If you were worried during the last weeks that the twindly blog took an unexpected turn towards a no-buy/project pan direction – don’t worry! We still get new products, and review them! Today’s review is even a makeup product. Yay!
When I tried the Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion Intense for the first time, I texted Astrid I heard angels sing. Don’t judge me, it was a transcendent experience. (And rightly so, with a product that clocks in around $85!) I tried my hardest to be objective, but – I love it. It’s the best base product I’ve ever tried. Is it better than all my favourites (for example this cushion, this foundation and this BB cream) prior to that? Yes, indeed, it is. But let me explain…
What does Sulwhasoo say?
“An anti-aging cushion that helps your skin feel firmer and younger with a healthy glow.
The precious Red Pine extract in Sulwhasoo’s Timetreasure line helps bring out a youthful glow for firmer looking skin.
The anti-oxidizing properties of plum blossom extract helps your skin look rejuvenated.
Created with Sulwhasoo’s unique technology, Radiance Pearl Powder Complex gives your skin a bright and translucent glow.”
Shade range
It comes in seven shades (yeah, not good), and you’ll get one refill when you buy the compact. One cushion is 15ml. I liked the Perfecting Intense Cushion the most when I tried it on my skin at the counter, a lot more than the original or Brightening version.
Shade 17 is a wonderful match for my MAC NC15/20 skin tone, and it doesn’t oxidise on me.
A quick word about ingredients…
Yes, this has a SPF50/PA+++ claim, but you should never rely on base products for your sunscreen needs, as you’ll apply too little to reach full protection. The cushion, nevertheless, includes organic/chemical (Octinoxate) and physical filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide).
It’s also full of antioxidants (full inci list at cosdna), comes with a nice dose of niacinamide for your brightening needs and emollients and silicones for that nicely moisturising, smooth feeling. Sulwhasoo’s Radiance Pearl Powder Complex might be – just mica? I’ve no idea. It also includes fragrance (and has the rather herbal scent I associate with Sulwhasoo), but no alcohol.
Application
The puff applicator? OMG. It feels like it’s made from memory foam, and it’s. So. SOFT! It’s a bit more unwieldy than thinner puffs, but for me, it’s big love. It’s also not as absorbent as other (thinner) puffs, and if that means I won’t waste any product, that’s a big plus for me.
I need to press the puff into the cushion three times for the coverage I like – for me, more is a bit of overkill. The effect then isn’t really cakey, but borderline near it. You’ll get a semi-matte/ satin effect.
Effect
And here’s where the singing angels come in again. Look, I can’t say much about the anti-aging claims here, but what I can say is – don’t let that deter you. For my skin that’s not picture perfect, but has some lines and some larger pores, this is smoothing like nothing else, with an effect that’s totally natural and skin-like with medium coverage.
Wear
I’ve worn that on various occasions (a freakin’ rock concert!!!), and I can say, it wears beautifully. After prolonged wear-time, it doesn’t settle into lines and pores, but only fades slightly. What you’re left with, is a healthy glow without shine. It truly leads to an ‘msbb’ (my skin but better) effect.
If you’re a weirdo like me and want to use powder over your cushion, every powder product I used sits perfectly on the Perfecting Cushion.
So, the cons.
I haven’t tried it in truly hot weather yet, and don’t know how it’ll hold up. Also, if you’ve got rather oily skin, I don’t know how you’d fare with it.
I’ve battling my recent sunscreen pilling, and when I can’t completely prevent it, you’ll see problem areas peek out from under the foundation. It doesn’t exacerbate the problem – which is nice.
It’s also feels a tiny bit sticky sitting on my skin. If you never apply powder over your base, that might be a problem for you.
And finally, the price is hard to stomach, although it is cheaper than YSL’s and Chanel’s cushions, for example.
Where?
Get it at (for example) Nordstrom, Beautylish or YesStyle.
Please note that this review is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods, or money, for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
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