I would like to share a few interesting things and spots that I have discovered (or uncovered) in Seoul
Let me specify that I don't get any commission to talk about those products and services and most of the time, my comments are as honest as I can. And once again, please understand English is not my mother language.
Hairdresser
All women are usually crying after getting a haircut. Or they are systematically deceived because this is absolutely not what they wanted or dreamed about. Then the first thing they do when they get back home is to wash their hair again and let it dry naturally, as a way to take ownership of their new head.
I used to have my hair cut by Michelle, the (male) owner of Green Turtle beauty salon in Itaewon. Michelle has long been my lifesaver: he is a talented hairdresser and visagist, he speaks English and he even sings while he cuts your hair, which has a smoothing effect when you see the progressive makeover of your head. He is quite successful among Westerners and his salon is therefore crowded on weekends. This is not good at all when you desperately need to change your head and cannot wait.
A few weeks ago, I was really frustrated to be rejected by my favorite hairdresser (or let’s say his assistant) just because I had not booked any appointment. I therefore decided to try new JAY’s Hairdressing, also in Itaewon (close to Sortino’s). The salon is brand new and I love the design and atmosphere, clean, modern, colorful. Jay is a professional trained at Toni&Guy and Vidal Sassoon. I knew him actually when I was a customer of Cidi's Napkin Salon in Hongdae, now close. At the begining I found Jay a little slow since it took quite a long time for him to cut a little bit of my hair. He actually told me in perfect English that my former cut was pointless and was wondering who committed this. Well of course, I did not denounced Michelle, myself (for the fringe) or my husband (for the nape of my neck). Anyway, I received a VIP satisfactory treatment from Jay and his team and I did not cry after my new haircut. My husband even made a nice comment about my new bob (meaning that first of all, he noticed it and secondly, he liked it … Thank You Jay!).
Call to make an appointment : 070-4227-6158 or 010-3172-3177.
Skin care
I recently bought the following product - Aqua Peeling by Hamo Hamo - at Core Mart, the supermarket located at Exit 3 of Itaewon Station (B1 of Gekko's Terrace). At first, I thought it was some kind of Febreze thing. The product is really cheap (less than 5,000 7,000 KW if I remember well and I hope it won't change). It is super efficient to remove all dead cells in your face and body, leaving a soft and glowing skin. You can use it everyday though the first use is the most dramatic one. Do not expect big miracles everyday but you will notice in a few days that your skin condition has visibly improved.
Packaging is ugly or let's say minimalist and it looks like a product to wash cars or pets but the thing is ... it has a miracle effect at least on me (and I can tell you I am not a car or a pet). I would not be surprised to see some cosmetics companies willing to know more about the product. Hamo Hamo says this is entirely natural and made from dead sea water but I need to make the noctice translated.
Croissants (cont.)
Please also check: http://www.millennium-destinations.com/search/label/croissants
I visited French bakery Eric Kayser yesterday, newly opened at Seoul PLaza Hotel (B1), city Hall. By the way, Seoul Plaza's new design is amazing and its brown hue with touch of violet is simply beautiful. The Lobby bar is a dream. However, it seems the workers were really urged to complete everything before G20 so there is sometimes a feeling of imperfection in the finishing parts.
Let's come back to the croissants. The croissant au beurre at Eric Kayser is charged 2,500 W (ohlalalalala, stop the inflation!) and it was disappointing = slightly dry and NOT ENOUGH butter, the real one made from milk and not sunflower ! I like the shape but well no nice memories came to my mind when I chewed it.
The Croissant aux amandes was also super expensive (3,500 KW) but it was delicious. This is what my husband told me after having swallowed everything in 47 seconds. All breads looked yummy and especially the small breads with walnuts, apricot, etc. Baguette was ok but it could not compete with the Passion 5 one in Itaewon, the top winner.
In November, I also discovered:
- Baru Temple Food Restaurant in front of Jogyesa Temple (close to Insa-dong), where I had a lovely dinner with my friends Euiboon and Clarence; they have tables if you are not flexible enough to bear a 2h meal seated on ondol floor.
- A new Dogani-tang restaurant, recently opened in front of Trapalace, close to Seoul City Tower (Seoul station). You can also eat Seollang-tang if you do not like beek knuckles.
- Bu2: dining lounge in Itaewon (Villa Sortino Building in Itaewon) where I organized a party for single women on November 25th, according to the Catherinettes' French tradition. Delicious martini cocktails, house DJ music and interesting food menu.
- The World vine: high-class wine shop and bar located on the south of the Han river, Seolleung station exit 10. There was a wine tasting of Beaujolais served in magnum that smelled stawberry and banana Tagada candies, despite of the absence of carbonic maceration, Sommelier Thomas said.
- Shinhan Seoul Global Center located in Seoul Finance Center. A great place if you want to open a bank account, be taken care by pretty and witty Michelle (the banker, not the hairdresser; and don't tell her she looks like Christina Ricci or you'd better choose another branch) and get magazines in English such as 10 Magazine, Seoul and Worknplay. There is a nice article about her in December edition of Seoul magazine, very inspiring.
- Quintessentially: luxury concierge services for the rich and famous Seoulites but not only. Just check their website (http://www.quintessentially.com/) ... this could be for YOU!
- Agerus, a Swedish company specialized in HR Performance and Efficiency Management, recently established in Seoul: http://www.agerus.com/
- ContactKorea: a KOTRA initiative dedicated to occupational matchmaking.
http://www.contactkorea.go.kr/
Well, that's all folks !! See you soon for the December Seoul Findings
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