Cushion compact has been the newest fad for face makeup nowadays. But what makes it different from other makeup available in the market for years? What secrets lie inside this amazing compact? Keep reading if you’re interested to find out!

Cushion Compact | The Face Makeup Craze for A Perfect Coverage

Say Hello to the Latest Skin Care / Beauty Trend

If you are a newbie to cushion compacts, don’t worry because this article will help you out from what’s the best cushion compacts and color for your skin type to the best technique when applying it.

Cushion compacts originated from South Korea, the land of good quality makeup and skin care products. Normally, this compact provides a lightweight and sheer coverage for your face.

The packaging of cushion compacts is bulkier than the average compact pressed powders and foundations because it has an airtight seal that keeps your cushion fresh and moist.

If you open and look inside, you’ll find an applicator which is usually dense and circular in shape. This puff also has anti-bacterial properties and unlike the common compacts, it has a separate compartment inside where it stays dry and separated from the product.

The main product is a porous sponge soaked in a foundation, BB cream or CC cream, which sits at the bottom of the compact. It is covered by a lid tightly where the applicator puff is placed on top.

Tip: When your product starts to run low, flip the sponge using tweezers just like how you flip the mattress of your bed and your product seems to be new and refilled again!

The application of this product is somewhat universal– dab-dab, pat-pat. All you have to do is to load the applicator sponge with the product (dab-dab) and start blotting onto your skin in small, even patches (pat-pat). Don’t be too excited on dabbing, ladies! A little amount goes a long way with this product.

Going into details, in choosing the right cushion compact for you, all comes down to selecting the appropriate finish and coverage for your skin tone and skin type.

Recommendations for your Skin Tone

If you have a fair skin, then you know the struggle of looking for the perfect product that matches your complexion. Having a fair skin is like having a complexion paler than a ghost. So pale that when you take pictures with a flash, your face is naturally blown out. But fret no more because cushion compacts have a decent range of brands to choose from for your skin tone.

If you have a light to medium tan complexion, you have a lot of options to play with. A lot of Korean brands carry only a few shades that generally fall from light to medium skin tone.

However, because cushion compacts are relatively new in face makeups, they have limited shade ranges. But don’t worry because if you have deeper skin tones, there are still some brands like Laneige, Lancome and Pur that carry shades for a darker complexion.

Cushions compacts are also available in color correction shades. Yellow helps in skin’s discoloration, Purple combats the skin’s dullness, Peach brighten the dark circles around the eye area and Green neutralizes the redness of the skin.

Recommendations for Different Skin Types

When selecting the cushion compact for dry skin, instead of looking for foundation-based cushion compacts, look for one that is BB/CC cream based.

For the application, use a good moisturizer and hydrating primer. You can even spray some moisturizing toner onto your applicator sponge before applying it in order to keep your skin hydrated. This can also prevent the foundation from settling into the fine lines. From here, just continue building your desired coverage by adding THIN layers. I recommend pressing and lifting while applying it to avoid streaks and dry patches.

In choosing the right cushion compact for combination skin, you have a wider range to choose from since you can tolerate compacts for dry and oily skin.

For the application, start by applying your cushion compact around your jawline and cheeks, building the right coverage as you go. From there, dab around the T-zone area with a beauty blender in order to avoid build-up. Once you’re done, immediately set those areas with a powder for a flawless finish.

If you have an oily skin, be aware that cushion compacts are NOT the BEST choice for you because of its dewy finish. But if you still want to give it a shot, there are still cushion compacts for you. Just try finding those that has ‘mattifying’ or ‘satin’ finish. Stay away from those with ‘hydrating benefits’ and look for one that has ‘lightweight formula.’

When it comes to its application, start by using a mattifying primer that will absorb the oil in your T-zone and will keep you ‘matte’ throughout the day. After building your desired coverage, finish it with a mattifying spray and apply translucent or mattifying powder to keep your skin looking fresh.

Be careful if you have an acne-prone and mature skin because both skin types need extra attention. The trick for these types is to keep your skin balanced. Look for cushion compacts with added skin care benefits and stay away from heavy formulas or harsh ingredients.

For application, start with a primer to smooth out fine lines or blemishes on your face. From here, you can apply it with a damped sponge to avoid the excess product in the fine lines. Again, thin layers only. Because most of the formulas are sheer, you may have to touch up with a spot concealer on blemished areas. Once you’re done with the application, finish off with a hydrating setting mist.

Here’s are some cushion compacts you might want to check out: