The TIRTIR Mask Fit Red Cushion Foundation Has 13,000 5-Star Reviews—Is It *That* Good?

Let’s address the elephant in the room: the shade range. Thankfully, the foundation now comes in 40 shades, from light to deep tones. It’s also become the first Korean cushion foundation with an extensive shade range, but did it pass our test? Not quite. Associate Commerce Editor Jael Rucker had to combine two shades together in order to get her perfect match, while Assistant Editor Delia Curtis found the shade options tricky to match for their fair skin. “Even the one that worked ‘best’ with my skin was a bit too light. I ended up having to add in some blush to make it read less pale,” they add.  

It’s worth noting, the color on the cover might appear darker than what’s inside, so to make it a bit easier for consumers, the brand created a filter to find the right foundation for you. As someone who has trouble with shade matching, I was pleasantly surprised that the ‘Natural Beige’ shade worked well with my skin after giving the filter a spin—though it's a still lighter than I usually wear. But it can definitely be a hit or miss, so I recommend grabbing at least three shades to see which one complements your skin tone the best. (This option is not always ideal for everyone, but if you’re interested it’s worth a shot.) 

Range aside, many shared that the foundation was comfortable, breathable and lightweight. It’s formulated with hibiscus and red propolis extracts to improve elasticity and provide long-lasting coverage. The brand believes ‘glass skin’ is the goal and promotes this foundation as the solution to a radiant, satin glow. As Curtis shares, “I liked how blendable it was and that you could make the formula read more natural on your skin. The foundation is full coverage and definitely hides imperfections on my skin. It was smooth, creamy and felt mostly weightless on my skin.” Associate Editor of News & Entertainment Nakeisha Campbell shared similar sentiments, telling me, “I loved how it looked immediately after application. The coverage was great and I really liked that I didn't have to use an overwhelming amount of foundation to fade my dark spots. It didn't look cakey and it felt good on my skin. It was very light to the point where I forgot I was wearing makeup at all.”

However, there were mixed reviews from others, who found it too matte for dry skin. I noticed right away how it accentuated my large pores and dark spots—and was ready to throw in the towel. But I found prepping with a hydrating skincare routine and using a blurring primer might just help avoid any patchy areas. Rucker says, “This foundation was super drying, so it looked a little patchy upon applying. I had to start over and use one of my very hydrating moisturizers as a base. Once I did that, the foundation was a lot smoother to apply.” 

Some of us found it was also not very long-lasting. The brand promises 72-hour wear, yet both Curtis, Campbell and myself (who both have oilier skin types) noticed they either sweat off most of their foundation or it made some areas oilier than usual after five hours or so.  

K-beauty brands tend to take pride in their packaging, and this foundation is no different. The foundation is shaped like a red compact mirror, but it’s the layers of where the sponge lays and the actual product that makes this a great option for traveling. It’s nice to keep everything separate (and even swap out the beauty sponge if needed). I am curious to see how long this foundation will actually last as the product is displayed all over a cushion foam that will surely have you scraping for more later on…

The TIRTIR foundation definitely has some strengths and weaknesses. As mentioned, coverage is impeccable and it’s easy to blend. We found using the included sponge was fine, but all of us preferred to use a blending brush or another beauty sponge to get the blurring, glass-like effect. We also appreciate how mess-free the experience was—a stark difference from using other liquid foundations. “I wore it for a meetup with a friend, and it almost looked like a professional applied it after it settled a bit,” says Rucker. “I would recommend it to others (especially because of the affordable price), but again, I would caution that it may not be worth the hassle if you have dry skin like myself.” 

The overall consensus was that the shade range still needs some fine-tuning—despite there now being 40 options to choose from. Whether you have fair or deep skin tone, be prepared for it to be lighter than your actual complexion. I suggest reaching for a darker option or combining a few together to get your perfect match. “While I did find that the color I selected wasn’t a perfect match, it blended in so well that I was able to make it work and the tones weren't too far off, so there was no need for a replacement color,” notes Sara Baksh, senior manager of business affairs.

We also discovered this foundation might work best for normal to combination skin types, though we found ways to finesse the foundation to work for dry skin types (a hydrating skin routine or primer) and oily types (a little goes a long way). “The foundation was very easy to apply and it looked very lightweight and natural,” Baksh adds. “A little goes a long way and it didn’t make my skin look patchy. Instead my skin looked very hydrated and it was pretty buildable. It also lasted a long time (even through a full day of travel and up to my 2 a.m. bedtime) and didn't smudge all over my clothes. Lastly, it felt hydrating.”

So, what do you think? Are you willing to try this trending formula? 

Fast Facts

• Shade Range: 40
• Finish: satin