But I thought a title such as "top 5 things to buy" and "top 5 steals " is not a good idea cause these kinda things are subjective, no? And this is not really a haul post because I honestly did not buy much.
Ok... first thing first I must say clearly that I wasn't going for quantity in Korea.
I just wanted to get stuff I really wanted and would use rather than waste money getting lots of stuff which would end up being sold on carousell back in Singapore -.-
Beauty Products
So I didn't get any masks, make up, BB creams, powders, etc.
The ones I bought are all in the picture, save for 1 nail polish that I forgot to put in the picture.
The small samples at the top right and the 2 face masks were all free. Which I already mentioned in my day 2 Seoul post how I got them... and how some of the store ppl were really stingy about lolx.
These blemish clear patches work just as well as the nexcare acne patch sold in Singapore. In fact, they were even thinner than the ones sold in Singapore. And much cheaper. I think this pack of 24 was about S$3? I do regret not getting a bit more haha but it's ok la.
These were from Missha!
Lots of nose strips sold at different brands. I've always liked the face shop ones but I decided to get some from the Saem also... which were no good -_- ah well. Heng I only buy 1 box.
And this interesting thing called the oxygen bubble mask! Something new that came out in the market recently. Where after putting the gel on your face, it starts to bubble and supposedly bubble out all the impurities from your face :O
Eh in anycase, I like this bubblemask very much coz it's fun to use and smells so so so good <3
If I may just say something, yes a lot of things you can't get back in Singapore, but I highly recommend NOT to buy so much (or of a large quantity) unless you guarantee yourself that you would use everything till it's completely used up.
No point going there to get an item which is $10 cheaper than in Singapore, but because you bought too many other things to try, you end up not finishing the product and throwing it away once it expires (you do know that these expire... right? :/)
So as you might have noticed from the post above, I did regret not getting more of some good stuff, but I was also happy I only bought a little, coz it turned out to not be good. But it's all ok, at least I can easily account for each item I buy and assure myself that what I bought I am using well.
With that said, innisfree is not substantially more expensive in SG! Check out their stores at Plaza Singapura and Takashimaya.
Accessories
Ear studs were affordable and pretty there! About $1.20 per pair?
The watch cost me $6 from Gotomall. I didn't like the skull bracelet which my dad bought so I'm selling it huhu.
I didn't buy much accessories cause I really think I have enough at home.
Accessories just never die... Like I barely throw out my accessories :/
Bags
As mentioned in my day 1 post at Ehwa, look out for the 10,000 won bag shops!
I bought these 3 bags for 10,000 won each, or about $12. I really like all of them, and honestly there were a lot more to choose from which I didn't get because they just don't suit my style.
A lot of satchels, cute sling bags, and other clutches. Nice but I won't use soooo I didn't get any of those. I love the clutches I bought! Got studs and slings and look like snake skin buahaha
Shoes
First Birkenstock look-a-like shoe is from a brand called Le Bunny Bleu at Lotte Mall, Seoul Station. My goodness I walked in, saw the pink and black shoe and I immediately wanted to get it. Hehe.
It cost about 39,000 won after discount, which is pricey la but I like it a lot. I've been wearing it a lot but it's not as hardcore durable as I'd like (how to fight with sneakers, which I live in).
The second pair is a canvas sneaker shoe with heels, very common in Korea. Cost me about 30,000 won and again it was pricey but I liked the shoe!
Hence my conclusion... SHOES IN KOREA ARE EXPENSIVE! WHERE ARE THE CHEAP SHOES WHERE? Ok fine there were some at gotomall selling for 20,000 won but they looked really...... urgh nvm.
Yeah so I ended up buying some shoes in Seoul cause the designs were much nicer than all the shoes I see in Singapore. I convinced myself that if I didn't spend about $50 for a pair of shoes that I liked in Seoul, I'd come back to Singapore and not get any shoes, coz I don't like the designs I see in SG (which btw, shoes are not cheap also).
Artbox
Haha... I'm sure there are other stationery shops around but I seem to only be able to find Artbox everywhere. I think I went into the shop at least 4 times, making purchases each time? Haha
From mousepad to stickers to letterwriting materials to post-its to notebooks.. THIS MUST BE MY DREAM JOB if I ever wanted to work in retail. I had to avoid buying the whole shop. Coz every item $1.20... it adds up one hor T.T
I bought a ton of letter writing materials because I write that many anyway. A bit more pricey than the ones sold in Daiso but THE QUALITY BETTER LEH
Food/Snacks
I'll end the post with this pathetic, opened soft candy bag. Hehe when you're there just buy lot of food to try ok? Eat loads and just have fun trying food.
Also... don't waste your luggage space buying seaweed. It takes up a lot of space actually. I bought 24 packs and then felt I was very stupid to waste the space coz Singapore also sell the seaweed what... AND DOES IT TASTE DIFFERENT SAM? DOES IT? NO RIGHT? haiz okok. Singapore does have some good korean stores that sell things from Korea so just go and buy la :/
I wanted to get kimchi for a friend but I'm so noob I really couldn't find it at all:/
Alright that's all for the Korean Series for now!
I do have 1 more post I want to do but I will upload it when I have the time to sit and blog again.
Thanks for reading!
Try lots of new things when you go to a new country, and enjoy yourself!