I'm sure most of you have heard about this cool collaboration from two of the biggest brands in South Korea: VDL and Kakao Talk.
Yes. One of my fave make-up brands, VDL, teamed up with Kakao Talk and launched limited edition versions of our favorite make-up products. How cool is that!
The collaboration was launched last May in South Korea and were made available to select countries later on.
So adorable! Imagine having these in your make-up kit. That'd be so awesome!
Hello fellow K-Stylers! I'm here yet again to share some stuff from my dresser. This time, I'll be addressing an issue I'm sure most of us have encountered this nightmare: you enter your favorite beauty shop. See a new Cushion Foundation with a cute packaging. Test on your skin and it's too light but you but it anyway since it's too cute to pass. Go home and include in your collection. Wake up, take a bath, face the mirror and apply the Cushion, take selfies with flash and scan your pics only to see a gradient skin like APink Bomi:
OH MY LORD! What the hell is that visible line that cuts my face and neck? Why am I only glowing from the chin up? I've added three layers of foundation on my neck! What the heck?!? Flash, why you my anti???
APINK Bomi at a Laneige Event
APINK Bomi Flashing the Perfect Gradient Skin at the Laneige Event
Hyuna Showing Off Her Flashback Face
Hyuna with Immaculate White Face and Beige Neck
Calm down. It happens even to the best of us. Even KPOP stars get it. There's actually a name for it, the Flashback. No, it's not the pictures you upload during Thursday, it's the white face, a visible part of a person's face that's whiter than everything else. It happens when you get your picture taken with flash because the light reflects off your face hence, the Flashback. BB Creams and Cushion Foundations have high SPF, usually 30 - 50 and high SPF increases the risk of getting a Flashback.
How to avoid getting Flashbacks? Limit yourself to products with SPF15 max when you know you'll be photographed with flash in an event. Avoid make-up that gives off a dewy-looking skin as it reflects too much light and stick to matte-looking finish.
But what if you're not going to an event with media flashing away but still want to use your too light foundation because it's too pretty and expensive to throw away, I have a simple trick you can do:
So you found a cute foundation that you're itching to buy. Ahh... how can you resist this charming lil thing???
So you bought it even if it's two shades lighter than you because what the hell, you can always fix it, right? Not too much, just a few dab won't be too white, right?
WRONG! A make-up that's a shade lighter than your skin, regardless the amount you put on your face, will remain lighter than the rest of your skin.
OTTOKE!!! What to do???
Simple. Go get that stocked/hidden/piled bronzer or powder that's one to two shades darker than your skin.
Dab lightly onto your skin as if applying Cushion Foundation. If your powder's too dark, use stifling brush or powder blush that's for lightweight application in order to avoid streaks.
I have a confession to make. I don't have poreless skin. Yes, those pictures of mine wherein you see virtually no pores is a trick. No, it's not filter. It's actually something else.
Let me introduce to you my secret buddy, the Iope Air Cushion XP. Iope is said to be the brand that introduced cushion foundation to Korea and in a sense, the rest of the world as it was launched as early as March 2008. And why not? This make-up has been seen in countless series and promos like My Love From The Star. And yes, I admit that the series introduced me to this product but I don't regret a thing. Why? Let me show you.
Yes, you read it right. It has 10 benefits in one product. The Iope Air Cushion XP is described as cushion foundation that provides powerful protection against UV rays and delivers complete coverage for natural, luminous complexion. Yes, ladies and gents, it means that this product actually shields our skin (with SP50+) while beautifying it.
What's even better is that it comes in three (3) types:
Natural - realizes natural, moisturized, glowing skin. This one's a hit in since the trend in make-up now is the barely-there / no make-up look.
Shimmer - subtle pearls create brightly glowing skin. This one benefits those with dry skin who wants to have an illuminated complexion.
Cover - perfect, neatly-covered skin. For those who loves the coverage of foundation but hates the cakeyness, this one's the perfect match.
I got Natural #23 (N23) since I want to have natural, flaw-free looking skin. Natural comes in two shades, Ice Vanilla #21 and Ice Beige #23 which is what I chose.
Sorry for the messy puff. My Air Cushion XP's been with me for almost 6 months now (I'm on the refill), hence, the lovely package. haha
So how does it look when applied? The Iope Air Cushion XP is in liquid form, like a normal liquid foundation only it's absorbed by a sponge.
Without the IOPE Air Cushion XP
The actual IOPE Air Cushion XP
With IOPE Air Cushion XP
If you notice on the third picture, there's a visible thin veil of yellowish foundation on the skin. Don't panic. It will seamlessly blend with your skin after a few minutes.
I love how it manages to decrease the size of my pores without using a pore care line! How convenient is that?
Another thing that I love about this cushion is that I don't need constant touch ups!
My freshly-made up face at 10AM
My face at 5PM (without touch up!)
If you're buying online, it's best to still be safe than sorry. If you have tan to dark skin, I suggest getting the #23 shades as they are the deepest/darkest tone. These shades work best for Southeast Asian skin while #21 shades fit with fair skin and #22 suits light to natural beige skin tones.
The only con I can say about the product is that I feel like I'm wearing something especially during the first application. My skin feels a slight sting as I pat the cushion but it gradually goes away and I forget I'm wearing foundation as the hours pass.
Over-all, I highly-recommend this product to cushion foundation virgins. I just strongly-suggest that you choose the right shade for you at any Aritaum shop. Don't let celebrities or other people sway your better judgment. Always, always test the product on your skin before buying it because having a shade too light or too dark is one of the make-up horrors anyone can have.
I'd like to leave a trivia about the this product as conclusion to my review. Do you know that the IOPE Air Cushion XP was named the National Cushion of Korea??? Awesome, right?!? It was chosen by 9,700 Korean female participants in a survey conducted by Kantar World Panel survey and was named the top-seller in the base make-up category in the first quarter of 2014 (Iope.com).
So next time you go make-up hauling, don't forget to include this miracle product on your shopping list!
