Did you manage to guess where I headed to, in late August? Yes, its to Korea! Seoul, in particular.
It was an 8 day trip, with a free and easy itinerary. Being my 2nd time to Korea after 9 years, I made a point to hit places which I would not get to visit, in a planned tour.
I enjoyed my time in Korea. Then again, who doesn't? Shops were opened till late and I struggled to wake up every morning as I slept late every night, trying to maximize my shopping time.
In a nutshell, I took the last Airport Limousine Bus ( a closed shave ), stayed at Prince Hotel @ Myeongdong ( excellent location although some creaky sounds from the above floor made me hard to fall asleep initially - nope, it wasn't creepy ), purchased the T-money Card from 7-11 ( my original intention was to get the Seoul City Pass Plus but the staff don't seem to understand - a complaint I read online before too ), booked a 1 day tour to Nami Island, Le Petite France and Gardens of Morning Calm ( S.A. Tours ) via Klook ( alittle too rushed and the S.A Tour guide isn't fantastic, more like a coordinator, rather than a guide ), then again, it all depends on your luck with the tour guide assigned to you.
The positive reviews for the Nami Island, Petite France, Garden of Morning Calm, Gangchon Rail Bike Day Trip from Seoul (S.A Tour)
Other popular events with Klook :
Nanta Show
Running Man Thematic Experience Center
Lotte World Discount Ticket
Everland Theme Park Discount Ticket
Here are some discount codes for more savings if you intend to book some tours with Klook :
Singapore Users :
SG Year End Sale - $20 off: YESWAY20
Applicable on desktop/app and valid till 30-12-2018
SG Year End Sale - $50 off: YESWAY50
Applicable on app and valid till 30-12-2018
Malaysia Users :
RM$50 with minimum spending of RM$800
Applicable on app and valid till 31-12-2018
RM$100 off with minimum spending of RM$1200
Applicable on desktop/app and valid till 31-12-2018
My 8 days itinerary :-
Day 1 : Check-in hotel, bought cup noodles at the nearest 7-11 as supper and hit the bed then.
Day 2 : Sinsa-dong Garosu-gil | Express Bus Terminal Underground Shopping | Shinsegae Dept Store | Sinnonhyeong Station for Cree'mare ( must-visit for Kbeauty lovers ) | Coex Mall | Dongdaemun
Day 3 : Hongdae University Street | Hongik Walking Street | Hongdae Free Market | Lotte Duty Free Store | Myeongdong Shopping Street
Day 4 : Lotte Mart | Lotte Outlet Seoul Station | Ewha Women University Shopping Street | Dongdaemun
Day 5 : Gyeongbokgung Palace | Samcheongdong | Bukchon Hanok Village | Dongdaemun
[ Raining too heavily in the afternoon so we have to skip Insadong ]
Day 6 : Le Petite France | Nami Island | Gardens of Morning Calm | Myeongdong
Day 7 : Gwangjang Market | Namdaemun Market | Jamil Underground Shopping | Lotte World Mall | Dongdaemun
Day 8 : Myeongdong | Home Sweet Home
Brought my all-time favourite make-up remover ( Bioderma Sensibo H20 Micelle Solution ), trusty cleanser ( Naturalmente Breathe Skin Therapy Moisturizing Cleanser Emulsion ), new Laneige Fresh Calming Toner Pack, Caudalie Moisturizing Toner, InstaNatural Brightening Serum with Vitamin C, Naruko Magnolia Brightening and Firming Lotion, Biotherm Life Plankton Mask ( overnight mask ), SKII R.N.A Power Eye Cream Radical New Age, Goddess Garden Everyday Natural Mineral Sunscreen together with my Naruko Facial Spa Massage Cotton Pads and The Body Shop Round Cotton Pads. I have also brought several facial masks sheets and eye masks sheets which I will review in due time.
Glad that all the above products made my skin velvety smooth everyday in Korea and there was lesser hair fall as compared to when I was in Singapore ( even though I used the same shampoo and comb ). I also did double masking daily, to combat the effects of the sun in the day and the air-conditioning in the night.
Thanks to Instagram which opened up my eyes to so many Korean brands unheard of, in Singapore. Shopping for them made me so happy! Love the 1 for 1 promotions and the various discounts. I can't wait to go again.
If you like to shop for clothes, do focus more on the stalls near to universities and underground shopping centers.
WHERE TO BUY SKINCARE IN KOREA, SEOUL :
If you are a skinholic addict like me, here are some places which you can try. As I am more of a skincare junkie than a make-up junkie hence my focus in this post is all about skincare. There may be better places for make-up but I am unable to advise on that.
a) Love Health and Beauty ( LOHB ) : for brands like Cremorlab, Aromatica, Huxley, etc
b) Cree'mare : for brands like Huxley, Klairs, Blithe, Heimish,etc
note : Cree'mare is a must visit for KBeauty fans, I love the place where they allow you to shop at your own pace and peace. There is no crowd and you can test as much as you like, without any interference or disturbance. I spent 125000 won within 45 minutes.
c) Eden Place : for brands like Whamisa, New Days, Beausome
note : I wanted to visit this place but its obscure location and uncertain opening and closing hours put me off. I emailed them twice, requesting for the timing but there were no replies at all.
d) Chicor, Shinsegae Cosmetic Store : for smaller Korea brands and international brands
note : unfortunately, due to time constraint, I skipped Gangnam Underground Shopping Center, hereby bypassing this store.
e) Aland : for brands like Klairs, Polatam, Imfrom, etc
f) Lalavla : like our local Watsons
g) Olive Young : for brands like boH, Imfrom, Dr. Jart+, SNP, CNP, etc
h) Aritaum : for brands like Laneige, Mamonde, etc
Tips :
- Visit the same brand store every few days as there could be different promotions, new brands or new products. It would be more cost-effective to stay in Myeongdong if you like to shop for skincare like me.
- Visit different branches from the same brand, if you pass by, as different branches may have different promotions.
- You can make use of the different coupons from Visit Korea Committee, Visit Korea, Hanchao ( mandarin ) and Travelnote ( mandarin ) to save 5% ~ 10%. Not necessary if you think its not worth the effort.
Here are some of my hauls from Seoul. The level of service seems different from 9 years ago. There were no longer generous samples given out, only some measly samples which some promoters would pretend to forget until you asked for them. Some would follow you around, hard-sell and had an unhappy expression on their face when you decline to buy whatever they offer.
Maybe I'm just unlucky that day because I don't hear anyone around me mentioning the poor attitude of the service staff.
My more memorable time was a lady ( ahjumma ) from an LOHB branch in Gangnam, where she recommended Acwell sun stick ( I purchased it, since there was a 1 for 1 promotion ) and when I was paying at the cashier, she suddenly came behind me to remind me to do a tax refund. There was no need for her to do that, but she did, and that was what touches me, that one genuinely think for the customer.
Another memorable one was a lady ( unni ) from Aritaum branch in Namdaemun who served me with a smile from start to end. It is attitude like this, that made me more than willing to part with my money happily.
1) Acwell Dermild Airy Sun Control Stick ( 1 for 1 promo )
2) The SAEM Eco Earth Power No Sebum Sun Cream
3) Lapothicell Natural Mineral Sun Protection ( 1 for 1 promo ) 19200won
4) A'pieu Pure Block Daily Sun Cream 7800 won
5) Mamonde Everyday Aqua Sun Cream Samples - complimentary
6) Ryo Anti-Hair Loss Shampoo
7) Mise En Scene Perfect Repair Serum ( Light )
8) A'pieu Hair Vinegar - complimentary from A'pieu branch
9) Son and Park Beauty Water ( 1 for 1 promo ) 22500 won [ from Lalavla ]
10) CNP Laboratory Quick Fresh Vita Ampule Mist
11) Klavuu Blue Pearlsation Marine Collagen Aqua Mist
12) Klavuu White Pearlsation Divine Serum Mist
13) Thank You Farmer True Water Vita Mist
14) Cosrx Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner 12600 won [ from A-land ]
( In a hurry, I grabbed the wrong toner, my original intention was to get Galactomyces Toner )
15) Iunik Vitamin Hyaluronic Vitalizing Toner
16) Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm ( original )
17) Huxley Hydration Trio Set 79800 won
- Toner Extract It, Essence Grab Water, Cream Fresh and More
18) Iunik Beta-Glucan Power Moisture Serum
19) Iunik Beta-Glucan Daily Moisture Cream
20) Nature Republic Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel 2600won
21) Chok Chok Coffee Body Scrub 10000won
All the above are samples received with my purchases at different stores.
Blithe Makeup Prep Essence
Blithe Cream
Milcott Hand Mirror
Secret Key Pomegranate Nature Recipe Mask Pack
Huxley Samples
21) Klavuu Special Care Pearl Glow Mask
22) Laneige Water Sleeping Mask + complimentary samples 19600 ( 30% off 28000 won )
23) Thank You Farmer Soothing Gel Mask
24) I'm From Vitamin Tree Mask
25) Laneige Foam Cleanser Moisture - complimentary
26) The Saem Snail Wrinkle Essential Toner and Emulsion - complimentary
27) Cicago Cia Finish Cream samples - complimentary
28) Happy Bath Cooling Body Gel - complimentary
29) Primera Seed and Sprout Energy Lotus Facial Sheet Mask ( Buy 2 free 2 promo ) 20000 won
30) Papa Recipe Bombee Honey Mask
32) Laneige White Dew Intensive Eye Mask ( 1 for 1 promo )
33) SNP Animal Panda Warming Eye Mask
34) A'pieu Dog Edition Steam Eye Mask ( 5 sheets ) 4500 won
35) Tony Moly Panda's Dream So Cool Eye Stick 7800 won
36) Tony Moly Panda's Dream Eye Patch 10000 won
37) The Saem Iceland Hydrating Eye Stick ( 1 for 1 promo )
38) The Saem Gold Snail Eye Gel Patch Set ( 1 for 1 promo ) 32000 won
39) Petitfee Black Pearl and Gold Hydrogel Eye Patch 6500 won
40) SNP Bird's Nest Aqua Eye Patch 7900 won
41) Shangpree Ginseng Berry Eye Mask 15200 won
42) Shangpree Marine Energy Eye Mask 15200 won
43) Leegeehaam Master Wannabe Aqua Fit Mask
44) Leegeehaam Master Wannabe Honey Fit Mask
45) A'pieu Icing Sweet Bar Sheet Mask ( Watermelon Moisturizing ) 800 won
46) A'pieu Icing Sweet Bar Sheet Mask ( Pineapple Smoothing ) 800 won
47) A'pieu Icing Sweet Bar Sheet Mask ( Hanrabong Jeju Tangerine Brightening ) 800 won
48) T.P.O Aqua Mask ( 1 for 1 promo )
49) T.P.O. Collagen Mask ( 1 for 1 promo )
50) T.P.O Honey Mask ( 1 for 1 promo )
51) Dr. Jart+ Soothing Hydra Solution Mask ( 1 for 1 promo ) 4000 won
52) Dr. Jart+ Soothing Vital Solution Mask ( 1 for 1 promo ) 4000 won
53) Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Calming Mask
54) Make Prem Comfort Me Air Mask
55) A'pieu Madecassoside Gauze Mask
56) A'pieu Cicative Magnesium Sheet Mask 1200 won
57) A'pieu Cicative Calcium Sheet Mask 1200 won
58) A'pieu Cicative Zinc Sheet Mask 1200 won
59) Mediheal Watermide Hydrop Mask ( 1 for 1 promo )
60) Mediheal Vita Lightbeam Mask ( 1 for 1 promo )
61) Mediheal Collagen Impact Mask ( 1 for 1 promo )
62) Mediheal R:NA Brightening Mask
63) Mediheal A:PE Soothing Mask
64) T.P.O Lip and Eye Twin Patch
65) T.P.O 4 Piece Multi Patch
66) Ariul 7 Days Mask Green Tea ( 1 for 1 promo ) 1300 won
67) Ariul 7 Days Mask Lemon ( 1 for 1 promo ) 1300 won
68) Hanyul Nature In Life Sheet Mask Brown Pine Leaves_Revitalizing ( 1 for 1 promo )
69) Hanyul Nature In Life Sheet Mask Pure Artemisia_Water Calming ( 1 for 1 promo )
70) Hanyul Nature In Life Sheet Mask Seo Ri Tae_Intensive ( 1 for 1 promo )
71) Hanyul Nature In Life Sheet Mask Rice_Moisturizing ( 1 for 1 promo )
72) Jayun Cosmetic Collagen Skin Fit Mask
73) Jayun Cosmetic Real Water Brightening Black Mask
74) Acwell Anti Wrinkle Daanje Sheet Mask ( 1 for 1 promo )
75) Acwell Drinks Purifying Daanje Sheet Mask ( 1 for 1 promo )
76) Acwell Water Moisture Daanje Sheet Mask ( 1 for 1 promo )
77) Acwell Rice Brightening Daanje Sheet Mask ( 1 for 1 promo )
Promotional price of buy 1 free 1 mask at 1000 won each
78) Mamonde Evening Primrose Nourishing Flower Lab Essence Mask
79) Mamonde Pomegranate Lively Flower Lab Essence Mask
80) Mamonde Camellia Anti-aging Flower Lab Essence Mask
81) Mamonde Magnolia Brightening Flower Lab Essence Mask
82) Mamonde Hibiscus Deep Moisturizing Flower Lab Essence Mask
83) Mamonde Honeysuckle Lifting Flower Lab Essence Mask
84) Mamonde Rose Moisturizing Flower Lab Essence Mask
85) Mamonde Narcissus Hydrating Flower Lab Essence Mask
86) Mamonde Calendula Soothing Flower Lab Essence Mask
87) Laneige Water Pocket Sheet Mask x4
88) Medicube Relax Calming Ringer Mask x2
89) Medicube Shining Toning Ringer Mask x2
90) SCINIC Intensive Dual Mask Aqua Solution
91) SCINIC Intensive Dual Mask Firming Solution
93) Tony Moly Green Tea Watery Mask Sheet complimentary
94) Missha Aloe Mask Sheets x2 complimentary
95) Missha x Kelly Park Chocolate Mask Sheets ( Buy 5 free 5 promo ) 12500 won
No comments
Post a Comment