POV: You just finished school, your 친구 (chingu, friend) texts you like, "OMG, did you see the new ________?" and before you even reply, you're already mentally walking to the nearest Olive Young. Sound familiar? Bestie, if you're coming to Korea, you HAVE to experience the magic of Olive Young (올리브영)! It's not just a store, it's like... a whole vibe. ✨
Literally everywhere you go in Seoul, there’s an Olive Young. No cap. It's our national K-beauty playground, and lowkey, my second home after school! Whenever I need anything from a new lip tint to a totally random hair mask, or even just some snacks for a study session, my feet automatically take me there. It’s like a treasure hunt every single time because they always have something new and trendy. Plus, the atmosphere? It just hits different. You walk in, and you're surrounded by all these amazing 화장품 (hwajangpum, cosmetics) and the latest beauty gadgets. So exciting, fr fr!
You might be wondering, what should I even BUY there? Girl, EVERYTHING! 🤩 But if I had to pick, you absolutely NEED to check out their huge selection of 팩 (paek, face masks). They have walls full of them for every skin type imaginable. And the 선크림 (seonkeurim, sunscreen) game in Korea? Unbeatable! Olive Young is the best place to stock up on all the top-rated ones. Not gonna lie, I always end up buying more than I planned because there are so many cute and effective products. From viral makeup items to super soothing skincare, it’s all there, waiting for you to discover your new holy grail product!
Okay, here’s a super insider tip for my besties: ALWAYS, and I mean ALWAYS, look for the red tags! ❤️ That means it's on 세일 (seil, sale), and sometimes it's even 원플러스원 (wonpeulluseuwon, buy one get one free)! The biggest sales usually happen around the first week of March, June, September, and December. You can literally save SO much. Also, for all you tourists, don't forget to ask for a 택스프리 (taekseupeuri, tax-free) refund at the counter if you spend over a certain amount! You're welcome! 😉
💡 Pro Tip for Your Olive Young Adventure!
Before you go, check out some Korean beauty influencers or even the Olive Young app for "Best Seller" lists! It'll give you a head start on what's super popular right now. And don't be afraid to ask the staff for recommendations – they're always super helpful! Oh, and one last thing: don't just stick to the skincare and makeup aisles. Olive Young also has amazing healthy snacks and cute hair accessories. It's a whole world in there!