Cushion foundations are having a moment – or more accurately, a resurgence. Over the past few years, several big players have waded into the compact foundation arena with intent. Think Make Up For Ever, Dior Beauty, Armani Beauty, Gucci, Chantecaille – the list reads like a red carpet of prestige brands, all delivering sleek compacts promising dewy skin and handbag convenience.
The catch is that many of them will set you back €60 or more. And that’s fine – if you’re in the mood to splurge on a small amount of product that travels well and looks smart. But if you’d rather not part with big bucks for a foundation you will inevitably lose under a car seat (just me?), then allow me to introduce a more accessible option, from an Irish brand.
Sculpted by Aimee founder Aimee Connolly has been teasing the arrival of a new base product on social media for weeks. The lit-from-within glow and telltale bounce of whatever she was wearing gave it away: something creamy and complexion-enhancing was on the way.
Cream Cushion Foundation is described by the brand as “inspired by K-Beauty”. The formula is bouncy, buildable and refillable, with a finish that feels as much like skincare as it does make-up. It’s housed in a rounded, palm-sized compact with a protective inner lid that separates the sponge from the product. The foundation itself sits, quite cleverly, beneath a thin mesh layer that helps keep your application clean, and controlled. Somewhat unexpectedly, it’s also quite satisfying to press.
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Available in 30 shades, it’s formulated with some great skin-nourishing ingredients and includes SPF30 protection. Coverage is fully adjustable, depending on how much pressure is applied to the mesh. A light press gives a sheer application, a firmer press delivers more, and so on.
While it comes with a sponge applicator as mentioned, I find it performs best when applied with a brush – I use the sponge for touch-ups later in the day. It smooths over any areas that need more coverage without disrupting what’s underneath.
If, like me, you already use and like HydraTint, the brand’s serum-like tinted moisturiser, this has a similar feel – though with slightly more buildable coverage. The texture is creamy and light, with a natural, slightly dewy finish.
The packaging is also well considered. Many of us have experienced foundation-related travel mishaps: cracked lids, leaking tubes, product all over the inside of a make-up bag. This lightweight, durable compact (that snaps shut) eliminates that risk. I quite like the baby pink colour, too.
At €32 for 15g of product, this is a competitively priced foundation. In line with the brand’s focus on refills, replacements are available for €28. The result is a base product that’s thoughtful, effective, and designed to be used down to the very last press.
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This week I’m loving ... Laura Mercier Caviar Hydra-Crème Lipstick
Caviar Hydra-Crème is the latest lipstick launch from Laura Mercier (€47 from Space NK), offering pigment, polish and a serious dose of TLC. There are 12 shades in the line-up, each delivering strong colour pay-off with a finish that sits somewhere between satin and balm.
The formula includes murumuru seed, shea butter, and hyaluronic acid, which help repair and nourish the lips while making them look good. The packaging is pleasingly weighty, featuring a magnetic snap closure – and it’s refillable.
