An honest TirTir foundation review – does it live up to the hype?

By now, the TirTir foundation isn't anything new to a seasoned K beauty lover. I first got wind of the exciting formula last year, when my equally Korean-makeup-obsessed and New-York-based friend texted me without context: “…it's the best thing I've put on my skin.”

Shortly after, a photo of a familiar oval-shaped red compact followed: she was talking about the viral TirTir cushion foundation.

Of course, she was able to test it long before I did – it launched in the US well before it landed here in the UK – but our time did arrive. One of the best foundation launches of recent months landed in Boots, and to say that I was excited would be a huge understatement.

For the uninitiated, the TirTir foundation originally launched in South Korea all the way back in 2016, having quickly become popular within the Asian beauty space. But, as with most complexion products made in South Korea, it had one major drawback that was difficult to ignore: the sparse shade range. It was originally only available in just a handful of shades – all limited to fair and light skin tones – but luckily, by the time the brand made the decision to expand into the Western market, this wasn't the case. The brand expanded their shade range significantly in an impressively short space of time.

I interviewed Jihea Keum, product development manager at TirTir, who told me that they were "the first Korean beauty brand to pioneer an inclusive 40-shade cushion foundation — a milestone achieved through a thoughtful, step-by-step expansion from three to 40 shades in just six months.” Impressive, huh?

Today, the now-very-inclusive TirTir foundation remains a TikTok phenomenon, with many beauty enthusiasts praising it for its skin-like finish and an impressive level of coverage. Yet, as is the case with all viral beauty products, I couldn't help but wonder – is it really worth the hype?

I'm an Asian beauty journalist with a longtime professional interest in Korean skincare – from Korean moisturisers to Korean face masks – as well as Korean makeup. So, I felt like it was my duty to put the full coverage foundation to the ultimate test. I've been busy reviewing this cushion formula for a few weeks now; I've used it every day without exception to note down all the pros and cons that come with it.

So, here goes: my honest, deep-dive review of the viral TirTir cushion foundation.

SKIP TO: Meet the reviewer | Product deep-dive | GLAMOUR Road Test | Final verdict.

TirTir Foundation review: at a glance

• Pros: Offers impressive coverage, delivers a satin finish, has long-lasting staying power, comes in compact packaging, affordable.
• Cons: May not be the best fit for those after sheer coverage. Instead, consider a foundation stick or tinted moisturiser.
• Price: £25.
• Our Verdict: “Having used it under practically every circumstance known to a woman in her 20s, I can safely say that I've put this foundation to the ultimate test. Be it during an intensive pilates class or enduring rush hour on public transport, I'm glad to report that the TirTir foundation passed every challenge with flying colours. It turned out to be the Goldilocks of foundations: not too dewy, not too matte, it's juuust right. My favourite part is that it doesn't even feel like I was wearing one in the first place."

TIRTIR Mask Fit Red Cushion Foundation

£25

Boots

I want to preface this review by saying that I'm very critical when it comes to my choice of foundation. I find that this makeup hero can easily make or break my entire look. Starting from how it pairs with my skin type to how it oxidises and pairs with the rest of my products. I also have notoriously dry skin, so ensuring that a formula is hydrating and doesn't cling to my dry patches is a non-negotiable. Coverage is also equally as important. Since I have mild rosacea, I find that most cushion formulas don't cover up the redness around my cheeks as well as I would've preferred.

• Skin type: Dry and sensitive.
• Foundation shade: 21N.
• Undertone: Neutral.

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.”

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.

The handy sponge applicator felt bouncy on the skin, and the slightly bigger size allowed it to cover a larger surface. Needless to say, applying this foundation was quicker than ever. The formula managed to effectively cover up my mild rosacea, and coverage-wise, one dab into the product was enough to cover most of my face. It delivered a stunning full coverage finish that blurred out my pores while feeling surprisingly weightless on the skin. What impressed me most was the dry down. Not too dewy, not too matte, it nails the perfect balance right in-between. My natural shine around my cheekbones still peeked through while my T-zone remained nice and oil-controlled throughout the day.

The rest of my makeup layered nicely too (concealer, bronzer, contour, blush and the works) – no lifting or patchiness whatsoever. By the time I was done, I decided to skip the setting spray to put it to the real test without anything that would help make it last longer. Then, off I went hopping from one train to another, fighting off the British wind while running between press appointments. As if the day wasn't hectic enough, I also signed myself up for a reformer pilates class during lunchtime. Clearly, the commitment was there.

The foundation managed to stay put throughout most of the day and started to look a little different towards 6pm (granted, at this point, it was already over 12 hours post initial application). The redness around my nose and cheek areas started to peek through and the overall complexion felt a little dryer – the latter of which is nearly inevitable, considering how cold the UK gets in February.

My last commitment of the day was a sit-down work dinner, which lasted until roughly 10pm, and I managed to get home just before 11pm, which is when I promptly made my way to my vanity mirror to do the last “foundation check” of the day. Having wrapped up the 16-hour wear mark, I was impressed. Full disclosure: my overall makeup didn't look exactly the way it did in the morning. The redness and my natural shine peeked through even more, though the base still looked very much intact. It didn't look too cake-y and it didn't oxidise into a weird orange-y colour, which often happens to some of the other formulas I tried.

Needless to say, the TirTir foundation genuinely impressed me. So much so that it ended up joining the rota of my favourite formulas to date. And that's no mean feat coming from a beauty writer who tests foundations for a living. It may not be the best fit for those of us who are into light coverage formulas, but if you're someone who loves a full-coverage yet natural-looking moment, then this is a formula worth considering.

Its satin finish is great for any occasion and the skin-loving formula feels incredibly hydrating on the skin. Above all, I loved the longevity. If it managed to stay on for a whole 16 hours, I can only imagine what it can do on events like weddings. All for £25, no less. TL;DR, it's one the easiest stamp of approvals.

After something else? Shop the best lightweight foundations and read my Il Makiage foundation review. Or, shop the best foundation brushes and the best foundations for dry skin.