Blemish Balm (BB) cream has taken over my foundation routine with its multifaceted properties of a sun screen, a moisturizer, a skin treatment and so much more. This all-in-one formulation, originally a cream to protect and cover the skin after laser treatments, became a mainstream favorite in Korea instantly. It has helped women in Asia cut short their daily five to seven step routines, into one “miracle” cream.
More than just another Korean craze, it has everything we love in a BB cream with more benefits and convenience. Besides having a lighter-than-air formula and a sponge applicator, it is completely spill-proof. No more brushes, beauty blenders and, most of all, the horror of opening up a pouch with exploded foundation after a flight (Oh, how many pouches have I ruined this way).
Now, we have every cosmetic brand yearning for our attention with their version of the BB cushion. I pitted five of Korea’s leading brands – HERA, IOPE, Laneige, Espoir and Missha – against each other, and the sweltering heat of the tropics to see which will earn the title of “The Ultimate BB Cushion”.
To note: I have combination skin; oily T-zone and oily eyelids. I also perspire easily in Singapore’s heat. The BB cushions are applied after my skincare routine, Curel Sun Milk and Make Up Forever HD Primer Radiance.
#5
Espoir Face Slip Nude Cushion (SPF50+ PA+++), Ivory Pure
Coverage: Low
Scent: Light Grassy Scent
Texture: Airy
Cushion: 2 hours outdoors, 4 – 5 hours indoors
BB cushions are known for that airy, lightweight feeling as if you were barefaced, and Espoir’s fits that very description. Out of the five, I found it the most “invisible”, which may also explain its lighter coverage. The finish is neither matte not dewy, sort of an in-between. It does a nice job of correcting my skin tone and brightening up my face.
Here comes my biggest complaint. Supposedly for all skin types, those with oily combination like me might want to avoid this. It does not last, especially in Singapore (and I had primer on). Within an hour or two of walking under the sun, it starts to show its weakness.
This is more for normal/dry skin.
#4
Missha Signature Essence Cushion (SPF50+ PA+++), N21
Coverage: Medium
Scent: Powdery Perfume
Texture: Light-weight, Cooling
Cushion: 2 – 3 hours outdoors, 7 hours indoors
Missha was the opposite of Espoir. Advertised as having 42.6% Missha Essence for extra moisture, it definitely fulfilled its promise in giving that dewy finish Koreans love. The problem, on my skin, I looked as if I had been melting under the sun. It does hold well if I stay indoors (up to 7 hours), but it was ultimately defeated by the heat. Perhaps, it would work better in colder, drier conditions.
Also, I am still debating whether I can live with the powdery perfume scent (strongest of all five).
I would still give credit where it is due. Even though I have ranked it so due to the oilier texture, I loved the improvement from its tube forms. It was so much lighter and smoother to apply. N21 fit my skin perfectly, without the overly yellowish undertones that plagued the Signature Real tube series.
#3
IOPE Air Cushion (SPF50+ PA+++), N21
Coverage: Medium
Scent: Pleasant Powdery Perfume
Texture: Light-weight, Cooling
Lasting Power: 6 – 8 hours, including outdoors
Next up is the famous IOPE. It has raked up awards from all over, including Editor’s Pick in Korea’s Allure last year. I could see why. Initial application may leave your skin really dewy, but it give it awhile and you get this glowing radiance people crave for.
It is long lasting, even when I have to brave the sun. While the buildability loses out when compared to the next two, it does well enough with medium coverage. It neither settled into my lines nor gathered at the corners of my nose at the end of the day. It is hydrating without being cakey, which was further proven when I had to reapply with another layer.
Still, my oily skin takes the test a level higher. It is hydrating, and keeps me luminous, but becomes way too gleaming for my liking towards the end. It would be a definite winner for those with normal to dry skin.
#2
Laneige BB Cushion (SPF50+ PA+++), N21
Coverage: Medium
Scent: None
Texture: Light-weight, Cooling
Lasting Power: 6 – 8 hours, including outdoors
Ask anyone what brand of BB Cushion they are using, and it would most likely be Laneige. They might also double that up with their famed Sleeping Mask in hopes of becoming just like their spokesperson, Song Hye Kyo.
They have had a few lines; some discontinued to give birth to newer, better formulation like this one here. To be honest, I started this showdown with three boxes of this already finished. It was my first BB cushion compact experience and it continued to stay my favorite for a while (at least until the pilgrimage trip to Korea).
To note, the Pore Cover version is a blessing to oily skin (not shown here).
One layer is enough to cover up most of my blemishes and sports. It does have problems with my panda eyes. While it is buildable, a proper concealer would be a better bet. It lasts me the entire day, indoors and outdoors, for about five to seven hours (depending on how harsh the conditions are). The finish is matte, with a slight dewy shine for that fresh, radiant face you want to start the day with.
#1
HERA UV Mist Cushion (SPF50+ PA+++), N21
Coverage: Medium to Full (buildable)
Scent: Pleasant Powdery Perfume
Texture: Light-weight, Cooling
Lasting Power: 10 hours, including outdoors
Off the bat, I loved HERA’s radiant, satin finish. This is amazingly long-lasting and keeps me flawless with the right amount of glow. To the point, I could skip my highlighter, but without having to whip out my oil absorbent sheets or going for a touch up for a good 10 hours.
I rarely build up my BB cushions as I like that airy, invisible feeling but layering HERA’s up to three layers still left me pretty happy. The only complaint is that my more serious blemishes still need a dab of concealer. Otherwise, the UV Mist Cushion has a shade series for Cover, meaning more coverage. While I have yet to give that a try, it looks promising.
Another thing to note. I use Benefit’s blush in Dandelion, and it rarely stays on my face by the end of the day. With this BB cushion, it lasted a lot longer – a rough gauge of about two hours more. It sure saved me from looking like pasty white zombie when things get busy.
Then again, just coverage is not enough. It is moisturizing, even after the entire day. I may have oily skin, but the constant sun exposure does make the skin on my nose flake a little. Those, are the bane to any smooth, silky complexion as foundations will, always, emphasize it. Long story short, after 8 – 10 hours of use, there was no flaking, no “dry” patches.
Honestly, the last point took HERA right to the number 1 spot.
The Winner is HERA UV Mist Cushion
So, there you have it. HERA UV Mist Cushion came up on top for me. When testing I had two big considerations on top of its cosmetic functions, its UV protection and hydration. The first point was rather redundant seeing as everything came with a SPF50+, PA+++ (good news), but hydration was not everyone’s priority. Which is why, HERA took the winning spot. For such a similar price point, it only made sense.
The only drawback? HERA has yet set its sights on Singapore and opened a store, booth or anything for us to get it easily in Singapore. Sulwhasoo has won the hearts of many beauty gurus, some of whom have switched from HERA permanently. The problem is, while the former has a store right at the Captiol, the price is not something we can all afford.
All this means is, the next time a friend is heading up to Korea, it is time to stock up!
More to Come
Sure, we have pitted these top BB cushions against each other but more and more brands are churning these babies out every day. Their formulation just keeps getting better, in an attempt to onto the top of our wish list. There’s the more high end Sulwhasoo, VDL’s Beauty Metal version, and so much more. While I cannot wait to what else will come, including perhaps more CC Cream cushions, I do have a complaint with the BB cushions. The lack of shades. The darkest of these Korean shades, say N23, is a medium shade in most foundation lines. The beauty of this BB formulations cannot be shared with those of darker shades! I will end this with a hope that HERA will soon become available in Singapore, as well as, having someone finally realizing that the world is more than just three shades of fair.
About the Writer
Jessica is a young lady of many obsessions. She gets herself into everything ranging from the latest in the monochrome fashion world (she only wears black, and sometimes, white) to convincing the masses that Community is the best TV series ever made.
Currently, she enjoys looking like Sailor Mercury had a baby with Wednesday Addams.
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Thanks for the valuable info, I live in Jakarta and can understand tr heat issue. What’s your view on april skin? With combination skin plus t zone acne issue, and > 45, which do you think is better on laneige product : pore control or anti aging? Also what wre your thoughts on cosrx product range? Are they avail in spore?
Thanks !
Hi, I was just wondering what the packaging of the HERA UV Mist Cushion (SPF50+ PA+++), N21, looks like because there are so many out there are they all look the same with similar names and the picture you gave look like all of them. i would much appreciate it if you could give me a link or a outside package picture as i really want to but myself this cushion. sorry for the inconvenience. Thank you.
Hi Jessica.Would you please help me? i have fair skin with cool undertones (NW15 in MAC) Should i choose Hera UV Mist Cushion in 13 (İvory) ,17(Rose Vanilla) or 21 (Vanilla) shade? Thank you very much.
Super love your informative post. I’m heading to Korea soon and currently in search for cushion to get. Still undecided between Hera and Sulwhasoo 😅. Prehaps you can do an upcoming post on a comparison 💖
Hi Jessica! Thanks for the review. May I know which shade of the hera cushion did you use and what Mac shade are you?
i love to use HERA UV Mist Chusion too…
Hi 🙂
its interesting to read your review about the different cushion foundations. Would you mind answering, is there any difference in shade/ colour between the laneige n21 and HERA n21?
i have used laneige for a long time but the n13 is a bit too light on me. I’m hesitant to buy n21 because i heard that its slightly darker than other brands (some people says it equates to n23 for other brands). have you noticed any difference between the colours?
thank you! keep up the good work 🙂
The difference was not significant to me, and I did use them interchangeably.
(I did try n13 as well, and I look white as a sheet!)
Hi tks a lot for ur post. Wanted to buy a cushion but with oily skin n spore s heat is not helpful. I end up just using sunscreen n innisfree little green white powder. Absolutely zero coverage.
After reading ur post, I ll try laneige cox can’t find Hera here n I have no one going to Korea.
Anyways tks a lot for ur post 👍
Hi..can i ask you where to buy Hera here in SG!
We are not sure. We bought it in Seoul.
You can buy it from sg.althea.kr 🙂
You can get most of the brands from Qoo10
Hi, wonderful post you’ve got there! There’s many versions of the Hera cushion, which category was the one you used?
1) The normal and original one
2) Summer Long Stay
3) Ultra Moisture
Thank you for writing us. We used the normal and original one.
It was 1) the normal and original one.
How does innisfree longwear cushion fit into the ranking? Thank you!
I have combination skin too. I’ve tried bb/cc cushions (Laneige/Iope/TFS), i tend to sweat a lot, so by the time i reach the mrt, the bb cream tends to smudge even when i try to dab lightly(especially nose area). i’ve tried using primer, but doesn’t work. any advice? thanks
What primer are you currently using? Do note that your skincare products – moisturizer, UV and so on do affect the staying power of your foundation (whether BB/CC). Trust me, I’ve been through tons of combinations just to find the one to fit the crazy weather here. Are you also using a loose powder? It works great to set the BB cream, making it last longer. I prefer using white loose powder as it is finer and doesn’t clump. The best one I have used so far is Make Up Forever HD’s but it can be on the pricey side. Go to the shops and see what’s available and fits your budget. I am having great results with NARS, or japanese drugstore brands for white loose powders.
Do you think Hera is alright for oily skin like mine? I mean, no one really likes oily faces in the Philippines unlike in Korea.. But do you think it is still okay?
I have combination skin, with a really oily T-Zone! I get what you mean. The staying power of Hera’s BB is there, but if you still find yourself having trouble looking too shiny later during the day, try setting your BB with loose power. I suggests a white or translucent one. The particles for these are finer and smaller than their coloured (beige etc) counterparts, and don’t clump.
what loose powder are you using ? thank you
I have used both Make Up Forevr HD Microfinish Powder and NARS Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder with great results. They key is to look for something translucent (white) to avoid clumping in the humid weather.
Hi! Im from the Philippines too and i have really oily skin. What works for me is using the vmv sunscreen spf 45, Laneige pore control cushion then i set it with the inisfree no sebum powder. It will look really matte after application but after 30 mins or so it will look natural. And when i do get oily after maybe 5 hours, i just blot with the clean nd clear oil sheets and my makeup looks good as new 🙂
Of course Hera would be first. That is the only actual high-end brand on the list. 🙂
I yet to tried the other BB cushions except for LAneige but Hera really makes you loook glowly! Will definitely look into that! thanks~
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Is the HERA UV Mist Cushion still not on sale in sg?
Cause right now I’m in HK and I was told that it was sold in Sasa here.