TIRTIR Mask Fit Red Cushion Foundation Mini – 21N Ivory

I absolutely LOVE this foundation!! You have no idea how wonderful it is to FINALLY find an affordable foundation that matches my skin tone PERFECTLY. As a "woman of a certain age" (let's leave it at that!) my only choices when I first started wearing makeup were the only department store foundation made exclusively for Black women (before there was ever Fenty) or settle for weird looking drugstore foundation matches. And who would have thunk it would be a South Korean makeup company that would finally match my skin tone all these years later! I purchased shade 40N and 43N (at the time the two darkest TIR TIR shades). I got 43N because it was what a You Tube influencer that I follow used (MissDarcei) who is my exact shade in both summer and winter. When I heard that the foundation oxidizes a shade darker, I went with 40N first. As it turns out, 40N will work great for my winter shade. There are tutorials on You Tube on how to best apply this foundation to get the best results. Robert Welsh is a great place to start. As far as wear goes, I have done makeup tests with the foundation on my face bare skin and without primer and with skin care prep, and it looked as good as it did when I put it on. I wore this foundation for up to 12 - 15 hours each time, and the only thing that happened was that I did start looking a little "dewy" in my T-zone around hour 10, but nothing that a quick dab of powder wouldn't fix. The foundation never separated, never looked cakey, and didn't fill in any lines. It also played nicely with my concealer, etc. 1. It didn't separate even after almost 15 hours, which was the day I wore it just on my face and with nothing else on underneath it. 2. It didn't settle into my laugh lines or any fine lines. 3. There was very minimal transfer, and what transferred were things like blush and highlight. The foundation itself had practically no transfer. 4. The longer it was on my face, the better it looked, and it looked fantastic to start. Plus my skin looked great when I removed it. 5. It stayed on my face until I took it off, and this was even through gardening, running errands, and going out into a heat wave. IMPORTANT TIPS TO REMEMBER: 1. DON'T keep constantly keep pressing into the foundation. When they say a little goes a long way, they mean it. Press the applicator LIGHTLY once into the cushion so that you can barely see the foundation on the applicator. If you can see it, tap the excess off on the inside of the cover. It is buildable, so start with a very light layer, which will be more than enough to do your whole face. You should be able to lightly press into the compact and use that little bit to cover your whole face, and if you miss a spot or two, pick up the excess that you wiped on the inside cover and use that. 2. If the foundation looks cakey or orange, you applied WAY too much to the pad and piled the excess right onto your face. The more you apply in the very first application, the more it will oxidize and give you cake-face. 3. DON'T drag the applicator sponge across your face. That's another reason why you have cake face and look like an Oompa-Loompa. TAP the sponge into your face, starting from the center and work outward. 4. DO NOT use a foundation brush or beauty blender to apply this foundation. This will also give you cake-face because you're using too much foundation all at once. 4. SKIN PREP IS KEY! I have combo/oily skin, so I did my skin prep (clean skin, moisturizer, primer for oily skin), let it sit and soak in for 5-10 minutes, and then applied this foundation. If you have oily skin, set this foundation with powder. 5. Wait for the foundation to set before you apply anything on top of it. It dries down fast, especially if you apply it the right way. 6. Go a shade lighter than you think you'll need. Even with the light application, it does oxidize like any other makeup does. It will oxidize a shade darker. And again, if you put on too much, you will turn orange. I had no breakouts or flaky skin anywhere with this foundation. I think the people having problems with this foundation should address it through their skin prep. Of course there are people who will be allergic and who can't use the foundation, but I think the majority of people complaining about how the foundation looks don't know how to apply it correctly. TL:DR - Absolutely love this foundation; 10 out of 10 would recommend. UPDATE AND EDIT ON 8/27/2024: TL:DR - I still like this foundation, but I got one of the recent shade updates (45W Chestnut), and it was a swing and a miss. I got a bit darker than anticipated because - SUMMER- and was really excited that a warm shade had come out. I pre-ordered it, got two compacts of the new shade b/c I remembered how quickly they sold out, and got one of the first batches. Way, WAY too red. And when it oxidized, my face was two shades darker than my ears! Even after applying the foundation using the techniques I outlined earlier. Do I still like the product? Yes. I like the coverage, I like the wear-ability, I like how it feels on my skin. But if you're still listening, Tir-Tir, please make warm AND cool shades, especially in the deeper skin tones. POC have different undertones, and not all dark people have red undertones. I appreciate that you've been receptive to our requests thus far, but you're almost there with the shade range! Keep going, and like they say in K-Dramas, Fighting!

TLDR: It's advertised as a buildable coverage foundation, so with lighthanded application, it suits my minimalist makeup style. It goes on easily and with a little time to react with my skin, it looks like natural, healthy skin -- not makeup. Trial and error with the shade matching is inevitable. Plus it's summer and if you're spending time outdoors (like me), different shades may match at different times I've never liked makeup -- probably bc as a teenager I watched my mother do her makeup for hours every morning and swore I'd never get up early to waste that much time making myself up for anyone. Fast forward 30 years -- while I would still go completely makeup-less if I could, dark spots/age spots/acne scars have forced me to consider a light approach to makeup. Plus I've been convinced that sunscreen is a must to fend off any further aging, so my late 40s makeup journey started with the search for the perfect tinted mineral sunscreen. For people who say this is too heavy or cakey, I disagree. You can use a very light touch with this, you just need to not squish the puff down hard into the compact's cushion. I'm able to dab very lightly into the cushion, and if I get too much, I pat it off on the inside of the black flap that covers the cushion. If it looks wet on my skin, I know I've put too much on. I'm able to achieve enough coverage to even out redness and cover spots/blemishes without looking or feeling like I'm wearing heavy makeup. Since I'm oily/combination, I'll powder lightly (with either Morphe Soft Focus translucent setting powder or Hourglass Vanish pressed powder in translucent tan). If it looks too matte after the powder or if it's a really hot day, I'll spray TirTir's Mask Fit Makeup Cool Fixer (the cooling effect is so nice -- I wish Amazon sold this). Immediately after application, I think the cushion foundation looks a little "flat" (even with highlighter and contour/bronzer), but with time, it must react with my skin and it starts to look like glowy, healthy skin. For people who are taking stars off bc of color matching -- you're buying makeup online -- no monitor or phone screen is going to accurately display a makeup color. So unless you're able to try this in person, it's going to be trial and error ordering online. I've gone through 6 shades (and 2 sample packs); aside from the 1st 2 shades not matching me, the others have been because it's summer and I'm getting darker as I spend more time outside. I have medium to tan skin with warm undertones -- this is the order of the shades I've tried and when I tried them: 27N Camel (mid-May): too yellow/olive for me. Also seemed to oxidize orange-ish on me 25N Mocha (late May): less yellow/olive than 27N Camel, but also too light on me 9-shade original sample pack (early June): sampled 24N Latte and 29N Natural Beige from the packets next to 25N Mocha from the compact. Both 24N and 29N seemed like potential matches. 25N was still too light. Instead of smearing on wet, I tried to press the sample makeup into my skin to mimic if I was using the puff and cushion compact; I'm convinced that the samples are okay to test colors, but don't represent the colors exactly as they come out of the cushion compact 27C Cool Beige (early June): TirTir released new shades so I wanted to see how this compared to 27N. 27C isn't really "cool"; it’s more peach-y and not as yellow/olive as 27N. It was a good match when I tried it. But this shade felt more drying than the previous cushions. I was coming off a week of antibiotics so maybe the meds dried me out, or maybe the newer shades are a different formulation? 24N Latte/29N Natural Beige (2nd week of June): got the compacts of these. Both were decent matches but I could see that 24N would be too light as the summer went on; 24N still seemed darker on me than 25N Mocha. 29N became my go-to shade for the next few weeks 6-shade medium sample pack (late June): ordered this to try the darkest shades in the pack, 30N Rich Honey and 31N French Beige. 31N was too dark for me and 30N was just a hair darker than my skin at that time 30N Rich Honey (mid-July): ordered 30N during the Prime day sale and it's been my go-to shade since then (it's now early August) I totally expect that as we go into fall, I'll revisit the lighter shades as my summer tan fades. I was initially drawn to these red cushion foundations because they were supposedly SPF 40 when there were only 3 shades, and unlike most tinted sunscreens, I wouldn't have to get it all over my hands to apply. However, the US packaging doesn't mention SPF, so I prep as if these have no SPF. I prep with TirTir's Milk Skin Toner Light (I chose the Light for my oily/combination skin -- love what this has done for my skin). Then a vitamin C serum (not TirTir), Baebody eye gel, then Baebody eye cream. Next, If I'm not going outdoors at all, I'll use Drmtlgy's Water Creme moisturizer, then apply the cushion foundation. If I'll be outside for only a short amount of time, I'll use LiveTinted Huegard 3-in-1 SPF 30, then the cushion foundation. If I'll be outdoors for an extended amount of time, I'll apply the cushion foundation after the Water Creme moisturizer and TirTir's Mask Fit (Blue) Cool Sun Cushion SPF 50+ -- I wish Amazon sold this. It's one shade and does start off too light on me, but I can pat it in and it leaves just a minimal lighter cast on me. I love that it's sun protection that I can apply with a puff and not my bare hands. I've never had any issues with the red cushion foundation pilling over any of these different products. With trial and error for shade matching and to get your desired amount of coverage, this TirTir red cushion foundation is an amazing product. 100% recommend the sample packs (if they're available) or the mini compacts to test shades, and also recommend TirTir's Milk Skin Toner Light, Mask Fit Makeup Cool Fixer, and Mask Fit Cool Sun Cushion (Amazon please please please start carrying these 2 Cool items!)

Colour matching can be deceiving. Also, double-check the size, as *some* of these are "mini sample sizes" while others are "full size". There is quite a difference, so look, check, and check again. Also, the shades, in general, tend to run dark and the pictures/images we're shown vary greatly. The shades also tend to have warm undertones, even the ones marketed as "neutral". After a few tries (and fails), I ended up getting "#15C Fair Porcelain". In all of my previous foundations, regardless of brands, be they high-end or mid-end (or even somewhat low-end), I seem to almost always match up with something along the "sand-neutral" colours/shades. That's what I tried, and it made me look very orange. Do not be deceived when you open the compact! All of the shades end up looking like golden, brassy, glittery bronzer. For whatever reason, they all initially look the same. Again, do not prematurely panic or assume you'll end up with orange shimmer on your face. Not sure why they all come across appearing like this, but the shades truly are very different. I have never, ever been a shade labeled "porcelain" or anything remotely this pale-sounding. When you apply it, it looks very different! Make sure that your skin is well-moisturised and then "press" the makeup gently into your skin, using two fingers slipped into the ribbon on the pad to secure it, and "pat" your skin with the formulae instead of rubbing or smearing it across your face. A little goes a long way when applied by tapping. I ended up taking a chance on a shade that was in a completely different colour palette than I've ever utilised before. If you're aware of this, and order several shades lighter, you should be fine. Also, keep in mind, at least in my experience, that both of the "warm" as well as the "neutral" labels all still tend to run on the warmer side, so if you're not sure, err on the side of selecting a "cool" shade, and definitely go much lighter than you think you need. All of that being said, this is terrific! It's so easily portable in its little compact. The mirror comes in handy. The pigment is buildable so you can choose your coverage. My skin is of mixed complexion (some oily, some dry), so a good wash and moisturise works fine. It provides effective coverage and the powder is not dry or oily.

Shade: 17N - shade looks great in every lighting. I lean slightlyyyy more olive than this shade but it still works so well and in most lighting..looks like a flawless match. No issues with oxidation for me with this shade. YES. Amazing. This is the full coverage foundation for no makeup peeps. I HATE full coverage because it just always looks like too much makeup for me. I read a lot about the oxidation and people even saying this is an American marketing ploy and isn’t even good enough for Korean shelves…if this ain’t good enough than wow. A little goes a long way. Blend somewhat quickly but blends super well. Normally im a brush blender but really liked the little puff and feel like it would work better for the formula than a brush. (High saturation, somewhat quick drying) Not weightLESS but ridiculously light weight especially for full coverage..might as well be. A perfect satin finish. Feels totally dry but just there’s just enough sheen on the points of my face under light. (I prefer glowy over Matt and I really like this even though it leans more Matt). I have combination oily/dry. After some fresh moisturizer, it went on SO smooth. Even with fresh moisturizer I almost always get some soaking into dry patches and more visual texture. Not with this. Absolutely minimal texture highlight. The redness on the sides of the nostrils was just erased with a beautiful texture. I feel like that’s a spot where foundation just never applies the way you want it to or builds up in weird ways. The most exciting part..I always put on concealer before foundation. (Which honestly these days I just don’t use foundation) but I wanted to see what it could do.. I have dark purple circles. Not bags but VERY translucent skin…I have literally never used anything that covered like this without having to cake on and even then..concealers included. I added a tinyyyyy dot of concealer just in that moon shaped pit of the under eye after foundation and I feel like it was basically brightened to the gods before that. Idk yall..it’s a 10 for me. Photos in natural window lights. I swear that’s a swatch it’s just a good match 😂. Lightly blended swatch 30 minutes post. Finished with a small amount of cream bronzer around the perimeter of the forehead and hollow of cheeks and cream blush.

I have struggled to find a foundation as I’ve been in my perimenopause stage of life. My old stand by brands and formulas have not worked; too oily or too dry. Just pure frustration, all around. I just decided to try this and see if it was “all that”. So far, it’s pretty good. I’m a natural redhead with fair skin and cool/pink undertones; I’ve been told many times that I’m a hard foundation match because I’m “fair, but not THAT fair”. I’ve heard that Korean makeup can lean super pale, so I went for 21C. It is darker and definitely more yellow than I’m needing, but I applied it to my whole face to get a feel for the formula. It is definitely full coverage and it seemed to fill my crater sized nose pores well; I’ve also got some creeping in fine lines and it covered these nicely. It is a satin finish and overall, looks pretty good. I do wish it had SPF in it, but I can deal with that through my primer, etc. My one “gripe” besides the tough shade match, is there is a smell to this. As I said earlier, I’m dealing with peri, and I can definitely smell it. I’m hoping it dissipates as the day goes on. If you can handle the smell and want a good foundation, try it. The “mini” sizes are a great way to see if it works. For the price, I feel this is a solid choice.