I Found the Best Foundation for People Who Hate Foundation

2 min read

I’m not, and have never been, a foundation person. In high school, I had a face full of freckles so that any amount of the stuff made me look like I had an unseemly skin condition (I opted for spot-treating with concealer instead). In college, I transitioned into using skin tints, which let my freckles shine through while evening out the rest of my complexion. When I became a beauty editor, I dabbled in foundation because I felt like I had to, but even then, I never found a formula that made me want to replace an empty bottle, or even finish a bottle, for that matter. And yes, I’ve tried all the heavy hitters. But YSL’s new Skin Affair Soft Glow Cushion Foundation has me rethinking everything.

I tried YSL’s latest formula with a large dash of skepticism. Why would this one change my mind? But this bouncy cushion formula applies like a dream. A cushion foundation comes in a compact and with a sponge soaked in product (it typically comes with a puff to apply it). This design helps ensure sheer, buildable coverage. Just a few taps and it instantly disappears into skin, erasing any imperfections in its path. Cushion formulas aren’t anything new—especially in South Korea, which is where they originated. In fact, according to the International Beauty Expo, 75 percent of Korean women use these bouncy formulas. And as we all know, in the beauty world, most good things—like snail mucin, PDRN, and sheet masks—come from Korea.

Not only is YSL’s latest launch taking inspiration from K-beauty, but I also don’t have to give up my skin tints. This foundation is buildable, so I can still get a sheer finish with just a hint more coverage. And while liquid formulas can sometimes make me feel like I’m wearing a mask, this unique format makes me feel like I’m not wearing makeup at all. The trick to this lightweight finish is all in the ingredients. It’s made with squalane to hydrate, polyglutamic acid to draw in moisture, niacinamide to even out skin tone, and jasmine petals to soothe. The blend makes it feel like you just finished your skin care routine rather than put on a full face.

You can use the puff that comes in the packaging or opt for a foundation brush, which is my preference. It gives even coverage, no pilling, and it doesn’t settle into my pores or fine lines. And perhaps the biggest upside for me, as someone who often finds themselves living out of a suitcase for weeks at a time, is its nonliquid format: I don’t have to worry about whether it’s under 3.4 ounces to throw in my carry-on. And nothing pairs better with summer travels than great skin.