guide we have about choosing the correct foundation color for yourself!

4. Dewy or Matte Finish?

There are three known types of finishes when it comes to cushion foundations: natural, dewy, and matte.

The choice is usually dependent on your preference, but if you want to know which one is better for you, here are a few things to know.

  • Dewy skin: This is very popular. Your skin will look moist, glowy, and hydrated. However, it is not a good choice if you have larger pores, which means that it is not a good choice for people with oily skin.
  • Natural or semi-matte finish: This is the most popular as it can be used for different types of skin. It will look smooth and slightly illuminated. This is the best choice if you have normal or combination skin.
  • Matte finish: This is the perfect choice for people who do not want a shiny look. They also last longer and provide a velvety look to your skin. This is the best choice for people with oily skin. Although, if you have dry skin and you try to use this, it may emphasize some dry patches on your face. SELF BEAUTY Full Coverage Cushion Foundation is a great matte finish cushion foundation.

5. Price

When buying a cushion foundation, the price is always an important factor. You need to check the price because there are some that are too expensive. You’d want something that is reasonably priced and offers the most benefits.

The best thing to do is to check their features first and choose the one that provides all that you need at a good price. These makeup may be important for your kit, but you should never buy something that is extremely expensive just to try it.

If you’re looking for an affordable one, we recommend the Wet n Wild Megacushion Foundation.

Best Cushion Foundations - Ellis James Designs

Cushion Foundation FAQs

You may have a lot of questions about cushion foundations.

We listed down some of the most common ones and answered them briefly.

Is cushion foundation good for dry skin? Is cushion foundation good for oily skin?

For dry and oily skin, the best choice would be the natural or semi-matte finish. They are made specifically for both dry and oily skin.

However, they only provide a natural look. If you have blemishes that you want to hide, this is not a good choice because it only provides a light coating.

You can always go for a dewy finish for dry skin and a matte finish for oily skin.

You just have to figure out the type of skin that you have before you decide.

What is the best cushion foundation for oily skin?

We recommend Missha M Magic Cushion!

Do you need skincare features in your cushion foundation?

Not necessarily.

The main job of your cushion foundation is to slightly cover blemishes and make sure you have an even skin tone. Although, you will find that most choices today do come with skincare benefits.

As we age, having a reliable skin care regimen is very important, which is why you’d want your cosmetics to have skincare benefits. Some of these include anti-acne, anti-wrinkle, UV protection, and brightening.

Can cushion foundation irritate your skin?

The answer to this will depend on the sensitivity of your skin.

If you don’t have sensitive skin, you won’t have to worry about irritation. However, there are still some instances of skin irritation and breakouts.

RELATED: Best Foundations for Sensitive Skin with Acne

The best thing to do is to try the foundation on a small part of your face or neck and leave it for a few hours. If you notice any redness or irritation in the area, you should look for a cushion foundation from another brand. Or maybe you might need a different type of foundation, such as a drugstore powder foundation.

How long does cushion foundation usually last?

Cushion foundation can last for as long as 12 hours, depending on the formula that you are using and the temperature of the place where you are in. If the cushion foundation offers full coverage, it usually lasts for a longer time.

Being in a hot place causes a bigger chance that the foundation will wear off faster. If it is raining, the foundation may also slide off.

As for a cushion foundation’s expiry date, best to check the makeup packaging. Usually it’s 12-18 months after opening, but 2-3 years shelf life if unopened.

Can cushion foundation be removed easily?

Yes. It is very easy to remove this foundation from your face.

Since this is a liquid foundation, you can easily wash it off. You can use makeup remover wipes to wipe it off, or you can wash it with face wash and water if you want.

You should also make sure that you remove the foundation from your face before you go to sleep. Even if these cushion foundations are very safe to use and quite sheer, it is not advisable to leave them on your face for more than 16 hours.

You should remove any makeup once you get home or before you sleep.

Best Cushion Foundations - Ellis James Designs

Best Cushion Foundation Review

  1. Missha M Magic Cushion
  2. IOPE Air Cushion Cover
  3. Wet n Wild Megacushion Foundation
  4. Troiareuke H+ Cushion Foundation
  5. Hera UV Mist Cushion Cover
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Choosing the Best Cushion

Looking for the best cushion foundation doesn’t have to be very stressful. You just need to know what you need and want, and it will help narrow down your current options.

The best choice will always depend on your own preferences and the type of skin that you have.

Before you decide to use any kind of cushion foundation, make sure that you have already tried it on another part of your body, as it might cause problems such allergic reactions or redness.

Check out more foundation and base makeup posts from our blog:

Tell us about your favorite cushion foundation!

By Ellis James

We design luxuriously glamorous bags, organizers and life essentials for you. At Ellis James Designs, it’s all about YOU. Your bag, Your way. Our exclusive designs are timeless, indulgent and most importantly inspired by you. What will be your first Ellis James Design?

12 comments

  1. I’ve been thinking of trying cushion foundations. This is an awesome list. Missha and Hera sound like great products to try. Thanks for the recommendations.

  2. I’ve never tried any of these cushion foundations. I like that these are all pretty affordable 🙂

  3. I haven’t tried cushion foundation before, but it is perfect for those days when you have to cover up the redder blemishes. Love that these options are affordable and keeps your skin healthy and protected from the sun. It’s important to find the right one and making sure it’s used right. The last thing you want is contamination! Thanks for sharing!

    Nancy ✨

  4. This is such a great review of compacts. Thanks for sharing your opinions for all of them!

  5. Loving this post- I think it’s trickier to find the right cushion foundation and this is so helpful!

    -Ashley

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