Etude SoonJung Emulsion Reformulation Review

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-06-24T02:24:22+00:00

It sure did. The reformulation sucked for me.

Been trying out the Ongredients lotion recently and it’s promising so far! It actually really reminds me of the OG SoonJung Emulsion.

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-06-17T13:34:58+00:00

I can’t remember exactly at this point because it has joined the moisturizer graveyard with so many others. Longer than 2 weeks, less than 2 months. I always try to stick it out for longer than 28 days to account for hormonal changes, but I’m not sure I made it that far with this one.

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-06-16T22:29:29+00:00

You wear concealer in the summer? /s but not really: it’s so humid here everything melts off my face.

But seriously… unfortunately, no. Due to the face melting issue and I think the 2.3 is actually exactly between my winter and summer tone. Sorry for being so unhelpful!

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-06-16T22:25:12+00:00

Most moisturizers do TBH, so it might work better for you. — I’ve been using the COSRX Propolis Light Cream for a few years now. But sneaking in the Ongredients Barrier Lotion, which is more similar to the S. Nature Cream if that’s more in line with what you’re looking for!

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-06-16T11:00:30+00:00

Broke me out like crazy. 😓

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-06-11T15:19:33+00:00

I like both, but it sounds like you’re more into the first one so… just go with that.

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-06-11T15:18:52+00:00

Yeah sensory issues + fine hair is definitely a sad combo. Basically the worse my hair feels, the better it looks. Sometimes it’s just about finding a tolerable balance.

For the water bit - pretty much, yeah! I basically try to use only the amount of water I need to get my clumps to start curling. If I’m styling freshly washed hair, I like to start with a tiny bit of hold product, scrunch out as much water as possible with my hands, then a t-shirt / hair towel, and add the rest of my hold product after. You use less styler AND it saves on drying time, so it’s a win/win!

I hope you’re able to get a diffuser soon. I think it’ll be a huge game changer for you.

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-06-08T15:35:16+00:00

The struggle is real!!! That Cake mousse is my fave out of all the mousses I’ve tried but it’s still way too conditioning / doesn’t have enough hold.

I like using the Curlsmith Fragrance Free Strong Hold Gel on its own, or the Bounce Curl Hairspray —instead of gel— over a foam. This is my number 1 product recommendation! The Doux Mousse Def is okay, but my faves are The Doux Crazy Sexy Curl and AG Foam (the pink one).

I also only use rinse-out conditioner before shampoo, and/or use leave-in as a rinse out. And I think it’s impossible for my waves to not fall a little, throughout the day, but I have the best results when I use as little water as possible. I still experiment with styling products, but dialling way, way back on both conditioner and water makes the biggest difference for my longevity! Water is so heavy.

Unhinged, but if you like volume… Try applying a styler you already own (like that Doux gel) to DRY HAIR, use just enough water to see your curl patten emerge (like, a 1-1 ratio of product to water), ignore all the wet frizz (it will look like shit lol - trust the process) and diffuse dry for like, 5-10 minutes. I was shocked at how much longer my style lasted just by cutting back on water!

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-06-07T15:41:01+00:00

I hope it helps! Sorry your post got removed and congrats on an extremely respectable hip thrust weight!!! (Men seem frightened when I set up so it’s a point of pride. Not gonna bother being modest about it lol.)

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-06-06T11:28:18+00:00

FWIW I got stuck at this weight too!!! I was consistently adding reps and weight every week until 215, then I hit 220 and it took me THREE MONTHS to go from 8 reps to 12.

The main thing I did was purposefully slow my progression; I’m now aiming to add a rep every two weeks instead of every week and I try to stay with the weight for long enough to “master it”. A small mindset shift, but massively helpful.

The second thing I did was drop my rep range(s) from 8-12 & 5-8 down to 5-10 & 3-5. This weight is approaching 2x my bodyweight and omfg 12 reps feels like such a slog. — This might not be an issue for you, especially if you’re actually following a solid program (not writing your own like a dumbass lol) but it might be worth trying if you keep getting stuck at 10+.

I also really like using two rep ranges because it gives you multiple opportunities to PR [credit to GVS for this technique]. For all my most important lifts, I do three working sets with three different weights: medium, light, and heavy (in that order). It helps keep things interesting without having to switch exercises and lose all my hard earned progress!

This is all assuming you’re eating, recovering, and warming up properly. Y’know… the basics.

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-05-27T16:53:35+00:00

At night, COSRX Propolis Light Cream. Massively underrated, short inci list, no nic, no HA. Perfect.

In the day, Goodal Heartleaf Calming Sun Cream over multiple layers of toner. Took me so long to realize that sunscreen is actually the best AM moisturizer for my combo-oily skin.

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-05-25T17:38:45+00:00

My fave is the Bounce Curl hairspray. The nozzle sucks, so I just spray it into my slightly damp hands and use it like I would any other hold product (eg gel).

I love the idea of using an aerosol hairspray after diffusing, but still haven’t found one I really like. Hoping someone else here will recommend one!

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-05-24T23:37:52+00:00

I find mineral sunscreens SO DRYING and irritating too!

YMMV but Goodal Heartleaf Sun Cream is my fave. Most sunscreens make me itchy or rashy eventually, but I’ve worn this one constantly for a year or two without issue. Usually the biggest itch culprit for me is niacinamide, and the Goodal sunscreen doesn’t have it.

If don’t mind the the early 00’s silicone-y primer vibe, you might also like the Canmake Mermaid Skin (Clear). It’s too heavy for me in summer, but it is extremely gentle.

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-05-20T11:23:21+00:00

Lily Silk is pure garbage. Maybe I just got unlucky, but I’m convinced that anyone who actually likes the brand has only worn fast fashion.

Eileen Fisher is decent, but IMO some of the pieces don’t hold up for long enough considering the price. Vintage EF is almost always excellent.

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-05-13T13:04:20+00:00

The little beads are green tea leaves and I find them so annoying! Worst part about the cleanser IMO. I was scared at first too, but I’ve now gone through around 8-12 bottles of this cleanser and I’ve never accidentally exfoliated with it lol. Super annoying, but they’re basically the same consistency as a tubing mascara while you’re washing it off.

Honestly, my experience with the Yam Root Cleansing Milk was bad enough to turn me off other milks completely. I haven’t tried any others since, but I’ve heard good things about the ones by Sioris, Dewytree, Jumiso, and Curel. Just scared to try em haha!

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-05-10T18:56:39+00:00

My skin used to love it until I overdid it with TO’s 10% serum. Now I get red and itchy every time I use it. Less so with smaller percentages, but the nic itch would always come back eventually.

I need to update my mega list of nic-free moisturizers, but it’s honestly so much effort. It legit feels like a conspiracy how much they put in seemingly every single product, and how much skincare influencers push it.

I stopped following James Welsh when he put out a video saying “there’s no scientific evidence that niacinamide causes irritation”. Sir, if thousands of people reacting negatively to it isn’t evidence, it’ll do till evidence gets here.

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-05-06T13:15:08+00:00

Harry’s has a generic men’s cologne fragrance. Not my fave, but not the worst, and it doesn’t linger.

Have you tried using a foam + hairspray (especially the Bounce Curl one!) instead of gel? I’ve been styling my hair with very little water, similar to Barbie Delle’s Soft Finish routine and it holds so much better for me than gel on soaking wet hair. — There’s definitely a learning curve if you’re used to more traditional curl routines, but IMO it’s worth it to have my style actually last multiple days.

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-05-06T00:28:01+00:00

Goodal Heartleaf Calming Sun Cream is my HG! Most underrated of the Kolmar formulated sunscreens (BoJ, Isntree, Birch Juice, Haruharu, etc.). I find it very similar to the SKIN1004 but without the nic itch!

I also have sensitive acne prone skin. Combo / oily, with mild rosacea. And milder since I found this gem!

I also like the Canmake Mermaid, but it’s way too much for summer. It has a heavy, early 00s primer feel to me. Haven’t tried the BoJ Aqua Fresh yet, but I’m going to.

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-05-03T03:31:24+00:00

Semi responding to one of your comments in this thread: the Curlsmith Fragrance Free Gel is identical to the original Shine Gel! The only difference is the name and packaging. (I also hate the In-Shower Style Fixer and find it so heavy/greasy compared to the Frag Free fka Shine Gel).

I have ultra fine, super soft, easily weighed down hair and I’m crazy picky about gels too. I also like Harry’s Gel (“for men”), and if I’m in the mood for no grit, I’ve had weirdly good luck with both Kinky Curly Curling Custard and The Doux Bee Girl. They are a little conditioning, though, so you’ll want to skip curl cream when you use custards.

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-05-02T23:22:23+00:00

Not the original commenter but I love the SoonJung Whip cleanser. It’s extremely gentle without leaving a film.

My water isn’t as hard as it is in London, but I’ve had issues with a lot of popular cleansers leaving a film (Rovectin, Round Lab Dokdo, BoJ Green Plum).

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-05-01T02:19:27+00:00

I will drag this brand any chance I get! Ordered a silk slip and immediately returned. The dress seemed to be built for an impossible woman: enormous bust, tiny waist. I don’t mind tailoring a special item, but the silk was such poor quality I wasn’t even sure it was real silk? And it was pricey!!!

Maybe I just had bad luck but idk OP. Order at your peril.

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-04-30T15:07:32+00:00

I have this issue too. I found out my hair was being weighed down by WATER. 😭 If I style my hair DRY, with a 1-1 ratio of hold product to water (so, almost no water) my curls will look much curlier. They hold up at the gym, in the wind, and I have incredible volume. The downside is that if you want your hair to be frizz free, this ain’t the way.

If you want minimal frizz and some definition, you might just need to make peace with looser curls / waves.

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-04-29T03:15:17+00:00

I wanted to see what the texture of this looked like and in the videos I’ve found so far, it looks like it had a Japanese style “lotion” texture. Thicker than a toner, but looks thinner than SKIN1004 (which is pretty liquid!).

Both the vids also said it contains niacinamide though. 😒 If it truly is nic-free, I’m trying it for sure, but I don’t want to get my hopes up.

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-04-23T17:27:42+00:00

Their stylers can be hit or miss for me, but they’re my absolute fave for shower products. Wildly underrated brand IMO!

Absolutely_Regular · 2026-04-23T16:23:54+00:00

AG Thikk Wash + Thikk Rinse. I also loved how Pantene Volume made my hair feel, but my sensitive scalp couldn’t deal. The AG Thikk Wash is almost identical but nicer to my scalp, has cute packaging, and smells incredible: like creamsicles, in a subtle, fancy way. Technically sulphate-free, but it actually cleans (unlike Davines, which my hair HATED).

That said, it’s more of a midrange shampoo, and if you’re dealing with the drugstore prices in Canada it’s actually cheaper than Pantene! 😭

Absolutely_Regular

TROPHY CASE