Maybelline Dream Cushion Fresh Face Liquid Foundation On-The-Go is the latest Western cushion to hit the drugstore. The Maybelline cushion has been available in Japan for over a year now, but with only 2 shades available that are both too dark, I didn’t pick it up during my visit last Spring. Luckily Maybelline launched the new Dream Cushion in 6 shades (8 if you live in the U.S.) and I picked up 01 Natural Ivory as soon as I spotted it at the DM drugstore when I was in Germany two months ago.
Just like the L’Oréal Nude Magique Cushion (aka Lumi Cushion in the U.S.), the Maybelline Dream Cushion is made in Korea. Since Korea is pretty much the cradle of cushion foundations, these 3 words on the back of the packaging do come with certain expectations..
The compact looks like what you’d expect from a drugstore product: light & plastic. It has a beige bottom and white top which has a ton of text written on top. It’s a bit of a shame, because the packaging looks alright. Korean drugstore/roadshops do a better job at the packaging by either going for the cute or luxury approach (keeping it sleek & clean). Inside is a decent sized mirror to do some touch-ups on-the-go and a white sponge applicator to tap on the foundation.
The sponge applicator feels very soft, thin and flexible, making it easy to reach the areas around the nose. I found the quality is a bit poor as the layers peeled open right during the first wash. As far as application goes, I don’t have any complaints though.
Ingredients list: Aqua / Water, Methyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Titanium Dioxide [nano] / Titanium Dioxide , Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/dicaprate, Lauryl Peg-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone , Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Trisiloxane, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Acrylates/stearyl Acrylate/dimethicone Methacrylate, Copolymer, Talc, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Lauroyl Lysine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Stearic Acid, Alumina, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ascorbic Acid, Panthenol, Adenosine, Panax Ginseng Root, Disodium Edta, Bht, Tocopherol [+/- May Contain: Ci 77891 / Titanium Dioxide, Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499 / Iron Oxides ] F.i.l. D185684/1
As the cushion is quite saturated with product, its best not to go in full force with the sponge the first couple of times. The Maybelline Dream Cushion (14,6 g) contains less product than the L’Oréal Nude Magique cushion (14,9 g), but offers a little more coverage (medium). Not enough to cover up my blemishes, but it does a pretty great job at evening out my skin tone. Moreover, the creamy formula is really easy to work with and offers a nice finish that is neither too dewy or dry.
As the day proceeds my natural oils will push through, yet this cushion does a pretty good job at staying put most of the time. Whenever I use a really hydrating moisturizer Iwill use some powder most of the time on my t-zone just to be sure. Oh, and the SPF 20 is a pretty welcome aspect as well!
Above is the result of wearing nothing but the Maybelline cushion. As you can see it also manages to correct my skin texture a little bit. Not as much as the last cushion I reviewed, but still.. 01 Natural Ivory is still a teeny tiny bit too dark/warm for me, but I’m hoping to be able to pick up the Porcelain shade one day.
If you’ve been looking for more coverage than what the L’Oréal cushion has to offer, this might be a better option for you, especially if you have dry to combination skin. Given the cushion is really accessible and affordable, I’d say go for it.
Maybelline Dream Cushion ( 14,6 g) – € 12 / $ 16
Available at the drugstore.
Disclaimer: Product was purchased.