Everyone’s talking about this new cream cushion foundation – and after trying it myself for a couple of weeks, I can totally see why, says beauty editor Laura Mulley
New foundation launches always seem to get beauty fans excited, and in recent weeks, seemingly none more so than Sculpted by Aimee’s new Cream Cushion Foundation.
Beauty editors, influencers and shoppers alike have been raving about this new make-up product – which costs £28, is refillable and comes in 30 shades – both for its cute packaging and, more importantly, how it looks and feels on the skin.
I’ve never found a cushion foundation that I love and, to be completely honest, when I first received this Sculpted by Aimee one, I wasn’t especially convinced. However after trying it out for a couple of weeks, I’ve been totally blown away by how good it is, and find myself reach for it every day over my other cream and liquid foundations. Here’s why…
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First up, I think you’ll either love or hate the packaging. With its pale pink, pebble-shaped compact, it’s quite young-looking, I think, and I’ve seen it compared to a Polly Pocket on a number of occasions. Personally I’m not really a girly, pink girl, which is very much Sculpted by Aimee’s aesthetic, so it’s not something I would typically be drawn to; the actual product inside, however, I very much am.
Unlike a lot of other cushion foundations, this one has the product from within a very fine mesh rather than a sponge. This means that the cream product underneath is dispensed in a more controlled, cleaner way (it’s also very satisfying to press!).
Immediately dismissing the sponge applicator that it comes with (more on that later), I tapped my usual dense-bristled foundation brush onto the mesh and started applying it to my skin. At first I couldn’t notice any difference at all – this product must be so sheer that it barely shows, I thought, dismissing the coverage as way too light for my needs.
However, I would catch a glimpse of my face throughout the day and be surprised by how good my skin looked: glowing, even and healthier, and I couldn’t quite put my finger on why.
After persevering with the Sculpted by Aimee foundation a few more times, I soon realised what was happening – the shade I had, 2.75N, was such a perfect match to my own skin tone that it was disappearing seamlessly into my skin. The finish is gorgeous – just glowy enough – and it also leaves the skin feeling really soft and hydrated all day. It’s just soo foolproof, and I was soon totally converted.
While I can’t really get on board with using the sponge applicator as my main method, I have found myself dabbing it on for top-ups throughout the day; the product layers beautifully without looking patchy or cakey – it’s like a Facetune eraser tool in a pot.
This comes as cushion foundations seem to be having a real moment here in the UK too this year, following on from the viral success of the likes of TIRTIR Mask Fit Red Cushion, £20. Dior also does a very luxe-looking one, £65 for the case and product, as does No7, which is currently reduced to £12.71.