Myeongdong, is one of the top few places to visit to get your K-beauty fix in Seoul. But with the wide array of shops and crowds of people, it's so easy to feel overwhelmed and lost. So here are some tips, from my own experience, to help guide you through the maze that is Myeongdong.
1. Ask for Samples
It's 2019 and unfortunately, stores in Myeongdong are no longer as generous with giving samples even if you make a large purchase. Some stores do give out some samples here and there but it has drastically decreased. I was so puzzled as I bought way more this time around compared to in the past, but the stores were no longer offering any complimentary samples. Even more so, one salesperson actually did pack some samples but when I refused their paper bag (because I brought my own reusable bag), she actually took the samples out! I learnt only when I returned that stores don't really give out samples to every customer anymore and if you want some free samples, it's best to just ask for it when you make your purchase! So if you want some freebies, make sure you politely ask if they have any samples that they are giving out!
2. Check out all the shops of the same brand before making a purchase.
Often, brands like Etude House, Innisfree, Missha all have 2 or 3 shops along the same street and area. These shops may stock different products (if they have a wide product range, like Etude House) in varying quantities. So if you can't find something, don't buy one product and head to another outlet to buy another product from the same brand. This is because you would want to spend at least 30,000 won in one shop (especially if you have more products to buy from a particular brand) to get your tax refund.
Also, shops of the same brand are in competition with each other and thus, they sometimes also run different promotions. I went to one Etude House to buy a toner, only to find out that it was on 20% offer at the other outlet, which was literally only a stone throw away. So be sure to check out all outlets to check out their promotion to ensure you don’t miss out on the good deal.
3. Leave a couple of cult favorite K-Beauty products out. Surprisingly, at Incheon Airport, most of the products were even cheaper than in Myeongdong! Of course, they do not stock as wide a range as outlets in Myeongdong, but holy-grail products, such as the Laneige Sleeping Mask, among others, are available at a cheaper price (even with the tax refund). You'll likely have to buy a larger amount of quantity to qualify for any potential discounts (such as 1+1, 10+10 etc). Nonetheless, if you're looking to stock up on bestsellers of well-known brands. you may want to consider buying it at the airport instead of Myeongdong.
4. Research! Research! Research! If you are new to K-beauty, make sure you do some research on what products are selling well and gaining rave reviews. This will give you some form of direction in terms of what you might want to buy. However, just because a product is well-received doesn't mean it might work well for your skin type and concerns. So it's best to firstly to figure your own skin type and own concerns. This will help you avoid products that are simple not suitable for your skin type or concerns, no matter how highly rated it is. So make sure you invest some time on knowing yourself and then the market! This will give you a much clearer picture of what you want/need to buy and save you money on unnecessary or unsuitable buys.
5. Look beyond K-Beauty Shopping! Myeongdong is so much more than just K-beauty shopping haven! At around 4pm, roadside street stalls will begin their set up. These stalls have amazing food that can surely fuel you for your shopping escapades! From beef skewers, japchae to hotteok, the choices are simply endless and very delicious.
There are also stalls that sell socks, pullovers, bags and many more at very affordable prices! The socks usually come in many different designs and are simply adorable. They are also a steal, costing only about a dollar (SGD) a pair! For those who like pullovers and bags, there are also some good designs which are priced at about 10000won (12 SGD). So please don't leave Myeongdong before these stalls even open!
P.S If you are looking for other places to get your k-beauty fix, check out my Seoul Beauty Shopping Guide!
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