I think the following statement goes for most of us on the Who What Wear UK team, but I really don’t like wearing foundation. The thing is, I find most foundations are too heavy and just don’t sit well on my combination skin. It separates on the oily areas in my T-zone and then clings to the dryness and creases elsewhere. Instead, I much prefer a skin tint that gives a sheer hint of coverage that then allows me to go in with a concealer on targeted areas for a more natural-looking finish.
However, after seeing Korean brand TirTir all over my TikTok For You Page with its Mask Fit Red Cushion Foundation (£25), I’m letting my no-foundation rule slip (just this once) to see if it’s truly worthy of its virality. After all, Korean makeup formulas are considered elite, so I had high expectations. Scroll ahead for my honest review of the TirTir cushion foundation below.
TirTir Mask Fit Red Cushion Review
TirTir
Mask Fit Red Cushion
Shades: 40
Coverage: Medium to full
Finish: Radiant matte
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, botanical extracts
For
- Feels lightweight on the skin
- Leaves skin with a radiant matte finish
- Medium to full coverage that is buildable
- Compact is ideal to touch-ups on the go
- Long-wearing
- 40 shades
Against
- Could be more shades for deeper skin tones
- Not for you if you want a totally matte finish
- Can be tricky to pick up the right amount of product with the puff at first
The Formula
Cushion foundations tend to have a more lightweight consistency than traditional foundation formulas. They’re a great choice if you’re a bit of a foundation-phobe like me and don’t like anything that feels too heavy on the skin. This formula has a serum-like consistency that feels virtually weightless. The product is nestled in a sponge base, which you can apply by pressing in the puff applicator and tapping it onto your skin. It’s also infused with hydrating hyaluronic acid and brightening niacinamide.
Typically, cushion foundations have very limited shade ranges—but not this stuff. There are 40 shades to choose from, which is quite a large number for a Korean skincare brand, which tend to generally cater more so to lighter skin tones rather than dark complexions. Although 40 is impressive, I would still like to see more shades on the deeper side of the brand’s shade spectrum. Speaking of shades, I found it a little tricky to choose one for my skin tone, so I took the brand’s online test and was matched with 23N Sand. I’ll admit, it’s a little too warm-toned for me right now as we head into spring, but during the summer months it will be more of an exact match, I’m sure.
The Finish
As for the finish, this strikes the perfect balance between radiant and matte—I’m obsessed with it. It leaves my skin with a healthy glow, but it doesn’t feel greasy. The semi-matte finish makes it long-wearing on the oily areas of my skin, but, it’s not so matte that it exacerbates dryness or settles into fine lines either. I find that a lot of foundations highlight my enlarged pores and acne scarring, but, my some magic this one glides over my skin, making it look buttery smooth—so much so, friends and colleagues even noticed. I also favour a glowing foundation finish but want something that doesn’t slip and slide around my T-zone, and this ticks both boxes simultaneously. All I need is a light touch of powder on my forehead, nose and chin, and I’m good to go.
The formula is very adaptable depending if you’re wanting a sheer finish or more of a full-coverage look. The foundation is so lightweight yet very pigmented, so you only need a light touch to get a flawless-looking result. The first time I used it I actually used way too much because I wasn’t prepared for how much it would deliver. So, go easy and start with a light hand and less product on the applicator to start with.
The Verdict
Having now used the TirTir cushion foundation for over a month, I’ve really put this foundation through its paces. I’ve put it on at 6am and it still looked freshly applied by 9pm. It claims to last 72 hours, and while I would never wear foundation for that long anyway, I can still attest to it’s long-wearing formula. It makes my skin look fresh and radiant—but never greasy—all day long.
It was also originally designed to be transfer-proof when worn underneath a mask. I was sceptical, but I can vouch for its budge-proof qualities too. You’ll always get some transfer with whatever foundation your have on your skin (especially, if like me, you’re prone to touching your face a lot throughout the day) but the transfer is really minimal when I wear a sheer veil of this. I’m naturally more oily in my T-zone, but this stands up well throughout the day if I apply some powder on top.
Not only has the formula impressed me, but I’ve also received a lot of compliments on how “glowy” my skin looks. Not my makeup, but my skin specifically. I rarely get compliments on my skin but somehow TirTir is fooling friends and colleagues into thinking I have buttery smooth skin. I also love the compact (which includes a space for your applicator, as well as a mirror) which is useful to carry on me in case I do want to a touch-up throughout the day.
My only niggle would be the shade ranges. While there is lots of choice for fair, light and medium skin tones, it would be great to see some more variations in the deep shades so more people can enjoy this foundation. Consider me officially converted thanks to TirTir.
Shop Now:
TirTir
Mask Fit Red Cushion
