K-Beauty is trending all around the world, but do you ever wonder what the trends look like in Korea? When looking for viral Korean Beauty products there’s nowhere better than Olive Young, the health and beauty store that keeps everyone in Korea in a craze.
Olive Young is the premier store in Korea for skincare, makeup, haircare, and supplements. Truthfully, it feels like you can see one of their distinct green storefronts no matter where you are in Seoul. Intern Jada (제이다) from the USA experienced Olive Young for the first time this summer and went on a shopping spree! Below Jada details how she felt about her visit.
Jada’s Experience:
I have been a big fan of K-Beauty since it went viral in the USA on social media. For years, my skincare routine has revolved around Korean tutorials for dewy, moisturized skin. When I first heard about Olive Young, nothing could have prepared me for what a true beauty lover's paradise it would be.
When I went to Olive Young, I had my sights set on a few things: moisturizing skincare, anti-frizz hair products, and a skin analysis. The Olive Young in Gangnam, within Seoul, offers free skin, color, and scalp analysis services on a first-come first-served basis.
When I arrived, I was shocked to see a long line for the analysis services and learned that most people arrived at least 15 minutes early to queue. My disappointment was short-lived, however, because I was shown to the store's self-service machines, which analyze your skin for you and give you a sheet to show workers who can then help you find the products you need.
After doing my analysis, I was told that my skin's age was 18 (a big feat for a 20-year-old) and that I had dry skin. The staff directed me to a moisturizing toner and PDRN products, which I quickly became obsessed with after trying them! PDRN products aren't commonly sold in the USA, so I returned later to buy some for my friends and family!
The next floor up focused on makeup and haircare. I was not prepared for Korea's humid climate, and my hair's frizz urgently needed to be fixed! Thankfully, the staff were so helpful in identifying great options, and I was able to use the many tester bottles to make sure I was leaving the store with the right product.
The top floor had a pop-up collaboration, supplements for hair, skin, and overall well-being, and fun, trendy Korean snacks like instant ramen. While I did not try any supplements, there appeared to be a very wide variety. Maybe that’s where I will start on my next visit!
Notable Olive Young Locations:
Gangnam is only one of several unique Olive Young locations. Seongsu's Olive Young is the biggest in Korea, designated a flagship store with five floors, including a cafe, a pop-up lounge, and similar skin analysis services. Additionally, Myeongdong's location features a welcome gift for travelers and an in-store tax refund stand, and Hongdae's store is a hub for frequent pop-ups and lots of photo opportunities.
Olive Young has made a lifelong fan out of me, and when I come back to Korea it will be my first stop! What about you – are you interested in any of these features? Which section would you be drawn to first: The skincare, makeup, haircare, or the supplements and snacks?
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