Holika Holika x Peko hard cover glow cushion Review + demo

I’ve been itching to get my hands on this collection every since I saw their sneak peek on Instagram and even counted down the days until it was released.  Why?  Because I was hoping their eyeshadow palette is just as pigmented as their Gudetama eyeshadow.  While I was browsing Jolse, I ended up just getting most of the collection since there were so many products I haven’t tried from the brand.  And naturally, I got me their cushions because I’m a cushoin fanatic!  So now, here we are.  One more cushion to add to the collection, one more review for you guys.  I actually think this hard cover glow cushion isn’t a limited edition product but a repackaged one for the collection.  Alright, long intro.  I’m tired… let’s go.

Full name of product:
Holika Holika x Peko hard cover glow cushion

Limited edition/ Permanent?:
Packaging is limited edition, product is permanent

Description of product:
“Contains Hydrate Double Moist Serum and aloe vera leaf extract that moisturize the skin and protect it from harmful environments.
Hybrid Clear Powder formulation absorbs sweat and sebum to keep the makeup for a long time without stickiness.
It contains A-touch powder and Glossy oil that make the skin glow and lively.”

Sunscreen:
SPF 50 PA+++

Price:
20,000 won

Amount of product:
14 g

Refill included?:
Surprisingly, this cushion doesn’t come with a refill!

Duration before expiration:
1 year

Country of Manufacture:
Made in Korea

Where to buy:
Jolse

Shades available:

Ingredients:How to use:
Take the air puff provided and lightly press over the soaked cushion.  Then in a stamping motion, pat into the skin until blended.

Product packaging:
I have to say, this is one of the cutest packaging ever but also slightly wasteful hehe.  It comes in a milk carton with the cushion case and the cushion separate.  I really didn’t have the heart to open it but I had to (obviously).

The case itself is quite high quality and the graphics isn’t a sticker but actually printed into the plastic.  I love how the air puff also has Peko on it, a super cute touch!  The mirror quality isn’t the greatest but at least I can still see myself clearly.  Its also a nice size which makes looking at your whole face possible (thank god).  I hate it when mirrors are so small, you can see like one nostril.  Like thanks?

The air puff is the beige type, which is thicker then the generic blue type and seems to soak up more product and gives you a slightly more satin/matte finish.  The one thing I don’t like about the beige type, even when you are done cleaning it, there is still a stain!  BLAH.

And inside of course is the soaked cushion where the product sits.  I’m quite surprised there is an embossing of flowers on it.  I’m not really sure if there is an actual function to it or is it just for looks.

I also have to note that the lid to keep the cushion airtight is slightly flimsy and just swings open, so you have to make sure to press it down to make sure all the air is pressed out and the lid is actually shut before you close the case.

Colour/ pigmentation:
Now this cushion comes in 4 shades and the swatches provided on the official Holika Holika website really wasn’t helpful.  The lighting was way too yellow tinted so I just tried my luck and went for the second to last darkest shade in #3 honey.  If I didn’t know I got #3, I would have swore this would have been a #21.  I usually buy #23 for a more natural, less Casper the ghost look but damn these shades run real pale.  There isn’t a grey undertone to it but I can see the base of these cushions are super white and stark.

Texture/ Finish:
Buying K-beauty online, you always have to just rely on the name of the products.  For dry skin people like me, words you look for would always be “moist, watery, glow, radiance”, stuff like that.  In the collection, there is two versions of the cushion, glow and perfect cover which usually means it is a matte finish or something that has a longer lasting coverage (aka. drier formula).  I’m always on the hunt to find the next best cushion for my dry skin and unfortunately I don’t think this cushion is anything special.  Yes, you do get a slight glow, but after 2 hours when it settles down, the glow turns into a satin finish which then turns more of a matte finish at the 6-8 hour mark.  And this is only if you don’t set your make up and use all cream or liquid products for your blush, highlighter and contour.  The formula also kind of clings onto my dry skin, making this product an average so so product for us dry skin people.  But I do think you might like this if your normal or combination skin type.

Coverage:
With first application of a thin layer, this gives a light but almost medium coverage.  With two thin layers, you can achieve a solid medium coverage but I wouldn’t pick this cushion if you want something with a higher coverage.

Lasting power:
This cushion, without setting it with any type of powder, has an average lasting power of 6 hours before it starts fading around the cheeks and the sides of my nose.  Of course, this is also due to the nature of the formula along with my preference to not set it.  The price you’d have to pay to be a dry skin type.

Fragrance?:
This has a slight floral fragrance to it but nothing too offensive.  Smell-o-scale: 5/10 in terms of how strong the scent is.

Okay, the fun part.  Let’s try this cushion out!Sorry I kind of look like death.  It was late at night but I wanted to get these reviews out for you guys HAHA.  Anyways, here is my bare with a little bit of lip balm.  I actually didn’t realize the lip balm would tint my lips slightly, but that really is besides the point.

Before (left) and after (right)
And here is the before and after with one thin layer.  As you can see, it kind of covered some of the redness around the cheeks and the sides of my nose but again, the shade is way too pale!

Here’s a close up.  You can see the formula isn’t the most hydrating and it already kind of accentuates my skin.  Not saying I have the most uneven skin, but if you do have uneven skin, it might be a problem.

And here is with two layers.  Slightly more coverage and the redness is completely covered.  I also used it for my under eye.  It does a decent job but the purple and redness under there definitely needs some color correcting to solve the problem.

And here it is all over.  Not bad but I think the shade could use just a touch more yellow as an undertone.

As you can see, there really isn’t much glow.  I wish it was more like the Saem aqua glow cushion :'(.

The finished look isn’t too bad actually with the contour and blush.  I could really work with this shade but I really don’t care for the formula.  Also the rest of the look is with all of the collection with exception of my lip because the tint looks weird with the eyeshadow look.

Also don’t be fooled, the glow is from the luminizer and not the cushion.

Pro:
-light to medium coverage
-formula is okay (not great) with dry skin

Con:
-shades are too light/pale
-Could be more hydrating

Repurchase?:
No

Stars given out of 5:
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Overall thoughts:
I think this cushion is decent but nothing to write home about.  I don’t hate it nor do I find anything special.  The finish is more of a satin finish then it is a heavily dewy finish.  The one thing I have to nit pick about is the shade system.  How is #3 so light.  What would shade #1 or #2 be like if shade #3 would be equivalent to a #21 in other brand’s shade system.  I’m not about to look casket ready aight?  Overall this cushion is decent and I think you’d like it a whole lot more if you had normal to combination skin.  Buy if you want and fits your preferences and needs but it personally isn’t my favourite.Product was gifted by Jolse. Not sponsored.

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