Image via Sephora Singapore
In January I was contracting for NARS Cosmetics. One of the projects I was working on was a cushion compact. “A what?” I said, floored that there was a cosmetics term that I was unfamiliar with. “Yeah… its like foundation? Idk its only for the Asian markets” mumbled the sweet (male) senior designer. “I have a full-sized sample though! Let me grab it.” I was not prepared for my life to change when he returned with that little black box but WOW one pat of the funky, beige sponge then onto the back of my hand like any seasoned pro and I was freakin’ sold. So smooth! So creamy! So simple! I was/am dumbfounded that the US and European/global/extraterrestrial markets have not also bought into this product.
But since I couldn’t steal the NARS sample (with a clean conscious anyway), I’ve been living cushion-compact-less UNTIL two weeks ago when I arrived on holiday in Hong Kong. My packing job had been meticulous, however somehow I ended up on a two-week vacation without any foundation, powder, CC/BB cream or anything at all to correct my wildly patchy skin color (winter is so great ya?!). Luckily my local gal pal/expat friend knew just where to go–Sasa. Imagine Sephora, but half the square feet, none of the organization and everything is in Korean, Chinese, or Japanese. Somehow in this amazing chaos I found a little island with a few cushion compacts! “NOW IS MY TIME” I exclaimed in my little, jet-lagged American brain. Based almost solely on price, secondly on packaging, thirdly on the SPF 50+ (sorry Mom), I picked up this adorable compact from It’s SKIN. There were two (2) color options and I chose the darker one cause the lighter one was nearly cloud-colored. Unclear how much I paid in USD conversion but off we bopped home, armed with makeup and face masks that would solve every one of our problems. The next morning after slathering on the Urban Decay primer sample I somehow ended up with in my bag (yes, I brought face primer but no face makeup … god help me) I tore open my new shiny toy, took up the little round sponge and patted in from the compact to my face. In mere SECONDS my face went from tragic and blotchy to 1970’s dewy supermodel.
To say I was officially sold would be an understatement. The next concern? Do I need to stock up on these babies before returning to the US so I never, ever run out? Have no fear dear reader. The cant-live-with-it-cant-live-without-it modern day hero Amazon carries it! Only one supplier which is both concerning and shocking but for the low price of $17 via Prime I can’t complain.
Most interesting about this product, which lists 50+ SPF, PA+++ and a bunch of other impressive ingredients I’ve included in the image caption, is that I’ve stopped setting it with powder. As a Texas girl who’s been educated in the blistering Oklahoma heat in a full face of make up for 4 years of sorority recruitment, I’ve never not set my foundation (or BB cream for that matter) with powder. How else would it stick?! How else would I get through the day without turning into a shiny disgusting mess?! Well I don’t know what it is about the consistency of this product, but it CLINGS on. It’s def for a dewy look, but by some miracle with full coverage. ***OK I guess I should try it without that Urban Decay primer cause that has got to be helping. Will report back once I’m brave enough to go primer-free for research (is that what this is?)***
In conclusion, everyone should give the cushion compact a try. Maybe big brands like NARS will finally let us in on the secret soon.
It'S SKIN - Tiger Cica Blemish Cover Cushion SPF50+ PA+++ 15g
“This cushion compact covers blemishes, fine lines and imperfections while controlling sebum and offering SPF50+ PA+++ with its refined texture. Formulated with lemongrass oil, centella, chamomile and eucalyptus leaf extracts, the compact has a silky finish and a refreshing touch for day-long wear.” - Amazon