If there’s one cosmetic product that I can’t live without, it’s cushion foundation. If you take a peek at my makeup drawer, you’ll find a brimming stash of cushion compacts. I’ve always been team cushion foundation because it’s an easy and fuss-free way of applying base makeup − it only takes a few pats and swipes with the applicator to get smooth and flawless skin. Plus, the handy compact can be toted around anywhere, perfect for on-the-go application.
What I look for in cushion foundations:
As I have dry and acne-prone skin, my biggest skin concerns are hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone and texture. Therefore, I usually reach for a cushion foundation with high coverage that effectively conceals blemishes and redness. In terms of formulation, I make sure the product is non-comedogenic to prevent flare-ups and hydrating enough to avoid flaky skin. Also, I prefer a semi-matte finish over a satiny glow for just the right amount of shine.
I’m a firm believer that foundation is the backbone of any makeup look, as it helps prepare a clean canvas for the rest of your glam. This time, I’ve chosen three Korean cushion foundations to test out: CLIO’s Veganwear Hyaluronic Serum Cushion, DEWYTREE’s Urban Shade Cover & Fit Sun Cushion and Merry monde’s Happy Your Day Cushion Set. Which product will emerge on top? Read on for my take on these cushion foundations after a three-week trial.
CLIO − Veganwear Hyaluronic Serum Cushion (#03 Linen)
Key Features:
- Contains hyaluronic acid, adenosine and linolenic acid to brighten and hydrate skin
- Powder-infused formula adheres firmly to skin for long-lasting coverage
- Dermatologically tested vegan formula is suitable for sensitive skin
- Fitted with SPF 45 PA++ to ward off sun damage
- Available in three shades: Lingerie, Linen and Ginger
- Comes with a refill
My Take:
Encased in a sleek, all-white compact secured by magnetic closure, the Veganwear Hyaluronic Serum Cushion lived up to my expectations with its full coverage of skin imperfections and long-lasting wear. With only a single layer of the foundation, my stubborn blemishes were barely noticeable even without using a concealer afterwards. I wore the foundation on NYE, and was pleasantly surprised to find out that my base makeup looked perfectly intact at the end of a long day. The product offered a velvety, matte finish that kept my skin looking smooth and pore-less for hours.
My only quibble is that as the formula leans on the thick side, it felt a tad heavy and dry on skin and tended to settle in creases. To steer clear of a cakey appearance, I prepped my skin with a moisturizing primer and finished off with setting spray for a flawless finish.
DEWYTREE − Urban Shade Cover & Fit Sun Cushion
Key Features:
- Enriched with tea tree leaf water and cypress water for hydrating and soothing benefits
- Contains pine tree leaf extract to control sebum production and maintain skin’s oil-water balance
- Infused with soothing plant extracts like purslane extract
- Offers broad-spectrum UV protection of SPF 50+ PA++++
- Sweat-proof
- Reef-friendly
My Take:
If you’re aiming for a dewy finish, the Urban Shade Cover & Fit Sun Cushion is your call. The watery, lightweight formula glided on smoothly and melted seamlessly into my skin, leaving a perfect skin finish with a luminous sheen. What I noticed immediately upon application was how the glow cushion foundation felt moisturizing on my skin, which stayed plump and hydrated all day long. Like other glow-inducing base makeup products, the Urban Shade Cover & Fit Sun Cushion offered sheer coverage that allowed my natural skin to show through. Although the foundation fell short of covering all my dark spots and acne scars, it evened out my skin tone and provided a pore-refining effect that’s ideal for anchoring “no-makeup” makeup looks. Credit also goes to its cushion foundation puff boasting an ultra-soft and doughy surface that made blending a breeze.
One caveat is that the Urban Shade Cover & Fit Sun Cushion only comes in one shade, which was slightly too bright even for my light skin tone (I usually choose shade #22 for foundations from Korean brands).
Merry monde − Happy Your Day Cushion Set (#02 Vanilla)
Key Features:
- Housed in a whimsical birthday cake-themed case
- Infused with natural ingredients like Japanese cypress water and shea butter to replenish moisture
- Formulated with a unique fixing system technology to ensure long-wearing coverage
- PEG-free
- Features SPF 40 PA++ for sun protection
- Available in three shades: Ivory, Vanilla and Sand
- Comes with a refill
My Take:
As much as I adore the Happy Your Day Cushion’s Insta-worthy packaging, I was skeptical of how the product would fare on my skin, but its high-performing formula proved my worries to be unnecessary. The cushion foundation delivered medium, buildable coverage that hid all my skin imperfections with two layers of application, resulting in a ready-to-go semi-matte look. Coming in a mousse-like texture, the foundation settled nicely and didn’t feel thick or dry on my skin. In addition, I was impressed with the foundation’s tightly adhering, long-lasting wear, as my complexion remained uniform and rosy with only minor smudging even after putting my mask on and off the whole day.
The Happy Your Day Cushion is a lot smaller in size compared with my other cushion compacts, making it highly pocket-friendly. However, this extra compact packaging also means that it might take some effort to blend out the foundation with the dainty cushion foundation puff provided.
Final Verdict
| (Rated out of five stars) | CLIO Veganwear Hyaluronic Serum Cushion | DEWYTREE Urban Shade Cover & Fit Sun Cushion | Merry monde Happy Your Day Cushion Set |
| Coverage | Medium to high | Low to medium | Medium |
| Finish | Matte, velvety | Dewy | Semi-matte |
| UV Protection | SPF 45 PA++ | SPF 50+ PA++++ | SPF 40 PA++ |
| Comfort |  | | |
| Lasting Power | | | |
Being a faithful cushion foundation user, I’m happy to say that all three products captured my heart and showed great promise. Merry monde’s Happy Your Day Cushion Set is definitely a keeper as it delivers on multiple fronts: medium coverage, comfort and staying power, not to mention its adorable packaging. As for CLIO’s Veganwear Hyaluronic Serum Cushion, I could foresee myself reaching for it religiously in humid summer months when I need a clean, matte finish to get rid of excess oil. For those who prefer a natural look with a healthy-looking radiance, you can’t go wrong with DEWYTREE’s Urban Shade Cover & Fit Sun Cushion, which imparts a dewy glow to your skin while keeping it plump and moisturized.
