10 Best Korean Foundation Shades & Their Reviews For 2021
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Korean beauty products have become a craze all over the world, and for good reason as well, that’s why we’ve compiled this list with 10 of the best Korean foundation shades and their reviews.
Not only do they offer flawless finishing but have skincare ingredients incorporated into them too, something that works out well for foundations in particular.
But finding the right foundation can be daunting, there are just so many out there!
This is why we have put together this article as the ultimate guide to which are the best Korean foundations out there and why.
Foundations are a crucial base for the rest of your makeup and can even be worn alone so it’s important to pick the perfect one.
Every skin type is different, and whether yours is dry, combination, oily, acne-prone, there’s bound to be something here that is perfect for you!
From liquid foundations to BB creams, to cushion foundations, we’ve covered all types and handpicked the best of the latest best Korean foundation shades for you.
Contents
IN A HURRY? HERE’S OUR FAVORITE PICKS…
Last update on 2024-09-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
10 Best Korean Foundation Shades Reviewed
Now, let’s take a look at the top ten products.
1. Etude House New Double Lasting Foundation
- HIGH COVERAGE: Just one layer of the Double Lasting Foundation will guarantee you a flawless skin, thanks to the...
- MAGNET-LIKE ADHERENCE: “Magnet Fit Effect” allows your morning coat of foundation stay on like magnet,...
- 24-HOUR LONG LASTING TESTED. Research officially conducted by Ellead, a cosmetics clinical evaluation institution
- DOUBLE COVER: Effortlessly covers problematic areas such as blemishes and redness. Holds up the entire time without...
- COLOR VARIATIONS: Pick out your perfect match color that fits your tone from the various range of shades organized...
Last update on 2024-09-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you are looking for an all-round winner that offers full, flawless coverage, this foundation is the right pick.
The Etude House New Double Lasting Foundation has become a hugely popular favorite all over the world for multiple reasons.
With its powerful magnet-like adhesion, it promises to last a full 24 hours.
Its double shot technology offers double the coverage in a single application- giving you flawless and clear skin.
If you are concerned about color matching, this comes in a whopping range of 12 different shades from #13 to #27, ensuring you get the closest possible match to your skin color.
Its soft, moisturizing, matte finish works well for all skin types and particularly well for oily and combination skin types.
This liquid foundation comes in a small glass bottle with a pump which allows you to have full control over how much quantity you are using.
Sun protection is important too and the Etude House Double Lasting Foundation doesn’t miss out on that with an SPF of 34 PA++.
And with all these benefits it still falls into an affordable category, meaning it’s a win all around.
Say goodbye to pores and blemishes and hello to a perfect and long-lasting soft, matte finish!
Pros & Benefits:
- Full, flawless, soft matte coverage
- High, magnet-like adherence
- Long-lasting- up to 24 hours
- 12 different shades to choose from
- SPF 34 PA++
- Affordable price range
2.
The TOUCH IN SOL Advanced Real Moisture Liquid Foundation is another popular cult-favorite.
Even make-up artists and beauty editors swear by and highly recommend it.
It’s a lightweight, hydrating foundation that is long-lasting and highly adhesive.
The creamy, moisture-rich formula works well for all skin types and provides full as well as buildable coverage.
Armed with SPF 30 PA++, anti-wrinkle, and whitening technology, it protects the skin against external environments.
It also does not contain any ‘nasties’, i.e parabens, ethanol, mineral oils, tar-based pigments, or any animal ingredients.
It used to come in 2 shades but they have recently released 3 more which cater to medium-darker skin tones as well, extending the range between #21 to #30.
Although the range of shades isn’t very large, each shade blends well to match with your specific skin tone so they are all highly adaptable.
This foundation, which comes in a pump bottle, does a good job of concealing blemishes, color-correcting, vanishing pores, and filling fine lines.
And finally, it retains an affordable price range, making it an amazing all-round choice for all skin types!
Pros & Benefits:
- Lightweight and creamy formula
- Hydrating and moisture-rich
- Conceals pores, blemishes, and color-corrects
- Full+ buildable coverage in 5 adaptable shades
- No nasties (parabens, ethanol, mineral oils, tar-based pigments, etc)
- SPF 30 PA++, skin whitening and anti-wrinkle technology
3. MISSHA M Magic Cushion
- Customizable Coverage: Allows you to adjust the level of coverage to your preference.
- Dewy, Nourishing Finish: Leaves the skin looking radiant and well-nourished.
- Long-lasting Performance: Ensures makeup remains intact without fading or smudging.
- Magic Sponge Hybrid: This innovative sponge applicator makes it easy to touch up on the go, absorbs and retains...
- Soothing Botanicals: Bamboo water and baobab tree fruit moisturize skin while witch hazel soothes and calms skin,...
Last update on 2024-09-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you have an oily or combination skin type and are looking for a formula that is mattifying while also concealing imperfections well, then this ever popular cushion product is perfect for you!
Its Perfect Coverage Micro Cover Pigment provides medium to full coverage with a smooth and dewy finish.
Its amazing SPF of 50+/PA+++ guarantees a high level of protection from the sun which means goodbye extra sunscreen!
The Smooth Silica Bead Powder absorbs sweat and sebum for a long-lasting look that doesn’t oxidize on your face as the day wears on.
It contains bamboo water which is a terrific anti-acne ingredient that helps to heal and hydrate the skin; and Witch Hazel Extract which has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Baobab Fruit Tree Extract stimulates the skin’s production of collagen, helping to keep it supple and soft.
Missha M Magic Cushion comes in 4 shades- #21, #23, #25, and #27, which covers a decent range of skin tones.
And don’t worry, this product is also free from nasties and other potentially-allergenic ingredients like parabens, lanolin, gluten, nickel, and soy.
The cushion packaging is compact and portable and its high-quality sponge retains its softness and freshness for a long.
The product lasts a long time and comes with an affordable price tag so you’re going to get your value for money.
This is the perfect lightweight product to conceal blemishes, discoloration, dark circles, and pores while having a soft, mattifying finish!
Pros & Benefits:
- Medium to full coverage with a smooth and dewy finish
- High SPF of 50+/PA+++
- Smooth Silica Bead Powder to absorb sweat and oil
- Skincare ingredients- Bamboo water, Witch Hazel and Baobab Fruit Tree Extract
- Compact, portable packaging, long-lasting sponge
- Decent range of 4 different shades to pick from
4.
People rave endlessly about this product, let’s find out why!
If you are trying to have skin that naturally looks like it is Photoshopped or edited with filters, then this is a must-have K-beauty product for you.
As the name suggests, it’s a multi-use makeup base that achieves the effect of blurring out your face.
The Etude House Face Blur contains a Sliding Powder that fills in the fine lines of your skin to create a smooth, velvety finish.
It comes in 4 different color bases- pink cherry blossom, purple lavender, coral, and baby pixel which are all great for correcting uneven skin tones.
The pearly-ness of the base also helps to make your skin milky looking and bright.
Another fantastic part is the high SPF of 50+ PA++++ which means you can skip the heavy sunscreen step!
Its simultaneously moisturizing+mattifying effect makes it good for all skin types.
Among its ingredients are 5 types of hyaluronic acids which provide deep level hydration for the skin.
And if just a light coverage is what you are looking for, it can be worn on its own as well!
You simply cannot go wrong with this fantastic, easy-on-the-pocket must-have product.
Pros & Benefits:
- Filter-like blurring effect
- 4 different bases for color correction
- Deeply hydrating and moisturizing
- Soft, mattifying application
- Impressive SPF of 50+ PA++++
5. Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream
- All-in-one formula: Missha M Perfect BB Cream combines the benefits of skincare and makeup in one product. It...
- Natural coverage: This BB cream provides natural and buildable coverage, effectively concealing blemishes, redness,...
- Skin-nourishing ingredients: This BB cream is enriched with skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides,...
- Sun protection: Missha M Perfect BB Cream contains SPF, providing protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays. This...
- Long-lasting wear: This BB cream is designed to have good staying power, maintaining its coverage and finish...
Last update on 2024-09-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Here is another gold-mine product from Missha which is also its most popular product!
Not everyone has time to carefully put on multiple layers of makeup.
For those looking for a super affordable, multi-purpose BB cream with skincare plus flawless coverage, this product will certainly do the trick.
It achieves the flawless coverage of a foundation, conceals blemishes, hides pores, smoothes fine lines, and minimizes redness.
It comes in 5 shades, from #13 to #31, meaning it’s easy for most skin types from light to medium/dark to find their perfect shade.
It is also suitable for all skin types, from dry, normal, oily to combination.
The coverage is medium to full and is perfect for those who want to conceal imperfections while still having it look like their own skin.
Nourishing botanical essences condition the skin; ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and Gatuline RC provide deep moisturization; and Rosemary and chamomile extracts help calm your skin.
This BB cream has an SPF of 42 PA+++, which eliminates the need for a heavy sunscreen.
If you’re looking for a daily use product that is hassle-free but still looks like you’ve used multiple products, Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream is the one for you.
If you simply want a good foundation base for the rest of your products to go on over, this is a fantastic one for that purpose as well!
Pros & Benefits:
- Flawless smooth coverage + skincare
- A great SPF of 42 PA+++
- Deeply moisturizing and conditioning
- Rosemary and chamomile extract to calm skin
- Available in 5 different shades
- Suitable for all skin types
6. Troiareuke Korean Skincare A+ Cushion Foundation
- Flawless make-up looking after applying with external factors (air-pollution)
- Excellent coverage with long lasting and minimize skin troubles.
- Excellent sebum control
- Smart Moisture Capture- Provide inner skin water delivery, outer oil control & inner water provide
- Water Wrapping System-Outer to inner water delivery system
Last update on 2024-09-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Wearing makeup to conceal your skin problems can become a vicious never-ending cycle that never allows your skin to heal.
That’s where the Troiareuke Skincare A+ cushion comes in!
It’s 99% skincare and 1% makeup, and yet amazingly still manages to provide fantastic coverage.
This hypoallergenic foundation is formulated particularly for oily, acne-prone skin and is great for combination or sensitive skin as well.
Its soft matte finish gets rid of oily sheen on your skin, lasts a good 10 hours, and packs a formidable SPF 50+ PA++++.
The product arrives as a compact, portable, pretty box with a cushion, two Mochi sponges, and a refill with an extra sponge as well.
The Mochi sponges are specially designed to block oxidation, lock in moisture and release only as much foundation as necessary.
The foundation provides a dewy soft matte medium buildable coverage with no dry patches, covers blemishes and pores while still keeping your skin natural and healthy-looking.
The foundation comes in two shades of #21 and #23, and also comes in an H+ version for dry skin, and a Seoul version for anti-aging effects.
Although it’s on the slightly more expensive side of the price range, the benefits make it worth every penny.
The Troiareuke A+ Cushion was rated as one of the best Korean beauty brand products by Allure Magazine for a reason, it’s simply superb!
Pros & Benefits:
- 99% of skincare ingredients
- Perfect for oily, combination, acne-prone, and sensitive skin
- SPF 50+ PA++++
- Special Mochi sponges
- Medium, buildable, soft and dewy matte coverage
7.
Peripera is a brand that is a favorite of many and consistently produces quality products!
The Inklasting Cover Foundation is one of their best, thanks to its flawless coverage, smooth texture, and filter-like airbrushed matte finish.
The coverage may be medium for some but is buildable to high.
It comes in 3 shades- 01 Ivory, 02 Beige, and 03 Sand, and is perfect for people with light or pale skin, although people with darker skin tones might have to look elsewhere.
In terms of skin type, it works well for all, including dry, oily, combination, acne-prone, and sensitive.
Unlike many foundations that have such high coverage it doesn’t feel cakey at all nor does it leave any dry patches.
It adheres closely to the skin and stays on perfectly all day.
The liquid foundation comes in a small, soft squeezy bottle with a nozzle to squeeze drops of the foundation from which is great to minimize wastage and exposure to air.
It comes equipped with a decent SPF of 30 PA++.
The best part about this foundation is how little you need for high coverage… just a small pea-sized amount is usually enough for the whole face!
And with its already affordable price tag, this fantastic product is simply full value for your money.
Pros & Benefits:
- Full coverage in a pea-sized amount
- Not cakey or drying at all
- Works well for all skin types
- Closely adhering to the skin and long-lasting
- Value for money
8. Amore Pacific Color Control Cushion Compact Broad Spectrum SPF 50+
- AmorePacific Color Control Cushion Compact Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ 204
Last update on 2024-09-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Amore Pacific is a hugely popular high-performance luxury brand and the Color Control Cushion Compact is one of their biggest bestsellers.
This is a revolutionary, multifunctional product that boasts the perfect blend of coverage and skincare.
The website boasts of their researches having spent over 5 years developing air cushion technology that ensures an effortless, flawless application.
Its patented foam has over 800,000 cells that hold the formula firmly in place and make it spill-proof and travel friendly.
With an impressive SPF 50+, you’re covered when it comes to sun damage, literally!
The applicator puff is anti-microbial and delivers a light to medium coverage that goes on smoothly and has a matte finish.
The foundation delivers intense hydration, fills fine lines, and provides good color correction as well.
It comes in 5 different shades, providing a decent range of options for light-medium skin tones.
The product comes in portable, compact packaging and is great to carry around in case you need a touch-up.
However, with its long-lasting power, it’s highly doubtful that you’ll need it.
Wave goodbye to all imperfections permanently!
Pros & Benefits:
- Multifunctional- skincare plus coverage
- Cutting edge technology cushion and puff
- Skin protection with SPF 50+
- Intense hydration
- Smooth, lightweight and matte finish
9.
This premium product offers a beautiful weightless application with full coverage, concealing blemishes, pores, and fine lines effortlessly.
It has a chic, semi-matte finish and goes on super smoothly.
Deeply moisturizing ingredients keep the skin soft and hydrated from within.
With its Magnet-Fit cover technology, it lasts 24 hours and looks like it has been freshly applied all day long.
Oxidization-free ingredients mean it doesn’t darken as the hours wear on and stays bright and smooth.
Although it includes SPF 15, those with higher exposure to the sun might need an extra layer of sunscreen underneath.
The fantastic part is that this liquid foundation comes in a great range of 12 shades and everyone within a light to the medium-dark range is likely to find their perfect match.
The foundation is packaged in a premium looking soft tube with a pump, to ensure minimal wastage and exposure to air.
For those looking to cover up blemishes, pores, and fine lines without dry patches or a cakey feeling, this weightless, full-coverage foundation will certainly not disappoint!
Pros & Benefits:
- Semi-matte finish
- Deeply hydrating and moisturizing
- Wide range of 12 shades
- Long-lasting Magnet-Fit technology
- Full, weightless coverage
10. Dr. Althea Aurora Cover Cushion
- High coverage - Offers a full-coverage formula that effectively evens out skin tone and conceals imperfections for...
- Semi matte - delivers a refined, satin-like appearance that controls excess oil without drying out the skin,...
- Sun Protection: SPF 50+/PA +++ provides 50 sun protection factors to shield skin from harmful UV rays
- 60% moisturizing essence - semi-velvety yet deeply moisturizing, providing a smooth, hydrated feel without...
- Long lasting - providing extended wear that stays fresh and vibrant throughout the day, resisting fading and...
Last update on 2024-09-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Skincare meets makeup in a cushion again!
And this time, it comes in an affordable price range, with all the benefits you could want to be packed into it.
Formulated with the rich essences of Ceramide, Chamomile, and Camellia Portulaca, this foundation provides a deep moisturization throughout the day.
Coverage is good even with just one application but it’s highly buildable as well and all skin types are likely to find their ideal level.
With a fantastic SPF of 50+ PA+++, it packs great skin protection properties as well as anti-aging technology.
If you have an oily, combination, or acne-prone skin type and are looking for something with a natural-looking finish, this is the perfect product for you.
The product also comes in a version that is more suitable for dry skin types.
It is also great for all skin types during the Summer season or in warmer/humid climates.
A unique Mochi cushion minimizes the evaporation of moisture and effectively prevents oxidation.
It comes in 3 different shades and is great for those with lighter skin tones.
The product comes with a refill and is packaged in a pretty, premium looking pink compact box.
Pros & Benefits:
- Deeply moisturizing and hydrating
- Great for oily, combination, or acne-prone skin
- Great for warm or humid climates
- SPF 50+ PA+++
- Medium-full buildable coverage
- Natural-looking finish
How Should You Pick a Foundation?
So there you have it, a comprehensive list of the best among the latest Korean beauty foundations!
We get it, the choices may still seem like a lot so read on to find out how you should go about picking the right foundation for you:
Firstly, you need to identify your skin type and skin concerns.
Do you have dry, combination, oily, acne-prone, or sensitive skin?
Then, you must shortlist the options that cater specifically to your skin type.
Watch the descriptions for specific mentions of them.
Next, check your current foundation skin shade and if it works for you, use it to find the equivalent in your potential options.
If your current shade doesn’t work for you, use it as an indicator of how much darker or lighter you need to go.
Rule out the options that don’t cater to your skin shade.
Then, ask yourself what is the main requirement you want from your foundation whether you want light or full coverage, whether you need deep moisturization, whether ingredients that cater to skincare are important to you.
If you have made it this far, there’s a good chance you are down to very few options already.
And finally, filter out based on your price range and you are likely to be left with one perfect option.
Voila! You have now found your holy grail Korean beauty foundation.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, there is some degree of trial and error that goes into the process of finding the perfect foundation.
But with the excellent track record of the ones listed in this article, along with a little bit of thorough research, you are likely to find the foundation of your dreams here!
Whatever your skin concerns and type may be, there is something for everyone within the best Korean foundation shades.
With our busy lifestyles and exposure to pollution, it is important to find the perfect foundation that addresses and doesn’t aggravate our skin concerns and delivers the best results with the least effort.
It’s also particularly important as foundations are either worn alone or serve as the base for the rest of the makeup, so they are crucial to get right in both cases.
Have you found one that works for you within this list?
Let us know!
