Alright then, are you ready for Cushion Foundation Week 2 on My Women Stuff?! For the uninitiated, you can view the brands featured in the first round-up of this nature here. This round however, by popular demand, Cushion Foundation Week will focus only on Korean brand BB cushions.
Naturally, I will not have ALL the brands in the market – Korean brands aren’t all that generous at providing samples, unlike the Western brands I worked with before this – but I have enough to take you through 7 (yes, count that) SEVEN days of Cushion Foundations. This time, we will have a whole WEEK of cushions and then on Day 8 (if I have not yet collapsed from exhaustion), I’ll give you a round up, and on Day 9 (Yes, I’ve thought this through) I’ll do you a quick comparison of Korean vs Western brand cushions based on what I’ve tested so far. Whew! There’s a lot to get through so, fasten your seatbelts, here we go!
I’m kicking off Cushion Foundation Week 2 (the K-Beauty edition) with the very first cushion I ever used, from popular BB cushion brand, Laneige. This is the latest 2016 iteration of the popular favourite, and the one featured today is the Laneige BB Cushion Pore Control SPF50+ PA+++. A few days later, you will see another Laneige cushion – there are 2 versions. I’m not that careless to double-count LOL! 😀
Cushion Foundation: Laneige BB Cushion Pore Control SPF50+ PA+++
In 2016 Laneige unveiled their newest version of their popular BB Cushion. This one I’m showing you today is the Pore Control version, which as the name implies, targets the appearance of pores. Ok, the name doesn’t imply that, but that’s what it’s supposed to do.
The Pore Control version therefore has a semi-matte finish, and is mostly targeted at those who have oily skin. The product has a more powdery finish and claims to control sebum, so you don’t get oily so quickly. What this means also, is that you don’t get as dewy a finish. The case is quite pretty, with a holographic cover, and the blue band around it distinguishes the Pore Control from the Whitening version.
Sunscreen protection : SPF50+ PA+++
I’m not sure why I kept this section in, because all Korean Cushion foundations come with high SPF rating. That said, if you’re using a cushion foundation in place of sunscreen, come, let me smack you 😛
However, what is good about cushion foundations, is their portability and lightweight texture, like this one, so you can use it as a touch up for your sunscreen through the day, or to touch up your makeup in the afternoons after it’s faded off a little. The lightweight texture feels comfortable, and the light-medium coverage means you can boost your base makeup, if you have to, for the evenings.
The Packaging & Refills
Mine was a press gift, and so came without a refill. However, when you purchase the actual product, the Laneige BB Cushion Pore Control will come with a sealed refill and sponge.
The cover of the cushion, which is what helps keep it from drying out, is attached to the capsule so every refill comes with its own cover and own sponge for hygiene reasons. The cushion also comes sealed. Refills are likely sold separately as well (in Korea, not in Malaysia), which lowers the cost, once you’re done with the 2 that your original set came in.
One thing I must note is the construction of the whole compact, which I find sturdy with a nice heft. It does not feel plasticky nor cheap, and the refill clips nicely into the case. I like the rounded edges, and the metallic accents, that I feel makes the compact look more luxurious.
I will note however, that this Laneige BB Cushion refill does not fit into the cases of any other Korean (or Amore Pacific) brand in the market. I tested it with the ones I own. I’m not sure if the older ones did.
The Cushion
The new 2016 version of the Laneige BB Cushion Pore Control, boasts a new design cushion. Laneige was one of the forerunners of the BB Cushion foundation revolution, and they certainly are keeping their lead. I haven’t yet seen a similar design (but then I haven’t seen that many cushion foundations either!)
The new design cushion has a textured, raised patterned surface, as opposed to a flat sponge surface. It is still soaked with the product, but when I touch the cushion, I feel it to be rather firm. Definitely firmer than most of the others I’ve been testing. It doesn’t make it hard to pick up product however. The cushion still holds the product like a reservoir.
When it’s new, I do find that you only have to touch the sponge to the surface of the cushion to pick up the product. As you use it, and as you open and close the case, it will slowly start to dry out, and you will find yourself having to depress it harder. I don’t find it to spill over onto my sponge, so it isn’t oversaturated. I haven’t owned this long enough to tell you if it’ll dry out very quickly, but from experience, expect it to with regular use.
The Sponge Puff
Again, this was a category I kept in from the previous Cushion Foundation Week series, and I’m not sure why, because the Koreans know their sponge puff applicators! This Laneige one is no exception. I will tell you right here right now, that for best effect, ALWAYS USE THE SPONGE PUFF!
The Laneige BB Cushion puff has a blue base, and is springy but not too soft. These is a certain bounce to it, that I find important, because it is that bounce that helps apply the product to your skin more smoothly and evenly.
TO USE: Slip your fingers through the loop (it only accommodates 3 fingers for me so I find it a little small), dab the sponge on the surface of the cushion (you can see this is just 1 dab) and then dab it on your skin, in a press and roll motion. Press on skin, and roll it off. It helps the foundation adhere better to your skin. If you read my 2012 review, you may come at me for being a hypocrite for suggesting “swiping” vs “patting” the sponge on my skin. What can I say? I get wiser the older I get! LOL! Stick to the patting, swiping is a silly idea.
I find that the density of the cushion is such that it doesn’t absorb the product too quickly, so I can cover about 1/3 to 1/2 of my face with just 1 dab of cushion foundation. I then go over the areas where I want better coverage.
Texture, Coverage & Finish
The texture of this Laneige BB Cushion is lightweight, and feels almost like nothing on the skin. Laneige did after all popularise the BB Cushion foundations and it is this lightweight formula that really sold many people onto it. This is more so in hot and humid countries like the one I live in. It feels like nothing on.
While my memory of the Laneige BB Cushion was of it being sheer, I was a little surprised this time to find that the BB Cushion Pore Control version isn’t. In fact, I find that coverage is pretty decent for a medium coverage finish, if you choose to layer it on.
I’m wearing the Laneige BB Cushion Pore Control in Shade #21 Beige in the pictures below.
I like how it evens out my skintone, balancing out and covering redness in skin, and has a slight brightening effect to counteract sallowness. Compared to a couple of other brands I’ll be showing you later this week, I find that the coverage for this would be low-medium, depending on how much you use. You can see this in the way you can see the shadow of pigmentation or blemish marks on my skin. I can layer on to fully cover it, but it will look a little thick.
If you want a better coverage, use this trick that I teach you here, then dust a little powder all over. You will look quite perfect, and you’re only using very thin layers of product on skin! I love it! I used to hate cushion foundation before this, but man, Koreans, they know their BB cushions!
Laneige says that the Pore Control version has a semi-matte finish and absorbs oil. I do find that to be quite true, in that the finish isn’t very dewy and glowy (read: not shiny). However, I do set with a light layer of powder (I sometimes use Pixy or otherwise Hourglass) so my base does last longer, and I don’t touch up. I also have normal-dry skin but I don’t find this one particularly drying. It is quite comfortable, and I like that it’s flattering.
Shade selection
To my surprise, Laneige has improved on the shade selection! The Laneige BB Cushions now come in 8 shades – 13, 21, 23, 31, 33, 35 and 2 cool toned (pink based) shades 13C and 21C.
I wear this in #21, which I find is the shade I wear in all Korean base shades. I have not tried 13, but in view of how light #21 is on my skin, I think #13 would be too light for me. I like how Laneige has shades 31, 33 and 35 now, which are deeper shades, to cater for a wider selection of the market. So, if you want to try a Korean cushion foundation, and have always lamented the lack of deeper shades, then you may want to stop by a Laneige counter to take a look. I haven’t seen them myself, so I cannot say how deep or useful they are, but it’s worth a look.
Scent
Yes, there is a slight floral scent so if you’re sensitive to fragrance in skin products then be wary. It’s not overpowering nor uncomfortable, so I don’t mind it very much.
Do I like this?
Incidentally, yes I do. I like the portability, and I like how the coverage seems to have improved, to the point that I don’t feel it to be a waste of time using a product like this one. I can actually wear it out on its own. I am however, uncertain if my opinion of cushion foundations has changed due to the fact that my skin now isn’t as problematic as it used to be. I don’t have to worry too much about blemishes, and while I talk about evening skintone, I actually have less of a problem now than I used to.
Perhaps therefore, my opinion of cushion foundation has changed, because my skin has improved to the extent that I can get away with light coverage bases now. That said, I do like this one by Laneige, and I am happy that my opinion from 2012 didn’t change too much about this brand’s BB cushion 😀
IN A NUTSHELL
The Laneige BB Cushion Pore Control SPF50+ PA+++ is a new version for 2016. The packaging has been improved, so it looks more sleek, and the cushion now sports a textured, patterned surface. I find that while this is lightweight, the coverage is quite impressive, as you can get up to medium coverage, if you layer it on. It has a semi-matte finish and I find it quite long lasting, without oiling up on me. I do have normal-dry skin, so it might be why it lasts, but I don’t find it drying either. I notice that the cushion is a little firmer than other brands I’ve been trying, but it is easy to pick up the product. Too early to tell if it’ll dry out quickly, but I’m enjoying using this one!
PROS: Lightweight texture feels featherlight on skin, Evens out skintone very naturally, Low to medium coverage, Easy to use, Has a semi-matte finish on skin, Not drying nor oily, High sunscreen protection, Portable packaging, Comes with a refill which makes it value for money, Wider shade selection for deeper skintones
CONS: Scented, Some people may not like the sponge for application or hygiene purposes, I don’t mind, Sponge feels a little small
WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who likes using cushion foundations, Anyone who is new to using cushion foundations, Anyone who wants a higher coverage cushion foundation
PRICE: RM159 for a box containing 1 case & 2 refills. Prices will vary depending on where you buy from as it is available on many different websites
WHERE TO BUY: Laneige counters in most major department stores and many K-beauty websites (none of which I’ve shopped at before and so have no suggestions)
If you’re interested in what’s in there, here’s the ingredient list
Purified Water, Zinc Oxide, Titanium/Titanium Dioxide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Methyl Trimethicone, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Niacinamade, Nylon-12, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Extract, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinym Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Methyl Metracrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Chloride, Stearic Acid, Silica, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Acrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Zinc Sulfate, Calcium Chloride, Cenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Peppermint Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Polypropylsilsesquioxane,Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Penoxyethanol, Yellow Oxide of Iron, Red Oxide of Iron, Black Oxide of Iron, Fragrance
Have you tried the new Laneige BB Cushions? Have you tried any Laneige cushion?
I’m sure that like me, many people cut their BB cushion foundation teeth on Laneige. I haven’t used a Laneige cushion since 2012 and you know what? If anything, I think they’ve only gotten better! Onwards onto the rest of Cushion Foundation Week 2 – The K-Beauty Edition! I hope you’ll enjoy this 🙂
Paris B
More cushion foundations can be found in this category.
I wanted to get this one a few weeks ago when I caved into the BB cushion craze but ended up with the whitening one instead. After reading your review, I kinda wished I bought this one because the whitening one drives me nuts with the “dewy” look, which on my face looks like torch lights shining in all the wrong spots highlighting my fat facial bits and it also somehow feels like it doesn’t dry … at all … throughout the day. I’ve tried setting it compact powder but nope – still walking around with a spot-light-ed face. Help?
p/s: You may come smack me … *sneaks off sheepishly*.
Haha *smack* 😉 I experienced the same thing with the Laneige Whitening one too so you aren’t alone! I set it with some powder and it helped, but it turned shiny again in a few hours. The other way I can think of is to try wearing a primer. But that kind of defeats the whole purpose of ease of use doesn’t it? Maybe keep the cushion to use for touch ups?
I was in Seoul and could not resist cushion foundations anymore and this was the one I picked. I eventually also picked the Amore Pacific version. I agree that it controls oil pretty well and I’m using the darker shade. Hooray for more shade selections.
Yay! Glad you found a shade you could wear and that you like this too!! I do like the expanded shade selections – it shows that cushion foundations are getting more accepted globally! 😀
Yeah! Thanks so much, Paris B for featuring Laneige cushion first. The limited edition bb cushions will be start selling on 19th this month and managed to reserve it too. I tried both formulas with the samples. Guess what? I quite like both of them, pore control and whitening. They do really improved a lot compares to their first generation one. I guess I still have time to decide which to get 😉 I do really enjoying reading your cushion blogs and very anticipate for it.. Looking forward!
Haha the owl compacts! So cute but thankfully not me. Still, glad you managed to get your hands on one! I hope you found the CFW useful – which cushion did you pick in the end? I wasn’t too sold on the whitening version as you could probably tell from my review haha!
Ha ha, I have picked the whitening one just two days ago when they had a roadshow in Penang here. Prefer the glow look but not sure i can stand it through the whole day, shall see. By the way, thanks for all your hard work!
Yeay I’m glad you did this!
I’m using the Whitening one and while I love it, I find it a little wet. So will definitely switch to this pore control version next.
Also I wished they sold sponges separately coz mine’s tearing up :/
Wah if it’s the new version, how come it’s tearing?! :O So fast! You can try Innisfree. I think they sell sponges separately and while I think the Laneige sponges are better, Innisfree can pass lah! Good to know the Whitening version works for you – didn’t for me!
Thanks for reviewing this. Will be following your cushion foundation week like how I did when you did it the first round. LOL. Hooray for more shades selection. I will go to a Laneige counter to test it out myself 🙂
Haha hope this helps you, and that you find one to enjoy using! 😀 I love the expanded shade selections – it allows more people to wear these!
I bought this recently and after using it for the past 1+ weeks, my skin seems to be drying up and and it’s developing some scales, spots & bumps. I guess the ingredients in this particular version doesn’t agree with me. 🙁
But my skin had no problems with the other Laneige BB cushion version though. So weird. 🙁
Yikes! It does sound like it doesn’t agree with your skin – anything else that might have been interfering besides this? Better stop it and see if it gets better