5 K-Beauty Shops That Are Basically Disneyland for Your Face
Ever since we first sheet-masked half a decade ago, we’ve been more than a little obsessed with beauty imports from the other side of the Pacific. And while there are plenty of gems to be found on Amazon, we never pass up a chance to scope out the adorably packaged products in person—and get some expert recommendations while we’re at it.
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Innisfree
One of Korea’s most beloved beauty brands just planted its first U.S. flagship. The focus here is on naturally derived ingredients—specifically, ingredients sourced from the volcanic, mineral-rich ecosystem of Jeju Island. At the new Union Square shop, you marvel at a 21-foot-tall living green wall while exploring regimens for every skin woe. (We swear by the pore-clearing clay mask with volcanic clusters.)
862 Broadway; us.innisfree.com
oo35mm
This Chinatown nook is like the medicine cabinet of our dreams, stocked with top-rated products including Troiareuke antioxidant toners and Cure Natural Aqua Gel (the best-selling exfoliator in Japan). In addition to all the skin-care goodies, you’ll find quirky accessories and knickknacks like Lego-shaped chopsticks and Pac-Man cookie cutters.
81 Mott St.; 718-486-8163 or oo35mm.com
Besfren Beauty
Stop into the well-stocked shop for beauty treats like moisturizing 3CE Glow Jam lipsticks and Skinfood Black Sugar scrub—then pop into Besfren dessert café next door for actual treats like matcha-taro soft serve and chiffon doughnuts.
315 Fifth Ave.; 646-858-1339 or besfrenbeauty.com
The Mask Bar
What are you gonna do, not wear a face mask while watching Netflix? This colorful shop has plenty of options, from the YouTube-famous carbonated clay mask (you know, the one that fizzes up like a beard) to snail-slime eye patches (weird, but they work wonders).
Two locations in Manhattan; themaskbar.com
Peach & Lily
The comprehensive online market just so happens to have a brick-and-mortar outpost at Macy’s in Flushing. This isn’t your average beauty counter, though: Experts will actually use a high-tech scanner to analyze your skin, then help customize a regimen tailored to your unique issues.
136-50 Roosevelt Ave., Queens; 718-358-9000 or peachandlily.com
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