I Can Finally Get In on the Cushion Foundation Trend Thanks to YSL
Convenience and glow, all in one compact.
My makeup routine has gone through quite a few transformations over the past few years. As someone with oily skin, I’ve had to dabble with different primers, powders, and complexion products to find that perfect balance of a matte finish with selective areas of glow. Recently, a new launch from YSL has been giving me the exact look that I’m going for this summer.
The Skin Affair Soft Glow Cushion Foundation is the latest addition to the brand’s portfolio. Spoiler alert: I’ve been loving it, and there’s a good chance that you will, too. “As a makeup artist, I love how versatile a cushion foundation is,” J Brandon, the national makeup artist and senior manager of artistry for YSL Beauty US, tells me. “It allows you to build coverage exactly where you need it while keeping the skin looking fresh, breathable, and luminous.”
This is the first time that I actually enjoyed every part of a cushion foundation, from the packaging to the shade match, which I often find is the hardest part for a brand to get right. If your interest is piqued (rightfully so), the foundation launches exclusively on Sephora on May 29th and at your other favorite beauty retailers on May 30. If, like me, you like to make sure that your Sephora cart is ready to buy with just a simple press of a button, keep reading to see why this new foundation should be on your shopping list.
The Formula
Though this is a foundation, the product glides onto the skin more like a skin tint or gel moisturizer. That is to say, it’s lightweight and doesn’t feel heavy on the skin, but that doesn’t mean it compromises on coverage. In fact, I’d consider this foundation to be a medium-to-full coverage formula, and if you have acne-prone skin as I do, the brand also claims that it’s noncomedogenic (though I would be sure to regularly clean the sponge applicator that it comes with to make sure that everything remains hygienic). This hydrating formula would ultimately work best for dry skin types; however, oily skin can also take part in the fun with a proper priming routine.
The Ingredients
Aside from the gorgeous packaging and fabulous coverage, I am also really impressed by the ingredients used in this foundation. Squalane offers deep hydration and slips on the skin, niacinamide helps to control sebum production and strengthens the skin barrier, and polyglutamic acid pulls hydration into the skin. On top of all of this, there are additional ingredients like glycerin and lecithin, which also offer moisturizing, barrier-supporting properties. While yes, all of this is fantastic for people with dry skin, if you have dehydrated skin (which can also be the cause of excess sebum production), there’s a good chance that you will really enjoy this formula as well.
The Application
The application for this foundation is fairly straightforward. When you open the compact, you’re immediately greeted by what appears to be a powder puff, but is actually a sort of flat sponge that doesn’t soak up the product. This is key to getting the medium coverage you want without having to back into the compact a million times. Once I have the amount of product I want on the sponge, I simply tap it onto my skin until I get the coverage I’m happy with.
The Takeaway
In short, I think this was a much-needed addition to my complexion lineup, and I’m so excited to have a cushion foundation that actually looks good on my face, matches my skin tone, and gives me the coverage that I actually want. “Over the years, cushion foundations have been one of the most exciting innovations to come out of K-beauty,” Brandon tells me. “The format makes it super easy to achieve that modern soft-glow complexion whether you're backstage, on set, or on the go.”
Somehow, I’ve become one of those people who truly need to take their makeup from day to night, and this cushion foundation is a fantastic addition to the busy life that I lead. Even after hours of wear, a quick top-up will make my skin look fresh and dewy again, even when I reapply it over makeup I already have on. This foundation is convenient, bottled, and that’s exactly what I want from the products that I deem worthy to put in my makeup bag. Keep reading for a few more of my favorite YSL beauty products.
These blushes are extremely pigmented and look next-level smooth on the skin.
An underrated product from YSL has to be these lip liners.
This is the best high end mascara in my collection.
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Meet the Expert
J. Brandon Correa is a makeup artist and the YSL Beauty National Artist for the US.
