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.
5 K-Beauty Shops That Are Basically Disneyland for Your Face
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Published Sep 15, 2017
Innisfree
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/Yelp
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
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