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The best cushion foundations excel at several things: compact packaging, even application, and a skin-like finish. Personally, I find myself reaching for them way more often than traditional foundations. Rooted in K-beauty philosophy, they’re all about using thin layers of product to achieve the most natural looking finish. Traditional formulas can be notoriously cakey, which makes them more prone to creasing and lifting, while cushion products are specifically designed to avoid these pitfalls.
Cased inside a compact rather than a bottle, they're applied with a sponge (no foundation brush needed). If needed, you can build up the pigment, but since you’ll be working in thin layers, the results will still feel weightless and look just as natural.
The cherry on top? Thanks to compact and convenient packaging, they’re great for traveling, since they’re not as prone to leaking as their liquid counterparts. To find the best ones for every skin type, I consulted K-beauty experts and tested some of the most highly rated formulas myself. My favorite cushion foundation was the Tirtir Red Mask Fit Red Cushion Foundation, which comes in 40 shades, offers full coverage, lasts 10+ hours without sliding off, and features tons of skin-nourishing ingredients. While Tirtir’s formulas took our best overall spot, we also found options you might love more if you’re looking for a dewy finish or sheer coverage.
The best Korean cushion foundations, at a glance
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Best Overall: Tirtir Red Mask Fit Red Cushion Foundation
- Pros: Offers impressive coverage; doesn’t feel too heavy or cakey; leaves a gorgeous matte yet natural finish
- Cons: Not for those after natural and sheer coverage.
From one of the first Korean brands to pioneer an inclusive shade range in a foundation formula, Tirtir’s foundation is nothing short of impressive. Available in 40 shades in total, this formula is a dream for those of us after a full-coverage result and a blurring finish. Packed with skin-loving ingredients such as hibiscus and red propolis extracts, this foundation will help keep your skin nice and nourished throughout the day—which is all the more important given that it’s formulated to last for up to 72 hours (although we definitely wouldn’t advise wearing it for longer than a full day). Having gone viral all over TikTok for its satin yet blurring finish, this clever formula helps your skin stay dewy and matte in all the right places, simultaneously. “I always reserve this foundation for special occasions. Not only can it easily last me well over 10 hours at a time, but it also requires less touch-up. I never have to worry about it sliding off my face or becoming patchy,” says Glamour contributor Denise Primbet.
Best for a Dewy Finish: Tirtir Mask Fit Aura Silver Cushion Foundation
- Pros: Great for those after a natural finish; the coverage is easily buildable; delivers a radiant glow
- Cons: May not be the best for those with oily skin.
Another equally impressive iteration from Tirtir, the Aura Silver cushion foundation is ideal for those who find the original Red version a bit too full-coverage—particularly if you tend to favor a dewy finish and a natural-looking result. Like the original, it’s filled to the brim with skin care ingredients. However, this formula does feel a little bit more hydrating, making it perfect for anyone with dry skin, since it’s less likely to cause any flakiness or cling onto dry patches. The result? A radiant, even complexion that stays put for hours on end. “As someone who has dry skin, I immediately loved the idea of a glowier and a more hydrating Tirtir formula. Although it tends to lean a bit more lightweight, coverage-wise, I still found that it was easily buildable—particularly in areas where I needed to cover up my rosacea. Once applied, it layered beautifully with the rest of my makeup products, revealing the exact kind of a glow that you’d get after a hydrating facial,” says Primbet.
Best for Sheer Coverage: Unleashia Don’t Touch Glass Pink Cushion Foundation
- Pros: Offers SPF 50 UV protection; full of nourishing ingredients; great for anyone after a more natural look
- Cons: May not be the best fit for those after a fuller coverage
Looking a lightweight yet nourishing cushion formula for day-to-day wear? Say less. This clever formula from Unleashia feels weightless on the skin, delivering a glasslike radiant glow, in addition to a whole bunch of skin care benefits. Above all, it also features SPF 50 UV protection, which is great for touch-ups throughout the day (although we would still recommend applying a stand-alone sunscreen underneath). Suitable for all skin types (yes, including sensitive and acne-prone), this formula helps your skin retain moisture, and soothes any inflammation or redness while also blurring out enlarged pores or fine lines. The formula comes infused with vitamin E and niacinamide, which helps encourage a more even-looking skin tone and smoother texture. “This is, by far, one of the best natural-looking cushion foundations I’ve tried. The formula feels featherlight on the skin, making it super breathable and comfortable to wear. In fact, I often forgot I had any makeup on in the first place, which is a godsend during the hot summer months,” says Primbet.
Best MUA-Approved: Jungsaemmool Essential Skin Nuder Cushion Foundation
- Pros: Offers a lasting finish and buildable lightweight coverage; has SPF 50 UV protection; great for a glazed look
- Cons: Shade range is nowhere near as inclusive
Every in-the-know K-beauty lover knows that Jung Saem Mool is Korea’s top celebrity makeup artist, known for her signature glowy makeup techniques. So naturally, her cushion foundation offers a shortcut to your dewiest glow yet. With color-correcting and brightening benefits, this formula delivers lasting, light-to-medium coverage that’s just as perfect for everyday wear as it would be for a nighttime glam. And if that wasn’t enough, it also features SPF 50 UV protection. The formula dispenses just the right amount of product, helping you work with light layers and ensure even application.
Best for Mature Skin: MilkTouch Cushion Foundation
- Pros: Doesn’t oxidise; offers lasting wear; infused with skin care ingredients; comes in 20 shades; leaves a glowy finish
- Cons: May not be the best for those after a matte finish
Available in 20 shades, the MilkTouch cushion formula is far from your average foundation. For starters, it features a nonoxidizing formula that’s infused with a blend of antioxidants to ensure that it remains true to its original shade without turning darker or orange. Above all, the coverage is easily customisable, making it easy to apply even for those that are totally new to cushion foundations—whether you’re after a more natural look or if you want to go all out. Plus, thanks to its hydrating and nourishing nature, it’s perfectly suitable for mature skin, since it won’t settle into the fine lines or wrinkles.
Best for Oily & Acne-Prone Skin: Tirtir Mask Fit All Cover Pink Cushion Foundation
- Pros: Great if you’re after full-coverage finish; feels surprisingly comfortable on the skin; helps blur out blemishes and imperfections
- Cons: May not be best for dry skin types
If you’ve already tried the original Tirtir Red cushion foundation and found that it doesn’t offer as much coverage as you would’ve liked, this iteration is well worth considering. Its blurring properties make it a great fit for oily or acne-prone skin types, and since it’s surprisingly weightless when applied, it won’t feel too cakey throughout wear either. As it dries down, it reveals a velvety matte finish that effortlessly conceals imperfections, blurs out fine lines, and masks hyperpigmentation. The best part? It’s incredibly long-lasting and smudge-resistant, making it perfect for occasions like weddings, date nights, and anything in-between.
Best for Dry Skin: Clio Kill Cover Mesh Glow Cushion Foundation
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- Pros: Hydrating formula instantly melts into the skin; offers the most natural lightweight coverage; doesn’t feel cakey
- Cons: Shade range leaves a lot to be desired
It’s no secret that dry skin calls for a special approach, and this cushion foundation delivers all the hydration you might need to keep your skin free of dry patches. Infused with rose water, chamomile, and eight kinds of hyaluronic acid, this hypoallergenic formula makes easy work of calming and soothing the skin, which means it’s a great fit for sensitive skin too. The coverage itself is on the lighter side, which means it probably won’t cover up your blemishes entirely; however, it will definitely help even out your skin tone in the most natural way—the kind that lets your freckles and beauty marks peek through. As for the finish, it delivers the dewiest sheen imaginable without looking greasy. Lastly, it features a unique waterdrop-shaped puff that will help you cover even the most hard-to-reach areas—no brushes required.
Frequently asked questions
What are cushion foundations?
“A cushion foundation is a liquid foundation housed in a sponge (or cushion) compact. It’s applied by tapping a puff onto the cushion and patting the product onto the skin,” says Ham Gyungsik, Korean celebrity makeup artist. “They’ve revolutionized the way people apply base makeup, making layering and touch-ups seamless.”
Amy Lee, a Korean makeup artist based in New Jersey, shares that cushion foundations are also “extremely portable and hygienic—letting you control coverage more effortlessly. The tapping method helps the product adhere better and gives a smoother finish.”
How are cushion foundations different from traditional foundations?
Cushion foundations are packaged more simply, making them more portable. “Traditional foundations often require a separate brush, sponge, and mirror, and come in heavy bottles,” says Gyungsik. “In contrast, a cushion compact is lightweight and includes everything needed for application.”
According to makeup artist Judy Lim, “The cushion in the compact also dispenses less product at a time, which helps you better control the amount of makeup that you’d apply to the face, whereas with a bottle it’s easier to go overboard.”
Many find cushion formulas easier to touch up throughout the day as well, says Lim.
Why are cushion foundations so popular in South Korea?
Cushion foundations are a hit in South Korea because they fit in with the lifestyle. “Korean consumers love products that save time while still delivering high performance. It’s like the instant ramen of makeup: fast but satisfying,” says Lee.
While traditional base makeup can require multiple steps and products, cushion products eliminate the need for that. “Cushion foundations simplified that process, allowing users to easily create and maintain a fresh, luminous complexion with minimal effort,” says Gyungsik.
What’s the best way to apply cushion foundation?
“Use the center of your puff with just a small amount of product, then gently tap and slide across the skin,” says Lee. “Don’t use the whole surface of the puff or overload the product—small, even applications build a better finish and help avoid caking.”
“Controlling the amount is key,” says Gyungsik. “Using too much product can lead to a patchy finish. Gently tap the puff into the cushion, then adjust the amount on the compact lid.”
Gyungsik recommends starting “by applying to the cheeks, where coverage is most needed. Then use the leftover product for delicate areas like under the eyes and around the nose and lips.”
What should you avoid when applying cushion foundation?
You want to avoid layering too much skin care before applying your foundation. “Cushion foundations already include skin care ingredients, so heavy prep can interfere with longevity and cause the makeup to break down and pill,” says Lee.
You should also be wary of “applying powder blush or eye shadow before the foundation has properly set, as this can lead to blotchiness,” says Gyungsik. “For touch-ups, always blot away excess oil with tissue or blotting paper first—then reapply to maintain a clean, smooth finish.”
Meet the experts
- Ham Gyungsik, Korean celebrity makeup artist
- Judy Lim, makeup artist specializing in Eastern beauty
- Amy Lee, Korean makeup artist based in New Jersey
