How to use cushion compacts for flawless-looking skin

ICYMI: Cushion compacts are an innovative way to apply products like BB cream, CC Cream, foundation, and even creamy blushes and bronzers! Made popular by beauty trends in South Korea, these compact products make it possible to apply face makeup in a more flawless-looking way. Curious to know more? We share some of our favorite cushion compacts, plus how to use them, ahead.

With Korean beauty making a name for itself in the Western world of beauty, it’s hard to imagine what we ever did before double cleansing our complexions, prepping our skin for hydrating with essence, and applying BB cream on our no-makeup makeup days. Another K-beauty product we can’t imagine our lives—or routines—without? Cushion compacts. If you’re looking for a beauty product that can help you achieve flawless-looking skin, cushion compacts are it. A cross between a liquid formula (whether it be BB cream, foundation, blush, or bronzer) and a powder compact, these makeup products do more than just even out the look of your skin’s tone and create the illusion of sun-kissed cheeks. They support a more flawless—read: airbrushed-looking—makeup application and are incredibly easy to use!

HOW TO USE CUSHION COMPACTS

This summer, we’re all about effortless beauty and cushion compacts are one of our editors’ go-to makeup items for a flawless-looking makeup application that requires little to no effort. Perfect for no-makeup makeup days, beach days, or a night out on the town, cushion compacts provide the skin with buildable coverage that can give you full control over your beauty look. Here’s how to use them: 

1. Cleanse and prep your skin with a makeup primer of your choice (Psst! We share some of our favorites, here).

2. Reach for your BB cream, CC cream, or foundation cushion compact and dab the sponge puff into the makeup-soaked cushion.

3. Apply the sponge puff—with foundation, CC cream, or BB cream on top—to your complexion in a quick dabbing motion, starting at the center and working your way to the outside of your complexion and onto your neck until everything is blended thoroughly. 

4. Once you have a flawless-looking base, add some sun-kissed color to your cheeks using a cushion compact blush or bronzer.

5. Gently pat the cushion blush or bronzer onto your cheeks and anywhere else you’d like to add a sun-kissed-looking glow.

6. Spritz your complexion with a setting spray to lock the look in place and you’re good to go!

Now that we’ve covered how to use cushion compacts, let’s go over some of our editors’ favorite cushion compacts for flawless-looking skin:

L’ORÉAL PARIS LUMI CUSHION FOUNDATION

If you’re looking for a drugstore cushion compact foundation that can provide the complexion with even-looking coverage at an affordable price, look no further than L’Oréal Paris’ Lumi Cushion Foundation. Our beauty editors love the revolutionary liquid foundation for its ability to provide buildable, flawless-looking coverage in just a few swift taps. Ideal for someone looking for sheer to medium coverage, this convenient, on-the-go drugstore foundation is ideal for no-makeup makeup looks and beyond.

L’Oréal Paris Lumi Cushion Foundation, $16.99 MSRP

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LANCÔME MIRACLE CC CUSHION COLOR CORRECTING PRIMER

If you love color correcting (who doesn’t?), then you’ll love Lancôme’s Miracle CC Cushion Color Correcting Primer! With four shades to choose from—green, yellow, pink, and purple—the color correcting cushion compact provides a unique (not to mention: efficient) way to color correct the look of skin imperfections for a more flawless-looking makeup application. For more on color correction, check out our guide here.

Lancôme Miracle CC Cushion Color Correcting Primer, $39.50 MSRP

MAYBELLINE DREAM CUSHION FRESH FACE LIQUID FOUNDATION

Take your fresh face on-the-go with Maybelline’s Dream Cushion Fresh Face Liquid Foundation. This drugstore cushion compact foundation can provide the complexion with complete, luminous-looking coverage wherever, whenever! Our beauty editors love this highly pigmented cushion compact foundation for its ability to even out the look of the skin and provide the complexion with coverage that is natural-looking and radiant. 

Maybelline Dream Cushion Fresh Face Liquid Foundation, $15.99 MSRP

LANCÔME CUSHION HIGHLIGHTER

Highlighting your complexion just got a whole lot easier thanks to Lancôme’s Cushion Highlighter. Our editors love this easy-to-use luxe highlighter for its ability to provide the complexion a fresh, radiant-looking finish without hassle. And who doesn’t want that?!

Lancôme Cushion Highlighter, $39 MSRP

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LANCÔME CUSHION BLUSH SUBTIL

This summer, give your complexion a hint of sun-kissed appeal with Lancôme’s Cushion Blush Subtil. With seven unique shades to choose from—think: rich caramel bronze, rose, bright pink, coral, and more!—this creamy cushion blush can provide the cheeks with a burst of pigment to create the faux glow of your dreams!

Lancôme Cushion Blush Subtil, $39 MSRP