Sally Foran: Cushion foundation is everywhere now — here's why

Plus, 8 of my favourites

Thu, 03 Sep, 2026 - 01:00

Sally Foran

Cushion foundation is having a moment, and I am entirely on board. In fact, I’ve barely used anything else since I discovered it. I love how glowy and radiant they make my skin, how easy it is to build up coverage without looking heavy or caked and the serious hydration and skincare benefits they provide.

The concept originated in Korea (where else?!) for effortless, mess-free touch-ups throughout the day. The formula is essentially a liquid foundation housed inside a compact with a sponge and mirror. You simply press the puff into the cushion and tap it onto your skin for an even, streak free application.

Start where you want the most coverage, I usually start with my cheeks, then use whatever is left on the puff around your nose, under the eyes and on your chin. If you’ve picked up too much product, simply tap the puff against the inside of the compact to remove the excess. As cushion foundations are often formulated with plenty of hydrating ingredients themselves, avoid overly prepping the skin with serums, moisturisers and primers as this can lead to separation or pilling. Give it a minute to fully dry down before applying any powder products.

If, like me, you have dry, mature or dehydrated skin, these products work particularly well as they are designed to offer that dewy, lit from within look.

But the best thing of all? It’s the foundation formula I get the most compliments on.

Eight to try

Catrice Invisible Cover Cushion Foundation

A brilliant budget option, it has a waterproof and sweatproof formula with 24-hour oil control and long wear, plus medium, buildable coverage, a gorgeous blurring matte finish and SPF 30. The mirror and sponge ensure flawless touch-ups on the go.

€7, McCabes Pharmacy

Shiseido Synchro Skin Self Refreshing Cushion Compact

Just like the liquid version, at the heart of this formula is their exclusive ActiveForce Technology, which works in harmony with the skin to help resist the effects of heat, humidity, oil, pollution, sweat and facial movement, for smoother-looking skin and a fresh, just-applied finish that lasts for up to 16 hours. Responsive Sensory Technology adapts to the skin’s individual condition, tone and texture, while the breathable, blendable formula allows coverage to be built effortlessly.

€51, Arnotts

Primark Weightless Cushion Foundation

Another great budget option. Enriched with niacinamide and SPF 25 to boot. It controls excess oil while providing a smooth finish for a fresh, flawless complexion. It’s absolutely stunning on. Available in six shades.

€7, Primark

Sculpted By Aimee Cream Cushion Foundation

Long time readers will know my love for this – it has made several ‘best of’ columns. Its bouncy formula delivers a real skin finish that you can effortlessly customise from light to medium, thanks to the innovative mesh technology. A skincare-first formula with SPF 30, ingredients include vitamin E, niacinamide and glycerin, while smart polymers provide a silky, long wearing finish.

€32, Sculpted by Aimee

Genosys Blemish Balm Cushion SPF50

I absolutely adore this as it provides buildable, natural-looking coverage while nourishing the skin and offering SPF 50 protection. It’s perfect for busy mornings as it gives me colour, protection and skin-loving benefits. It delivers quick, mess-free application with a refillable compact, while more than 60% of the product is composed of moisture essence, making it extremely hydrating. Its peptide complex helps calm irritated skin, promote collagen induction and enhance skin regeneration. It’s also rich in saponin for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and contains glutathione to brighten, even skin tone and support acne-prone skin.

€59.50, skinshop.ie

L’Oréal Paris Infallible Cushion Foundation

With a lightweight, buildable formula that combines hydrating glycerin with antioxidant vitamin E to keep skin feeling comfortable throughout the day, while silica blurs the look of pores for a soft, semi-matte finish. It feels so light and smooth on the skin and is sweat- and water-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about your makeup smudging or transferring throughout the day. A great mid-price option.

€25.99, Millies

Yves Saint Laurent Skin Affair Soft Glow Cushion Foundation

If your foundation has always clung to your dry patches, this serum-infused formula is your answer. It combines moisture-locking squalane, glycerin and polyglutamic acid with brightening niacinamide to support the skin barrier, while amino acid-coated pigments melt seamlessly into skin for a fresh, healthy-looking glow that won’t stick to flaky spots.

The breathable, non-comedogenic formula doesn’t clog pores, either. Plus, the floral scent is beautiful.

€61, Brown Thomas

TIRTIR Mask Fit Red Cushion Foundation

For years, K-beauty cushion foundations had a reputation for offering just a handful of fair shades, largely because the products were developed for the Korean market. When this launched a few years ago, it only had three shades. Now it probably has one of the biggest shade ranges in a cushion foundation, with 40 shades available, so almost everyone can find the right match. It also features brightening niacinamide with hydrating glycerin and propanediol, smoothing adenosine and a blend of flower extracts for antioxidant benefits. It gives beautiful medium-to-full coverage while still looking like skin, and wears really well throughout the day.