CUSHION FOUNDATION

Finally here is a review of my current beloved base product – the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Gel Foundation SPF25 PA+++. There was a lot of anticipation for the first cushion foundation ever released by Chanel last year, and it has been my most used base product ever since. Apparently, it is extremely popular in Asia with 1 sold every 2 seconds. The light shades are sold out at many department stores in Australia as well.

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The packaging of Chanel makeup is always beyond gorgeous – the square case makes the cushion foundation more unique looking and classic. It has a refreshing aqua-gel formula packed with hyaluronic acid that feels ultra hydrating and lightweight on the skin. The consistency is quite wet and watery, so it applies very dewy and cooling (feels like a mist), and it instantly makes the complexion look more fresh, youthful and plump with a dewy glow. It is perfect for the midday touch up to erase any signs of fatigue, as this foundation gives an instant boost of hydration and will make your makeup look fresh again. The other bonus is the sun protection of spf25 and PA+++ that you can apply anytime and anywhere.

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Coverage:

The coverage is sheer which is what the product is designed for. Here is a before and after shot with one coat of the foundation. As you can see, it instantly brightens and makes the skin appear more even-toned and luminous. The skin still appears translucent, natural and poreless. Both pictures were taken at the same angle and lighting with no editing nor filter applied.

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Color / Lasting Power:

My shade is N20. This foundation runs lighter than usual – if you are a N20 with other Chanel liquid foundation, you might need to go N30 (a shade darker) with this cushion. Lasting power is about 5-6 hours, and if you set it with loose powder it extends the wear time up to 7-8 hours with indoor conditions.

Application:

As I normally go for sheer to medium build coverage, I like to apply a layer of tinted base underneath such as my fav Shu Uemura CC UV base mousse, and the Chanel Concealer under the eyes, then pat the Chanel cushion all over my face as a “top coat” in the morning with Chanel retractable foundation brush, and it gives the most perfect natural-looking creamy and radiant complexion. Finishing with a sheer dust of Givenchy Prisme Libre Powder over the t-zone.

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Bottomline: Overall, this is a perfect complexion enhancer that adds a sheer coverage, radiant glow, and makes the complexion looking absolutely poreless and fresh.

 

 

 

 

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The latest Dior Diorskin Forever Perfect Cushion Foundation (bought here in Australia) is everything I could ask for in the most beautiful natural-looking finish that still gives coverage in a cushion. I have an impressive collection of cushion foundations of Korean and European brands, and prior to this, my favorite was the Dior Dreamskin (reviewed here). It was nearly flawless except for the sheer coverage, and this one is a step up that delivers a similar poreless finish with a decent coverage. In addition, the formula is exceptionally long lasting for a cushion foundation.

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The formula is designed for all skin types – it is neither too creamy nor too watery and dewy. It has the perfect balance of being lightweight that feels hydrating and still pigmented for a medium coverage. It completely blends in as a second-skin finish. The finish is amazing – pretty much on par with the Dreamskin. It covers all the pores and makes the texture appear dramatically refined, blurring out the imperfections, and freshening up the complexion in a semi-matte luminous finish that just like yours but much better. The formula stays put the whole day (about 7-8 hours without setting powder required) in an indoor environment. Unlike the creamier formula, this one does not crease nor melt over time, and it also works well with your existing makeup for touching up throughout the day.

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My shade is 012 Porcelain (FYI I am NC15-20) with a hint of pink undertone that matches me perfectly. If you have fair skin but warm tone, I suggest going for 020.

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Swatch with 3 stamps

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Compared to the Dior Dreamskin 010 with 1 swipe each – as you can see the Forever formula is much more pigmented for a higher coverage

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Bottom Line: Must have for me! The best cushion foundation I have come across. It takes less than a minute to achieve the most natural looking flawless finish as you would with a normal foundation and tools which might take you 5 minutes. Highly recommend! I bought mine here in Australia. Unfortunately, the Forever Cushion is currently not available in the US, but you can find it here and here with worldwide shipping.

 

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Dior has had several cushion foundation releases over the past 2 years, and their latest is the Total Capture Dreamskin Perfect Cushion Foundation with SPF50. Since I am a big fan of their Capture Totale Dreamskin Serum, which is the best daytime serum I have used from all the high-end beauty brands in the $100ish price range, I had to get my hands on this cushion foundation. It is on the high price end, but the good news is that it comes with a refill!

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Dior claims that it is a hybrid of skin care and makeup that visibly improves pores, redness and shine, and leaving skin looking flawless and luminous. It boasts the same skincare ingredients as in the serum, so it works as a skincare and makeup that nourishes, protects as well as enhances your skin continuously throughout the day.

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I have been using it for the past two weeks, and my conclusion is that it is more of a skin perfector with the benefit of cushion foundation. It has the most hydrating (but not creamy) and lightweight formula compared to the others. The texture is ultra fine, and it melds into the skin as soon as you stamp the sponge. For the application, there is no sweeping and blending required, and it leaves absolutely no traces of makeup. The formula is so hydrating that it almost feels like I am spraying a hydrating mist, and it instantly makes the complexion appear more plump and dewy and takes away all the dry skin patches and fine lines. It also leaves a semi-matte finish with radiance and dewiness that looks like your-skin-but-better. The formula would work particularly well in humid weather condition as it controls oil and shine, as opposed to the other more creamy cushion foundations that tends to crease during the day.

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It blurs out the pores and evens out the skin tone exceptionally well for such a lightweight and silicone-free product. I am very impressed with how poreless, fine and smooth the skin texture looks with this product. The only shortfall is that it has quite a sheer coverage compared to the other brands such as YSL (reviewed here) and Sulwhasoo (reviewed here). It doesn’t cover the freckles nor the acne marks. For a flawless yet natural finish, I would suggest to apply a layer of tinted base first, then apply this cushion on top.

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Formula comparison

YSL Fusion Ink Cushion – most opaque with the best coverage

Sulashoo Perfecting Cushion – most creamy with a medium coverage

Dior Dreamskin Cushion – most hydrating with the best staying power, and works the best for oil control with a sheer coverage

Swatch comparison

I bought the Dior Cushion in shade 10.

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Bottom Line: If you prefer coverage, this product does not deliver unless you combine it with other complexion products.  I see it as a skincare product with a sheer coverage that I can use any time of the day to hydrate, refresh and even out my complexion. On the other hand, If you have good skin with little skin concern, and after a ‘no-makeup’ feel, then this product alone will make your skin look like absolute perfection.

 

 

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