Gadget Balm Picker · 19 stories

Buttons and Balms

I write about my experiences with digital products, beauty products, and things for the home. · Writes about: Tech & gadgets · Beauty products · Home & living · Food & snacks · Cafés · Restaurants · Bars · Hair & beauty salons · Shopping

PlaceMapo, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Hongdae makeup shop for full makeup on a no-plans day: Today Makeup

Today Makeup is a makeup shop near Hongik Univ. Station in Hongdae, Mapo, Seoul. After mixing up the date of an important meeting, the writer got full makeup (skin, eye makeup and brows) plus curling-iron hair styling at Today Makeup on a day with no plans, and was sent home with touch-up tools and the lip product used that day. Verdict: if you want natural makeup that still defines your features, Today Makeup in Hongdae is worth booking.

Written Apr 22, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Hongdae lash extension salon: 1:1 consult for droopy lashes, Lashkimi

Lashkimi is a lash salon near Hongik Univ. Station in Mapo, Seoul, on basement level 1 of the LG Palace Building, sharing its space with the nail salon Nailharayu. Because of her droopy lashes, the writer brought screenshots from Lashkimi's Instagram as references and got a 1:1 consultation that analyzed her eye shape, lash thickness, color and everyday makeup before the lash treatment. Lashkimi is a Hongdae lash salon that suits anyone who wants a thorough consultation and a light result that doesn't feel like anything is on the eyes.

Written Apr 28, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulShopping

Hyehwa phone case shop with a friend: 14-year-old poodle case, Casedby

Casedby Hyehwa is a 24-hour unmanned custom phone case workshop on Daemyeong-gil in Jongno, Seoul. The writer and a friend each made a one-of-a-kind phone case from a photo of their own dog at Casedby Hyehwa. Making the case was very easy, but they spent 30 minutes in the shop choosing photos. Verdict: pick your photos and design before visiting Casedby Hyehwa.

Written May 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeodaemun, SeoulCafés

Yeonhui-dong bake shop for Parents' Day financier gifts: Yeonhui Oven

Yeonhui Oven is a financier and baked-sweets shop tucked into an alley in Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun, Seoul. During Family Month, the blogger biked to Yeonhui Oven to buy financiers for their parents and was especially pleased with the Café Dolce financier, the madeleine cake and the careful individual wrapping. Even the blogger's dad, who rarely enjoys sweets, happily ate them, making Yeonhui Oven an easy recommendation for a Parents' Day dessert gift.

Written May 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYongsan, SeoulRestaurants

Hannam-dong burgers with a German friend: Downtown Burger Hannam

Downtown Burger Hannam (다운타우너 한남점) is a handmade burger restaurant on Daesagwan-ro 5-gil in Hannam-dong, Yongsan, Seoul. The writer and a friend visiting from Germany shared a Chimichurri Avocado Burger, a Double Cheese Truffle Burger, cheese fries and a Coke Zero, and the German friend gave a thumbs-up after the first bite. Downtown Burger Hannam is a safe bet for a great burger in Hannam-dong, especially with friends from abroad.

Written Jun 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGoyang, GyeonggiCafés

Goyang KINTEX bakery at Seoul Food 2026: sandwiches, Boulangerie Tan

Boulangerie Tan at Hyundai Department Store KINTEX is a bakery in the basement 1 food hall of the Hyundai Department Store KINTEX branch in Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi. Hungry between visiting Seoul Food 2026 and work, the writer wandered into Boulangerie Tan by chance. The writer tried the signature breads, a baguette and two sandwiches, and was deeply impressed by the crisp-outside, soft-inside texture and rich butter flavor. Verdict: Boulangerie Tan is a bakery worth a habitual stop whenever you have reason to visit KINTEX.

Written Jun 9, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Vegan & halal certified Hongdae restaurant: NY platters, Halal Steaks

Halal Steaks is a New York-style halal food restaurant on the second floor of a building behind Hongdae's main street in Mapo, Seoul. Over platters with coworkers, the writer found that the white sauce and hot sauce at Halal Steaks came remarkably close to the flavors in New York, and also checked out the vegan and halal certificates posted in the shop, the window-seat view and the Turkish baklava. Verdict: Halal Steaks is strongly recommended for anyone missing New York halal platters or looking for a certified halal and vegan restaurant.

Written Jun 9, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Hapjeong hair salon: toning down patchy bright hair at Arish

Arish Hapjeong Muse Hair Salon (아리쉬 합정뮤즈점) is a young, trendy hair salon near Hapjeong Station in Mapo, Seoul. Tired of constant root touch-ups, the writer traded bright hair for a fall-winter tone-down dye that evened out the patchy brightness into a calm color that makes the face look brighter. With a refreshing shampoo and generous snacks on an evening visit, Arish Hapjeong Muse is a salon the writer plans to revisit for magic straightening.

Written Oct 15, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulCafés

Seogyo-dong gallery café with torched cheesecake: Naemyeonui Balgyeon

Naemyeonui Balgyeon (내면의 발견) is a café in Seogyo-dong, Mapo, Seoul, with the feel of a contemporary art gallery, tucked in an alley between Hongdae and Hapjeong. On a visit with coworkers, the team ordered a latte, a flat white and an americano with a cheesecake whose top is scorched with a torch. Every coworker raved about the coffee, and the smoky, dense cheesecake was hard to forget. For space, coffee and dessert in one stop, Naemyeonui Balgyeon in Seogyo-dong is a great choice.

Written Oct 8, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Dongdaemun chicken hot pot with Japanese friends: Sunhuine

Sunhuine Bindaetteok Dak Hanmari Dongdaemun (순희네빈대떡 닭한마리 동대문본점) is a Korean restaurant near Dongdaemun Market in Jongno, Seoul, serving dak hanmari (whole-chicken hot pot) and bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes). Two Japanese friends found Sunhuine on Instagram and Google; the group ate dak hanmari, a seafood mung bean pancake and kalguksu (knife-cut noodles), and the friends drank the broth straight from the bowl and ordered a second pancake. With deep broth and friendly service, Sunhuine is a Dongdaemun Korean restaurant well worth visiting with foreign friends.

Written Jul 22, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, SeoulShopping

Warehouse vintage shop in Dongdaemun: 100 new items daily, Viva Trade

Viva Trade Eulji (Viva Trade Eulji Dundaun Dongdaemun Branch) is a 200-pyeong (about 660 m²) warehouse-style vintage shop on the 5th floor of the Dundaun building at Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station in Jung-gu, Seoul. The writer saw for themselves the 100 new items said to arrive daily, a mix running from high-end to budget pieces, 4 fitting rooms with full-length mirrors, rest chairs and 2 hours of free parking. With Daiso, Olive Young, Uniqlo and Ashley in the same building, Viva Trade Eulji makes an easy full-day outing, from vintage shopping to a meal.

Written Jul 24, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Hongdae nail salon custom dog photo nail art, black poodle: Byuazeu

Byuazeu Hongdae Nail, Lashes & Skincare (VUAS) is a beauty shop near Hongik Univ. Station Exit 9 in Mapo, Seoul, offering nails, lashes and skincare. After a consultation with the owner, the writer got custom nail art of a black poodle on a purple base, modeled on Gucci, the writer's 14-year-old black poodle, and the art was still intact a week later. Byuazeu is a good Hongdae nail salon for anyone who wants their dog on their nails.

Written Jul 28, 2026Sponsored