During our weekend in NYC, I insisted on checking out the new neighborhood still in process of being built on the West Side in the 30s, Hudson Yards.
Some of Hudson Yards had just opened: the Vessel, an odd looking open structure that you can climb up to see the view of New York and the Hudson River.
At present, Hudson Yards has a relatively large upscale mall, a new performance venue for music and theater, and the Vessel. There are a few luxury high rise apartment buildings being built. Hudson Yards connects to the High Line elevated garden, and it is located behind the train yard.
Although Jeff hates malls, I convinced him that we should go in and look around. Many of the stores and restaurants were out of my price point, but there were some stores that caught my eye. One was Muji, a Japanese store that sells private label stationery/paper goods, home goods, clothing, skincare products, and a few snack items. Most of the items were neutral and natural colors. It was interesting.
We looked around at just about all of the items. Everything was simply designed, nothing fancy or complicated.
Clothing
When I perused the women’s clothing, I saw a couple of 3/4 sleeve, boat neck, striped tops. That style is my weakness. I have about a million of them. While I had hoped to find one that had a navy blue background with white stripes, they only had those in size XS. The tops were made of stretch ribbed knitted organic cotton, and they looked rather small. So I tried on a Medium that was only available in white background with black stripes. It fit. It was priced at $19, and that seemed like a really good deal to me for organic cotton. The fabric is very soft. Though the colorway wasn’t my first choice, I bought it anyway. This isn’t the greatest photo and I should have ironed or rewashed it first, but this is what it looks like. The tags and size tape are still on it.
Makeup Cotton Pads
Next, I sought out the beauty products. I had read about them online. Muji has several different skincare and body care lines. They have an anti-aging line for older skin. But I have so many skincare products, I couldn’t justify buying more even though they were very affordable.
But what I do need is cotton pads. I have been using Koh Gen Do 100% Pure Cotton Pads for several months, I’m almost finished with my third box, and they are the best I’ve used. They’re as light as air. They’re not chemically treated, bleached or pigmented. I love them. But they are expensive: $15 for 60 pads. Even with 20% off buying them on sale, at $12 they’re still pricey. Muji was selling a big plastic bag of Peelable Cotton (not sure what “peelable” means since each pad is separate), 100% cotton pads, that were about the same size as Koh Gen Do. The bag included almost 3 times as many pads for less than half the price. I had to try them.
The Muji cotton pads are very soft, though not as airy soft as the Koh Gen Do pads. They’re not as puffy as Koh Gen Do, because the Muji pads were pressed on either side to create a “seam” and they have a smooth feel. They don’t pill, disintegrate when wet or leave residue behind. I have no idea if the Muji 100% cotton pads are as pure as the Koh Gen Do because the writing on the Muji package is almost all in Japanese.
The Muji Peelable Cotton Pads are a bit whiter, so I wonder if they are bleached? Nevertheless, 162 100% cotton pads for $6 is worth some compromise. So far, I’m very satisfied with the Muji Peelable Cotton pads.
When I went to Muji.com to see if I could find the products I bought at the store online, I was not able to find the same 3/4 sleeve, boat neck top. I did find the Peelable Cotton pads, but I also found something called “Cut Ecru Cotton”. In fact, Cut Ecru Cotton looks exactly like the Koh Gen Do Pure Cotton Pads. In the photo on the Muji website that sadly I can’t seem to steal to show here, the Cut Ecru Cotton looks to be the same color, about the same size (slightly larger at 9x7cm vs. KGD 8x6cm) with 135 pads in the package for $6. Next time I go to Boston, I will go to Muji and check out the Cut Ecru Cotton pads. The Cut Ecru Cotton pads are also available in a smaller size pad for $3. Looks like a great deal.
Have you shopped or browsed at Muji? What did you think?
I love Muji! They are all around the city and I’m always tempted to get one of their diffusers. I haven’t gone to Hudson yards yet but I plan to walk the honey comb soon.
The diffuser looked very nice when I say it at Muji! that’s great that the store is all over the City. In Boston, we just have the one. It was a gloomy day when we went to Hudson Yards so it didn’t look as wonderful as it might on a sunny day. While it’s fairly small right now, it’s cool that it connects to the High Line and the HL and the new neighborhood will really perk up that part of the city. Hopefully, there’ll be more stuff to do besides shopping. Glad there’s the new theater space.
I absolutely LOVE Muji! There is one not too far from my house. I always find amazing things there, and never leave empty-handed. I love striped shirts and have one just like that!
I wish there was a Muji closer to me. I know I could do a lot of damage there on the regular 😉 I’m glad you have the striped top too!
I’ve never heard of this store before, but I’d be inclined to try those pads out! they look really big compared to the cheap ones i use!
The Vessel looks interesting. Did you walk up to the top? I wish there was a Muji store closer to me too, but I think Ohio to New Jersey is a bit far for facial cotton, no? LOL
Striped (well solids too) boat neck tops are a weakness for me as well. I like stripes because I wear a solid coloured cardigan or plain chambray overshirt about 95% of the time, and stripes add interest while still being very mix-and-match. It’s funny how much I love them now because I HATED them growing up. But then it was always the advice that horizontal stripes would make you look wider, so if you were concerned with the size of your waistline or the broadness of your shoulders you should steer clear. Evil advice, that. Evil evil. Thankfully I grew out of it.
I love Muji skincare and storage, but I haven’t tried the clothing. The price point is very good, and that top looks very comfy.
I’d love to try their diffusers!
I’ve never heard of Muji before! I used to use cotton pads a lot but stopped when I moved to felt for my nail polish removal but need something for my face again!
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We don’t have Muji here but I know there’s a similar Japanese local store here. It’s nice to browse items from unfamiliar stores.
I’d go nuts in Muji. Everything I’ve seen from them are items I want. Paper goods are a weakness of mine. I’m always looking for 3/4 length tees so their style would be mine. You have some beautiful pictures of NYC.
I’m not familiar with Japanese beauty brands and haven’t tried Muji products. I will be in NYC next weekend and look forward to some exploring during my free time!
We have a Muji in San Jose. My kids love the inexpensive pencils, erasers and pads of paper. I bought some cleaning supplies and they’ve been great.
That is a cute top! Also, this post makes me miss NYC!
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I’ve heard a lot of people rave about Japanese / Asian cotton being better quality but have never come across it (other than Shesideo.) These look pretty great.
I’ve not heard of it! Sounds nice and that building? Looks really neat!