Among the many benefits that come with K-beauty products—brighter complexion, tighter skin, a truly luxurious experience—there’s nothing I love more than sheer convenience. And that’s what you’ll find in a cushion compact. Soft, bouncy, and saturated with a potent foundation formula, this handy item can be toted around anywhere, which means smooth, seamless skin is just a few swipes away.
Think of a cushion compact like your favorite liquid foundation in a sponge—it’s conveniently encased in a compact to prevent makeup spills and can be applied with an applicator or your fingers. Basically, it’s the holy grail for the person on the go.
Ready for a makeup routine game-changer? Read on for the best cushion compacts available now.
Best Overall
Amore Pacific Color Control Cushion Compact SPF 50+
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Amazon
SPF 50+ broad spectrum
Weightless
Buildable
Color comes out darker than expected
Undoubtedly considered royalty in the world of cushion compacts, this CC foundation works on all skin types and is flexible enough to give you sheer to full coverage. Many reviewers describe that its finish looks like their skin, but better. It goes on with a dewy consistency and retains that throughout the day, so you have a refreshed, glowy look for hours.
Price at time of publish: $75
Coverage: Light | Shade Range: Ivory to Amber Tan | Finish: Radiant | Size: 1.05 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Budget
Wet n Wild MegaCushion Foundation SPF 15
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Wallet-friendly
Nourishing
Creamy feel
Comes out a bit patchy
This wallet-friendly formula is lightweight but still mighty. It smooths over imperfections with ease, without feeling heavy or cakey. Plus, the water-gel texture feels refreshing on the skin, even when building up your coverage.
Price at time of publish: $9
Coverage: Light | Shade Range: Light Ivory to Tawny | Finish: Luminous | Size: 0.52 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Drugstore
Maybelline New York Dream Cushion Fresh Face Liquid Foundation
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Give a fresh-faced glow
Evens skin tone
Easy to apply
Not waterproof
Light-diffusing particles help to give your skin a noticeable yet natural glow. While the formula glides on easily, one reviewer suggests using a damp Beautyblender for extra blending power. And for those who tend to have finicky or bumpy skin, this foundation does a great job of hiding textures without clogging your pores.
Price at time of publish: $16
Coverage: Medium to Full | Shade Range: Light Ivory to Cocoa | Finish: Luminous | Size: 0.51 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Fair Skin
Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ Sunscreen
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Courtesy of Neiman Marcus
Boosts radiance
Doesn't look greasy
Breathable
Light colors have orange-like tone
This formula packs a punch—full stop. It expertly covers up any discoloration (like redness, dark spots, and more) without feeling cakey. Users love how comfortable their skin feels after application and even after a long day. Plus, it’s ideal for fair skin as the lighter shades feature an array of tones that match perfectly.
Price at time of publish: $65
Coverage: Light | Shade Range: Porcelain Pink to Honey Beige | Finish: Flawless | Size: 0.53 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Medium Skin
Estée Lauder Double Wear Cushion BB All Day Wear Liquid Compact SPF 50
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High UV protection
Rich in moisture
Stays up to eight hours
Pricey
Sure, one of the best things about cushion compacts is their ability to touch up whenever you want, but with this foundation, there may not be a need for that. With Estée Lauder's iconic Double Wear formula, your look lasts twice as long without the need to reapply. Users find this foundation to be perfect during the warmer months—it’s not greasy or sticky, and doesn’t melt off in extreme heat.
Coverage: Buildable | Shade Range: Pale Almond to Outdoor Beige | Finish: Natural | Size: 0.42 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Olive Skin
Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Cushion Compact Foundation
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Has a just-applied look
Water-resistant
Transfer-proof
Goes on in a clumpy way
Hands down, the coolest thing about this formula is the unique technology that essentially refreshes itself and adapts to your skin—which makes this another cushion compact that eliminates the need for touch-ups. In addition to minimizing imperfections, it also features ingredients like thyme, an antioxidant, and pollution-deflecting polymers to protect your skin.
Coverage: Medium | Shade Range: Ivory to Citrine | Finish: Natural | Size: 0.45 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Dark Skin
DIBA Queendom Cushion Foundation
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Full of botanical extracts
Sweat-resistant
Washable
Could use some lighter shades
Formulated with darker skin tones in mind, this full-coverage foundation is equal parts moisturizing and balancing. What users love most is that the formula features a skincare element—it’s laced with essential vitamins to nourish and protect your skin while masking any fine lines, spots, and wrinkles. Plus, it’s free of mineral oil, parabens, and sulfates.
Coverage: Full | Shade Range: Tan to Deep | Finish: Matte | Size: 0.45 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Full-Coverage
La Mer The Luminous Lifting Cushion Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 20
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Gives a dewy glow
Various shades
Not greasy
Pricey
Feels heavy
Skincare meets makeup in this coveted compact. With buildable, luminous coverage, this foundation is essential to getting a natural glow. It’s also laced with the brand’s Miracle Broth, a technology that offers major hydration and repair. Just make sure to apply liberally all over the face to ensure even sunscreen protection (thanks, SPF 20!).
Price at time of publish: $140
Coverage: Medium to Full | Shade Range: Neutral Ivory to Warm Honey | Finish: Radiant | Size: 0.45 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Dry Skin
MISSHA M Magic Cushion SPF50+/PA+++
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Walmart
Anti-caking formula
Long-wearing smooth silica bead powder
Doesn't dry out the skin
Could spread more evenly
No transferring, no fading, no problems. This foundation boasts complete adherence—meaning your makeup stays put no matter what. A combo of plant extracts and the brand’s magic fit powder takes this formula to the next level—it sits comfortably onto the skin and doesn’t dry it out. My favorite part: It takes one to two dabs with your applicator to cover your entire face.
Price at time of publish: $19
Coverage: Buildable | Shade Range: Natural Beige to Warm Beige | Finish: Dewy, Natural | Size: 0.8 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Combination Skin
L'Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation
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Doesn't cake up
True-to-skin
16 shades to choose from
Very thick
Whether you tend to be dry, oily, or both, this formula works well for a variety of skin types. True to its name, it delivers a radiant, but believable, finish. And because it’s buildable, you can reapply throughout the day without it feeling heavy or looking cakey.
Price at time of publish: $20
Coverage: Buildable Sheer to Medium | Shade Range: Ivory to Cocoa | Finish: Luminous | Size: 0.51 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Sensitive Skin
Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free All-in-1 ABC Cushion Foundation SPF 50
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Courtesy of Walmart
Has an airbrushed look
Smoothing, firming, and lifting effect
Gentle formula
Settles in creases
This mineral-based foundation promises an airbrushed look that suits even the fussiest of skin types. It does it all from reducing irritation to helping to prevent breakouts, all while correcting any visible imperfections. Users like the included applicator and find that it only takes a few tapes onto the cushion to get the right amount of product.
Price at time of publish: $15
Coverage: Light | Shade Range: Translucent to Natural | Finish: Flawless | Size: 0.26 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best With SPF
Mamonde Brightening Cover Watery Cushion Foundation SPF 50
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Moist formula
Creates a classy contour on the face
Intense sun protection
Might be too watery to some
With an impressive SPF 50, this cushion compact is a great pick overall. It features an ingredient called narcissus extract, which is derived from a flower and hydrates the skin. As a result, your skin feels moisturized and your complexion looks supple. Users report that it blends like a dream—try it with a dense buffing brush for best results.
Coverage: Light | Shade Range: Light Peach to Natural Beige | Finish: Natural | Size: 0.53 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
What to Look For in Cushion Compacts
Shade
When choosing a cushion compact, start with looking for a shade match. If you are using a cushion compact for touch-ups on the go, you don’t want the shade to differ from your current makeup or skin tone. Look for a brand that offers shades in your range and tone.
Finish
Cushion compacts come in various finishes. Look for one that appeals to your desired look, whether dewy, glowing, matte, or natural. If you have uneven texture or blemishes, look for a compact that can smooth over them without flaking or caking. A dewy moisturized look may be best for dryer skin, while oily skin may do better with a mattifying or dryer finish.
Coverage
When choosing a cushion compact, consider how much coverage you need. Just as with any foundation, cushion compacts range from sheer to full coverage. Sheer coverage can look more natural, but full coverage conceals blemishes. Some cushion compacts can provide plenty of coverage in a single swipe, while others are buildable.