Seoul Glow Lab brings K-beauty store to San Diego

• The trend took off with TikTok during the COVID-19 pandemic, and South Korea is now the biggest exporter of cosmetics to the U.S.

Zoom in: While popular products are available online and in major retailers, the choices and ingredients can be overwhelming and confusing.

• People want to touch them, know what it feels like and talk to someone about it, owner Katie Hernandez told Axios. "I wanted to take it a step further and blend the education piece because it really seemed like people were craving that and also community," she said.
• Seoul Glow Lab has a skin analyzer machine to help you find personalized products and an in-house esthetician offering facials at the store.
• Hernandez plans to host monthly workshops for people to learn how to practice gua sha, discover new products and meet the founders of indie brands.

Between the lines: She thought San Diego was ready for this business because locals will drive three hours just to go to a store, Hernandez said.

• That was validated by the long line of people waiting to get inside the packed shop during its grand opening on Sunday.

Stop by: Seoul Glow Lab is open from noon–7pm Tuesday–Saturday, and until 5pm on Sundays at 4344 Convoy St.