LANEIGE x Maison Kitsuné: A Cheeky Spin on the NEO Cushion
If you’re anything like me, you’ll remember the first time cushion foundations landed on beauty counters—those puffy little compacts promising flawless skin in a single tap.
Fast-forward to now, and the world of cushion foundations has matured, with K-beauty powerhouse LANEIGE leading the charge. But the NEO range isn’t just another pretty face in the crowd. With its futuristic design and high-tech formulas, the NEO Cushion Matte has become my go-to product, and not just for its skin-perfecting powers—it actually ensures my base stays in place even in Hong Kong's humid conditions.
LANEIGE NEO Range: Foundations and Powder
Forget chunky, old-school compacts—the NEO cushion’s sleek, borderless square shape is as chic as it is practical. Seoul and Seattle-based design studio cloudandco was behind the rebranded packaging, using Morandi colours and the barest hint of neon orange. The result is a sleek cubic casing that resembles charging cases for wireless earbuds (in fact, the NEO cushion looks so much like the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro that the brands debuted a collaboration in a metallic violet shade). The pastel mint shade hints at the matte formula inside, while the clever 180-degree rotating refill cap ensures it’s equally friendly to lefties and righties. It’s the sort of compact you actually want to show off when you’re touching up in a café.
But the NEO Cushion Matte isn’t just about looks. This cushion foundation is engineered for real life, boasting 50-hour colour retention, transfer-proof coverage, and SPF 42 PA++. The real magic, though, is in its ultra-light texture, which glides over your skin with a featherweight feel. The coverage is buildable, meaning you can go from sheer to full glam without ever looking cakey. LANEIGE’s Light-Seamless Fit technology ensures that every micro-particle blends in for an airbrushed, matte yet fresh finish. It’s powered by skin-loving ingredients like blue hyaluronic acid (for hydration), lotus flower extract (for antioxidants), panthenol (for skin barrier support), and corn mint (for oil control), so your skin feels as good as it looks.
What truly elevates the cushion foundation experience is LANEIGE’s puff. The high-fit slit puff is smartly engineered with tiny slits that open and close as you pat, picking up and releasing the perfect amount of foundation each time. The result? Even seamless coverage that’s so easy to layer. For a full coverage look, I recommend starting your routine with the NEO Foundation Matte—its micro-particles create a smooth, poreless canvas that grips your makeup like a second skin. Layer on the NEO Cushion Matte for refined coverage or touch-ups on the go, and finish with the NEO Essential Blurring Finish Powder to lock everything in place and add a soft-focus, blurred effect. It’s a failsafe trio for long days, muggy nights, and every selfie in between.
And for those who struggle with foundation transferring onto masks or clothing—this cushion is impressively mask-proof. I’ve worn it through humid hikes and crowded subway rides, and the transfer was minimal. The finish stays true, and my skin looks bright and fresh, even after hours.
Editor’s note: My go-to shade for Korean cushion foundations is 23N, but it tends to run a bit light for my summer skin tone.
Which NEO Cushion to Pick: Matte, Glow, or Mewy?
LANEIGE doesn’t stop at matte. If you’re after a radiant, luminous look, the Glow is your ticket to dewy, glass-like skin. The pink compact is infused with 83.97% skincare ingredients, including blue hyaluronic acid for hydration, panthenol for firming, lotus flower extract for antioxidant properties, vitamin C for a radiant glow, and niacinamide for brightening. Diamond powder gives this formula its signature light-reflecting finish, and it lasts up to 50 hours—yes, really. I reach for the Glow on days when my skin needs a little extra life, or when I want that K-drama heroine gleam.
The Mewy is the newest addition, and it lives up to its “matte meets dewy” promise. Imagine all the hydration of Glow with a semi-matte, velvety finish—think softly blurred, not flat. The Mewy formula is packed with 89% skincare essence, including ceramides, squalane, hydrolysed hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide. It’s exceptionally brilliant for those with combo or dehydrated skin, balancing oil and moisture for a natural, lasting finish. I love how the Mewy cushion cools skin instantly (it’s clinically shown to drop the skin temperature by 3.3°C!)—perfect for hot travel days.
So, which LANEIGE cushion foundation is best for you? If you’re oily or combo and want long-lasting, transfer-proof wear, Matte is your match. For dry or dull skin, Glow gives you a 24-hour glass-skin effect. And if you’re somewhere in between or want a hydrating, skin-balancing base, Mewy is the sweet spot.
Maison Kitsuné Collaboration: “Hey NEO, Let’s Chillax!”
Now for the cherry on top: LANEIGE’s Maison Kitsuné collaboration. Maison Kitsuné, the Paris-meets-Tokyo brand famed for its irreverent fox mascot and chill streetwear vibes, brought its playful “Chillax Fox” to LANEIGE’s limited-edition cushion. The result? A matte cream compact adorned with a lounging fox—and a surprise, as the fox design is randomly selected. Paired with the matching embroidered pouch or a canvas tote, this collab is pure joy for design lovers and collectors. The formula inside is the same NEO Cushion Matte magic, offered in wearable shades like 21N Beige and 23N Sand, and comes with a bonus refill. It’s the ultimate fusion of style, playfulness, and beauty tech—a piece you’ll want to pull out of your bag again and again.
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