If you’re not watching Just Makeup, you might be overlooking one of Korea’s most engaging new reality competitions, even for viewers who aren’t interested in makeup. “We used makeup as the theme, but we designed the show as a pure survival competition,” said producers Park Seong-hwan and Shim Woo-jin in an interview. Much like how…
This is not a drill: Olive Young stores are coming to the US! This week, Korea’s No. 1 Health & Beauty Store Olive Young announced plans to expand into the North American market with the opening of its very first store in Pasadena (CA) by May 2026. And shortly thereafter, more California stores, including locations…
What are Korean perms and why are they so popular? If you are like me and enjoy watching Korean dramas, you’ve probably noticed the long gorgeous hair of the female actresses. They’ve got such pretty hair. Yes, I know they have personal hairstylists who work on the hair for hours before a shoot but wouldn’t…
Menstruation has long been stigmatized, surrounded by malignment, misinformation, and misogyny. My own personal journey unfolds across three distinct phases of “menstrual awareness”: the rude shock of my first period, two “pause-button” surprise pregnancies, and now, the ultimate boss level of womanhood: the dreaded menopause. Buckle up, because this phase isn’t whispered about at sleepovers…
Summer is still going strong and while dermatologists tell us any kind of sunscreen is better than none, Korean sunscreens feel so much better than others. It’s been three years since I tested the best Korean sunscreens on the market and since then, the sun care from Korea has only gotten better. None of the Korean…
From innovative formulas to adorable packaging, it’s no wonder that beauty enthusiasts worldwide are constantly seeking out the latest and greatest from the Korean cosmetics scene. My last article in this series featured five viral K-Beauty products with my honest reviews, and I’ve come back with six more, all priced reasonably and widely accessible to…
It’s no secret that Korean cosmetics are loved by beauty gurus all around the world. K-beauty products are known to use gentler formulas coupled with natural ingredients that are good for the skin, making them less harsh compared to Western makeup products. With so many beauty influencers sharing their favorite products on TikTok, I’m sure…
It’s not news that K-pop stars often perform with colored contacts, and the ability to alter the natural color and shape of one’s eye has even become an integral part of styling a look or concept. Non-idols in Korea have easily followed this trend for years but now folks in LA can do the same.…
The Best Manicure of My Life Before living in Korea, I rarely got my nails done. Rarely. I would go to the nail salon only on special occasions or when I wanted a “spa day” with my friends. However, since living in Korea, I’ve become obsessed with Korean nail art. The designs and the creativity…
Korean Spas Guide: Pampering the Korean Way Sometimes the best gift you can give yourself is a Korean spa day. Unlike in the West, where spas are usually thought of as a special indulgence, in Korea they’re more of a way of life. The “sauna,” as it’s called, began as a public bathhouse, and for…