This K-beauty-inspired foundation gives our shopping writer’s skin a healthy glow without feeling heavy, and has become a permanent fixture in her makeup bag
As a beauty writer, I spend my days testing products from some of the biggest names in the industry. While plenty impress me, only a handful earn a permanent place in my makeup bag – Sculpted by Aimee is one of those brands.
One product in particular has become a staple in my routine: the Cream Cushion Foundation (£28). It joined my collection last autumn when it first launched in the UK, and despite trying countless foundations since then, I still find myself reaching for it regularly.
The Cream Cushion Foundation promises long-lasting, buildable coverage that can be tailored depending on how much I want to wear. The formula is fun, too: instead of a traditional liquid foundation, the product sits beneath a fine-mesh cushion. To use, press the included puff onto the surface to dispense the foundation – and the harder it’s pressed, the more product comes out.
I’ll admit, the first time I opened it, I was confused by what looked like a layer of oil sitting on top. It turns out it’s completely normal; it’s just the hydrating liquid rising to the surface and is part of the formula, not a fault.
Once I’d gotten over the initial confusion, I was hooked. The puff feels incredibly soft against my skin and makes application surprisingly satisfying.
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Cream Cushion helps to deliver a buildable, silky, real-skin finish.
I also love how easy it is to customise the coverage. Most days I’ll apply a couple of light layers to even out my skin tone and cover any redness, and it blends seamlessly without ever looking or feeling heavy.
The finish is exactly what I look for in a foundation, leaving my skin looking fresh, healthy and naturally radiant rather than looking flat or cakey. It’s one of those rare formulas that gives a polished look without making it obvious I’m wearing a lot of makeup.
I’ve also found it lovely to wear during the warmer months. Enriched with hydrating vitamin E and niacinamide, it feels comfortable and moisturising throughout the day rather than drying my skin out, which some fuller-coverage foundations tend to do.
The longevity has impressed me, too, with my makeup still looking fresh after hours of wear. That said, I have to give some credit to my trusty Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder (from £29.95, Sephora), which is a miracle worker at keeping everything locked in place.
Another feature I appreciate is the added SPF. While I’d never rely on foundation alone as my daily sun protection (I tend to use Clinique’s UV Solutions Mattifying Sunscreen before applying makeup), it’s always reassuring to have that extra layer alongside a dedicated sunscreen.
For more sun-conscious beauty buys, Sculpted by Aimee also offers a brilliant lineup of skin-first formulas. Among the standouts is the HydraTint Moisturising Tinted Serum (£24), a bestselling, multitasking hero that effortlessly smooths, hydrates, and evens out skin tone while delivering a welcome boost of SPF 20 protection.
The majority of reviewers love it, too, with one sharing: “I absolutely love the coverage, it’s dewy and covers imperfections. The added skincare is a fantastic bonus, my skin looks younger.
“I have used many (some rather expensive) foundations/tinted moisturisers from Charlotte Tilbury to Chantecaille, now that I have discovered Sculpted By Aimee I’m a convert, the search for the perfect product for me is over.”
Otherwise, the Beauty Base Protect (£23) is an all-in-one moisturising primer with SPF 50 for a protected, prepped base. This happy fan said: “A little bit goes a long way and doesn’t leave a greasy feeling on my skin. Feels really light and my skin always feels plump and hydrated after using it.”
However, someone else noted: “My skin looks glowing in the mornings, and makeup glides on. I would prefer if it came in a tub, as I find that towards the end of the tube, the pump does not pick up the product.”
Back to Cream Cushion, though, there’s a reason I keep coming back to it. It’s comfortable, buildable, gives my skin a healthy glow and makes getting ready a little bit more enjoyable. For me, that’s exactly what a great everyday foundation should do.
