- Skin type: Dry and sensitive.
- Foundation shade: 21N.
- Undertone: Neutral.
TirTir foundation review: product deep-dive
At first glance, the TirTir foundation looks like a traditional cushion foundation – though I admit, its bold red packaging does make it stand out. Right off the bat, I could tell that, thanks to its compact build, it would be my go-to for travelling or whenever I’m applying makeup on-the-go.
I also want to point out that the Red Cushion is not to be confused with the other two cushion foundations from TirTir: the Aura cushion (in silver packaging), which offers a glowy finish, and the All Cover cushion (in pink packaging), which delivers a soft-blurred, matte finish.
The Red iteration is the perfect middle ground between the two – a formula that offers a satin, skin-like finish that absorbs oil in all the right places and delivers that coveted glow where you want it most. Call it the Goldilocks of foundations, if you will.
The formula comes infused with a handful of skin-loving ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin and botanical extracts to keep your skin nice and hydrated throughout wear. As far as the coverage goes, I’d say it steers more into full-coverage territory. But fear not, because this isn’t your run-of-the-mill full-coverage product that ends up looking all cake-y and feeling heavy on the skin. Quite the contrary, it’s super lightweight and breathable. “This is achieved through our advanced powder technology that minimises transfer and helps maintain a smooth, long-lasting finish,” says Jihea Keum, product development manager at TirTir.
Shade-wise, the good news is that it offers a wide range of 40 shades that cater to every undertone (whether you’re team cool, warm or neutral). Jihea also told me that it works for most skin types. “It contains hydrating and nourishing ingredients that help keep the skin moisturised, while oil-controlling powders balance excess sebum, making it ideal for both dry and oily skin,” she shared.
It’s also worth noting that this foundation is water-based, so Jihea suggests “using a lightweight, water-based primer instead of a silicone-based one, as silicone-based primers can add unnecessary weight to the skin.”
TirTir foundation review: GLAMOUR road test
One interesting claim that I saw on the TirTir website was that this foundation promises “up to 72 hours of flawless, fade-resistant coverage.” Being my competitive self, I decided to test it for as long as I could. And since I’m strongly against wearing makeup overnight, the maximum I could push it for was 16 hours. Yep, really.
When I first received the TirTir foundation, I was waiting for a particularly busy day to test its limits. Sure enough, one hectic Tuesday full of press appointments in opposite sides of London seemed like the perfect fit. I first applied it around 6:40am as I was getting ready for my first stop of the day.
After consulting with Jihea, I followed the exact application method that she recommended for best results: “Start by lightly pressing the puff applicator into the cushion. Before applying, dab off any excess product on the lid or the back of the sponge holder — since a little goes a long way, it’s best to build coverage gradually. Next, gently tap the foundation onto your skin instead of swiping, starting from the centre of your face and blending outward,” she told me.