Karishma Gulyani
Karishma is a science nerd turned fashion and beauty writer who loves talking about trends as much as eating desserts. Gucci, salted caramel ice-cream, jewels, and Simba (her dog) make up four chambers of her heart. Like Karishma's story? Drop her a line in the comments section below. .
- December 20, 2019
- BEAUTY + WELLNESS, TRAVEL + JETSET
From spa treatments to snail mucin skincare, the must try beauty experiences from Seoul.
Four beauty connoisseurs demystify the South Korean beauty playground.
With K-beauty being the epicenter of beauty world for quite some time now, South Korean has bestowed us with one of the world’s major beauty capitals, Seoul. And even after managing to captivate beauty experts and novices alike with its spa and intensive skincare treatments, and a dedicated beauty street, Seoul’s extensive offerings can make it a bit overwhelming to begin this beauty-centric journey. Therefore, to help us all navigate through this beauty playground, we asked few of our favourite beauty connoisseurs to share their unique and interesting K-beauty experience. So, before you hop on to the flight to this beauty hotspot, prep up your great Seoul spreadsheet (or well, Instagram Saved folder) to experience the real deal – be it an all-out skin makeover or the ultimate spa day.
Roshni Chopra, Actor & Presenter
“Myeongdong is a beauty jungle where stores try and entice you by giving you a free face mask to enter the shop. And once you enter it can be overwhelming to decide what to buy. But the best way to go about it is to do your research, know your skin type and concerns, and have a list of what you are looking for. They also give you loads of samples, so load up on them and enjoy! Moving onto K-beauty products, Dr. Jart+ Hydration Lover Rubber Mask is definitely a favourite; I swear by the difference it’s made to my skin! The other thing I absolutely love is Banila Co Clean it Zero Cleansing Balm – it’s the best makeup remover I have ever used. In addition to these, I also love Centella Moisturizing Cream, Jewel Bean Eye Patches and Missha Time Revolution Essence.”
Latha Sunadh, Deputy Editor – Lifestyle Asia India
“Starting off my favourites with Banila Co Clean It Zero; it is a miracle product. It’s so easy to use, and really pulls out the grime and dirt. And the best sunscreen by far, if I count everything I ever used, is the LAGOM Cellus Sun Gel – it simply sinks into the skin and you can feel a glow. Other than these, Son & Park Beauty Water has literally changed the texture of my skin. And COSRX Snail Mucin is a treat – it feels slimy while applying, but OMG, the glow! I also swear by COSRX Low pH Gel Cleanser and Laneige Water Sleeping Mask. As far as makeup is concerned, I never find anything that I like, but Dear Darling Tint from Etude House is so nice for summer.”
Vasudha Rai, Beauty & Wellness Expert and Writer
“The only K-beauty product that I really like is Medi-Peel Centella Mezzo Cream; that’s the moisturizer I use regularly and have ordered a few times from YesStyle. But other than that, I didn’t end up doing any beauty shopping from Seoul on my trip. I just went to bathhouses a lot and, also, got Aqua Peel done twice. Aqua Peel happens to be quite popular there. They get it done weekly or fortnightly in order to like just clear the pores; almost like scrubbing your face, but extremely gentle. For Aqua Peel, I would recommend Muse Clinic. Besides this, I would say make sure to visit a jimjilbang (Korean Bathhouse). There’s one called Spa Lei which is in Jamwon-dong – make sure to go there and get body scrub done. You’ll also find Shangpree Spa listed on almost all tourist guides as the ultimate place for Korean Facials, but please don’t go there as Koreans themselves don’t visit it. I went there and no one was actually aware of it.”
Scherezade Shroff, Youtuber & Content Creator
“Well, my absolute favourite buys from Seoul have been Hera Makeup Black Cushion Foundation, Etude House Dear Darling Tints, Tony Moly Strawberry Blackhead Removal Strips and Nature Republic Aloe Vera Gel Mist.”
Karishma is a science nerd turned fashion and beauty writer who loves talking about trends as much as eating desserts. Gucci, salted caramel ice-cream, jewels, and Simba (her dog) make up four chambers of her heart. Like Karishma’s story? Drop her a line in the comments section below.
