REVIEW | Innisfree Long Wear Cushion SPF50

My first venture into the world of BB cushions, à la L'oreal's Lucent Magique Cushion Lumiere, was a successful one, so I decided to give the Innisfree Long Wear Cushion SPF50 PA+++ a try after chancing upon a Youtube ad -  they got me good. Let's see how this one fared!

Innisfree Long Wear Cushion SPF50 PA+++

$180 HKD at Innisfree (around $23 USD)

15g, 0.5oz | 4 shades

Innisfree is a Korean cosmetics brand and is known for using natural and organic ingredients with an eco-friendly approach to all their products and packaging. For example, all the products are housed in 100% recyclable containers, and the labels are made from eco-friendly tangerine skin. Say what?! So awesome.

There are three different Innisfree cushions - this Long Wear Cushion for oily skin, the Water Glow Cushion for combination skin and the Ampoule Intense Cushion for dry skin - and of course, your oily-skinned pal here chose the Long Wear Cushion formulated to "keep the skin smooth and bright for a long time", and it contains sebum-controlling Jeju volcanic powder to ensure I stay (relatively) matte and shine-free. The packaging is standard of any cushion foundation - you get a nice mirror and sponge puff, with the cushion underneath the plastic separator. Simple, white packaging - I dig it.

There are a total of four shades to choose from - 13 Light Beige, 21 Natural Beige, 23 True Beige and 31 Deep Beige - and I have 23 True Beige which is still a touch too light on my face but the best match out of the range, and it does oxidize slightly. The texture is smooth but quite a bit stiffer than the L'oreal version, meaning it does take more effort to pat and blend in. The foundation is matte upon application, and using the sponge puff gives you a slightly cooling sensation on the skin. The coverage is medium with just one layer and can be built up to full without getting cakey. It did a decent job with concealing my dark circles and I didn't need nearly as much concealer, which is always a plus. For you odor-sensitive peeps, there is a light, herbally scent to this that dissipates soon after application, so fret not!

Swatched | Blended out

After trying this cushion a handful of times, I've found that this is truly the only base that has succeeded in keeping my oily skin in check in the humid, sticky, gross weather that has currently taken over Hong Kong. I'm impressed! Like I mentioned before, the finish is almost completely matte upon application, and as the day goes on, it turns into a dewy glow but never looks greasy. Woot-woot! It really does keep me from looking like an oily grease-ball after a full day of running around (or rather, of running after my dog) and lasts for a long, full day without fading. This even held up amazingly well when I tried it without any setting or mattifying powder! So needless to say, this has definitely become my current go-to foundation for the hot, balmy weather thanks to the high SPF and superior oil-controlling properties.

However, I have to mention that this cushion really looks and feels like makeup. Ya know what I'm saying? It's not as lightweight on the face as I hoped for - at times even a bit heavy - and if someone were to stand right in front of you and stare at your face, they'd be able to tell that you're wearing a full-coverage foundation. Now, this isn't necessarily a bad thing, but for those of you who like natural, undetectable coverage and I-woke-up-like-dis skin, this is definitely not for you. Also, if you have dry skin - stay far, far away! This will not be forgiving on any dry patches, and you'd be better off trying their Ampoule Intense or Water Glow Cushions. For all other skin types who want to try this version out, make sure you do some heavy duty moisturizing beforehand and you should be good to go.

Innisfree 23 True Beige | L'oreal Nude Miracle N3

So there you have it. If you have oily skin and want a high-coverage base that can rein in that shine, I think you would really get along with this Innisfree Long Wear Cushion. If you still prefer more lightweight bases with a natural coverage, then go for the L'oreal Lucent Magique Cushion Lumiere. But be reminded - both have SPF and will give you a white case so refrain from wearing them around any flash photography. Ya hear me?!

Let's hope, for my wallet's sake, that I don't start developing a cushion foundation obsessi - oops, too late.

REVIEW | L’oreal Lucent Magique Cushion Lumiere

I am quite possibly the last person on earth to jump on the BB cushion wagon, but better late than never, right? I saw this product on sale in Sasa recently and did a double take - this girl loves a good sale. Swatched it on my hand and before I knew what hit me, I was waiting in line at the cashier.

L’oreal Lucent Magique Cushion Lumiere SPF 29 PA+++

$199 HKD at Sasa, Watsons, Mannings (around $25 USD)

2 Shades: Nude Rose, Nude Miracle

First of all, let’s all take a minute and take in the gorgeousness that is the mirrored rose gold packaging. Swoon. Okay, minute over. Inside you’ll find a nice sized mirror and a sponge puff on top of the plastic separator, and underneath that is the cushion. This would be great to bring when traveling since you can apply on the go, and there's no worry that the foundation might leak out.

This only comes in two shades - Rose Miracle R2, which is the lighter, pinker shade, and Nude Miracle N3, which is the slightly darker, yellow shade. I chose Nude Miracle and it’s just a tad light for me but workable. Yes I know, the shade range is not ideal. But since this product is sold exclusively in Asia, I guess the idea was to try and cater to Asian skin tones (but come on, there are some tan Asians out there, people). I believe L’oreal sells this cushion under a different name, the True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation, in the US and the UK and it's available in 12 shades. Lucky peeps.

The texture of this foundation is very smooth, and blends into the skin quite beautifully. The sponge does a decent job of applying the product but I find that I have to dip it back into the cushion quite a few times in order to cover my entire face. Hmm.. hygiene issues? I’m not even going to get into it, but if you’re a germophobe, then this foundation format might not be your cup of tea. The coverage is quite light and natural, as it claims to be, but can be built up to a medium coverage.

Blended out | Swatched

 In natural light

I’ve worn this foundation a handful of times, and so far, I'm in like, not in love. Guys - it is dewy. Yes, I know, the claim of this foundation is exactly that. But I can't help but notice it stays quite tacky on the face. It's not uncomfortable by any means, just a tad sticky. So setting the face with translucent powder is a must for me. Even so, my face starts to look shiny, especially in the T-zone, after just two hours. After four hours, it's girl-please-blot-your-face-that-ain't-cute shiny. It certainly doesn’t help that I have combination oily skin; if you have dry to normal skin, this should have much longer staying power. 

The SPF 29 PA+++ is nice and helpful for those of you who are too lazy to put on a separate SPF. But experts do recommend an SPF of at least 30 if you want adequate sun protection. Do not use this foundation at night and especially if you know you'll be taking pictures - the SPF does give your face a bit of a white cast. Not the look we're going for, girls.

Bottom line, I would say if you prefer a natural, light coverage foundation, and appreciate a dewy, glowy finish, then definitely give this a try. I see myself using this foundation when I want a natural look and don't mind blotting throughout the day.

For those of you who use cushion foundations, I would love to hear some recommendations from other brands!