In Part 1, I introduced what Olive Young is, what you can buy there, and why it's one of the first places many travelers visit in Korea.
In this part, we'll look at the best K-Beauty brands, how to check store inventory before you visit, and a few shopping tips that can save you both time and money.
Popular K-Beauty Brands Worth Checking Out
One of the best things about shopping at Olive Young is that you can discover many of Korea's most popular beauty brands in one place.
Whether you're completely new to K-Beauty or already have a wishlist, these are some brands you'll see throughout the store.
Popular Skincare Brands
Torriden
Known for its hydrating skincare, Torriden has become a favorite among people with dry or sensitive skin. The Dive-In Hyaluronic Acid line is especially popular and often recommended for daily hydration.
Beauty of Joseon
Inspired by traditional Korean ingredients, Beauty of Joseon combines modern skincare with herbal extracts. Its sunscreen is one of the brand's biggest bestsellers among international visitors.
Mediheal
If you're interested in sheet masks, you've probably already heard of Mediheal. Olive Young usually carries a wide variety, making it easy to try different types depending on your skin concerns.
Popular Makeup Brands
If makeup is on your shopping list, Olive Young is also a great place to explore some of Korea's best-known beauty brands.
Many stores have tester products available, so you can compare shades and textures before making a purchase.
3CE
3CE is one of Korea's most recognizable makeup brands, especially among international beauty lovers. It's known for trendy color collections, stylish packaging, and wearable shades. Lip tints, eyeshadow palettes, and blushes are particularly popular.
CLIO
If you're looking for long-lasting makeup, CLIO is a brand worth checking out. It's famous for its sharp eyeliners, mascaras, and cushion foundations, making it a favorite for both everyday makeup and professional-looking results.
Espoir
Espoir is well known for its base makeup. Many people visit Olive Young to try its foundation, cushion compacts, and makeup primers because the brand offers a wide range of shades and finishes. If you're searching for a natural Korean makeup look, Espoir is a great place to start.
Not Every Olive Young Store Carries the Same Products
Here's something many first-time visitors don't realize until they're already shopping.
Not every Olive Young store stocks the same products.
Imagine you're looking for a BanilaCo cushion foundation in Shade 21. You visit the nearest Olive Young, only to discover it's sold out. Before giving up, check the Olive Young website or app—you may find another nearby store that still has it in stock.
Larger flagship stores, especially in popular shopping districts, usually offer:
- A wider selection of K-Beauty brands
- More exclusive or newly launched products
- Larger makeup sections
- More tester products
- Bigger promotional displays
Smaller neighborhood stores, on the other hand, often focus on bestselling everyday essentials.
So if you're hunting for a specific product, don't give up after visiting just one location.
There's a good chance another nearby Olive Young still has it in stock.
Save Time by Checking Store Inventory First
If you're only visiting Korea for a few days, every hour counts.
Instead of walking from store to store hoping to find the product you want, it's worth checking availability before you leave your hotel.
Many travelers don't realize this, but Olive Young lets you check product availability at individual stores through its official website and mobile app.
The website is currently available only in Korean, but don't worry—Google Chrome or your phone's built-in translation feature can translate most pages automatically, making it easy to navigate.
Here's how to check store inventory in just a few steps.
Step 1. Search for the product
Use the search bar at the top of the Olive Young website and type the name of the product you're looking for.
For example, you can search for "CLIO eyeliner", "Banila Co Cushion", or any other product on your shopping list.
Once you've found the correct product, click on it to open the product page.
Step 2. Find Nearby Stores That Have It
On the product page, scroll down until you see the button labeled "구매 가능한 올영매장 찾기", which translates to "Find Olive Young Stores with Stock."
Click this button to open the store availability map.
Tip: Since the website is only available in Korean, using Google Chrome's built-in translation feature can make this step much easier.
Step 3. Check Store Availability
A map will appear showing nearby Olive Young stores.
You'll notice green markers on the map. These indicate stores that currently have the product in stock.
On the left-hand side, you'll also see a list of stores with their current inventory.
If a store shows 재고 2개, it means there are 2 items currently available.
Likewise:
- 재고 5개 = 5 items in stock
- 재고 10개 = 10 items in stock
Keep in mind that inventory changes throughout the day, especially for popular products, so it's best to visit the store as soon as possible after checking.
Step 4. Visit the store with available stock
If the product is in stock, you'll save yourself a lot of unnecessary walking.
This simple habit can make your shopping trip much more efficient—especially if you're looking for a popular item that's frequently sold out.
Travel Tip: If a product is unavailable at one store, don't assume it's sold out nationwide. Check another nearby Olive Young before changing your plans.
Which Olive Young Store Should You Visit?
You'll find Olive Young stores almost everywhere in Korea, but some locations are better suited for travelers than others.
Myeongdong
Probably the most popular choice for tourists.
The stores here are large, easy to find, and often stock many of the products international visitors are looking for. You'll also notice multilingual signs and staff who are used to helping overseas customers.
The downside?
They're usually crowded, especially in the afternoon and evening.
Hongdae
If you're interested in trendy beauty products and younger Korean brands, Hongdae is a fun place to shop.
Many visitors combine Olive Young with shopping, cafés, and street food, making it an easy stop during the day.
Gangnam
Gangnam stores tend to attract local shoppers as well as tourists.
They're often spacious and carry a wide selection of premium skincare and makeup products.
If you're staying south of the Han River, this may be the most convenient option.
Seongsu
Seongsu has become one of Seoul's trendiest neighborhoods.
While people usually visit for cafés and pop-up stores, it's also a great area to browse Olive Young if you're already exploring the neighborhood.
There's no single "best" Olive Young store.
The best one is simply the one that has the products you're looking for.
That's another reason why checking inventory beforehand can save both time and disappointment.
How to Shop at Olive Young
Shopping is straightforward, even if you don't speak Korean.
Once you enter the store, products are organized into clear sections such as skincare, makeup, hair care, body care, and health supplements.
Take your time exploring.
Unlike some beauty stores, you're not expected to buy anything immediately. Feel free to compare products, read ingredient labels, and use the available testers where appropriate.
If you're unsure about a product, don't hesitate to ask a staff member for help. In tourist areas, many employees can answer basic questions in English, and translation apps work surprisingly well if needed.
When you're ready, simply bring your items to the checkout counter.
Some larger stores also offer self-checkout kiosks, although most international visitors find it easier to use the regular cashier—especially if they're planning to claim a tax refund.
Payment Methods
Good news—you probably won't need to carry much cash.
Most Olive Young stores accept major international credit and debit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, and JCB. Mobile payment options may also be available depending on your card issuer and device.
If you prefer paying in cash, that's perfectly fine too.
Before completing your purchase, it's worth asking whether your transaction qualifies for an immediate tax refund if you're an eligible international visitor.
The cashier can let you know if the purchase meets the requirements.
How Tax Refund Works at Olive Young
One of the perks of shopping in Korea is that eligible international visitors can receive a tax refund on qualifying purchases.
Many Olive Young stores offer Immediate Tax Refund, which means the tax is deducted at the time of purchase instead of requiring you to visit a refund counter later.
If your purchase qualifies, the process is usually very simple.
Before paying, let the cashier know you're a tourist and present your passport if requested. If you're eligible, the tax refund will typically be applied automatically during checkout.
Requirements may vary depending on your purchase amount and the store, so it's always a good idea to ask before completing your payment.
Tip: Keep your receipt until the end of your trip, even if you receive an immediate tax refund. It may be helpful if you need to exchange or return an item later.
Can You Return Products?
Hopefully you'll love everything you buy—but if something isn't quite right, here's what you should know.
In general, products are more likely to be eligible for a return if they are unopened and unused. You'll also want to keep your original receipt and use the same payment card whenever possible.
If you need to return an item, it's usually best to visit the same Olive Young store where you made the purchase. The staff can confirm whether the product meets the return requirements and explain the process.
If you received an Immediate Tax Refund, the return may require an additional tax adjustment. Depending on the situation, the tax refund transaction may need to be canceled or recalculated before the return can be completed.
For that reason, it's a good idea to bring:
- The unopened product
- Your original receipt
- The payment card you used
- Your passport (if an immediate tax refund was applied)
Because return policies can vary depending on the product and purchase conditions, always check with the store before opening or using an item you're unsure about.
