Complexion products might as well be the heroes of your makeup routine. With the right base, you can create a chic, no-makeup look or a flawless full beat. The key to either is having the right kind of products and formulations. Liquid foundations are best for matte finishes and full coverage, but on days when you’re feeling something a bit lighter, a cushion foundation is ideal. Originating from K-beauty collections, these foundations merge skin care with makeup in the best way—think nourishing natural ingredients, with some even including SPF for sun protection.
Light as air with buildable coverage, these formulas are a no-brainer for hot and humid weather. Plus, they come housed in compacts that make touch-ups and coverage on the go easy. With summer only a few months away, you may be looking for a product that blurs imperfections and won’t melt off your face mid-day. A cushion foundation strikes the perfect balance and gives you a pore-less and smooth complexion. Finding them can be tricky. To help guide you, we curated a list of the best below.
The best cushion foundations
1 / 7
While most cushion foundations can give you an even complexion, Dior's compact works to reduce signs of aging and improve the look and feel of your skin. Like the best skin serums, it treats fine lines and dullness to give you a natural, radiant glow.
BUY ON DIOR - $90
BUY ON SEPHORA - $90
2 / 7
This Amazon find has become a fan favorite for beauty influencers for a few reasons. The hydrating formula delivers full coverage with a natural, semi-matte finish and blurs imperfections like nobody's business. It's also brown-girl friendly and comes in several deep shades to fit any skin tone.
BUY NOW - $25
4 / 7
Finding a lightweight foundation with mattifying abilities isn't easy—especially for those with oily skin. However, this formula has the perfect balance. It combines botanical extracts to control oil and shine with smoothing ingredients for a flawless finish.
BUY NOW - $38
5 / 7
This Korean foundation is elite for lighter complexions. It's buildable for light to medium coverage and offers great sun protection against UV rays. Plus, it's formulated with mother-of-pearl concentrate to enhance the skin's natural radiance.
BUY ON SULWHASOO - $65
BUY ON AMAZON - $65
6 / 7
This foundation is getting a lot of attention on TikTok. For starters it delivers the most natural skin-like finish, but it also has a nourishing formula. With one swipe, it provides a hint of color and a plethora of good-for-your skin botanicals, like extracts from papaya, snow mushroom, green tea, goji berry and rice water. The result is plump skin with a healthy natural glow.
BUY ON EM COSMETICS - $48
BUY ON SOKO GLAM - $48
7 / 7
Developed by renowned celebrity makeup artist Jung Saem Mool, this cushion foundation is made to go the extra mile. Despite its airy texture, it can withstand humidity, heat and smog without budging. The compact also includes a refill, so you'll be set for a while after the first purchase.
BUY NOW - $40