If you're ever in Seoul, you definitely cannot (CANNOT) leave without buying some beauty products. After all, K-Beauty has taken the world by storm and there's no where else to buy these products at a huge discount. Yet, the plethora of beauty shops are sure to leave you overwhelmed. Look no further as this guide introduces you to the best places and shops to visit to get your k-beauty fix.
This guide will be split into two sections. The first section covers general areas that have a wide-range of with a well-known Korean brand-name shops. The second section covers specific stores that cover a wider range of K-beauty products.
Section One
MYEONGDONG
Beauty shopping in Seoul is almost synonymous with Myeongdong. Myeongdong has literally numerous streets just filled with well-known Korean brand-name shops. Popular beauty brands such as Etude House, Innisfree, Laneige, Skinfood, Too Cool for School, The Face Shop, Holika Holika, Missha, Banila Co., Tony Moly all have numerous shops in this one area. More often than not, these shops are in competition with each other (even under the same brand) and thus are always running some form of promotion, so be sure to check out what's on offer as they differ from shop to shop. So be sure to walk around and not hit the first store that you enter! If it's your first trip to Seoul or if you don't have much time to travel, Myeongdong is definitely the area to hit up to get your beauty fix. For more shopping tips in Myeongdong, check out my post here!
Tip: If you spend 30,000 won and above, you'll be able to qualify for tax-free shopping. In some of these shops, the tax-free deduction is done on the spot.
UNIVERSITY AREAS: HONGDAE & EWHA
Similar to Myeongdong, these university areas have streets lined with well-known Korean brand-name shops. These areas offer the same variety but numerous shops of the same brand are not as commonly found as in Myeongdong. But on the plus side, here is where you can also find accessories and clothing that cater to the younger crowd at very affordable prices.
EXPRESS BUS TERMINAL
This underground shopping mall has close to 600 shops! And while most of it might be focused on fashion, there are still numerous popular beauty brands shops for you to get your beauty fix. Most importantly, this place comes highly recommended for two reasons. Firstly, this is a great wet-weather location! Compared to the above two places, this mall is completely underground, which means you can do your shopping without having to worry about the rain or any unpredictable weather changes. Secondly, the prices that you find here are usually cheaper than what you find in Myeongdong for the SAME brand and SAME product. If you're thinking of going to Myeongdong, do check this place out first because the prices are simply hard to beat and it's less well-known which means less people in your way!
Location: Banpo 1(il)-dong, Seocho-gu, South Korea
Section Two
OLIVE YOUNG
Brands: COSrx, Neogen, Rouond A'Round, Dr. G, Dr. Jart, Mediheal, Goodal, Espoir, Merzy, Son&Park, 3CE etc.
Olive Young is one of the biggest drugstore brands in Korea. Literally, you can find an Olive Young on every other street corner. From makeup to skincare, Olive Young houses all the in-trend brands such as Dr. Jart, Mediheal, Goodal, COSrx and many many more! The range of brand selection depends largely on their store size but you can be guaranteed to find K-beauty's hottest products in Olive Young. If you are really short on time, Olive Young is the place to go. This is because most Olive Young will also carry the holy grail products of popular brands such as Banila&Co's Cleansing Balm, COSrx One Step Pimple Pad and many more. Olive Young also has the widest range of sheet masks that is sure to burst your shopping budget.
A-LAND
Brands: COSrx, Dear Klairs, Whamisa, Heimish, Thank You Farmer, Neogen etc.
A-land is a concept store featuring trendy fashion and beauty picks. You can look to find brands such as Whamisa, Dear Klairs, Heimish in this one store! Compared to Olive Young, A-land also had a wider range of products for COSrx & Neogen. Their flagship store located in Hongdae has 5 floors, though part of that is dedicated to fashion! If you aren't in the Hongdae area, they also have two stores in Myeongdong. One is their main branch and the other is actually located inside the NOON Square (pictured above)! Be sure to check both out if you have the time as similar to Olive Young, the range of brand selection and products depends on the store itself.
CHICOR
Brands: Dear Klairs, Let Me Skin, Lagom, April Skin, Ground Plan, I'M MEME, Espoir, Make P:rem etc.
Think of this as Korea's Sephora. This store houses a wide range of both Western Beauty and K-Beauty brands. More importantly, this shop carries K-beauty brands that are relatively harder to find in Korea, such as Lagom, Let Me Skin & Ground Plan. The flagship store in Gangnam houses 2 floors, the first level for makeup and the second for skincare. They also have a store located in Shinsegae Department Store. P.S Chicor also offered the best samples during my trip in Korea. So if you are looking to venture into brands that are equally good but perhaps less well-known to the general public, do visit Chicor!
Location: South Korea, Seoul, Seocho-gu, Seocho 4(sa)-dong, Gangnam-daero, 441 서산빌딩 B1F
ARITAUM
Brands: Primera, Laneige, Mamonde, IOPE, Hanyul etc
Aritaum houses the various brands under Amorepacific, so you can look to find Primera, Laneige, Mamonde, IOPE and much more. Although Laneige has it's own standalone stores in Myeongdong, the other brands mentioned are usually only found in Aritaum. The best part about Aritaum is the up-selling. That's right. More often that not, even if you just buy one product from one of the brands, the salesperson will make offers for your to purchase other products at a hugely discounted rate (usually products that they are actively promoting sales for). If you are a HUGE fan of the Laneige Sleeping Mask, they also give those as a free gift (5x15ml, which makes it more than equivalent to a full-size bottle) when you take up their up-selling offer! You can find Aritaum in many places such as Myeongdong, Hongdae and Gangnam.
Pro Tip: If you are willing, don't take their first offer of up-selling. Make it seem like you are not that interested, they are more than likely to offer you an even better deal!
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