Texture Watcher · 5 stories

The Texture Test

I write about the textures and everyday use of beauty products. · Writes about: Beauty products · Hair & beauty salons · Restaurants · Cafés

PlaceSeongdong, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Seongsu hair salon: hush perm for fine, limp straight hair, Onzon Hair

Onzon Hair Seongsu is a hair salon in Seongsu, Seoul, right outside Exit 5 of Ttukseom Station. After a 1:1 consultation, the writer, who has fine, limp straight hair and struggles with styling, got a cut and a heat perm (a hush perm, one of the layered perms) in about 3 hours 30 minutes, and the curls came out as natural as if set with a curling iron. For straight hair that lacks volume and needs an easy-to-style perm, the hush perm at Onzon Hair Seongsu is a good fit.

Written May 31, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSongpa, SeoulRestaurants

Bangi-dong gopchang BBQ, 1-hour Friday wait & fish roe rice: Jinseong

Jinseong Hanwoo Gopchang Bangi Direct Branch is a Hanwoo (Korean beef) gopchang restaurant in the Bangi-dong food alley in Songpa, Seoul. The writer added their name to the walk-in waiting list around 6pm on a Friday and waited about 1 hour. Then, with friends, the writer ate 2 portions of gopchang (small intestine), 1 of daechang (large intestine) and 1 of makchang (abomasum), finishing with kkakdugi fried rice topped with flying fish roe and a fried egg. Verdict: the 1-hour wait at Jinseong Hanwoo Gopchang was worth it, and the writer would go back.

Written Jun 3, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSongpa, SeoulRestaurants

Jamsil sandwich shop for a solo lunch near CHA Hospital: Town Sandwich

Town Sandwich Jamsil Branch is a baguette sandwich shop behind the Lotte Castle park, near Exit 8 of Jamsil Station in Songpa, Seoul. The writer had the truffle jambon-beurre (ham and butter baguette) all-in-one set with pumpkin soup and an Americano for 14,000 won, and loved the baguette, crisp outside and moist inside, along with a soup portion far bigger than expected. Town Sandwich Jamsil Branch is a handy solo lunch for CHA Hospital visitors and office workers who want a meal and coffee in one stop.

Written Oct 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongdong, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Sindang salon: 7-level matte gray coverage on bleached ends, Oreudeubi

Oreudeubi Sangwangsimni Station Branch (오르드비 상왕십리역점) is a hair salon on the ground floor of the Centras shopping arcade, between Sangwangsimni Station and Sindang Station in Seongdong, Seoul. The writer had stress-related gray hair along the part and at the back of the head, plus bleached ends, covered with an all-over 7-level matte gray coverage dye using vegan dye. The dye caused little scalp irritation, and the scalp acupressure in the massage-chair shampoo room was a highlight. Verdict: gray coverage at Oreudeubi doesn't have to turn out black and can come out in the matte tone you want.

Written Oct 22, 2026Sponsored
ProductHEEDABeauty products

Cleansing balm for makeup removal on combination sensitive skin: HEEDA

HEEDA Jirisan Moist Charcoal Cleansing Balm is a charcoal cleansing balm from the Korean brand HEEDA, tested here on combination, sensitive skin with an oily T-zone and dry cheeks. The writer spread the balm smoothly over a completely dry face, then checked it against waterproof eyeliner and tint on the back of her hand, where both came off after rinsing with water. Her verdict: HEEDA's balm left a moisturized finish rather than a tight, dry one after cleansing.

Written Aug 10, 2024Product provided
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