Balm Shelf Keeper · 53 stories

The Lip Balm Shelf

I write about beauty products I try in everyday routines. · Writes about: Beauty products · Restaurants · Shopping · Hair & beauty salons · Cafés · Bars · Things to do

PlaceGuro, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Sindorim waxing salon for after-work calf waxing: Waxing Lounge

Waxing Lounge Sindorim Branch is a waxing and skin care salon on the 1st floor of Sindorim Techno Mart in Guro, Seoul. To get ready to wear a dress, the writer booked a women's calf wax (35,000 won) on a weekday evening; in a private room, each calf was waxed in turn up to above the knee and finished with tweezers, leaving the legs smooth. Waxing Lounge Sindorim Branch is worth considering as a leg waxing salon you can drop into straight from Sindorim Station after work.

Written Jun 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Seolleung lash lift with a natural, not-too-bent curl: On The Boutique

On The Boutique (온더부티크) is a lash lift and sugaring wax salon in Gangnam, Seoul, about a 5-minute walk from Exit 1 of Seolleung Station. The writer asked for lashes that weren't bent too sharply, had an eye-shape consultation with the owner, and then got the salon's signature curler-style lash perm, the On The Ttolmang Perm (온더똘망펌). The treatment was comfortable enough to fall asleep with no eye stinging, and the lashes lifted clearly without touching the eyelid. On The Boutique's custom lash lift is recommended for anyone who wants bare eyes that look good without eye makeup.

Written Jul 3, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYongsan, SeoulRestaurants

Gyeongnidan-gil brunch café for three girlfriends: Ongfleur

Ongfleur is a French-style brunch café on Gyeongnidan-gil in Yongsan, Seoul, near the Grand Hyatt Seoul. Three girlfriends meeting up after a long time shared smoked salmon eggs Benedict, a lemon bacon cheese omelette and shrimp oil pasta with lemonade, and all three dishes were nicely plated and tasty. Ongfleur is worth a return visit for its signature French toast and the pancakes that were sold out that day.

Written Jul 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeocho, SeoulRestaurants

Seocho Station tonkatsu dinner: sweet potato cheese croquette at Kosi

Kosi Gyodae Branch (코시 교대점) is a Japanese restaurant specializing in tonkatsu and cold Sanuki udon in Seocho, Seoul, between Seocho Station and Gyodae Station. To avoid the lunch line, the writer visited Kosi Gyodae Branch with a friend after work on a weekday and shared tenbukkake udon (cold Sanuki udon with tempura bits), a fresh pork loin tonkatsu and a sweet potato cheese croquette on the side. With chewy Sanuki noodles, a crisp loin cutlet and a sweet-and-salty croquette, Kosi Gyodae Branch was satisfying across the board and worth a return visit.

Written Jul 3, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Gangnam waxing salon: sleeveless-ready arm and underarm wax, Nu Waxing

Nu Waxing & Brow is a waxing, lash and quick-brow salon on the 7th floor of a building on Gangnam-daero, between Gangnam Station and Sinnonhyeon Station in Seoul. To get ready for sleeveless tops, the writer arrived at opening time on a weekday morning for a half-sleeve line wax and an underarm wax at Nu Waxing & Brow; the waxer worked quickly, and the redness and itching right afterwards settled within a few hours. Nu Waxing & Brow suits Gangnam office workers who want body waxing done fast on a lunch break or after work.

Written Jul 1, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangdong, SeoulShopping

Cycling apparel shop in Cheonho, Seoul with a fitting room: Velopark

Velopark House (벨로파크하우스) is a cycling apparel and riding gear shop on Cheonho Bicycle Street in Gangdong, Seoul. The writer, who discovered Cheonho Bicycle Street through an older brother who rides as a hobby, browsed jerseys, bib shorts, goggles, helmets and gloves at Velopark House and tried them on in the fitting room. Being able to check fabric and fit in person and hear the owner's explanations makes Velopark House worth a visit even for beginner riders.

Written Jul 7, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Sinnonhyeon gyukatsu lunch with my sister: striploin vs steki, Ichigyu

Ichigyu Gangnam Sinnonhyeon Branch is a gyukatsu (breaded beef cutlet) restaurant on the 2nd floor of a building near Exit 4 of Sinnonhyeon Station in Gangnam, Seoul. On a weekday lunch with her older sister, the writer found the gyukatsu tenderloin already sold out, so the two compared striploin gyukatsu and striploin steki (Japanese-style steak), 19,000 won each, grilled in melted butter on a personal table burner. Both cuts stayed tender even when cooked longer and had no gamey smell, and the writer wants to return to Ichigyu Gangnam Sinnonhyeon Branch for the tenderloin.

Written Jul 7, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJungnang, SeoulRestaurants

After-work dakgangjeong to go near Sagajeong Station: Pyeongjeong

Pyeongjeong Dakgangjeong (평정닭강정) is a dakgangjeong (crispy glazed fried chicken) shop at the entrance of Myeonmok Alley Market in Jungnang, Seoul, about a 3-minute walk from Sagajeong Station Exit 3. On the way home from work late one evening, the writer took out a large mild dakgangjeong tossed with rice cakes, which was crisp outside and juicy inside, and the leftovers two people couldn't finish were still tasty the next day. Pyeongjeong Dakgangjeong is a dependable pick for late-night or snack chicken to go near Sagajeong Station.

Written Jul 7, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongbuk, SeoulCafés

Seongbuk dessert shop: black sesame mochi fish bread, Mochi Banatgan

Mochi Banatgan Sungshin Women's University branch is a gluten-free dessert shop on Rodeo Street near Sungshin Women's University Station in Seongbuk, Seoul, specializing in mochi fish bread (chewy fish-shaped pastries) made without wheat flour. As a late-night snack, the writer took home Grandma's Black Sesame and Strawberry Custard mochi fish bread, and the stretchy, chewy dough and generously packed fillings stood out. Mochi Banatgan Sungshin Women's University branch suits anyone looking for a lighter late-night dessert.

Written Jul 7, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulCafés

Weekday-lunch Sinnonhyeon café, mango sherbet latte: Upper and Under

Upper and Under is a large dessert café in a converted three-floor house, about a 5-minute walk from Exit 4 of Sinnonhyeon Station in Gangnam, Seoul. On a weekday after lunch, the writer ordered a mango bar sherbet latte, an einspänner, a vanilla canelé and a lemon pound cake at Upper and Under, and found the café calm compared with its busy weekends. Drinks are on the pricey side, but Upper and Under's space and desserts both make it a satisfying café near Sinnonhyeon Station.

Written Jul 8, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeocho, SeoulCafés

Gyodae Station date café: iced Helsinki Latte, warm babka at Mini Male

Mini Male Roastery & Coffee Bar Seocho Gyodae Branch is a specialty roastery café in Seocho, Seoul, that roasts its own beans, tucked into an alley near Gyodae Station Exit 9. On a lazy afternoon date at Mini Male, the order was an iced Helsinki Latte, an iced latte and a butter babka warmed in store; the Helsinki Latte was sweet with no bitterness, and the babka was soft and fluffy, pulling apart along its layers. Mini Male Seocho Gyodae Branch is a satisfying Gyodae Station café for anyone who loves lattes.

Written Jul 7, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwanak, SeoulRestaurants

Sillim diet restaurant: after-work pork myeongi bowl takeout, Prepers

Prepers Diet Food Sillim Main Branch (프레퍼스 다이어트 푸드 신림본점) is a high-protein diet restaurant near Exit 2 of Sillim Station in Gwanak, Seoul, and lists the protein content of every menu item. On a weekday commute home, the writer picked up two bowls to go, the Pork Myeongi Namul Rice Bowl (pickled wild garlic leaves, 45g protein) and the Chicken Teriyaki Rice Bowl (44g protein), and found the sous-vide meat moist and the portions generous. Verdict: the Prepers protein bowls broke the idea that diet food has to be bland.

Written Jul 7, 2026Sponsored