Cover Xenia Wong, founder of Sigi Skin (Photo: courtesy of Xenia Wong)
Xenia Wong, founder of Sigi Skin (Photo: courtesy of Xenia Wong)
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Visiting Seoul soon? Use some of these recommendations by skincare brand Sigi Skin founder Xenia Wong. From Korean culture to beauty essentials, she shares everything she loves about the city she travels to at least four times a year
It was a make-up course in South Korea that truly inspired Singaporean beauty entrepreneur Xenia Wong to start a brand of her own. What began with the intention of learning the skills of celebrity makeup artist Jung Saem Mool for six months in Seoul back in 2016 later transpired into Wong’s ambition to launch her own skincare brand, Sigi Skin. Wong’s love for Korean culture is evident in her entrepreneurial journey because each product was developed after meticulous research into the most advanced Korean technology with tried-and-tested clinical actives and effective superfood ingredients.
“Objectively, they have the best innovations and technologies—which is why I chose Korea [as the location to develop my brand’s products],” Wong shares.
The beauty brand owner also makes regular trips to South Korea, typically as many as four to five times a year, to stay updated with beauty trends and soak in what the country has to offer. Wong visits so often that she has discovered some of her favourite places to eat and shop at, as well as unique spots that have inspired her to elevate her beauty brand.
Above Bukchon Hanok Village (Photo: Getty Images)
Bukchon Hanok Village (Photo: Getty Images)
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I fell in love with Seoul because it is... a vibrant and dynamic city. It seamlessly blends traditional and contemporary elements, with a thriving food and beauty scene that keeps me coming back for more.
Korea inspired me to create my own beauty brand. Everyone wants to achieve flawless skin, so I spent six months in Seoul learning how to apply make-up from a famous celebrity make-up artist. Her philosophy of “a good skincare prep allows you to use less make-up” really spoke to me.
Some must-visit attractions for first-time visitors include... Bukchon Hanok Village: the well-preserved hanok houses provide insight into Korea’s architectural heritage; Insadong: a district known for its art galleries, traditional teahouses and souvenir shops where you can explore and appreciate traditional Korean arts and crafts; and Seoul Forest: currently the most trendy and hip place in Seoul filled with many Instagrammable cafes and lifestyle stores.
Read more: 5 unique cafes to enjoy the fluffiest bread in Ikseon-dong, Seoul
Above Nudake cafe in Seoul (Photo: courtesy of Xenia Wong)
Nudake cafe in Seoul (Photo: courtesy of Xenia Wong)
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My favourite Korean foods are... kimbap (seaweed rice rolls) and budae jjigae (army stew). Every time I am back in Seoul, I must go to Manyeo Gimbap in Cheongdam and Daewoo Budaejjigae in Gangnam. Don’t miss Gwangjang Market for its extensive array of traditional Korean street food, such as bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes) and bibimbap (mixed rice).
My favourite memories of Seoul are... the cafes, which are all very pretty and different from the next. My favourites are Nudake and Cafe Layered. They give me a lot of inspiration for Sigi Skin’s packaging and merchandise designs.
My top three hotels in Seoul are... Park Hyatt Seoul, Signiel Seoul and Andaz Seoul Gangnam.
Above The Sigi Skin team in Seoul (Photo: courtesy of Xenia Wong)
The Sigi Skin team in Seoul (Photo: courtesy of Xenia Wong)
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My top shopping districts and markets are... Garosugil: this tree-lined street in the trendy district of Gangnam is known for its boutique shops, cafes and eateries, and is popular among the younger crowd and fashion enthusiasts; Starfield Coex Mall: a massive underground mall with high-end brands, electronics and entertainment facilities; and The Hyundai Seoul in Yeouido: a fairly new mall with a floor dedicated to Korean designers.
My go-to places to shop for beauty products include... Olive Young and Chicor. The former is a popular drugstore chain that offers a wide range of skincare, make-up and health products, while the latter carries more high-end brands—it’s the Korean version of Sephora.
One beauty tip is... to get your hair done in Seoul. I always make time for a haircut and quick treatment at A.by Bom. The space is really chill and spacious—it makes you feel relaxed instantly.
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Andrea Saadan is the Senior Digital Editor of Tatler Singapore. She oversees all digital content for the website and currently leads the Beauty and Lifestyle verticals. As a child, she had always enjoyed reading and writing but it was only after she joined her college newspaper, The Spectrum, in Buffalo, New York, that she considered a career in journalism. Her love for all things beauty started from the age of two—when she was caught playing with (and damaging) her mother’s YSL lipstick. On top of her day job, she is also an unpaid beauty consultant for friends and family. Besides make-up, her obsessions include the wizarding world of Harry Potter, podcasts, ice-cream, her walking pad and watching endless re-runs of The Office (US).
