Slideshows

A Look at the Many Cushion Compacts on the Market

There are many options for beauty fans obsessed with Cushion compacts, by both Korean and American brands.

A Look at the Many Cushion Compacts on the Market

IOPE - The Original Cushion

IOPE Air Cushion is the original cushion compact, first marketed by AmorePacific in Korea in 2008 before launching in the U.S. in 2014 - and it’s still coveted by beauty editors. IOPE’s Air Cushion comes with a white compact for several of its different formulations including XP Natural and XP Cover.

IOPE Air Cushion - Gold

The IOPE Air Cushion comes with a gold compact, shown above, for several of its formulations including RX Shimmer and RX Natural. The RX formulations are clinically prove to provide longer lasting moisture retention, coverage and firmness. (Photo by MissLinggani.wordpress.com )

IOPE Air Cushion Blusher

IOPE is now packaging cheek color in its Cushion compact. IOPE’s Air Cushion Blusher is shown above.

IOPE’s Blush Colors

IOPE’s Air Cushion Blusher comes in Rose Pink and Peach Sherbert.

Pür Minerals Air Perfection CC Cushion Foundation

The U.S-based company Pur by Pur minerals has its own Cushion - the Pür Minerals Air Perfection CC Cushion Foundation with SPF 50. It promised lightweight sheer to medium coverage in a formulation that will deliver hydration and antioxidants to the skin. It contains Babassu Oil, a palm-based ingredient native to Brazil, and vitamin E. It's available in a wide range color options, to match a range of skin tones.

Holika Holika’s Face 2 Change White Cushion BB

Holika Holika’s Face 2 Change White Cushion BB is a cooling BB cream in a cushion compact. It contains menthol, which delivers the cooling effect and shrinks pores; tea tree extract; and a niacinamide and whitening floral complex for a brighter, more even skin tone. It also contains SPF 50+. This Korean brand is owned by Korean retailer Enprani Co., and is available for U.S. shoppers on the Canadian website, HolikaHolika.ca (Photo of box by BeautyEditor.ca)

Cushion Compacts by Etude House

Etude House, an AmorePacific brand that markets to younger consumers, has developed a slew of different formulations for its Cushion compact. Shown above is the Precious Mineral Magic Any Cushion. Each case color represents a different formulation. The pink compact is to brighten pale skin tones; mint green is to color-correct a ruddy complexion; and peach is to clarify and brighten dark or dull skin tones.

Save Cushions by Etude House

Etude House recently collaborated with a Korean graphic design company, Sungsil Hwarang, to help fund and raise awareness for animal conservation with its limited edition collection, Save Cushions. Etude House’s e-commerce site ships worldwide. (See the next slide for more about the collection).

Cute Compacts to Raise Awareness

The compacts are decorated with cartoon illustrations of some of the different animals that are in danger of extinction, including the Emperor Penguin, the Sand Cat, Siberian Weasel, and the Brindled Nail-Tail Wallaby. (Photo by VanityRX.com)

SkinFood’s Royal Honey Cover Bounce Cushion

SkinFood’s Royal Honey Cover Bounce Cushion is said to cover blemishes, leaving the skin with a “honey texture.” Like many Cushions, the refills are sold in airtight pouches. This Korean brand has a U.S. site to help locate boutiques in the U.S that carry the line; plus it’s available at Aliexpress and Momomango for American shoppers.

VDL, Beauty Metal Cushion Foundation

VDL Beauty’s Metal Cushion Foundation has “cushion” in its name, but it’s not a cushion compact, even if this is a Korean-based brand. It has a metal cover with holes that dispense its liquid foundation makeup - not a spongy “cushion.” (Its more like Estee Lauder’s DoubleWear to go - see our Foundation slideshow.) The formulation is said to deliver 24-hour coverage, and its hydro-rich prune water claims to give the skin a ‘glowing radiance.”

Innisfree’s Cushions & Refills

Innisfree, an AmorePacific brand, makes several different Cushions in a variety of formulations that each provide different coverage levels and benefits. The selection includes Innisfree’s Ampoule Intense, Mineral Melting BB, Long Wear and Water Glow. Like all Cushions, refills are packaged in airtight pouches, which are shown.

Innisfree’s Christmas Cushion

Innisfree has special holiday packaging, filled with a formulation for winter that’s formulated for lasting hydration. The brand’s Green Christmas Ampoule Intense is shown.

Sulwhasoo’s Perfecting Cushion

Sulwhasoo is another AmorePacific brand. Its Perfecting Cushion promises a flawless look for 12 hours. It contains Apricot Kernel Oil works to promote collagen formation; Jaumdan Water and antioxidants for optimal hydration; and SPF 50+.

Missha M Magic Cushion SPF50

The M Magic Cushion with SPF50+ by Missha is described as a “micro cover pigment” to deliver flawless coverage. It contains a silica-bead powder to absorb oil so makeup lasts. It also contains bamboo water and baobab fruit extract for moisturizing benefits, and witch hazel to calm the skin. Missha is from Korea, but opened its first U.S. store in NYC in 2005, and now has several NYC locations. The brand is available on MisshaUS.com.

Laneige BB Cushion

Laneige is an AmorePacific brand, so its Cushion is the original compact package and formulation technology. It’s a cooling formulation that’s long-lasting and will prevent shine. It’s available in the U.S. at Target.

L’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Cushion

L’Oreal has launched the first mass market Cushion (and it will hit all retailers in 2016) - L’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Foundation. It’s the same familiar compact with its product-soaked sponge, that delivers weightless, buildable coverage. It is formulated with L’Oreal’s Precise Match technology to complement any skin tone and texture. (Photo on right by OmmorphiaBeautyBar.com)

AmorePacific Color Control Cushion Compact

Amore Pacific’s Color Control Cushion Compact promises weightless, buildable coverage that will fill micro-lines with its hydrating bamboo sap formula that replaces traditional water for “deep moisturization.”

AmorePacific’s Cushion Packaging

AmorePacific’s Color Control Cushion Compact comes with its refill in a foil pouch.

Dr. Jart+ BB Bounce Beauty Balm

Dr. Jart+ BB Bounce Beauty Balm is a multi-functional BB cream that is formulated to give the skin an “instant firmness” while concealing blemishes and enlarged pores, correcting uneven skintone and moisturizing. It contains SPF 30.

It Cosmetics CC+ Veil Beauty Fluid Foundation SPF 50

It Cosmetics was one of the first brands in the U.S to market a Cushion. Its CC+ Veil Beauty Fluid Foundation SPF 50 is infused with anti-aging ingredients including peptides; niacin; hyaluronic acid; vitamins A, C, and E; and hydrolyzed collage. The formula is brightening and color-correcting. It’s available on QVC, Ulta and more.

Hera’s UV Mist Cushions

Hera is an AmorePacific brand, and is sold at several boutiques in the U.S, and at Yepeau.com. It is said to deliver “instant hydration” and a cooling effect, as well as give the skin that coveted dewey glow. The outer case has a shiny white finish. Hera’s UV Mist Ultra Moisture, at right, is in a compact with a fancy multi-colored lid. (Photo at left by nailderella.com)

Lancôme Miracle Cushion

Lancôme launched its Cushion in January 2015. The Lancome Miracle Cushion is an Allure “Best of Beauty” 2015 winner. It’s available in many more color options than Korean brands - there are a total of 11 shades, for light to dark skin.

3Lab’s Aqua BB

3Lab is a prestige niche brand that is based in the U.S., founded by a Korean-born entrepreneur. It’s cushion compact, Aqua BB, is sold at a much more expensive pricepoint than most - it retails for $100 at Nordstrom - but it has rave reviews from beauty editors and bloggers. It claims to regenerate skin cells while illuminating and protecting the skin with lightweight coverage.

By Marie Redding, Associate Editor 12.13.15

AmorePacific started the trend - and now the “cushion craze” is officially on. It’s even hit the mass market - L’Oreal Paris’ True Match Lumi Cushion. (And we may expect to see more brands using AmorePacific’s technology soon.)

Take a look at the slideshow above to see the different Cushions being sold, by brands based in both Korea and the U.S. (Update: IOPE also makes an Air Cushion Blusher; it's also shown in the slideshow above.)

The Formulations

Cushion compacts are typically filled with makeup products that are more like BB creams, rather than foundation makeup. Many are formulated with skincare ingredients, including sun protection. However, some brands have launched cushions that are more similar to foundation makeup, and provide more coverage.

Korean brands may be trendy and sought after, but some of the U.S. brands that have launched Cushions are making them in many more color optons, to match a wider range of skin tones.

The IOPE Air Cushion is formulated to deliver a cooling sensation to the skin when applied, in addition to other skincare benefts.

It was first marketed in Korea as a lightweight BB cream, ideal for use during the summer - but it was quickly evident to marketers that women preferred cushion compacts over other types of BB creams and foundations, due to their ease of use and lightweight coverage. (And now other brands are betting that women around the world will agree.)

Cushions by Korean Brands

AmorePacific Group's brands have the Cushion market covered - and the AmorePacific Color Control Compact is a favorite among bloggers. AmorePacific's other brands include IOPE (which marketed the original Cushion), Sulwhasoo, Innisfree, Laneige, Etude House, Hera and Holika Holika. Many of these brands are available for U.S. consumers on each brands’ own e-commerce site.

AmorePacific’s Cushion packaging incorporates the company’s signature “dynamic fluid capture system” that is said to transform the liquid product into a refined emulsion. Its “Air Cell” puff applicator was developed to be non-absorbing, and will cool upon contact with the skin.

The IOPE Air Cushion was the first-ever Cushion, which launched in Korea in 2008. It was mass produced globally, to launch in the U.S., in 2014. Its revolutionary design has since become iconic.

In addition to the orginal, IOPE has launched several variations and updates after its launch, including:

IOPE Air Cushion Sunblock EX, which launched in Korea in 2010. It delivers more enhanced moisturizing and cooling effects, plus stronger UV protection.
IOPE Air Cushion Sunblock EX Cover, which launched in Korea in 2012. It provides more coverage for troubled skin.
IOPE Air Cushion XP, which launched in Korea in April 2013. It’s made with Mineral Water XP and Siberian Peptide 6, for wrinkles. The product is said to deliver moisturizing benefits for “smooth and radiant” skin for 12 hours.

Recently, IOPE has developed even more new formulations.

Read more: AmorePacific is featured in our Top 20 Beauty Companies, #13

Cushions by U.S. Brands

Answering the demand fueled by beauty editors and bloggers, shoppers in the U.S. now have several Cushion options to choose from - and most offer many more color options than the brands based in Korea, to match all skin tones.

Many U.S. brands are using AmorePacific’s packaging technology, but others have developed their own compacts that resemble Cushions, but are slightly different.

American brands with Cushion compacts include Lancome, PUR Minerals and It Cosmetics. (These are shown in the slideshow above.)

Read about Lancome’s Miracle Cushion in the feature, Top 20 Beauty Companies, #1 L’Oreal

See the slideshow above that features the many brands, both Korean and American, that have launched Cushion compacts.

Read More

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