Disclosure: This is a press sample kindly sent from PeachandLily.com. All thoughts are my own and there are no affiliate links in this post. If you are curious about my policy on press samples, affiliate links, and sponsors, please see my disclaimer and policies.
Merry Christmas Eve to you if you celebrate! This is the cushion I've been using throughout the Fall and early Winter and I've been liking it a lot. I also have a little family of Amore Pacific cushions so I thought I'd let you know which cushions fit which cases.
IOPE Air Cushion XP SPF 50+/PA+++
My Shade: Cover Vanilla (C21)
My MAC Shade: NC15, my skin leans warm/yellow-toned but only slightly
This is a cushion compact that contains a foundation soaked sponge. It can provide a light or medium amount of coverage. For those new to cushion products, they deposit a really thin layer of product to give you natural looking coverage. The reason why cushion products give such a flawless finish is because the foundation is contained in a sponge, which makes it so the liquid does not separate.
IOPE offers a few different shades and finishes.
The N series is for a 'natural' sheerer finish, the C series is for slightly more coverage, and the S series has a soft, shimmery finish.
The two shades available are 21 and 23. 21 matches an N10-15, if we're speaking in MAC terms. The 23 matches an N20-25.
INGREDIENTS Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Oxide, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxy-Ethyl Dimethicone, Arbutin, Butylene Glycol, Mineral Water, Lipase, Chitosan, Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Sodium Chloride, Aluminum Hydroxide, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Stearic Acid, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Lecithin, Isotearic Acid, Isopropyl Palmitate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methaacrylate Copolymer, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Disodium EDTA, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides, Fragrance [ANALYSIS]
This product contains many silicones (ingredients that end in -siloxane, -cone) which lends to the elegant thinness of the formula, high blendability, and the shiny finish.
This cushion provides broad spectrum UVA1, UVA2, UVB coverage due to the stable filters Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, and Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate.
This cushion contains skin brightening Arbutin and acne- and irritation-fighting Chitosan. Lipase is also present to condition and moisturize the skin.
This cushion provides broad spectrum UVA1, UVA2, UVB coverage due to the stable filters Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, and Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate.
This cushion contains skin brightening Arbutin and acne- and irritation-fighting Chitosan. Lipase is also present to condition and moisturize the skin.
There are a few potential triggers like Stearic Acid, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, and Isopropyl Palmitate.
This product comes packaged in a plastic compact (great because fingerprints don't smudge) that has a pearlized finish and the name of the product embossed on the front. It's sleek, it's easy to throw into a purse and I think it's much prettier than the Amore Pacific compact.
For the $38 price tag, each IOPE cushion comes with a sponge refill. Each foundation-soaked sponge lasts me about 2.5-3 months, so I get about 6 months of wear.
Also, cushion sponges expire about 12 months after opening. The date printed on the bottom of the cushion isn't an expiration date, but rather a manufacturing date. If the date is in the past, it's no big deal.
Sigh. So clean. This is what the cushion looked like when I first opened it. It comes with a 'rubycell' antibacterial puff applicator that sits on top of the interior plastic seal. Sadly, my cushion does not look this spic and span any longer.
Every cushion I've ever owned has come sealed with a sticker at first.
One thing I've noticed is that the foundation-soaked sponge always looks the same. At least if the cushion is from a brand under the Amore Pacific umbrella (Etude House, Sulwhasoo, Amore Pacific, IOPE). None of the cushions are more dense or porous than the others. The cushion is scented and smells a bit botanical/flowery at a medium strength, it may be strong for those sensitive to scents.
This is a makeup base product, so it will go on after your morning skincare routine, which I hope includes a sunscreen. A cushion foundation might have SPF 50, but a quarter teaspoon is needed to get the full stated protection level. Press the applicator puff into the sponge, and lightly pat the product (with a 'tok tok tok' motion) onto the face. Swiping and rubbing motions may cause the product to not play well with the layers underneath, and the additional friction is not good for aging.
This product is not particularly moisturizing nor is it mattifying. I believe it to perform best for those with slightly dry to normal to slightly oily skin.
It contains any personal acne triggers or irritants. Please patch test all products.
I've been having some struggles with the texture of my skin lately (I've figured out the culprit, more on that soon!), so what better time to review a cushion!
In this before and after, I've used one layer of the cushion on top of my Biore Watery Essence sunscreen and there is some highlighter on my cheeks and the center of my forehead. You can see that it's very bright and that it gives nice coverage of pores and lines without sinking into them. It's not enough coverage to cover dark circles or sun spots/freckles/moles, but it does a nice job with texture. You can also see that it's not a very moisturizing or dewy finish as my skin still looks a bit dry.
Since I have some textural issues going on lately, I've been using more layers of cushion. I've also found a way to build up to full coverage by layering the cushion on top of a physical, cream sunscreen. Sorry for the difference in lighting! This was a different day.
I really like the satin matte finish of this cushion. Although I tend to reach for dewy cushions often, this is a nice satin matte option that is not too drying for me. Additionally, I like that I can use highlighter and finishing powder when wearing this cushion. It's easier for me to get them to look softer and not overdo it when the base isn't too sticky/dewy.
I like how the coverage is buildable while forgiving. It doesn't settle into my fine lines and it performs pretty well on my enlarged pores. It lasts longer than my dewy cushions and I only need to touch up every 4 hours.
And although this isn't the cheapest cushion option out there, I think it's a great value buy as $38 gets you two sponges, or roughly 6 months of use.
I like how the coverage is buildable while forgiving. It doesn't settle into my fine lines and it performs pretty well on my enlarged pores. It lasts longer than my dewy cushions and I only need to touch up every 4 hours.
And although this isn't the cheapest cushion option out there, I think it's a great value buy as $38 gets you two sponges, or roughly 6 months of use.
1 2 3 4 5 It's a very solid cushion product and those that prefer a more matte finish will enjoy this product.
PeachandLily.com for $38 / 2 x 15g of product.
If you've never ordered from Peach and Lily before, using my referral link will get you $5 off of your first purchase. Actually, in case you haven't noticed, I have a list of referral links to Korean beauty retailers on my sidebar on the right hand side of the page.
WHICH CUSHION REFILLS FIT INTO WHICH CASES?
Really quickly, to change out a refill from an Amore Pacific brand (IOPE, Hera, Amore Pacific, Sulwhasoo, Etude House...) cushion, you simply push upwards on the bottom of the compact, and the sponge container pops out, usually very easily. I like to push the center of the refill container upwards with my thumbs, while holding the edge of the container still with the rest of my fingers or vice versa.
You can take your fresh new refill container and fit it to the opening and pop it in, also easy peasy.
But as to which refill containers fit which cushion cases... Of the ones I own...
I own the IOPE, Sulwhasoo, Amore Pacific, and Etude House cushions.
The IOPE, Amore Pacific, and Sulwhasoo sponge refill containers fit into the IOPE, Amore Pacific, Etude House cases with no issues.
The Etude House refill only fits into the Etude House case comfortably. It will not fit into an Amore Pacific case at all, and while it does click into an IOPE case, it is a bit too tall to snap shut completely.
I wish I had more to report back about, but I'm sure I will at some point. :)
Thanks for reading, and have a happy holiday!
Disclosure: This is a press sample kindly sent from PeachandLily.com. All thoughts are my own and there are no affiliate links in this post. If you are curious about my policy on press samples, affiliate links, and sponsors, please see my disclaimer and policies.
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