When we think of cushion foundations, one brand that probably comes to mind is Laneige. Since they launched their first cushion, the Snow BB Soothing Cushion, back in 2012 in Singapore, the K-beauty powerhouse has continued to come up with new cushy offerings to address various skin concerns.
They took the humble cushion compact and turned it into a cult product known for its luminous finish and travel-friendly packaging. While we used to look at formula and convenience, savvy beauty enthusiasts aren’t just looking at these two factors in a cushion compact anymore.
Now, we also keep an eye out for sleek cushion compacts that look extra chic on our vanity and when we whip them out for a midday touch-up.
That’s right. We’re welcoming a new age of cushions, and they’re all about that case.
It started with the Dior Forever Couture Perfect Cushion Foundation
Spotting an improved formula is Dior’s Forever Couture Perfect Cushion Foundation (S$92). Housed in a quilted black leather case, the cushion had the brand’s iconic Cannage motif and a silver monogram CD logo on the cover.
In it lies a foundation that gives your skin a matte, luminous finish – one that hits the sweet spot between a blurred, filtered effect and a radiant one. The cushion also promises 24 hour-long hydration, thanks to its moisturising wild pansy extract. It’s no surprise that when it launched last year, the cushion practically sold out everywhere.
If you’re a collector of Dior’s Forever Couture Perfect Cushion, you’re in for a real treat. The latest Forever Couture Perfect Cushion Luminous Matte And Glow Foundation (S$105) flaunts the New Look style with a modernised houndstooth case, featuring the Christian Dior logo band at the centre.
It comes in two finishes – luminous matte and dewy glow – and provides 24-hour wear and lasting hydration to keep your complexion looking fresh. The cushion also provides SPF 35 to shield your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.
For this special edition, the Forever Couture Perfect Cushion is putting the spotlight on its most popular shades: 0N, 1N, and 2N in both finishes.
Then came the reinventions of the coveted My Armani To Go Cushion
Each of the four My Armani To Go cases (S$40 – S$55) is crafted to be a stylish accessory with brand new looks, textures, and intricate finishes that offer a couture reinterpretation of Armani’s iconic red hue.
There’s the ‘Lacquer’ that boasts a smooth, gleaming finish of the classic red, the ‘Effeto Pitone’ with its exotic faux snakeskin texture, and the ‘Crystals’ adorned with sparkling jewels and sequins. Lastly, ‘Rouge Malachite’ resembles a precious stone with a gorgeous marbled pattern.
To elevate the application experience, My Armani To Go has also been ergonomically improved to be sleeker and slimmer for effortless carrying and use. Its case opens entirely at a 180° angle that gives full mirror access as well as a refined pointed puff applicator for a precise makeup application.
While the cases have undergone a complete makeover, the exquisite foundation formula remains the same. Delivering 18 hours of thirst-quenching hydration on top of an SPF 25/PA +++ filter, the cushion leaves your complexion not only naturally perfected but also protected.
Enter the YSL Beauty Le Cushion Encre De Peau
First launched in 2016, YSL Beauty’s Le Cushion Encre De Peau (S$102) received an update last August. Inspired by black leather, a signature trait of Saint Laurent, the cushion now comes in a luxurious, chevron-patterned compact case to match your classic YSL bags and accessories. It also bears the iconic gold YSL Cassandre logo on top, which makes it more desirable than ever.
Formulated with natural ingredients, such as antioxidant-rich jasmine petals from Saint Laurent’s own Ourika Gardens, this foundation gives your skin a matte, second-skin finish without drying it out or making it look cakey.
The Le Cushion Encre De Peau is also seeing a much-welcomed makeover with the new limited edition Le Cushion Encre de Peau Over Noir (S$102). The latest entry in YSL’s cushion lineup is one for the leather lovers out there.
Wrapped in lived-in, crinkled black leather, the cushion has gotten a couture rock star treatment that we’re obsessed with, and it comes in three shades – 10, 20, and 30. You’ll still achieve the same flawless coverage and 24-hour hydration, paired with a luminous matte finish for all-day radiance.
Have your credit card ready, because the Le Cushion Encre de Peau Over Noir is pre-launching exclusively at the YSL Beauty store at TANGS at Tang Plaza and Tangs.com from 23 February 2022 and islandwide at all YSL Beauty stores and the YSL Beauty eBoutique from 28 February 2022.
And who could forget Laneige’s innovative Neo Cushion?
Back in September 2020, Laneige introduced its new Neo Cushion Matte and Neo Cushion Glow (S$62 each) – the latest cushion compacts on our list. Its sleek monolithic case resembles an AirPods case, making it the most fun yet aesthetic cushion we’ve seen.
In case (no pun intended) you didn’t know, the idea to create a square-like cushion came about when the brand collaborated with Yeongkyu Yoo, a Korean designer who used to be the creative director at Samsung, Nike, and Microsoft HQ. It puts a fresh spin on a round cushion, and its borderless design makes it comfortable to hold as well.
Besides being easy on the eyes, it’s user-friendly too. Like other cushion compacts in its range, the cushion refill can be easily removed. With this case, however, you can choose to open the cover from either the left or right side.
Formula-wise, the Neo Cushion Glow is made with liquefied diamond powder and nanosilver glitter to keep your complexion glowy and radiant. Meanwhile, the Neo Cushion Matte contains a blend of powders to blur pores, imperfections, and uneven skin tone for a natural-looking, matte finish.
Gucci Beauty gets in on the cushion action
Dubbed Cushion de Beaute (S$102), Gucci Beauty’s first-ever cushion foundation is housed in a gorgeous pastel pink compact and debuts in six shades. You’ll notice a distinctive Gucci design that adorns the top of the round case, where a lion illustration is surrounded by a wreath of flowers.
Pretty packaging aside, the cushion foundation’s formula is equally, if not more impressive. The foundation shields your skin from the sun, pollution, and blue light, fusing skincare benefits with makeup.
There are anti-pollution and anti-blue light ingredients in the mix, including Lipochroman, butterfly bush extracts, and titanium dioxide, along with mineral SPF 22 filters that reduce the risk of sun damage.
