My growing love for cosmetics shopping in Seoul is now directly proportional to the growing luggage space I've had to allocate for these buys. Here's what I bought for myself on the recent trip (gave away some gifts already):
Some freebies from my purchases (except for the face masks)
This one is just a box full of cotton pads ... but the box is ehem ^^.
I used to be totally ignorant on this fascinating sub-culture until I was drawn into that Skin Food shop in Dongdaemun last 2008. I even played it safe and just picked a body essence and a cologne. I could not risk any face or hair products at that time. But I was sold with the samples they dropped into my bag and resolved to muster up my courage to try new things on my next trip.
On my next trips, I fell in love with more essences, face masks and nail polishes! I was still mildly intimidated though whenever I browse through the endless pretty selections. I couldn't decide which ones to pick and I am usually too shy to use my limited Korean to consult the salesladies.
So before I left for Seoul last autumn, I took time out to educate myself on Korean cosmetics via beauty blogs! I didn't realize how extensive the resources are on the web on cosmetic reviews. I can't pick any one favorite since these beauty blogs each has its own style and charm. Just trust your google search and click on the massive selection of "Korean cosmetic reviews"!
Reading through the bloggers' assessments and comparisons of various Korean cosmetics raised my shopping confidence for my Seoul trip. Clearly understanding which brands and products I wanted to try, and how much they would set me back, I am able to walk into most of the cosmetic stores in Myeongdong … and come out with my pretty selections! I'm definitely hyped to try them all out now!
