K-Culture World

Beauty · 2026. 9. 22.

Olive Young Shopping Guide: Korean Beauty Trends and Recommended Items

BY 김민중

Olive Young Shopping Guide: Korean Beauty Trends and Recommended Items

How to shop efficiently at Olive Young stores?

As the center of Korean beauty trends, Olive Young stores can be easily found throughout the country, and they run various promotions every month. You can shop more conveniently by checking ongoing discount events or stock availability at specific stores via the official app before your visit. Large stores in tourist-heavy areas like Myeong-dong or Gangnam are particularly recommended, as they feature a concentrated selection of popular brands, making it easy to test various products in person.

Checklist before visiting the store

  • Install the official Olive Young app to check for discount coupons and weekly rankings.
  • Use the provided testers in the store to verify if the product matches your skin type.
  • Check in advance if the store offers a Tax Refund service to take advantage of the benefits.

Criteria for selecting products

With countless brands available in-store, choosing can be overwhelming. In such cases, it is helpful to refer to the 'Today's Recommendation' or 'No. 1 Sales Ranking' tags attached to the shelves. Additionally, since Korean cosmetics are categorized by specific ingredients, you should consult staff or carefully read the ingredient descriptions on the packaging based on your skin concerns (e.g., soothing, moisturizing, whitening). Recently, products with vegan certification or those using eco-friendly packaging have gained significant popularity, so considering these factors is also recommended.

3 essential steps for skincare at Olive Young

The core of the Korean skincare routine is to protect the skin barrier and maintain hydration. Olive Young offers the widest variety of products for these specific steps. When purchasing basic skincare, it is important to prioritize functional products that can address your specific skin concerns.

  • Cleansing: Mild, slightly acidic cleansing foams or cleansing oils that minimize skin irritation are popular.
  • Soothing Care: Soothing pads and cica-based ampoules, which are particularly famous in Korea, are effective for reducing skin heat.
  • Hydration and Moisturizing: You can choose from various textures, ranging from lightweight hydrating creams to highly concentrated moisturizing balms.

Purchasing tips by skin type

If you have dry skin, it is best to choose high-moisturizing lines containing ceramide or panthenol. For oily skin, products containing tea tree, which is effective for sebum control and pore care, are recommended. Also, since Korean cosmetics change significantly in texture by season, it is wise to get recommendations suited to the current weather in Korea. Lightweight gel-type moisturizers see high sales in the summer, while nourishing creams containing oil components are popular in the winter.

Skincare Essentials

SHOP THE LOOK: Skincare Essentials

What to consider when choosing makeup items?

Olive Young is a battleground for makeup brands that boast not only skincare benefits but also unique color palettes and excellent longevity. Korean makeup trends currently focus on natural skin expression and vibrant lip colors. In the in-store makeup zone, you can test various lipstick shades and foundations, making it easy to find products that match your skin tone.

Makeup purchasing strategy

  • Foundation: Korean products emphasize thin and lightweight adherence, so when testing, apply it to your jawline rather than the back of your hand to check the color match.
  • Lip Products: There is a wide variety ranging from matte to dewy, glossy textures. We recommend trying out MLBB (My Lips But Better) colors, which are highly favored by Koreans.
  • Eye Makeup: Eyeshadow palettes are famous for their well-curated compositions, ranging from daily-use brown tones to vibrant, sparkly products.

Tips for increasing longevity

When buying makeup, you should verify both longevity and color payoff. After applying a tester to your hand, check if the color changes after some time or if it settles into fine lines. Additionally, using a fixer or primer can help maintain the clean look of Korean-style makeup for longer.

Popular Makeup Items

SHOP THE LOOK: Popular Makeup Items

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find Olive Young stores?+

Olive Young stores are located near major subway stations, busy commercial districts, and inside large shopping malls across Korea. You can easily find the nearest store by using Google Maps or Naver Map based on your current location. Larger flagship stores operate in tourist-heavy areas such as Myeong-dong and Hongdae.

Can international visitors receive tax refund benefits at Olive Young?+

Major Olive Young stores provide an instant Tax Refund service for international tourists. If you present your passport at checkout, the tax-exempt amount can be deducted immediately. Since this applies to purchases above a certain amount, it is recommended to ask staff about tax refund eligibility before payment.

What are the most recommended types of Korean cosmetics at Olive Young?+

Highly recommended products at Olive Young include cica pads for soothing the skin, deeply hydrating ampoules, and lip tints known for their natural color payoff. Sheet masks that incorporate advanced Korean beauty technology and nose pore care products are also very popular as gifts for international tourists due to their excellent value for money.

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About the author

김민중

Writes practical guides to Korean beauty and food for overseas readers — Olive Young, convenience stores, and how-to tips.

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