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- 8 cushion foundations you can use anywhere without getting your hands or face dirty
8 cushion foundations you can use anywhere without getting your hands or face dirty
Missha M Magic Cushion SPF50+/PA+++
AMOREPACIFIC Color Control Cushion Compact Broad Spectrum SPF 50+
One of the OG cushion compacts, this innovative formula is made with bamboo sap instead of water to moisturize. It makes the foundation incredibly lightweight and hydrating, so you can apply as much as you want without suffocating your skin.
There are five shades, all of which offer buildable coverage and SPF 50. This one has a refill and applicator sponge, both of which come in an sealed airtight bag and justify the $60 price tag.
But to get the most out of my cushion compacts, instead of reaching for the refill when I think I've used up all the product, I actually flip the sponge first — the bottom usually has a ton of product left.
Dior Capture Dreamskin Fresh & Perfect Cushion Broad Spectrum SPF 50
Dior has fused its Dreamskin skin-care line with makeup for a sheer, hydrating, and pore-blurring foundation. Coverage is so sheer (and there are only four shades) that it's almost more like a finishing product than a base makeup. I like to use it more for the skin-care benefits than actual coverage.
For anyone who wants on-the-go skin care, there's also a non-tinted version of the compact, which is great for refreshing and protecting your skin within ruining your makeup.
Sulwahsoo Perfecting Cushion Foundation Compact
This is one of the few cushion compacts that offers up to 12 hours of coverage, which is impressive for a formula that feels extremely lightweight and looks really natural. The high SPF 50 is great for spring or summer days when you're out in the sun longer, but don't want to wear a heavy, pore-clogging foundation.
There are six shades, and each compact comes with a refill and new sponge.
wet n wild Megacushion Foundation SPF 15
Some drugstore products are on par with their luxury counterparts, and this compact from wet n wild is one of them.
It's lightweight and sheer, almost like a BB cream as opposed to a foundation, so I use it on weekends when I just a barely-there wash to even out my skin. The SPF 15 is fine technically, but I'll apply a layer of sunscreen underneath for additional protection.
Tom Ford Soleil Glow Tone-Up Foundation Hydrating Cushion Compact
If you want a bronzed, sun-kissed look, this cushion foundation from Tom Ford is great.
There are only four shades and they're all really sheer, so I'd recommend them as natural, shimmer-free bronzer instead of all-over foundation. But no matter how you use it, the formula adds a healthy flush while the high SPF 45 protects skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays.
YSL Touche Éclat Cushion Compact Foundation
If you ever wanted a larger version of YSL's iconic Touche Éclat, here it is. The foundation is a buildable version of the original brightening highlighter/concealer hybrid, which some might find too luminous or glowy for everyday wear, but wasn't a big issue for me.
The issue instead was with the sponge, which is split into two halves — one features a smooth sponge for all-over use, the other is a flocked sponge for highlighting. I didn't quite understand the need for the flocked side — you can't really "highlight" when you're using the same base product with the same color. Instead, I just use the sponge as I would any other and press the foundation all over.
La Mer The Luminous Lifting Cushion Foundation SPF 20
Loaded with the brand's iconic Miracle Broth hydrate and firm skin, and buildable medium-to-full coverage, La Mer's cushion compact is equal parts skin care and makeup. There are 12 shades, which is by far the largest shade range I've seen — and a much needed one too.
At $120, it's definitely not cheap but the additional refill and major skin-care benefits can justify the investment. The medium coverage can actually help extend the life of the compact too since you'd only need to use a little each time, and like I've mentioned previously, you can always flip the cushion over to get product that's chilling on the underside.
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