So we all get addicted to certain products and brands. Obviously you'll want to take along some of your favorites but here are some things I wish I had known...
Well the first one doesn't really count. Deodorant. I knew about the lack of deodorant here, I had heard it in many different places. If you haven't heard...well come prepared.
Clothes is another one you hear about a bit, in particular bras and shoes. If you're above like a US size 8 or so you're stuck with just men's shoes. They are starting to ship in some stuff through like H&M, or you can order online but those are your best bets. Even Costco doesn't import US 9. The largest you'll find anywhere here is 250, check out a conversion chart to see if that's in your range back home...
As for bras, I've seen up to a 36C at Gap in Shinsegae at Centum City...but that was only one. The majority are 34B and under.
Other clothes (shirts and pants) are hit or miss, you'll have better luck with shirts though. Slowly people are gaining weight here so they're going to have to start catering to more people.
Tampons. I've seen one small pack in a convenience store, and some Playtex at Costco. That's it. Come prepared. As for pads and liners, I came prepared with enough to last a while so I haven't had to buy anything locally yet but if I find any good or terrible ones I'll let you know. I've heard Poise is good...and is apparently not for old women like it is back home...but I haven't personally tried them.
They have some really good skin care here as well as many familiar brands from back home. If you need to use a particular soap obviously pack a lot otherwise try out some of the soaps and masks they have available here.
Shaving supplies for women are rare. The men's selection is much better so if you are ok using men's products then go for it. They've just started to get in Venus razors, they have them at Home Plus and a few convenience stores. I haven't seen any shaving cream though. I didn't look too hard for it but I was told you won't find it anyway so expect to bring some or use soap, conditioner, or the men's kind.
As a side note, one of my girls kept going "teacher clean-ie" and hitting her arm, basically she was surprised that I shaved. I don't know why but I'm assuming between that and the fact that there are no women's shaving supplies...that women here don't shave their arms. But don't give up all hope! Laser hair removal is apparently very cheap here. I'm planning on getting it done so I'll let you know how it goes.
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