I thought putting on a sun cushion would be faster than lotion

Why I switched to a sun cushion instead of my usual tube

I used to be one of those people who just slapped on whatever sunscreen was on sale at Olive Young. My old method was basically smearing a dollop of white cream on my palms and rubbing it into my face like I was washing it. It usually took about thirty seconds, but my hands would always feel greasy, and I’d inevitably end up with white streaks in my eyebrows. I figured buying a sun cushion would be the magic fix. I kept hearing people talk about how it’s basically like a serum cushion, feeling light but getting the job done. I picked up a mid-range brand for about 28,000 won, thinking it would save me time before my morning commute.

The reality of the puff and the mirror

It didn’t take long to realize that ‘portable’ doesn’t necessarily mean ‘effortless.’ The first few times I tried using it on the subway, I felt like an idiot. Trying to hold a compact, open it, and tap a puff onto my face while the train is jerking around is a recipe for disaster. I once got a big white blotch right on my nose because the train lurched at the wrong second. Plus, the puff itself gets gross so quickly. You have to wash it or replace it, and it feels like an extra chore I didn’t have to deal with when I was just using my fingers. Now, I usually just do a quick pat-down at home and leave the compact in my bag for emergencies, though I rarely actually take it out in public.

Looking at what the younger generation uses

I saw a bunch of ads for kids’ sun cushions lately, like those Mongdies ones that everyone seems to be obsessed with. They are always doing these 1+1 promotions, and it’s tempting to grab one just because they seem so fuss-free. It’s funny how marketing works—seeing stuff meant for children almost makes me feel like my own skin routine is overly complicated. I’ve heard about people making their own DIY packs, like that CocoHeely set, but that feels like way too much effort for someone like me who just wants to leave the house without looking like a ghost. I’m still using my current cushion, but I’m not entirely sold on it being a permanent upgrade over a good old-fashioned bottle of tone-up cream.

The weird rules at my old school

Honestly, having to think about sun protection so much reminds me of high school. I remember there were these bizarre, strict rules where teachers would scan our desks for anything that looked like makeup. If you had a compact or even a tinted lip balm that wasn’t exactly ‘nude’ enough, they’d confiscate it. We were constantly trying to find the one tone-up sun cushion that looked invisible enough to pass an inspection. Now that I’m older, I realize how much energy we wasted trying to hide the fact that we just wanted to look a bit brighter before first period. It’s strange that I’m still looking for that same ‘natural’ look, even though nobody is checking my bag at the door anymore.

Is it actually worth the hassle?

I’m still not sure if I prefer the cushion or the tube. When I’m in a rush, the cushion is definitely cleaner on my hands, but the coverage is so uneven if I’m not careful. I’ve spent more money on these things than I ever did on the plain white tubes, and I find myself needing to buy refills every few months. Sometimes I look at the price tag and wonder why I didn’t just stick to the Dr. G cream or whatever standard stuff I used to buy in bulk. It’s not that the cushion is bad, it’s just not the life-changing shortcut I expected it to be. I think I’ll finish this one and then maybe go back to a basic cream, or maybe I’ll just keep being lazy and buy another refill because I’ve already gotten used to the puff.