AmorePacific started the trend – and now the “cushion craze” is officially on. It’s even hit the mass market – L’Oreal Paris’ True Match Lumi Cushion. (And we may expect to see more brands using AmorePacific’s technology soon.)

Take a look at the slideshow above to see the different Cushions being sold, by brands based in both Korea and the U.S. (Update: IOPE also makes an Air Cushion Blusher; it’s also shown in the slideshow above.)

The Formulations

Cushion compacts are typically filled with makeup products that are more like BB creams, rather than foundation makeup. Many are formulated with skincare ingredients, including sun protection. However, some brands have launched cushions that are more similar to foundation makeup, and provide more coverage.

Korean brands may be trendy and sought after, but some of the U.S. brands that have launched Cushions are making them in many more color optons, to match a wider range of skin tones.

The IOPE Air Cushion  is formulated to deliver a cooling sensation to the skin when applied, in addition to other skincare benefts. 

It was first marketed in Korea as a lightweight BB cream, ideal for use during the summer – but it was quickly evident to marketers that women preferred cushion compacts over other types of BB creams and foundations, due to their ease of use and lightweight coverage. (And now other brands are betting that women around the world will agree.)

Cushions by Korean Brands

AmorePacific Group’s brands have the Cushion market covered – and the AmorePacific Color Control Compact is a favorite among bloggers. AmorePacific’s other brands include IOPE (which marketed the original Cushion), Sulwhasoo, Innisfree, Laneige, Etude House, Hera and Holika Holika. Many of these brands are available for U.S. consumers on each brands’ own e-commerce site.

AmorePacific’s Cushion packaging incorporates the company’s signature “dynamic fluid capture system” that is said to transform the liquid product into a refined emulsion. Its “Air Cell” puff applicator was developed to be non-absorbing, and will cool upon contact with the skin.

The IOPE Air Cushion was the first-ever Cushion, which launched in Korea in 2008. It was mass produced globally, to launch in the U.S., in 2014. Its revolutionary design has since become iconic.

In addition to the orginal, IOPE has launched several variations and updates after its launch, including:

• IOPE Air Cushion Sunblock EX, which launched in Korea in 2010. It delivers more enhanced moisturizing and cooling effects, plus stronger UV protection.
• IOPE Air Cushion Sunblock EX Cover, which launched in Korea in 2012. It provides more coverage for troubled skin.
• IOPE Air Cushion XP, which launched in Korea in April 2013. It’s made with Mineral Water XP and Siberian Peptide 6, for wrinkles. The product is said to deliver moisturizing benefits for “smooth and radiant” skin for 12 hours.

Recently, IOPE has developed even more new formulations. 

Read more: AmorePacific is featured in our Top 20 Beauty Companies, #13

Cushions by U.S. Brands

Answering the demand fueled by beauty editors and bloggers, shoppers in the U.S. now have several Cushion options to choose from – and most offer many more color options than the brands based in Korea, to match all skin tones.

Many U.S. brands are using AmorePacific’s packaging technology, but others have developed their own compacts that resemble Cushions, but are slightly different.

American brands with Cushion compacts include Lancome, PUR Minerals and It Cosmetics. (These are shown in the slideshow above.)

Read about Lancome’s Miracle Cushion in the feature, Top 20 Beauty Companies, #1 L’Oreal

See the slideshow above that features the many brands, both Korean and American, that have launched Cushion compacts. 

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