Spotlight | Peripera Inklasting Lavender Cushion.

It was around this time last year when I received the Peripera Inklasting Lavender Cushion as a gift from a friend who traveled to Korea. I helped her plan the entire trip - from visa application to creating a detailed itinerary for her four-day stay - and as a way of expressing her gratitude, she came home with a bagful of makeup for me, with this cushion included.

The Peripera Inklasting Lavender Cushion is a cushion compact that claims to have a 'buildable, non-cakey coverage with a dewy glow'. Formulated with light-reflecting pigments, this cushion brightens the complexion and makes the skin radiant. It's infused with lavender, violet, and blueberry to replenish the skin's moisture and make the skin glow from the inside out. I reckon it's this combination of purple ingredients that gives this product a mild, powdery scent.

Peripera Inklasting Lavender Cushion, 12000 Korean won.

Product details at the back of the box, text mostly in Hangul.

The Peripera Inklasting Lavender Cushion comes in a typical cushion case with a standard puff applicator. I've noticed that this purple dotted puff is a tad thicker than the usual puff applicator. It's more absorbent than other puffs that I have tried, and picks up a generous amount of cushion in one go.

How the cushion case looks like from inside.

However, that can be an issue if you're more accustomed to rubycell puffs which pick up a moderate amount of product and gives the skin a seamless, airbrushed finish. 

The purple dotted sponge.

How the cushion looks like. 

As for the shade range, this cushion gives you three options - #1 Ivory, #2 Beige, and #3 Sand. I was given the middle shade, which Peripera describes as a 'subtly radiant, natural beige'. Turns out, this shade is a bit lighter than my usual (I'm a 23 in Missha, Innisfree, and Laneige) but I was able to make it work on my skin with some good ol' setting powder. 

Peripera Inklasting Lavender Cushion in #2 Beige.

Peripera Inklasting Lavender Cushion #2 Beige when swatched.

Truth be told, I had qualms about using this cushion. I've read reviews about the Peripera Inklasting Cushions (not just this variant, but also the Pink and the Mint cushions) and most of them weren't very favorable, to say the least. Common issues were the shades being way too light, the cushion not setting well on the skin, minimal wear time, and caking after a few hours. Apparently, these are not entirely false as I have experienced some of them myself with the Lavender Cushion.

Left, without cushion. Right, with cushion.

Left, without cushion. Right, with cushion.

I thought it would be a waste to just give up on this cushion, so I tried to figure out a way to make it work on my skin. I experimented with it for an entire week, mixing and matching it with different primers and setting powders to find a combination that will make the Peripera Inklasting Lavender Cushion 'more wearable' in this tropical weather.

Bare skin.

• Worn on its own, no primer, no setting powder - dewy finish, cakey after 3 hours, oily T-zone after 3 hours
• Worn with setting powder, no primer - satin finish, cakey in less than 3 hours, product feels heavy on the skin as well
• Worn with primer, no setting powder - dewy finish, cakey after 4 hours, oily T-zone after 4 hours
• Worn with an illuminating makeup base and setting powder - very radiant finish, cakey in less than 4 hours, cushion looks like it's sliding off my skin
• Worn with a cushion primer and setting powder - dewy finish, minimal caking after 4 hours or so, oily T-zone after 4 hours or so
• Worn with a blur/mattifying primer and setting powder - satin finish, a bit of creasing around the corners of my eyes after 5 or 6 hours, a bit of shine on my forehead by midday.

Wearing the Peripera Inklasting Lavender Cushion in #2 Beige.

Yes folks, there is hope for the Inklasting Cushion which others have branded as 'the worst cushion ever'. With a mattifying primer and the right setting powder, you can make this cushion work for your skin tone and minimize the creasing or caking. 

You also need to be wary when applying the cushion because the more layers you apply, the lighter it looks on your face. Take note that this cushion has medium coverage from the get-go, and can even out your skin and cover minor blemishes with just a layer or two.

Products used:
FACE: Innisfree No Sebum Blur Primer,
Althea Flawless Creamy Concealer in Honey,
Peripera Inklasting Lavender Cushion in #2 Beige.
EYES: Shiseido Eyebrow Pencil in Brown,
Clio Kill Black Waterproof Brush Liner,
Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara,
Holika Holika Wonder Drawing Skinny Eyeliner in 03 Walnut Brown.
CHEEKS: Peripera Pure Blushed Velvet Cheek in #8 Appealing Dry Coral.
LIPS: Peripera Ink Airy Velvet in Elf Light Rose.

Looks like it's not the end of the road yet for the Peripera Inklasting Lavender Cushion and I. Sure, it's not holy grail material, but it's not so bad either.