The Korean base makeup shade system is genuinely limiting for many buyers, and no amount of careful reading changes that. What careful reading does is prevent buying three wrong shades, which is the usual outcome for a first-time cushion order.
What the numbers mean
The traditional system runs 13 (light pink), 17 and 19 (light), 21 (light neutral), 23 (medium), 25 (medium deep). The second digit of the shade name sometimes indicates undertone, with C for cool, N for neutral and W for warm appended by newer brands. 21 and 23 alone cover the majority of Korean domestic demand, which is why they dominate stock. Newer brands have started using letter and number combinations that indicate undertone explicitly, which is more informative than the traditional numbers but not yet universal.
The range problem
Most Korean domestic cushions stop at 23 or 25, covering roughly a light to light-medium range with pink-leaning undertones. Deeper shades exist mainly in brands that expanded for export. If you are medium-deep or deeper, the domestic catalog will not serve you and export-market lines are the better route. Some brands maintain separate export shade ranges under the same product name, which means a shade number that exists internationally may not exist in the Korean catalog.
Finding your shade without testing
Korean beauty forums maintain shade comparison charts mapping Korean numbers to Western foundation shades across brands. Cross-referencing two independent charts is more reliable than either alone. Bear in mind Korean cushions oxidize noticeably, typically darkening half a step within 30 minutes. Cushion formulas also differ substantially in coverage and finish, so matching shade alone without checking whether the product is glow or matte often produces a disappointing result.
Refills change the math
Cushions sell as a case plus refill, and refills alone cost roughly 40-60% of a full unit at 12,000-20,000 KRW. Buying one case and two refills is the standard approach and cuts both cost and shipping weight compared to buying three complete units. Refills also weigh under 30 g each and pack flat, which makes them the ideal item to add when a box needs a little more value without more bulk.
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Start a buy-for-me order →Frequently asked
Do Korean cushions oxidize?
Most do, generally darkening slightly within the first half hour. Choosing half a shade lighter than your perfect match is the common workaround.
Are refills compatible across brands?
No. Refills are sized to the specific brand case and often to a specific model within it.
Can cushions leak in shipping?
The sponge holds product and rarely leaks, though pressure changes can push product to the surface. Keep them upright and bagged.