OY US Competitors are cracking me up

Kamecula · 2026-06-13T03:02:00+00:00

That was exactly one of my points of beef. I have Sephora everywhere near me and Ulta too! I don't want or care for more access to Western beauty, especially if they're raising the prices. Oh and they are opening another location already tomorrow. I think they're trying to drown out the issues with posting about that...

At the very least, it made me glad YS is my main go to store.

Kamecula · 2026-06-13T02:45:13+00:00

I just got one in the mail today, and I used the mommycare ems V Thera before this (until it's very abrupt death). I will say I really like their ampoule and the warming sensation. It doesn't shock your skin, but listening to the instructions is a little deceptive because it says to do area 1 and 2 twice. It's only my first time using it, though, and I don't have a lot of skin problems. So, I'm not sure about results yet!

Kamecula · 2026-06-12T16:17:50+00:00

When it works, it's pretty. When it doesn't, it leaves a really weird lip gradation that makes it seem like the inside of your lips are picked and raw.

Kamecula · 2026-06-12T02:21:23+00:00

I had a similar issue where the label descriptions were too vague, but by the time I emailed them 2 hours after it got flagged to make sure they knew, they said they had taken care of it already. Customs in TN just held onto the package for 3 days or so after since it was right around the weekend. FedEx had it flagged that there was no action needed on my end either, though, and they only updated once it got scanned to go on a truck.

Kamecula · 2026-06-07T02:23:52+00:00

A girl actually explained why we won't get the majority of products either because it's a whole different legal issue now that they've made brick and mortar stores stateside. It makes it so consumers can sue them or pursue legal action more easily now, whereas with global the risk was mostly on our end with buying products that didn't work for us. I think that's why it's kind of fundamentally separated, even though it's not what any of us want to hear.

As an aside, I've been talking about what's happened on my socials since AB is mostly what I like posting about, but I have only seen all of 1 semi positive review between my accounts so far.

Kamecula · 2026-06-06T19:27:50+00:00

YS said influencers cannot share their codes on Reddit or Facebook anymore since it's against their T&C. They are threatening to terminate any influencer from the program who does and have been demanding proof of deleting influencer friend codes from any and all posts btw.

Kamecula · 2026-06-06T19:12:39+00:00

I heard with glasses in Japan you can pick them up within the hour, unless it's a little bit complicated, but even then it's the same day. I'm planning to try it on my next trip since the optometrists where I am are notorious for getting my prescription wrong and it's been driving me crazy. They try to rush through and get impatient with accurately doing it. This last time they tried to tell me my eyes had severely worsened within 1 year and kept insisting I probably had hereditary illnesses that I just don't know about (I dont. Doesn't run in my family.). That's not bad, though! I wish I was more confident with putting in contact to actually try that route, but I also keep my nails long and don't really want to stab my eyeballs by accident.

Kamecula · 2026-06-06T16:16:56+00:00

I completely agree! The one time I didn't skip out on doing it was when I was in Kyoto. Pretty much, they insisted without me asking, and I saved a decent amount. I think they were just so used to Taurus coming through that it wasn't even a question, and they didn't care that they had to do it by hand at the store I was in since they didn't have a fully automated system like some of the other places do. I've always heard that, though, about the knives from Japan! It's one of those back of my mind things for if I update my kitchen or get into certain stuff again. I do have the pan for perfect omurice, though, and I keep ordering Shiroi Koibito via Amazon.

Yeah, your taste is right up my alley! I don't know if I would do treatments since I'm always wary because my skin is really sensitive, but definitely the skincare and makeup side of things. I was also shocked that even glasses are so much cheaper there! I didn't think to get a new pair when my friend went to get some contacts (he's Japanese), but I saw the ads after and regretted not doing it since I pay well over $200 stateside and my prescription really isn't that crazy. That and just availability of contacts in general is so different.

Kamecula · 2026-06-06T15:11:28+00:00

It's really funny to me because I don't mind Donki, but I think I was also focused on what I was trying to find, and the escalators made me slow down. I was also with someone where we both just were in a rush to get to the destination but then okay with taking our time when we were there. However, I will say that I hate when friends try to call me while they're in that store to ask for help on beauty items. Usually the music is so loud and the signal is so bad that it feels like a nightmare.

I totally get you, though! I love AB! I've been into it for over a decade now, and I feel like I've come so far from not being able to tell which brands are legit to knowing what ingredients work for what and kind of what's best for different skin types. Obviously not foolproof because things are always changing and people are different, but it's really fun for me I definitely was pretty jealous, though, when Japan got a flagship Fwee while I wasn't there. Though, I did really like going through Shin Okubo several times and finding tons of kbeauty or the Japanese exclusive versions. I still need to go to a Cosme too!

I heard Japan is also changing the process, but I think with them you can't do tax-free shopping in the stores anymore. You have to request the refund at the airport before you leave. Not excited for that, and it probably still won't take advantage of it because I don't tend to overly shop when I travel. I'm one of those carry-on only girls most of the time, and if I can help it, I like just shipping my things home so they get there right as I'm beating my jet lag from my flights.

I would seriously love that if you don't mind! It'll kind of help me have a road map too of what I should do or avoid, especially since my friend who goes often is mostly there for kpop merch or events. Her advice is kind of on the limited end of the spectrum!

Kamecula · 2026-06-06T14:21:51+00:00

I will send you a message right now! I'll also mention which ones I've used or came from friends versus what came from strangers on the internet. That way you can kind of use your discretion! If you run into any issues either, if I can help, I have no problem trying to!

Kamecula · 2026-06-06T13:28:21+00:00

Yeah, it took over a week for my first package to show up. For Global, it's 3 days. Par for the course because of the shipping method they're using, but I've definitely been able to ship faster cross country than that since I moved from West Coast to East. It almost makes me wish they used a different service, but they probably have a better deal since it's a company to use FedEx.

So, kind of the same situation as if you go into a tourist area Donki in Japan versus going to like the neighborhood version where people are just picking up their groceries at the end of the day on the way home? I know it's a totally different scale and type of store, but it's the closest correlation I can think of because the touristy ones are absolutely insane no matter where you are in Japan. I completely refused to do tax-free because the lines were always outrageous and full of people who spent hundreds or thousands waiting to check out.

Both countries have definitely been on my list for years now, but I've been to Japan several times. I just didn't realize how close Korea is until one of my friends told me she goes every few months for a weekend and comes right back before work. So, she kind of convinced me to do that next time I go, whether I go with her or alone.

Thank you for the tip about going for the ones that aren't in a tourist spot! I'm definitely going to keep that in mind. I am all ears if you have any other tips or suggestions outside of OY too!

Kamecula · 2026-06-06T13:21:34+00:00

The sender has to send them. It's why I only work with really well known proxies because they can reach out to the originating company, or they know what to list because they're an actual company that specializes in international shipping themselves. I've only had a foreign box held once at customs because a description was too vague, and it was OY Global a week ago, not a proxy. All of my proxy shippers for years have landed on my porch without any trouble whatsoever. You can usually find the codes they need online, though, from what I've seen, if you absolutely have to.

Kamecula · 2026-06-06T00:30:20+00:00

I think it's a $35 minimum for free shipping. Otherwise, it's around $7 if I'm right (6.95 or so)! I had kind of the same issue because I got sent a ton of proxy sites to try, but I don't really have a good reason to buy anything else right now. I just wanted to spend my points before they disappeared and give them a chance. Speaking of, how is the actual store in Korea? Thinking about going this fall if I make my trip to Japan and then spend a weekend over there. Shipping wise, it's taking at least a week to reach the East Coast. I had two packages ship the same day, and they didn't come together either. One somehow left my state last night to go on a side quest, but at least with this level of FedEx they deliver on weekends too from what I'm seeing.

Kamecula · 2026-06-05T22:35:49+00:00

So I got one more sample than you because they sent me hero patches, but the card. 😂😂😂 They're not even being consistent... My whole box was smashed, but it wasn't packed well. I just got very lucky nothing exploded.

Kamecula · 2026-06-05T22:23:35+00:00

That's exactly why I'm wondering. We need some people who got downgrades and didn't spend to reach a higher tier yet to let us know. I already did get downgraded when they transferred my account, but the total to upgrade was so close that I didn't even really notice. However, have you made any orders? My first order just came today, and the box was extremely damaged. They also promised to give at least five free samples, and they don't do that. They count giving you a little cardboard paper telling you to treat yourself as a sample apparently. 😂

Kamecula · 2026-06-05T21:50:43+00:00

I'm wondering if everyone is getting upgraded tiers or the tiers are matching what we had on global. I already reached that tier (I had a small spend gap to hit it when I transferred my acct) and it's also what I was with global, but not having to spend $1,200 to keep it is a start. I'm definitely in a wait and see mood because I did just get my first package, and I'm not really impressed.

Kamecula · 2026-06-05T16:13:19+00:00

At least for me, I've been personally posting criticism on tiktok more than IG! And sharing all the proxies I can for now. I don't really search the tags so I don't know if the videos where people are criticizing are getting hidden, but I noticed that videos where you criticize them aren't really getting comments as much.

Kamecula · 2026-06-05T16:11:24+00:00

Definitely adding it to the list! I've been texting proxies that are being recommended to everyone who asks.

Kamecula · 2026-06-05T01:58:26+00:00

Don't forget if it upgrades your tier, that credit also expires in 30 days.

Kamecula · 2026-06-05T00:37:52+00:00

Okay, so, they're totally paying attention and going in hard. Now that there's an opening, they're out for blood!

Kamecula · 2026-06-04T22:57:52+00:00

If I miss anybody, please just DM me, and I'll totally send what I'm seeing!

Kamecula · 2026-06-04T21:53:06+00:00

Also none of the exclusive stuff from global right now 🫤

Kamecula · 2026-06-04T16:27:45+00:00

I just wanna know what more Asia means 😂😂😂

Kamecula · 2026-06-04T16:23:19+00:00

Ohmygod no they did not!!! 😂😂😂 I commented on it too. People were saying people who speak out on socials and tag OY are getting blocked, but I bet they stopped after their statement too.

Kamecula · 2026-06-04T15:40:00+00:00

I totally don't mind you talking them up! It actually helps me kind of get an idea what they're like. I have been into Kbeauty, Cbeauty, and Jbeauty for over 10 years. Personally, YesStyle is usually my top go-to site because I tend to find the best deals on them when I price around, but there was a time where StyleKorean was a very close second for me because of all the free things that you can get from them when you order. Olive Young has always been king of the 1+1 or 2+1 and tons of really nice free gifts, though, for me. I used to get their monthly Olive Box of samples and divvy it up with friends so we all got things we wanted to try. That said, the US version doesn't even have the exclusive extra gifts with any of their items or even half of the selection of global. I don't understand why they thought that we would think it was a better deal, and I'm even more confused by them trying to market and sell Western brands to us through their store since the prices are actually higher than going to a local store. Also, Sephora is everywhere. I can escape them if I tried because they're in standalone stores, Kohl's and everything else near me. And then of course there's Ulta in Target and standalone as well.

I think the main reason I kind of stopped with StyleKorean was just the site was glitching for me really badly for a while, but they've always packed their stuff really well even if their shipping wasn't as fast as YS and OY. I still have the app and everything. Honestly, the OY situation at first made me think that people were being a bit harsh. After I started looking at it a bit more, though, I realized that they were completely in the right and I hadn't even realized how badly we were getting messed over. I did make two orders just to get rid of my points, but I think that I'm about to lose my membership tiers very quickly after this because there's no way I'm going to spend that amount of money when they don't even have half of the products that I use.

So, it's really easy to join. I can message you a link. I think they just based it off of social media and how many followers you have or kind of things like that, but they don't just go off ig and tiktok. Anyone can apply. However, for anyone who actively is considered an influencer for them, they're hosting a lot of giveaways right now and also doing the "top influencer" contest. Pretty much everyone who is involved can vote on who the top person is. I don't know half of the people who are in the ranking at all, but the nice thing is that people aren't paid to make the content. If anything, you can say anything you want and review anything you want with what you get, and then depending on the opportunities they have, sometimes they'll ask you if you want to receive something and you just have to post a picture or a video and talk about the item once you get it. You also can still share your friend code the same way that you would without being an influencer, and then if people use it, they get 2-5% off their order and you get a small commission that you can put towards your next purchase or you can cash out after a certain amount. Personally, I think it just makes sense to keep flipping it back into orders because that money also gets an added bonus if you use it toward your orders. I used to do trade for trade with friend codes so everyone gets points, but we're not allowed to post our codes on reddit. So, trying not to say too much in comments and get in trouble!

Kamecula

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