To choose a Korean cushion shade, match your skin depth first, then your undertone (cool, neutral or warm), using the chart for that exact cushion. Shade numbers and letters are not shared between brands, so a 21 in one line is not a 21 in another. Check the match along your jaw in daylight once the formula has settled.
How do I read Korean cushion shade labels?
Labels come in several forms: a number, a number with a letter, a name, or a mix. The number usually orders depth within one line, while a letter or name can hint at undertone. Each brand builds its own system, so the chart for your exact cushion is the only reliable guide.
The shade guide in Hera's Black Cushion description shows how a full system works. Its chart groups shades by skin depth, then splits each depth by undertone: C for cool, N for neutral and W for warm. That means 23C1 Pink Beige, 23N1 Beige and 23W1 Sand Beige share a depth but differ in undertone. Hera says its Black line uses the same color system across products, so those codes carry over inside that line only.
Similar-looking codes do not mean a similar shade. Laneige 21C1, milktouch 21N and CNP Laboratory No.21 all start with 21, yet they come from three different brands and are not interchangeable.
| Cushion | Shade label in the product name | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Hera Black Cushion SPF 34 / PA++ | No. 23N1 Beige | Number, undertone letter and name. Use Hera's own chart. |
| Laneige Neo Cushion Matte SPF46 PA++ | 21C1 | A number-and-letter code. Check Laneige's own chart, because the product page does not explain it. |
| milktouch All-day Skin Fit Milky Glow Cushion | #21N Natural Beige, #23W Vanilla Beige | Code plus name, from a range described as 20 shades. |
| Clio Kill Cover Mesh Glow Cushion | No.3 Linen, No.4 Ginger | A numbered name. Compare the name and swatch within the Clio line. |
| Jung Saem Mool Essential Skin Nuder Longwear Cushion | Medium, Medium Deep | Plain depth words. Undertone still needs a swatch check. |
| Espoir Protailor Be Natural Cushion | Beige, Ivory | Names only. Use the brand swatches to compare. |
How do I find my depth and undertone?
Work from broad to fine. Depth comes first, because undertone only helps once the depth is close.
- Shortlist by depth. Compare the brand's current face swatches and shade descriptions, not only a small online thumbnail.
- Narrow by undertone. Choose between cool, neutral and warm. If you are unsure, compare one of each at the same depth and see which blends into your neck.
- Test near the jaw. When samples or testers are available, compare face-to-neck continuity instead of relying on the wrist alone.
- Let it settle, then check again. Wait a few minutes and look in neutral daylight. Warm indoor light and camera processing can shift how a color reads.
Daylight matters more than usual in the Nordics. Winter sun is low and indoor light is often warm, so look by a window around midday, then again under the lights you sit in most.
How do I choose a shade when I am buying online?
Online, you cannot hold a cushion up to your jaw, so lean on what the brand publishes. Read the shade chart on the product page, note the exact line, and record the full shade name, not just the number. Check the retailer's hygiene and return rules before you open a compact.
Does finish and coverage change how a shade looks?
Yes. Finish, coverage and how much product the puff picks up all change how a close match looks. A dewy cushion such as Clio Kill Cover Mesh Glow, which is described with a radiant finish, reads differently from a semi-matte one such as Jung Saem Mool Skin Nuder, which is described as buildable. Hera's Black Cushion is described as feeling matte under a face mask, and Espoir Protailor Be Natural has a moist gel-cream texture.
Whatever you choose, start thin. Clio's directions say to use a light sweeping motion and warn that strong tapping takes too much product. In dry winter air or with indoor heating, a hydrating formula can feel more comfortable. The Clio ingredient list, for example, includes chamomile flower water and 8-hyaluronic acid.
Can a cushion replace my sunscreen step?
Several cushions list an SPF number, such as Hera at SPF 34 and Laneige at SPF 46. Treat that number as a product claim measured under test conditions, and do not rely on a thin layer of makeup alone for your full sunscreen application. In the Nordics, low winter sun is gentler, but daily SPF still matters in spring and summer. Our guide to reapplying sunscreen over makeup covers the practical steps.
How do I apply a cushion once I have my shade?
- Apply after skincare and sunscreen have absorbed, as the product FAQs advise.
- Press the puff lightly and tap thinly. The Jung Saem Mool directions start at the center of the face and blend outward.
- Keep the case closed after use. The CNP Laboratory directions warn that a compact left open for a long time can dry out and change how the cushion feels.
- Wash the puff regularly with mild soap and water, as the Jung Saem Mool directions suggest.
If you are still matching the rest of your base, browse cushion foundation, foundation and primer, or look through all makeup.
FAQ
What is a Korean cushion foundation?
A cushion is a compact that holds liquid foundation in a sponge-like pad, and you pick it up with a puff and tap it on. Most come with a puff, and some sets, such as Jung Saem Mool, include a refill.
What is a good Korean cushion foundation for mature skin?
The milktouch All-day Skin Fit Milky Glow Cushion is described as not creasing or settling into fine lines, with a radiant natural finish. Check the shade chart and do the jaw test as usual, and start with a thin layer.
What if I am between two cushion shades?
Go back to undertone. Compare both near your jaw in daylight and pick the one that blends into your neck. If you cannot tell, a thin layer will show the difference more clearly than a heavy one.
Is there a difference between a cushion and a liquid foundation?
Mostly the format. A cushion comes in a compact with a puff, while a liquid foundation comes in a bottle. Shade matching works the same way for both.
Keauty sells some of the products mentioned here.
Sources
This is general cosmetic information. Skin differs from person to person, so patch test new products and ask a doctor or pharmacist about any skin condition.
