What does a P14,000 compact cushion foundation have that makes it a cut above the rest?

Swiss luxury skincare brand La Prairie has unveiled its new Skin Caviar Essence-In-Foundation compact cushion, and it’s infused with the brand’s proprietary Caviar Water. It’s the same ingredient that goes into its best-selling Skin Caviar line, which is claimed to aid cell renewal.

While cushion foundations are a Korean invention, every beauty brand of note has come up with their own version. La Prairie is the latest among them—and, like its other products, possibly the one with the heftiest price tag. (Average price is about P3,000 from top-tier European brands.)

Liquid foundation

Compact foundation is essentially a liquid foundation nesting in a sponge cushion. It has become quite popular since it’s makeup and skincare in one, with many brands infusing their versions with ingredients that have skincare benefits.

Compact foundation also imparts a lighter, more natural finish than other formulations of makeup foundation, and it’s portable for midday touch-ups since it comes in compact form.

La Prairie’s claim is that its version combines “caviar science and color artistry.” Its Essence-In-Foundation has the same exclusive Cellular Complex in its Skin Caviar line that’s claimed to have lifting and firming benefits. La Prairie, after all, is first and foremost a skincare brand.

According to education manager Twinkle Ochanine, La Prairie’s Essence-In-Foundation doesn’t oxidize or turn dark on the skin after a few hours, which is typical of some makeup. It’s made of soft-focus treated pigments, such that it “perfects” the complexion instead of masking it. A single press on the cushion expels only a measured amount of product so it stays hygienic.

Proper application

At the Rustan’s launch, celebrity makeup artist Xeng Zulueta shared tips on the proper application of cushion foundation. In her demo, she applied it on the model in swift strokes using an oval brush, but said she prefers to use the sponge that comes with the compact, or even her own fingers.

Zulueta noted that many like to use beauty blenders to apply foundation. She herself never uses them “because you just throw it. It’s my contribution to the environment,” she said. But “if you’re using one [for the Essence-In-Foundation], don’t wet it,” she advised. “You’ll end up wasting the product since it’s already wet. It’s P14,000!”

Beauty blenders are also a no-no for mature skin since you would be pulling on your skin more, she said. “It will accentuate the obvious.” However, she added that a beauty blender works well “for people with complexions that aren’t perfect—those with tiny craters, pockmarks and acne scars—because it really seals in the product.”

The first layer of Essence-In-Foundation should be enough to even out the skintone, Zulueta said, and you can just build on that for up to medium coverage. The makeup has a velvety finish.

“If the foundation is really good, you don’t need a concealer,” Zulueta said. “The foundation will suffice, so I usually do the under-eye last because I don’t want a buildup of product there.” Foundation on the neck is also a no-no for her “because it means the shade isn’t an exact match to you.”

Essence-In-Foundation comes in eight shades, and will be available in June at Rustan’s Makati, Shangri-La, Alabang and Cebu.