Olive Young: Where the Latest Korean Beauty Trends Gather
If you have to pick one essential shopping destination during your trip to Korea, it's undoubtedly Olive Young. From skincare to makeup and health supplements, it's the leading 'health & beauty store' where you can find all the hottest items in Korea right now, all in one place. We recommend it for anyone who wants to personally try and compare K-beauty products and shop affordably.
Olive Young acts as a 'beauty concept store,' discovering and showcasing innovative products not only from major corporate brands but also from talented small and medium-sized Korean brands. This means that when you step into a store, you can immediately see the trends that Koreans are actually using.
Why is it popular with foreign tourists?
- Trend Hub: You can check the rankings of 'real-life essential items' that Koreans actually use, categorized by type.
- Direct Experience: Almost all products have testers available, allowing you to try them on and compare before purchasing.
- Instant Tax Refund: For purchases above a certain amount, you can get a VAT refund directly at the store, eliminating the need to queue at the airport.
Popular Items by Category (Best of Best)
These are sure-fire items that consistently rank high in Olive Young's 'Awards'.
| Category | Representative Product | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Sun Care | Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream | Consistently popular for its non-sticky moisture |
| Toner | Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner | Lightweight soothing toner |
| Mask Pack | Mediheal Teatree Mask Pack | A frequent choice for bulk purchases as travel gifts |
| Toner Pad | Abib Heartleaf Spot Pad | Easy-to-apply daily pad |
| Derma Care | La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5 | A steady seller as a moisturizing balm for dry skin |
| Beauty Device | Medicube Age-R Beauty Device | Popular beauty device for home care |
'Instant Tax Refund' Procedure for Foreigners
Olive Young offers an 'Immediate Tax Refund' service where you get your tax back directly at the store. The process is not difficult.
- What to bring: Original passport for identification (copies or photos may not be accepted)
- Conditions: Available for purchases between KRW 30,000 and less than KRW 700,000 at a single store
- At checkout, tell the staff "Tax Refund, please" and present your passport.
- Payment will be processed immediately with the VAT excluded (no need to queue separately at the airport).
※ Tax refund criteria and limits may vary depending on policies, so it's best to reconfirm at the store before making a purchase.
Where to Enjoy
Olive Young Myeongdong Flagship Store
One of the largest stores in Seoul, it is particularly well-equipped for assisting foreign tourists and providing global services. This is the store most recommended for first-time visitors.
Location: Myeongdong area, Jung-gu, Seoul (near Myeongdong Station and Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station)
Olive Young Gangnam Store
With its sophisticated store layout and a dedicated experience zone for the latest beauty devices, it's perfect for those who want to touch and try out new gadgets and products.
Location: Gangnam Station area, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Olive Young DMC Sangam Branch
Befitting an area with many broadcasting stations, this store is where you can quickly find hot new products. It's a good place to stop by when exploring the Sangam area.
Location: DMC area, Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
💡 Visiting Tips
- Remember to bring your original passport for tax refunds. Inform the staff before payment to speed up the process.
- Check the 'Awards' or 'Ranking' displays first to quickly identify popular items.
- For gifts, it's convenient to pre-sort items considering weight and airline liquid restrictions for carry-on luggage.
- Myeongdong and Gangnam stores can be very crowded on weekends and holidays, so try to visit during quieter morning hours.
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