According to their website, Maybelline’s “Dream Cushion Fresh Face Liquid Foundation delivers complete luminous coverage for fresh-faced perfection.” I only agree with some of that statement. While it does give you a luminous, fresh-faced look, I don’t think it gives you complete coverage or perfection. I recently received the Dream Cushion Foundation to try for free from Influenster.
This is the first cushion foundation I have ever used, so I was excited to test it out. I decided to try it for the first time with the cushion applicator included in the package. According to the instructions, you’re supposed to simply slip the cushion onto your fingers, press it into the cushion foundation, and tap it onto your face to apply the foundation. I found this method gave me moderate coverage, but it took a very long time to ensure there weren’t any bare patches or streaks.
For my second application attempt, I used my damp Beauty Blender. Once again, I pressed the blender into the cushion foundation and applied it to my face using a tapping motion. This worked slightly better than the cushion method, but it made the already light coverage of the foundation even sheerer.
Finally, I tried applying the foundation with my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush. I dabbed my brush into the cushion foundation, stippled it onto my face, and buffed it out. This definitely seemed like the best application method to me, so consider trying different techniques if you purchase this foundation.
I found that the Maybelline Dream Cushion Foundation provided a luminous, dewy affect. However, the coverage was definitely lacking. I tried to build up the foundation some, but it didn’t provide that flawless, matte look I’m used to wearing. (Duh, I don’t think it’s meant to.)
It definitely smoothed out many of my imperfections and evened out my skin tone, but I still had to use a lot of concealer for certain areas. Also, it did not wear well at all. I have combination skin, and anywhere I generally get oily, this foundation slid right off my skin. I did wear it with a primer and setting powder, but that didn’t seem to help at all.
I don’t think this claims to be a long-wearing foundation, since Maybelline advertises how easy it is to apply this on-the-go and carry it with you at all times. However, once I apply my foundation I add concealer, setting powder, contour, bronzer, blush, and highlighter…pretty sure if my original foundation is coming off, I don’t want to apply a second layer on top of all that.
Negatives aside, I do think this is a great foundation. If you’re someone who wants to simply even out your skin tone and prefer a fresh-faced look, this could definitely be the foundation for you. I think it would work best on dry skin types. However, with the right combination of primer and setting powder, it may work for any skin type. I can see myself using the Maybelline Dream Cushion Foundation on days when I’m running errands and just want a bit of foundation and some mascara.
There are currently 8 shades (for reference, I’m wearing shade 20 Classic Ivory), and this will set you back about $16. That’s a little high for a drugstore foundation to me, so if you’re on the fence, purchase it somewhere that is good about returns like Ulta.
Have you tried the Maybelline Dream Cushion Foundation? Any tips for me to help it stay put longer?
Primer
Nivea Men’s Sensitive Post Shave Balm (Full Review)
Foundation
Maybelline Dream Cushion Foundation in 20 Classic Ivory
Concealer
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in Fair 15 (Full Review)
Setting Power
Wet n Wild MegaGlo Contouring Palette in Dulce de Leche
Contour
Wet n Wild MegaGlo Contouring Palette in Dulce de Leche
Bronzer
Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer
Blush
Wet n Wild Color Icon Blush in Pearlescent Pink
Highlighter
Wet n Wild MegaGlo Illuminating Palette in Catwalk Pink (Full Review)
Eyeshadow Primer
Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo Metal in Barely Branded (Full Review)
Eyeshadow
Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette (Full Review)
Eyeliner
Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner in Onyx (Full Review)
Mascara
Covergirl Super Sizer Fibers Mascara (Full Review)
Eyebrows
Ulta Brow Powder in Medium
Lips
Revlon Matte Balm in Sultry (Full Review)
Tools
Beauty Blender
Real Techniques Buffing Brush
Wet n Wild Large Eyeshadow Brush
Wet n Wild Crease Eyeshadow Brush
Wet n Wild Contour Brush
Wet n Wild Angled Liner Brush
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I received this product for free to review, but, as always, all opinions are my own.