Asian beauty products are in rage right now. And the front runners are Korean and Japanese cosmetics. I have fallen in love with some of the Korean makeup brands but sometimes I just want to find something everyone is talking about on Youtube whether it is just another new collection released by MAC, a new line of lipsticks and glosses by L’Oreal or a new blush by Chanel! So here is a post to share the international beauty brands I saw while shopping in Seoul.

Despite the plethora of options within the Korean brands, there are plenty of International beauty brands available in Korea. There are no stores like Ulta, Sephora etc. here but here in Seoul, there is Olive Young which houses many of the international drugstore brands.
Brands available in most of Olive Young stores (but not all) are:
Maybelline,
L’Oreal Paris,
Organix,
Cottage,
Lanolips,
Bioderma,
Nuxe,
Rosebud,
NYX,
Clio Professional,
Canmake,
Elle Girl,
Peripera,
IPKN New York,
Majolica Majorca,
Nivea,
Dove,
Vaseline,
Vichy,
Neutrogena,
Herbal Essence,
Aveeno,
Cetaphil,
Oh, My! Body,
Kamill,
San Francisco,
Burt’s Bees,
I Love…,
Uriage,
Skin 79,
Body Fantasy
These are all the brand names that I remember and could verify with the website (http://www.oliveyoung.co.kr) which is completely in Korean. It is rather sad that despite my love for Korea, I did not commit to learning Korean 🙁 I would have loved to but for some personal reasons couldn’t. And most of the websites here are only in Korean which do not even get translated since they are built on static pages (and many parts in Flash!).
So these are the drugstore brands, for high-end makeup items and skincare, check out Lotte Department store, Shinsegae, Lotte duty free, Galleria mall, AK Plaza etc.
Chanel,
Dior,
MAC,
Shu Umera,
Make Up Forever,
Benefit cosmetics,
Shiseido,
Clinique,
Bobbi Brown,
Bourjois Paris,
RMK,
Kiehl’s, (there are a few more…I will update once I remember them!)
The Body Shop and Lush also have stores in most of the department stores around Seoul!
The prices are a little more (obviously) than the direct currency conversion so bear this in mind when you shop international brands especially especially if you are on a short trip in Korea. Suit your preference but I would suggest having fun with Korean brands which are now on a world-wide rave if you are in Korea for a short duration! the best part is there is always a SALE going on somewhere amongst the various Korean Beauty brands.
For low to medium range, check out The Face Shop, Etude House, Nature Republic, Tony Moly, Missha, It’s Skin, Innisfree, Skin food…
For high end products, check out Hera, Sulwhasoo, SK II…
Check out my How To Choose Korean Beauty Products post for my opinion on the Korean cosmetic brands I have tried!
BB creams have been in rage for the past year or so and Skin79 has the best BB creams out here so check them out. It is available in Olive Young stores! Korean beauty brands from the lowest to the highest have beautiful packaging and there are a lot innovative products. Have fun shopping in Korea and share your experience!