I don’t like heavy foundation, so when Happy Skin came out with this product, I was ecstatic. It seems like a dupe of Laneige Neo Cushion at half the price. Ever since the lockdown started, I’ve also started a plethora of beauty projects, like whitening my teeth, adding retinoids (and more The Ordinary) into my skincare routine, and buying contact lenses and lashes to emphasize my eyes. While Zoom meetings hardly need one to put on foundation, I’m still the type who wants to look even and spotless whenever I do go out for essential shopping and big meetings. And a cushion foundation with skincare benefits seems like it was made for my lifestyle.
Here’s my review of Happy Skin’s new Second Skin Serum cushion foundation – just like my previous Anti E-Aging foundation, it also boasts blocking the blue light from our devices that can also damage our skin. Additionally, see how it works with their matte primer (which came free with my 7.7 sale purchase). It retails for ₱999.
Happy Skin Second Skin Serum Cushion Foundation – Soft Beige
As you can see, the light pink packaging with mirror and round sponge inside are similar to Korean cushions available everywhere. I’ve used a couple of Etude and Missha Magic Cushions before, so the concept is nothing new. However, what surprised me was the swatch.
Swatchy, swatchy
I could tell right away that Soft Beige was the right shade for my skin. I was too light (due to lockdown and not getting sun anymore) for Golden Beige and too brown for Light Beige. This middling shade was perf for my NC30—although I suspect NC25 wouldn’t be too light on me now—morena skin.
Happy Skin Cushion Foundation: Primer and Application
Matte About You Primer
I applied Happy Skin Matte About You primer on my Tzone (forehead, nose and chin before applying the cushion. This is because any foundation tends to cake on my oily nose and huge pores. I didn’t intentionally buy this freebie primer but I’m happy I received it through a sale bundle.
No foundation face
See how blotchy and red my nose is before application due to allergic rhinitis! Also the large pores I have on my nose and eyebags for perpetually staying up late.
Here’s the after! The “second skin” claim? It’s true. It didn’t feel sticky to the touch nor heavy on my face. Felt like nothing. Smelled like nothing. It’s as light as the Morning Dew foundation, but less watery and more oily (in a good way). What’s more, the the ingredients made me feel more like I was putting on skincare than makeup. It left a fresh, dewy effect that lasted me the entire day. The coverage? Medium and buildable. I did set with loose powder to feel my face matte for the rest of the day.
I’m not good at explaining the science but according to Happy Skin official website:
Hyaluronic Acid locks water to skin to keep it bouncy and hydrated, and Kahai Oil helps it stay supple and smooth. Squalane is an emollient that cocoons skin in deep moisture, while Niacinamide helps reveal spotless and radiant skin. Lastly, SPF 15 and Anti-Blue Light Technology block harmful UV and Blue Light rays.Hyaluronic Acid locks water to skin to keep it bouncy and hydrated, and Kahai Oil helps it stay supple and smooth. Squalane is an emollient that cocoons skin in deep moisture, while Niacinamide helps reveal spotless and radiant skin. Lastly, SPF 15 and Anti-Blue Light Technology block harmful UV and Blue Light rays.
I love me some anti-aging whenever possible, so putting on this cushion made me feel really good that I was taking care of my skin.
Here I am outside with complete makeup using this Happy Skin Cushion. It was slightly lighter than my skintone but blended in beautifully. It didn’t look as if I was caked in foundation and I looked good in all the pictures that day.
Verdict: Second Skin is in
Color: 4/5 (only 3 shades but the mind adjusted to my skin)
Texture: 5/5 (airy and lightweight)
Packaging: 5/5
Smell: 5/5
Price: 2.5/5 (I don’t use it everyday, but it runs out so quickly compared to other cushions I’ve used up. The refill is quite expensive at 799 compared to other cushions with refills.)
Verdict: 4.3/5
Overall, I’m Happy with my Happy Skin budol purchase. This won’t be my everyday foundie, but I know that when I do go out, this’ll be a staple in my handbag. And I’m confident my skin will look good whenever I use this. I recommend this one for K-beauty fans who need a cushion more suited for Filipina skin tones (because the Korean brands often have shades for pale skin and make me look like pulvoron).
Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. I bought these products with my own money and this is my honest experience with the brand.
