There's one product that always catches the attention when I show it to others - cushions. Unleashia Satin Wear Healthy-Green Cushion is not your typical cushion, because instead of microfoam, Unleashia decided to provide an airless container for more hygienic application. Unleashia created an innovative and vegan-friendly product, but is it worth a try?
I'm not joking, cushions in Europe are not easily accessible - while I still see high-end brands releasing lots of cushions, the same brands already gave up this idea. I do not know why, since for me cushions are way more "clean" - I don't have to deal with my makeup sponges staining other things in my makeup bag. When I show cushion to my family or at the university - it's always a big surprise. I had a chance not only to test this cushion at home. This weekend I gave this cushion a real test while travelling and during makeup lectures.
Types of cushions
There are different types of cushions that you can find but I guess the easiest way to band all the cushions is by their purpose - makeup cushions and sun cushions. Makeup cushions are easy to determine while sun cushions are new in Europe - it's cushions filled with sunscreen. It makes sunscreen reapplication easier and it's very portable. Makeup cushions can be banded in different groups - microfoam cushions and pumping cushions. Microfoam cushion has a foam filled with the formula inside while pumping cushion is a cushion where the formula is hidden under a plastic or metal disc with small holes - Skin79, VDL and Estee Lauder had cushions like that. I haven't seen them for a while, but Unleashia did a thing - Unleashia Satin Wear Healthy-Green Cushion is based on a very similar solution, but it's kinda different. There are also foundations in cream that look like the cushion but I'm not going to focus on them since usually, we use them not as a foundation but as camouflage.
What does the cushion look like?
The cushion has one or two parts - a cushion case and refill or a case with the built-in refill. Each case usually has a built-in mirror. The refill contains filling - (usually) a microfoam filled with formula in a plastic case and air puff on the upper lid of this plastic case. Unleashia is different since it contains not a refill, but a cartridge.
Refills & air-puffs
When you buy a cushion there are two things to remember - refills and air puffs. Refills are the containers with (usually) a microfoam and formula. They usually have air puffs together with a refill but not every cushion has this option. Refills are cheaper than cushions and usually, it's better to go for the refill option. Normally, each refill contains air puff but you can buy puffs separately - I recommended that if you're a makeup artist or you're allergic. Makeup artists can use this type of puff on their fingers when they put makeup on the client or model to not mess up the makeup while putting makeup on eyelids or lips. There are also refill sets with liquid formula - Klairs based its cushion on this type of refill. Unleashia is based on cartridges - I haven't tried changing them yet, but I'll order one, and once I need a refill I might share with you a TikTok video of changing the refill.
Choice of shades
The most complicated topic ever. Asian cushions have usually a very limited number of shades - 2 or 3 shades, sometimes there's one universal colour, and some brands make 5 or even more shades. Unleashia so far has only three shades - 18C Seashell - a pink base shade, 21N Eburnean - a neutral shade and 23W Bisque - peach based shade. Unleashia already announced more shades. The brand asked on Instagram for consumers' opinions on shades, and a few days ago Unleashia announced more shades - they are coming in 4-6 weeks.
About the brand
When I think about Unleashia, I think about glitter. The name comes from the words Unleash and Utopia. According to the brand's website, Unleash means to release emotions or reactions and Utopia is a perfect world, so Unleashia means a perfect place where you can be yourself and release your creativity. This name does have a sense. Unleashia is vegan-friendly and cruelty-free, the brand even has PETA verification. The main goal of the brand is to be sustainable - Unleashia is focused on eco-friendly packaging and biodegradable glitter.
Unleashia Satin Wear Healthy-Green Cushion - Packaging
Unleashia's cushion comes in a paper box. I like the texture which reminds me of recycled materials. The design fits the brand, and it looks very trendy. You can easily see information that Unleashia's product is cruelty-free and vegan-friendly. Inside you can find a big green cushion. Inside the cushion, we got a mirror - with a plastic cover which you have to remove first. There's also a black puff - according to the brand, it's made out of antibacterial material. The Clean pumping package is a new thing for me. I haven't tried a cushion like this but instead of clicking the "plate" part, Unleashia has a side button part to get the cushion from under the "plate" to the surface of it. I recommend being careful with the side button amount you use for a single application.
Unleashia Satin Wear Healthy-Green Cushion - Texture & Scent
Unleashia Satin Wear Healthy-Green Cushion has no scent for me - at least I don't smell some chemical scent as usual with foundations and cushions. The texture is creamy, and if you use too much Unleashia Satin Wear Healthy-Green Cushion it might feel a bit heavy on the skin even if it's not a heavy texture if you apply it well.
Unleashia Satin Wear Healthy-Green Cushion - Ingredients
Water, Titanium Dioxide, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Niacinamide, Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Squalane, PVP, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polyphenylsilsesquioxane, Tribehenin, Acrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Bakuchiol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Water, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Polyglutamic Acid, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Carum Petroselinum (Parsley) Extract
Water hides in cosmetic products under names such as Aqua or Eau. It's a solvent, but it's not your regular drinking water. Water in skin care needs to fit some standards. It should be clean and free from minerals, microorganisms or other substances. Usually, water makes up the majority of the content of the product. Titanium Dioxide (Ci 778911) is a mineral (or physical) sunscreen agent. It protects your skin from UVB and UVA II radiation and might cover some lower waves in UVA I spectrum. It has a typical white colour visible on the skin, unless it's a nano version then this white tint might not be visible at all. This ingredient has a second task - it works as a pigment. Titanium Dioxide works perfectly for skin that needs visible protection like skin with melasma, nice that white pigment works as a barrier or protective film on the skin. It has one additional task, it makes products stay fresh a bit longer. Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone is silicone, it helps spread the product on skin and hair. Butylene Glycol is a common ingredient in products. It's not only a solvent. We use butylene glycol because it helps with the penetration of active ingredients, protects products from drying and moisturizes skin and hair. This ingredient can prevent hair loss and make your hair stronger. Butyloctyl Salicylate is a solvent commonly used in sunscreens. It doesn't only stabilize some sunscreen agents, it also boosts SPF protection. Ethylhexyl Stearate is an oily emollient. It prevents TEWL (transepidermal water loss) by creating a film on the skin. C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient with antimicrobial properties. Cyclopentasiloxane is a dry emollient and volatile silicone. It has a bad reputation since people nowadays are scared of silicones. Don't be scared, Cyclopentasiloxane doesn't leave a heavy film on the skin since volatile silicones are evaporating after touching your skin. They help with the application process of the product. If you want your skin or hair to have a silky feeling - go for this one. It's a lightweight substance that won't cause you acne. Glycerin or Glycerol is a humectant. Its origin can be natural or synthetic - depending on the product. It protects TEWL (transepidermal water loss) and naturally occurs in the skin. It's one of the NMFs - natural moisturizing factors. It's practical in hair care. Glycerin won't clog your skin or irritate it just the opposite - it protects your skin from irritation. Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone is an emulsifier. Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate is an oily emollient, but it can be also used in products with a surfactant to make the formula less harsh. Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate is an emollient that creates a moisturizing film on the skin. It might not be the best choice for acne-prone skin since it's a long-lasting ingredient. Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 - a vitamin soluble in water. It helps with problems like wrinkles, acne, skin texture, and enlarged pores and promotes collagen synthesis. Niacinamide makes the skin barrier stronger. It might be handy in cellulite treatments. Do you want to fight pigmentation or uneven skin? Try to mix niacinamide with Kojic Acid, Arbutin, Vitamin C, Tranexamic Acid or Retinol.
Iron Oxides (CI 77492) is a matte, yellow pigment. Squalane is an ingredient very similar to our sebum. Squalane and squalene sound similar, but there's a difference. Squalane has no double bonds while squalene has double bonds. What does it mean? Squalane is a more stable version of squalene. What I love about this ingredient is how well it works with all skin types, and how our skin needs it. Believe me, if your skin is irritated - go for squalane! This ingredient is usually derived from sugarcane or olives. It acts like an emollient and you need it in your life. PVP or Polyvinylpyrrolidone is a polymer. It creates a film on the surface of the skin and hair. It makes brushing your hair easier, it has anti-static properties, and it makes pigment in makeup spread evenly. It's also a thickener. Cyclohexasiloxane is a volatile silicone and emollient. It makes the product easier to spread on the skin, and it protects the moisture in your skin by creating a gentle, non-greasy film on the surface of your epidermis. Cyclohexasilocane quickly evaporates from your skin. Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate creates a film on the surface of the hair to prevent dehydration and water loss. Disteardimonium Hectorite is a thickener related to hectorite clay. It's a thickener. It gives your skin a sheer look, and in sunscreen formulas, it makes your UV protection even better. Magnesium Sulfate or Epsom Salt is an ingredient with a history. The name Epsom Salt comes from the city of Epsom in England, but you can call it bath salt as well. It works as a stabilizer. Trimethylsiloxysilicate is a silicone and polymer, it works as an occlusive and dry emollient. It prevents skin from TEWL (transepidermal water loss) and makes products easier to spread. Tribehenin is a stabilizing ingredient. Acrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer is a silicone that leaves a subtle film on the skin. It helps spread makeup evenly. Iron Oxides (CI 77491) is a matte, red pigment. Triethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicone used to coat sunscreens and pigments. It makes the product easier to spread. Aluminum Hydroxide is an emollient, but it can be used as a colourant or... a tiny help for your sunscreen. Aluminum Hydroxide is a coating for Titanium Dioxide. Caprylyl Glycol is an oily emollient and humectant. It leaves a moisturizing film on the surface of the skin. Iron Oxides (CI 77499) are a black pigment. It's used in many coloured products like foundations to get the colour - not always the black one. Bakuchiol is a plant ingredient also known as phyto retinol or bio-retinol. For many people, bakuchiol is an alternative to retinol. It's derived from the seed and leaves of Psoralea Corylifolia, also known as Babchi. It's an antioxidant with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties. It's an alternative to retinol since they have similar properties, but Bakuchiol is non-photosensitizing, and it can be used during pregnancy. It slows down collagen and elastin degradation. The best part is that Bakuchiol is suitable for sensitive skin, and it doesn't need a slow introduction to your routine.
Ethylhexylglycerin is a preservative with subtle moisturizing and antimicrobial properties. Adenosine naturally occurs in the skin. One of the adenosine's roles in our bodies is being a neurotransmitter. In skin care, we use adenosine for its anti-wrinkle properties. Adenosine is an anti-inflammatory ingredient. It can boost collagen production. At the same time, it speeds up the healing process. Adenosine can have positive effects on reducing redness. In hair care, adenosine can help with hair loss. 1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic solvent and preservative - it protects products from microorganisms by boosting other preservatives. At the same time, it can moisturize the skin, and it has no unpleasant effects on your epidermis. Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Water is water from Papaya fruit. Chamomilla Recutita is a plant that you might know from traditional medicine. It's a source of chamazulene and bisabolol. Skincare brands use Chamomilla as an anti-inflammatory agent. Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract has soothing properties, but it can cause allergic reactions. Chamomile is known as a natural herb to brighten blonde hair. Polyglutamic Acid is a polymer with high moisturizing properties. Since it's a big molecule that naturally occurs in fermented soy, it leaves a film on the skin. Polymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone that protects your skin from dehydration by creating a film on the surface of the skin. Silicones have a positive meaning to your skin - they make products easier to spread, make the formula more elegant and even protect skin and hair. Carum Petroselinum (Parsley) Extract is a source of vitamins and flavonoids. It's an antioxidant with brightening and moisturizing properties.
How does Unleashia Satin Wear Healthy-Green Cushion work?
I'm a huge fan of cushions, even if I haven't tried too many of them - I usually find one, and I stick with it. My latest choice was Clio, and when I got Unleashia Satin Wear Healthy-Green Cushion from the brand I wasn't sure if I'm going to enjoy it. The reason is simple, shade 18C sounds quite heavy if we compare it to Clio 1.5 Fair or shade #13 in Missha. If you buy Kbeauty cushions then you know that usually shade #13 is very pale and some brands have shade #21 as the lightest, and it doesn't always work for me.
I had a great chance last week to see how differently people choose makeup. When I see Asian brands selling mostly for the domestic market - I can see that usually, these brands are introducing new shades - some are darker, but the variety of lighter shades is bigger. The same brands when they sell to Malaysia or even US are going to introduce a different choice of shades - usually, they add a few darker shades for these countries. When I see European brands, even when I was younger it was almost impossible to get a lighter foundation to match my skin so when I found Korean foundations and how easily you can find affordable, light products with cool and neutral tones - I was happy. During my lectures last week, I saw that my friends mostly seek darker shades, even when I go to drugstores in Poland, I barely ever get offered the lightest shade. I'm not even going to mention that usually I get suggested to choose a shade that doesn't match my tone but the light in these stores is so bad that no matter what you get - it'll look good on you. When I look at Asian countries, the trend is quite different since people are more likely to choose lighter shades. It also has a lot to do with culture, and how lighter skin = better opportunities. It's usually different in Western culture where a few seconds into the conversation people are going to suggest self-tanning or sun-tanning which is bizarre because we talk about skin cancer and photoaging so much, but still, sun-tanning is a thing. Usually, people don't respect my choice to use a product that matches my skin tone.
Unleashia gives us 3 different tones to choose from: 18C Seashell - a pink base shade, 21N Eburnean - a neutral shade and 23W Bisque - peach based shade. As I said before, darker shades are coming soon. If you think that 18C Seashell is dark because it's 18, not 13 - you're wrong. The first time I applied this cushion or a friend applied it - we thought it was too white and the undertone is wrong. I was aware that usually makeup darkens a bit on the skin, and Unleashia also did that - it just needed some time.
According to Unleashia, Satin Wear Healthy-Green Cushion has three functions: sun protection, whitening, and wrinkle repair. I guess the whitening part shouldn't shock anyone. Does it whiten your skin? It does contain Adenosine which I enjoy, but skin whitening is not that simple topic. Still, I have to admit that Unleashia Satin Wear Healthy-Green Cushion makes my appearance look fresh and illuminating. It gives that satin, brightening look which I prefer over wet or matte looks. That's something in between. The glow on the skin looks natural.
I have to admit, I've never seen bakuchiol in the foundation, but Unleashia did it! Unleashia Satin Wear Healthy-Green Cushion contains bakuchiol - a trendy ingredient which some brands call phyto-retinol since it got introduced to the market as a retinol alternative.
What I find interesting is how easily you can reapply or fix your makeup with Unleashia Satin Wear Healthy-Green Cushion. According to the brand, this cushion has a triple-fitting system. It contains spherical powder, film layers and volatile oils. This triple combination is supposed to prevent moisture loss, fix your makeup and leave the skin smooth. Long-lasting is more of an individual thing, but if you prepare your skin well - it does miracles. I see the difference when I apply makeup on my skin with no skincare vs makeup on my skin with skincare done. I tested it on sunscreen, and Unleashia didn't have any problem with my routine which is not a common thing. Usually, new makeup or new sunscreen are problematic since they don't want to work together.
When you apply Unleashia Satin Wear Healthy-Green Cushion be gentle with the side button - my friend went crazy and applied too much of the product not to mention that it was shooting the product into the air. I understand that you use skincare products that don't come out easily or you put lots of makeup, but this product has a lightweight coverage unless you build the layers - you can make a mask out of this cushion if you apply too much formula onto your skin. Just try to work it out. It has amazing coverage, and you don't need lots of formula. Sometimes the cartridge button might be a bit blocked - there's a solution, just press the top lid or what I call "plate" delicately a few times, and the formula will come out. The cushion should last 100 days, I haven't been testing it for so long, but I hope it does since usually I got a single cushion for a few months, and I use them daily.
What I find funny is how hard my friends were applying with puff. If you do someone's makeup - these puffs are super great to put on tiny fingers so you can balance your hand on the model's face and apply the rest of the makeup without ruining the foundation. If it comes to applying makeup with it - it's also super easy. If you use beauty sponges then it might be a bit tricky at the beginning. The puff has a water-drop shape for a reason - you can use the tip to apply the formula on places like the area around your nose.
If it comes to durability - I have to reapply it on T-zone since my nose gets oily, but besides that, it sits quite well. It doesn't dry out my skin if I use skincare below it. I know that the brand introduces this cushion as long-lasting, but remember that depends on skin type the effect might take more or fewer hours - on a combo like mine it doesn't last 8 hours, still, it's one of the best cushions I've tried if it comes to coverage, shade, application and long-lasting. According to my friend who applied this cushion on my skin - it hides my pores well, and that's something I look forward to.
I forgot to add that this cushion provides SPF30/PA++ protection - still, remember to use sunscreen and reapply sunscreen while using it.
How much does Unleashia Satin Wear Healthy-Green Cushion cost, and where to get it?
Unleashia Satin Wear Healthy-Green Cushion costs ₩34,000 (around $26), but right now you can get it for ₩25,500 (around $20). The cartridge costs ₩20,000 (around $15) in regular price, but at the moment it costs ₩15,000 (about 10$) on Unleashia's website.
Overall, Unleashia Satin Wear Healthy-Green Cushion is an interesting option for people who enjoy using the cushion.
Have you ever tried Unleashia before?
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