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Chriselle Lim travels the world for her beauty and fashion work. But no matter where she goes, her heart always returns to Seoul, South Korea. This is where she feels most inspired and relaxed. For her, self-care is not just something she does—it’s a lifestyle. And Seoul is the perfect place to enjoy it.
Chriselle is a fashion stylist, digital creator, and entrepreneur. She started her blog, The Chriselle Factor, in 2011, and since then, she’s worked with famous brands like Dior and Chanel. She is also the creative director of the fragrance company PHLUR. Every time she visits Seoul, she shares her favorite beauty spots and tips.
Beauty Is a Way of Life in Korea
In South Korea, self-care starts at a young age. Chriselle says that in Korea, beauty and skincare are a daily habit. It’s not something you start only when you get older. Girls are taught early to take care of their skin—wearing sun hats, gloves, and sunscreen.
She jokes, “I used to feel embarrassed when my mom made me wear big hats and gloves in the sun. But now, I understand why. I’ve become that woman!”
Best Skin Clinic: Eun Skin Clinic
Chriselle’s favorite clinic is in Cheongdam, a rich part of Seoul’s Gangnam area. The clinic offers modern skin care treatments—like lasers, PRP (plasma therapy), microneedling, and even salmon DNA treatments. These may sound high-tech, but they are gentle and very effective.
She says the staff speak great English and treat customers with care. You can get several treatments in one visit. The results don’t show right away, but after a day or two, people begin to notice the difference.
Tip: If you’re visiting Seoul, Chriselle suggests visiting the clinic as soon as you arrive. That way, you’ll have time to heal and enjoy other activities, like shopping or visiting a café.
Best Relaxing Body Treatment: Gogyeol Spa
When she wants to relax her body, Chriselle visits Spa Gogyeol, also in Cheongdam. It’s different from a public Korean bathhouse (jjimjilbang). Here, you get a private room and a full body scrub. They remove dead skin and make your skin feel soft and clean.
The spa also uses traditional Korean health methods like the Five Tae Energies. These help balance your body and mind. Chriselle says this spa is perfect for tired moms or anyone who needs a peaceful break.
Best Overall Spa: The Trinity Spa
If you want both relaxation and beauty treatments in one place, Chriselle recommends The Trinity Spa in Yongsan. The spa offers facials, massages, skin toning, and more.
Even though the staff may not speak perfect English, Chriselle still recommends it because of the excellent services. It’s a great place to visit in spring or autumn, when Seoul is especially beautiful.
Best Beauty Shopping:
Amorepacific Headquarters, Sulwhasoo Flagship, and Olive Young
For beauty shopping, Chriselle suggests shopping like the locals. First stop: Amorepacific World Headquarters. You can get your face scanned and try products from many top Korean brands like Sulwhasoo, Innisfree, and Laneige. There’s also a tech-driven store called AMORE Seongsu, where you can test products in fun, interactive ways.
Next, she visits the Sulwhasoo flagship store, which looks like a beautiful golden lantern. It has two spa rooms and offers treatments with singing bowls and scrubs.
Lastly, she goes to Olive Young, Korea’s most popular beauty chain. Each location is a little different, but the store in Myeongdong is the biggest, and the Seongsu branch is more modern and stylish.
Best End-of-Day Routine:
Hair at ABYBOM + Coffee at Nudake Café
After all the spa treatments, it’s time to visit the hair salon. Chriselle chooses ABYBOM, a three-story salon that’s popular with Korean celebrities. She says it’s the perfect place to style, cut, or even detox your hair.
Then, it’s time for coffee. One of her favorite spots is Nudake Café, known for its artistic coffee and creative pastries. The café is part of the fashion brand Gentle Monster. You can walk through a cool art-like store, then relax with a drink.
Chriselle says, “The café culture in Korea is so strong. Between cafés and skincare, your day never ends!”
Final Thoughts
Chriselle Lim’s guide to Seoul isn’t just about beauty—it’s about feeling good, looking after yourself, and enjoying the journey. From modern laser clinics to traditional spas and stylish cafés, Seoul offers something for everyone.
She says, “There’s so much happening in Korea, and now the world is finally starting to see it. I’m proud to be part of that.”
Source: bbc.com
Vocabulary for the Article
Beauty career: A job working in the beauty and fashion world
Example: Chriselle Lim has a successful beauty career around the world.
Self-care: Taking care of your body and mind to feel healthy and good
Example: Many people visit Korea for self-care and skin treatments.
Digital creator: A person who makes content online, like videos or blogs
Example: Chriselle Lim is a digital creator who shares her beauty tips.
Skincare: The things people do to take care of their skin
Example: Korean skincare is famous for making the skin smooth and clean.
Spa: A place where people go to relax and get treatments
Example: Lim visits the spa in Seoul to feel relaxed and healthy.
Treatment: Something done to help your body or skin feel better
Example: She had a laser treatment at the skin clinic.
Clinic: A place where people go to get medical or beauty help
Example: The Eun Skin Clinic is popular in Seoul.
Technology: Machines and science used to help people
Example: Korea uses new technology in their skin clinics.
Relax: To rest and feel calm
Example: Lim goes to the spa to relax after busy work.
Tourism: Traveling to visit and enjoy other places
Example: Korea is famous for beauty tourism.
Laser: A strong light used in medical or beauty treatment
Example: Lim uses laser treatments to make her skin look better.
Massage: Pressing and rubbing the body to help it feel better
Example: She got a relaxing massage at the Korean spa.
Scrub: Rubbing the skin to clean it or remove dead skin
Example: At the spa, she got a body scrub to feel fresh.
Style: A way of dressing or looking that shows your personality
Example: Lim has a stylish way of dressing.
Healthy: Feeling good and having no illness
Example: Good skincare can help your face look healthy.
Glow: A soft light or shine, often used to talk about beautiful skin
Example: Her skin had a nice glow after the spa visit.
Recommend: To say something is good and others should try it
Example: Lim recommends visiting beauty places in Seoul.
Clinic staff: The people who work at a clinic
Example: The clinic staff helped her feel comfortable during treatment.
Relaxing: Making you feel calm and not stressed
Example: The spa was very quiet and relaxing.
Experience: Something you do or feel and learn from
Example: Going to a Korean spa is a new experience for many visitors.