Cushion Foundation Week 2 Day 4 : Laneige BB Cushion Whitening SPF50+ PA+++ Same but different!

Welcome, welcome to Day 4 of Cushion Foundation Week 2 (the K-Beauty edition) on My Women Stuff! For the uninitiated, you can view the brands featured in the first round-up of this nature and the others featured in this series, here.

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!

Are you feeling a sense of deja-vu? Where have you seen this before?! 😛

Yes, Day 4 of Cushion Foundation Week 2 revisits the same brand as that I featured on Day 1, popular cushion brand, Laneige. This is the 2016 version of the Laneige BB Cushion Whitening SPF50+ PA+++ cushion. Why did I separate the two? Well, it’s because I realised that they were different! Please read this through, even if the sense of deja vu is strong 😛

Cushion Foundation: Laneige BB Cushion Whitening SPF50+ PA+++

In 2016 Laneige unveiled their newest version of their popular BB Cushion. This one I’m showing you today is the Whitening version, which as the name implies, offers a more brightening formula. Apparently, Laneige has infused the BB Cushion Whitening with Sparkling Coat™ technology that infuses the product with pearlescent particles, and also Melacrusher, to help break down melanin and actually help with lightening dark spots. Skincare in a makeup, wouldn’t you know?

What this means in simple English, is that if you want something dewy and glowy, this is the one you will be going for, because this is what it offers – a glowy finish on skin, as compared to the Pore Control version that offers a semi-matte finish. If you have both, how can you tell which is which?

Well, you can tell from the case. The holographic center is the same, but you see the ring around it? The Whitening version is a pearly white-blue, while the Pore Control version is a bright, light blue.

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.

Like the other Korean BB Cushions I’ve featured so far, this one too uses zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as UV blockers.

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 Whitening 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 design is similar to that of the Pore Control version, with the raised, textured sponge that feels rather firmer to the touch than normal. I must say however, that the sponge does seem to pick up product more evenly. I’m not sure if it’s to do with this 3D design, but whatever they’re doing, it works.

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. You can see how a more used sponge puff looks as opposed to one that’s new. I do find that as time goes on, you do have to depress harder to pick up product, due to the firmness of the cushion.

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.

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

If you’ve been feeling a sense of deja vu reading this post, I don’t blame you. The packaging and construction of this BB Cushion is pretty much the same as the Pore Control version. But it is in the texture and finish of the product that the differences come in.

While the texture of this Laneige BB Cushion Whitening is lightweight, and feels almost like nothing on the skin, I find that this one feels tackier. So, when it goes on my skin, it doesn’t seem to set, unlike the BB Cushion Pore Control version. It is rather reminiscent of the Innisfree Water Glow Cushion, in that it remains feeling tacky on skin until I set it with a powder.

Also, Laneige weren’t kidding about that Sparkling Coat technology. What it does, is give my skin a glow, which I translate into as shine. I’m not a big fan of a fully “glowy” look, nor of the fully “matte” looks. I like my skin to just look like skin. This one, in our humidity and heat, makes me look like I’ve been gently perspiring as I sit quietly without fidgeting. Perhaps, if the weather was drier, a look like this would make your skin look healthier. But not in the tropics. It just makes me look a mess 🙁

You can’t see it too well in this before-after picture where I’m wearing the Laneige BB Cushion Whitening in Shade #21 Beige but you can see the coverage, which in my view, is lower than that of the Pore Control version.

For some reason, I don’t find the Laneige BB Cushion Whitening to be very impressive when worn. I find the coverage very light, but it doesn’t seem to even out my skintone very much. This just seems like a more inferior cushion, compared to the Pore Control version, and I couldn’t quite understand why. In fact, I find every reason not to use this, while I’m quite happy using the Pore Control version.

I tried using this trick for better coverage, but it didn’t look very good. I think, the base itself isn’t very good to start with, so for now, this one is, for me, just a wee bit better than the Innisfree Water Glow Cushion, because it is less tacky. Otherwise, I honestly wouldn’t bother with it, and would go for the BB Cushion Pore Control instead.

Shade selection

The shade selection is impressive, 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?

Actually, no I don’t. If I had tried this one first, instead of the BB Cushion Pore Control, I would have sworn off Cushion Foundations forever. I’m glad I didn’t. This feels tacky on the skin, and gives it a shine that I dislike, and has very low coverage. I don’t like it.

IN A NUTSHELL

The Laneige BB Cushion Whitening 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 this one feels heavier on my skin and stays tacky for a long time. I also find that the coverage is very low, and it gives a glowy shine to the skin that I find unflattering in the heat and humidity. I do have normal-dry skin, and I think that anyone with oily skin might not like it much either due to the shine. I’m not enjoying this one at all!

PROS: Lightweight texture, Easy to use, Has a glowy finish on skin if you like that, 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, Low coverage, Stays tacky on skin, Gives a glowy shine that I find unflattering in heat and humidity

WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who likes a glowy finish to their base makeup, Anyone who likes low coverage bases

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, Cyclopentasiloxane, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Phenyl Trimethicone, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Niacinamide, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Camellia sinensis Leaf Extract, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Mica, Manganese Sulfate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Stearic Acid, Silica, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Acrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Zinc Sulfate, Caprylyl Glycol, Calcium Chloride, Chenopodium quinoa Seed Extract, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 80, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Yeast Extract, Yellow Oxide of Iron, Red Oxide of Iron, Black Oxide of Iron, Aromatics

Have you tried either of the new Laneige BB Cushions? Which did you pick or prefer?

I didn’t quite expect 2 cushion foundations from the same brand to perform so differently, but as you can see, they do. If I’d used this one first, I’d not have even bothered to try the Pore Control version. But I’m glad I tested them the other way around. This one, I cannot be bothered with, to be honest! Did you try this?

Paris B

More cushion foundations can be found in this category.