The Korean Beauty Show Podcast

Fenty, Glow Recipe, Wonder Bath & Huda Beauty: Behind the Eye Patch Packaging Drama Fenty Skin, Glow Recipe and Huda Beauty previewed eye patches in remarkably similar slicing dispensers within days of each other. But how did several major beauty brands end up using the same packaging and does a freshly sliced patch actually work better? Host Lauren Lee explores the Korean packaging industry behind the viral launches, how suppliers develop innovations that multiple brands can use, and why Korean brand Wonder Bath was already selling its version before the international teasers appeared. She also examines the conflicting public accounts about packaging exclusivity, explains the difference between a packaging manufacturer and a formulation lab, and considers what the packaging does (and doesn’t!) tell us about the products inside. Plus, she investigates whether so-called "freshly sliced" patches outperform traditional hydrogel patches, what the “hot pour” process could mean for ingredient stability, and why freshly cut doesn’t mean freshly formulated. Finally, Lauren revisits her concerns about grinding-style beauty packaging, weighs manufacturing waste against the packaging consumers discard, and explains what founders should consider before committing to a distinctive dispenser. For full show notes and resources, visit: https://stylestory.com.au/blogs/style-story/the-eye-patch-packaging-drama-what-actually-happened For more episodes visit: stylestory.com.au/blogs/podcast Developing a Beauty Product in Korea? Explore STYLE STORY’s packaging and manufacturing consultancy:stylestory.com.au/pages/k-beauty-consultancy Brands Mentioned in This Episode Fenty Skin Glow Recipe Huda Beauty Vitamasques Wonder Bath Connect with Lauren Book a Consultation: stylestory.com.au/pages/k-beauty-consultancy Instagram: instagram.com/lauren.kbeauty TikTok: tiktok.com/@stylestory_kbeauty Threads: threads.net/@lauren.kbeauty YouTube: youtube.com/@thekoreanbeautyshowpodcast Take a Korean style skin analysis: jellyko.com/pages/ai-skin-analysis Shop Jelly Ko: jellyko.com Shop Jelly Ko on YesStyle: yesstyle.com/en/jelly-ko/list.html/bpt.299_bid.331833 Affiliate Disclaimer: Some links we share may be affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. This helps to offset the cost of producing the show. A Small Request If you use insights, data or research from this episode in your own content, we ask that you kindly credit The Korean Beauty Show and tag us where possible. It helps others find the original source and supports the work that goes into producing these episodes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Olive Young is more than Korea’s biggest beauty retailer. It is also a trend forecaster, data company, omnichannel platform and incubator for emerging K-Beauty brands. In Part 2 of this special, Host Lauren Lee explores how Olive Young connects its physical stores, online platform, rapid delivery and live commerce to create a seamless discovery-led shopping experience. She also examines how its loyalty programme, consumer data and merchandising capabilities help the company identify trends and scale Korean beauty brands. Plus, she looks at the more complicated side of Olive Young’s rise, including regulatory scrutiny over its supplier practices and the lawsuit involving a lifting mask sold under one of its in-house brands. Finally, she breaks down Olive Young’s international expansion strategy, what went wrong with the launch of its dedicated US platform, the competition it faces from Amazon, Sephora and Ulta, and whether its platform model could support a successful return to China. For full show notes and resources, visit:Show Notes Catch up on Part 1:Part 1 Brands and Retailers Mentioned in This Episode Olive Young Amazon Sephora Ulta Beauty YesStyle Jelly Ko Etude House  Flower Knows CONNECT WITH LAUREN:  Book a Consultation Instagram TikTok Threads YouTube Take a FREE Korean style skin analysis Shop Jelly Ko Shop Jelly Ko on YesStyle Affiliate Disclaimer Some links we share may be affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. This helps to offset the cost of producing the show. A Small Request If you use insights, data or research from this episode in your own content, we ask that you kindly credit The Korean Beauty Show and tag us where possible. It helps others find the original source and supports the work that goes into producing these episodes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Olive Young is now Korea’s biggest beauty retailer, but it wasn't always that way. In this episode, Lauren dives into the business story behind Olive Young's rise to dominance and explains why its success goes far beyond selling Korean skincare. Learn how the company built an ecosystem that helped shape the modern K-Beauty industry, why Harvard Business School chose Olive Young as the subject of a case study, and what global retailers can learn from its approach to merchandising, supplier relationships and brand building. Plus, Lauren explores why Olive Young's "beauty playground" concept resonated so strongly with Korean consumers, the role of Korea's OEM/ODM ecosystem in its success, and why supporting emerging brands has been central to the company's growth. For full show notes and resources, visit: stylestory.com.au/blogs/podcast   Brands Mentioned in This Episode Olive Young Missha Etude House Innisfree Nature Republic The Face Shop Skin Food TonyMoly Rom&nd Torriden   Connect with Lauren Book a Consultation: stylestory.com.au/pages/k-beauty-consultancy Instagram: instagram.com/lauren.kbeauty TikTok: tiktok.com/@stylestory_kbeauty Threads: threads.net/@lauren.kbeauty YouTube: youtube.com/@thekoreanbeautyshowpodcast   Take a Korean style skin analysis: https://jellyko.com/pages/ai-skin-analysis   Shop Jelly Ko: jellyko.com Affiliate Disclaimer Some links we share may be affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. This helps to offset the cost of producing the show.   A Small Request   If you use insights, data or research from this episode in your own content, we ask that you kindly credit The Korean Beauty Show and tag us where possible. It helps others find the original source and supports the work that goes into producing these episodes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lauren shares the latest K-Beauty industry news, including Olive Young’s much-anticipated US launch, why fans are frustrated with the brand and product lineup, Kendall Jenner becoming the face of Anua, and Korea’s regulators cracking down on Dr.G and Medicube’s advertising claims.Plus, Lauren shares her thoughts from the APAC Beauty Trends Report, what she’s been working on lately, and some of her favourite K-Beauty finds for June 2026.  For full show notes and resources, visit: https://stylestory.com.au/blogs/style-story/olive-young-launched-in-the-us-and-people-are-p-ssed For more podcast episodes: stylestory.com.au/blogs/podcast K-Beauty News of the Month: Olive Young USA Has Arrived. So Why Is Everyone Angry? Kendall Jenner, Anua and the Celebrity Question in Korean Beauty  Dr.G and Medicube Ordered to Suspend Advertising in Korea APAC Beauty Is Moving Beyond Trends What I've Been Up To lately  Question of the Month: Do you recommend overnight sheet masks? K-Beauty Product Recommendations of the Week Hera Dual Volume & Serum Mascara Aestura Atobarrier 365 Body Lotion Espoir Strobing Highlighter Connect with Lauren Take a Korean style skin analysis:https://jellyko.com/pages/ai-skin-analysis Book a Consultation: stylestory.com.au/pages/k-beauty-consultancy Instagram: instagram.com/lauren.kbeauty TikTok: tiktok.com/@stylestory_kbeauty Threads: threads.net/@lauren.kbeauty YouTube: youtube.com/@thekoreanbeautyshowpodcast Shop Jelly Ko: jellyko.com and https://www.yesstyle.com/en/jelly-ko/list.html/bpt.299_bid.331833 Affiliate Disclaimer Some links we share may be affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. This helps to offset the cost of producing the show. A Small Request If you use insights, data or research from this episode in your own content, we ask that you kindly credit The Korean Beauty Show and tag us where possible. It helps others find the original source and supports the work that goes into creating these episodes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  Lauren shares a global K-Beauty industry roundup spanning Australia, China, Germany, the U.S. and Canada, breaking down why 2026 marks a maturity shift for the category. This episode explores the major partnership signalling K-Beauty’s next phase, what happens when hype and expectations aren’t managed properly, and why trust is becoming the real currency of global growth. For full show notes and resources, visit STYLE STORY  Question of the Month A listener asks: How strict are skincare expiration dates? Is two years past expiry too long? Why do products often last far beyond the printed date? Products Mentioned in This Episode SANA Nameraka Honpo Soy Milk Isoflavone Wrinkle Eye Cream Aestura Retinoid Eye Serum COSRX AHA BHA Vitamin C Booster Serum Connect with Lauren Take a Korean style skin analysis:https://jellyko.com/pages/ai-skin-analysis Book a Consultation:stylestory.com.au/pages/k-beauty-consultancy  Instagram: instagram.com/lauren.kbeauty TikTok: tiktok.com/@stylestory_kbeauty Threads: threads.net/@lauren.kbeauty YouTube: youtube.com/@thekoreanbeautyshowpodcast  Work with STYLE STORY:stylestory.com.au/pages/contact-us  Shop Jelly Ko:jellyko.com  Affiliate Disclaimer Some links we share may be affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. This helps to offset the cost of producing the show. A Small Request If you use insights, data or research from this episode in your own content, we ask that you kindly credit The Korean Beauty Show and tag us where possible. It helps others find the original source and supports the work that goes into creating these episodes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.