Hey lovelies! Long time no chat!
I couldn't call myself a beauty addict without getting in on one of the newest beauty trends: the cushion foundation. Before I give my input, let's cover what a cushion foundation actually is.
When they make cushion foundations, basically a sponge is saturated with foundation, so instead of having a bottle, it's sold in a compact. You touch the sponge, and the product is dispensed onto your fingers, sponge, brush, whatever method you use to apply your cushion foundation.
I'm all for experimenting with new products, so when Physicians Formula jumped on the trend of cushion foundations, I had to get my hands on it. Retailing at roughly $13 at my local Walmart (prices vary by store and region), I didn't even think twice about grabbing this baby up. For starters, check out the packaging.
I cannot get over it. I LOVE the aqua color and the charming quilted detail (much like a cushion...get it?). Physicians Formula always gets an A+++ in my book for packaging. Here's a close-up shot in my hand to see the accents and to get an idea of the compact size.
Not bulky, but at the same time, quite substantial. I had the Happy Booster bronzer up until last weekend when I did a huge destash of my collection and threw it out. I would venture to say that the hand-feel and weight are basically identical.
When you open up the compact, you get a small sponge puff to apply it with. At the time of purchase, I had no intentions of blogging about it, so I tossed out both the packaging and the sponge applicator, because while PF is rather innovative in some of their applicators, I never use them. Like all others, I gave it a shot, but ended up tossing it in the trash. A quick google search will surely show you what the puff looks like, if you're interested. It sits nicely down in the compact over the plastic cover.
Due to the nature of cushion foundations, they dry out quickly if they aren't kept air-tight, so you'll always have some kind of plastic covering in whichever cushion compact you purchase, as you can see below.
Once you open the plastic cover, you have the product. In my opinion, the consistency of this product is more of a BB cream than a foundation.
I applied this foundation with my Ulta brand buffing brush. I liked that it had a sheer coverage, but was nicely buildable in areas where I had extra redness. I still needed concealer under my eyes and on one particularly angry pimple.
Unfortunately, this product did NOT agree with my face. I wouldn't generally write a review on a product only after two wears. Shortly after the four-hour mark the first time I wore this foundation, I developed a rash at my hairline. Hoping it was a fluke, I applied it again today. I used skincare that is tried and true for my skin just to be sure that if I had a reaction, it was 100% the PF foundation. Again, shortly after this picture was taken, I got the same itchy rash at my hairline, and dry, itchy patches along my jawline.
That was the best picture I could get of my jawline. I couldn't get the rash at my hairline to photograph to save my life, but it looks pretty similar, just a little more red and visibly bumpy.
I'm not sure if it was a reaction to the high SPF, or another ingredient that doesn't mix with my body chemistry, but I am SO bummed that this didn't react well with me. My skin isn't super-sensitive, so be forewarned that this may be a common reaction.
My final thoughts:
Pros:
-Buildable coverage without being cakey
-Adorable packaging
-Relatively affordable (PF is always on sale!)
-High SPF
-Dewy finish, which is great for dry skin
-Applies like a dream with my Ulta brand Buffing Brush
Cons:
-Only available in 3 shades; Light, Light/Medium, and Medium
-Oxidized slightly on my skin, so if light just barely suits your skintone, be forewarned it may darken as it sits on your skin
-Didn't react well to my dry, but not overly-sensitive skin
-Applicator is mediocre, which is personal preference
-Dewy finish, which is fine for me, but I don't think my oily girls will like this.
Unfortunately, since I removed the product after four hours, I couldn't determine the longevity. If I had to give an educated guess, I would say it may get you through an 8 hour day. The staying power was nice up to the four-hour mark, however I had done very little other than get in my car and drive with the AC on (it's been in the 90's lately, so it's hot hot hot).
Would I repurchase?
Absolutely not. It wasn't a bad foundation, by any means. I didn't go in expecting a full-coverage foundation because that's not the nature of these cushion foundations. As stated above, the coverage was closer to that of a BB cream, and if you go in expecting that, I think you'll be satisfied. I would probably be willing to repurchase this if it was kind to my skin. Unfortunately, since that didn't happen, this one is going to my mother to try and I will continue using my Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation.
Have you tried this, or any other cushion foundation? What did you think? If you've used this one, did you have a similar reaction to the product? Leave me a comment! I have many more products in my arsenal that I'm trying out, so expect more reviews like this in the future!
Xoxo,
Rachel
Read More
I couldn't call myself a beauty addict without getting in on one of the newest beauty trends: the cushion foundation. Before I give my input, let's cover what a cushion foundation actually is.
When they make cushion foundations, basically a sponge is saturated with foundation, so instead of having a bottle, it's sold in a compact. You touch the sponge, and the product is dispensed onto your fingers, sponge, brush, whatever method you use to apply your cushion foundation.
I'm all for experimenting with new products, so when Physicians Formula jumped on the trend of cushion foundations, I had to get my hands on it. Retailing at roughly $13 at my local Walmart (prices vary by store and region), I didn't even think twice about grabbing this baby up. For starters, check out the packaging.
When you open up the compact, you get a small sponge puff to apply it with. At the time of purchase, I had no intentions of blogging about it, so I tossed out both the packaging and the sponge applicator, because while PF is rather innovative in some of their applicators, I never use them. Like all others, I gave it a shot, but ended up tossing it in the trash. A quick google search will surely show you what the puff looks like, if you're interested. It sits nicely down in the compact over the plastic cover.
Due to the nature of cushion foundations, they dry out quickly if they aren't kept air-tight, so you'll always have some kind of plastic covering in whichever cushion compact you purchase, as you can see below.
Once you open the plastic cover, you have the product. In my opinion, the consistency of this product is more of a BB cream than a foundation.
 |
| Swatch 1: 1 layer, sheered out. Swatch 2: 2 layers swatched with 1 minute dry time. Swatch 3: 1 layer swatched |
 |
| Two hours after application |
 |
| Four hours after application |
 |
| Extreme close-up, anybody? |
I'm not sure if it was a reaction to the high SPF, or another ingredient that doesn't mix with my body chemistry, but I am SO bummed that this didn't react well with me. My skin isn't super-sensitive, so be forewarned that this may be a common reaction.
 |
| Back of the compact with shade information and active ingredients. |
Pros:
-Buildable coverage without being cakey
-Adorable packaging
-Relatively affordable (PF is always on sale!)
-High SPF
-Dewy finish, which is great for dry skin
-Applies like a dream with my Ulta brand Buffing Brush
Cons:
-Only available in 3 shades; Light, Light/Medium, and Medium
-Oxidized slightly on my skin, so if light just barely suits your skintone, be forewarned it may darken as it sits on your skin
-Didn't react well to my dry, but not overly-sensitive skin
-Applicator is mediocre, which is personal preference
-Dewy finish, which is fine for me, but I don't think my oily girls will like this.
Unfortunately, since I removed the product after four hours, I couldn't determine the longevity. If I had to give an educated guess, I would say it may get you through an 8 hour day. The staying power was nice up to the four-hour mark, however I had done very little other than get in my car and drive with the AC on (it's been in the 90's lately, so it's hot hot hot).
Would I repurchase?
Absolutely not. It wasn't a bad foundation, by any means. I didn't go in expecting a full-coverage foundation because that's not the nature of these cushion foundations. As stated above, the coverage was closer to that of a BB cream, and if you go in expecting that, I think you'll be satisfied. I would probably be willing to repurchase this if it was kind to my skin. Unfortunately, since that didn't happen, this one is going to my mother to try and I will continue using my Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation.
Have you tried this, or any other cushion foundation? What did you think? If you've used this one, did you have a similar reaction to the product? Leave me a comment! I have many more products in my arsenal that I'm trying out, so expect more reviews like this in the future!
Xoxo,
Rachel
