Hey Beauties!
I tend to be a bit of a stickler when it comes to foundations, once I find a formula or brand I like I stick to it like glue. I rarely venture outside of my foundation comfort zone but lately I have been trying to be a little bit more adventurous. I added a pigment based foundation and a foundation stick into my collection and now I've jumped into the world of cushion foundations (something I didn't think I would ever do!), all thanks to L'oreal.
The new L'oreal True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation is the first affordable and easily attainable version of the cushion compact trend that is sweeping the beauty world right now.
Prestige brands like Lancome, Laneige, and Amore Pacific have all released their own take on the popular Korean technology but never before has it been done by such a mainstream brand. L'oreal is setting the stage for a whole new world (or culture) of beauty to come our way.
The Details
The L'oreal Lumi Cushion Foundation retails for $24.99 CAD/ $16.99 USD and features 14.6g of product. It comes in 8 shades (12 in the US) that follow the same system as the original True Match foundation (one of my holy grails!).
It uses the letters W, C and N to signify warm, cool and neutral tones and then has a number to signify the shade. For example W2 is a warm toned foundation for light skintones. W1 would be lighter and C1 would be lighter and cooler toned.
The Lumi Cushion comes in an absolutely stunning rose gold compact that features 2 separate sections. The first has a nicely sized mirror and a cover that holds the sponge applicator. That cover clicks firmly in and out of place to reveal the cushion underneath a seal.
The Technology
The idea behind a cushion foundation is that a fine sponge is filled with a liquid foundation. In this case L'oreal's "patented micro-aerated cushion is drenched with water enrobed pigments delivering a liquid foundation that glides onto skin effortlessly." The innovative packaging takes a liquid foundation and makes it a million times more travel friendly. What would usually be incredibly messy is now easy as 1,2,3 and perfect for on the go touch ups.
The Application
The new form of packaging can seem slightly confusing but it is really very simple. The foundation can be applied using the provided applicator, a beauty blender or a brush. I have tried applying it in all three ways and I have received the same results every time apart from a difference in coverage. Overall my favourite method was by using the provided sponge because it is quick and easy. To apply, all you need to do is -
1. Gently press the sponge into the cushion to release the foundation.
2. Tap or press the sponge onto the skin quickly and evenly to apply.
3. Layer if need be and then press over the skin with the sponge to blend.
The Formula
As the name would suggest, the Lumi Cushion foundation is a member of the Lumi family, a range that incorporates illuminating pigments to give a pretty serious glow. The Lumi primer, concealer and highlighters are some of my absolute favourite base products and this new addition is no exception.
The Lumi Cushion foundation offers a natural second skin finish that makes the complexion look soft, smooth and flat out flawless. It has sheer to medium coverage that is easily buildable and blendable with no issues on dry patches, fine lines or blemishes. One to two layers will conceal redness, pigmentation spots and dullness while brightening up the face and adding a heavy dose of glow.
The foundation has a thin yet creamy consistency that glides and smooths onto the face. It applies beautifully and seems to sink right in becoming one with the skin. It also has a slight tackiness that feels refreshing and cooling until it sets, when it leaves a stunning satin finish with an intense lit from within glow.
The Lumi Cushion foundation not only applies beautifully it wears beautifully.
In the photo above I am not wearing any primer nor any illuminator or highlighting powder. The glow is simply from the foundation alone.
That photo was taken a good hour after application and continued to look exactly the same for the rest of the day. It did not fade, migrate, dry up or become blotchy but stayed perfect for 9 hours.
The L'oreal True Match Lumi Cushion is an absolutely flawless foundation, it has the perfect formula and the most gorgeous dewy glow that defies gravity. The packaging is a super fun innovation and I love that I can throw it in my bag for touch ups on the go but the magic is in the foundation itself. I would pay $60+ for this foundation without a second thought, it is a pure gem that I cannot stop using (though I do wish there were more shades!)
I could not recommend the L'oreal True Match Lumi Cushion more and I highly suggest that if you have dry, normal or combo skin or even just live for a good glow that you run to your local drugstore and pick one up!
Don't forget to check out my First Impressions video from the very first time I tried it out!
