A bag may hold the things we reach for every day, but open it up and you may find a glimpse into someone’s routines, preferences, and expertise. As part of 'what’s in my bag,' an original content series by 'editorial by OLIVE YOUNG', we take a closer look at what OLIVE YOUNG employees carry with them, from everyday essentials to new discoveries, and the stories behind what they reach for every day. “Just five minutes a day is all it takes to unwind and reconnect with yourself.” Meet S, a health and wellness merchandiser (MD) from OLIVE YOUNG’s Healthy Life Team who is helping redefine what gua sha can be. What began as a product category that was relatively unfamiliar has become a personal passion, leading S to explore countless tools and techniques and discover how gua sha can fit into everyday stress relief and self-care routines. A self-proclaimed gua sha fanatic, S has amassed a collection of tools for everything from scalp care to post-workout recovery. In this interview, he shares how gua sha is finding a place in OLIVE YOUNG’s health and wellness category, along with practical tips for choosing and using the right tool for different needs. (Interview conducted in July 2026.) Q. You’re known for being a serious gua sha enthusiast. How did you first get into it? Before taking on the health and wellness category, I had only a basic understanding of gua shas. But as an MD, I felt that if I wanted to recommend products to customers, I needed to understand them inside and out. So I started testing products on the market and researching them extensively. The more I tried, the more fascinated I became. Now, whenever I feel tired or stressed, reaching for a gua sha tool has become second nature. The tools I brought today are the ones that made it through countless rounds of testing and earned a permanent place in my collection. They’re my personal favorites and essential companions for unwinding at the end of the day. Q. You see gua sha as more than a beauty accessory, positioning it as a health and wellness essential. What inspired this perspective? Gua sha has traditionally been associated with beauty, particularly facial contouring and achieving a more lifted-looking jawline. But when you look at how it works as a massage tool, you can see its potential beyond facial care, including helping relieve muscle tension and supporting circulation. We realized that gua shas could be used for so much more than facial beauty. From the scalp and neck to the shoulders, collarbone and other areas of the body, there are many ways to incorporate it into a broader wellness routine. That’s why I wanted to position gua sha as a health and wellness product rather than simply a beauty accessory. It’s about helping people build healthier everyday habits through tools that are easy to use and fit naturally into their lives. Q. With so many gua sha tools available, it can be difficult for beginners to know where to start. What do you look for when selecting products? That was one of the biggest questions we considered when planning the assortment. Messaging that promises one tool can do everything from head to toe can actually make it harder for customers to decide what they need. Instead, we focus on clearly communicating what each product is best suited for. A tool designed for the scalp should be presented as a scalp-care tool, just as products for the neck or face should have their own distinct purposes. The goal is to make choosing a product intuitive, so customers can quickly identify the one that best fits their needs. Q. If you could recommend just one product to someone new to gua sha, what would it be? Without any hesitation, I’d recommend the mootal Scalp Gua Sha Massager. There’s even a term in Korea for a gua sha tool that becomes a personal companion in everyday life, much like a favorite houseplant. This one feels exactly like that to me. When work gets overwhelming or I hit a creative block, I keep it on my desk and gently press it against my scalp throughout the day. It gives me a refreshing moment to pause and reset. Its comfortable grip makes it easy to use without much effort, and I think of it as a little stress-relief gadget that belongs on every desk. Q. Are there any tools you would recommend for those who wake up feeling overheated or puffy? I’d suggest pairing the FilliMilli Scalp Cooling Massager with the Cooling Massager #Face Fit. The built-in cooling component delivers an immediate, ice-like sensation when it touches the skin. On mornings when my face feels particularly warm or puffy, I gently roll the tools over the area. The cooling sensation feels refreshing, and my skin looks less puffy and feels firmer afterward. I also find that my makeup seems to sit better on my skin. Q. People who spend long hours in front of a screen often experience tension around the temples, the back of the neck and other areas. Is there a tool that can help? I recommend the dallu Mini Massager. Applying pressure with your fingers alone can put quite a bit of strain on your hands and wrists, which can become tiring in itself. This tool is compact, but its design makes it easy to target specific pressure points with relatively little effort. I use it around the temples, behind the ears and at the nape of the neck. It can also be used around the underarm area, where lymph nodes are located, with gentle pressure. The difference between using your fingers and using a tool designed for targeted massage is quite noticeable. Taking short breaks to release tension throughout the day can also help you feel less weighed down by stiffness in the upper body. Q. Gua sha is also popular for facial and neck contouring. Which product would you recommend for those areas? Take a look at the Yaksun House Dual Lift Gua Sha. Inspired by professional aesthetic treatments, this multi-purpose tool features carefully designed angles for different areas, including facial contours, the curves of the neck, the collarbone, the trapezius muscles and the delicate eye area. Its design helps distribute pressure more evenly as you work across different contours, making it easier to tailor your routine to each area. Another practical advantage is its material, which allows for easy washing with water after use and straightforward hygienic care. Q. What about people who enjoy active sports such as soccer or running? Is there a tool designed specifically for body care and recovery? I’d recommend the BaryBody Relax Stick. Foam rollers can be bulky and often require you to lie down or get into a particular position to use them. With this stick-shaped tool, you can simply hold it in your hand and roll it over the muscles while sitting down. After playing soccer, I use it on my shins and calves, where the muscles can feel particularly tight. Rolling the tool over these areas feels incredibly relieving. For runners, it can be a convenient addition to a post-workout recovery routine, especially when you want to work on muscle tension without setting up a larger piece of equipment. Q. Finally, what would you like OLIVE YOUNG customers to take away from your experience with gua sha? Gua sha doesn't have to be an elaborate treatment that requires special skills. It can be a simple, accessible way to make time for yourself, even on the busiest days. That’s also why I hope OLIVE YOUNG can be more than a place to shop for beauty and lifestyle products. I want it to be a hands-on wellness destination where customers can explore different products and discover routines that work for their own bodies and lifestyles. From the scalp to the body, I encourage everyone to pick up a gua sha tool that suits their needs and give it a try. Start with just five minutes a day to ease tension and reconnect with yourself. Sometimes, a small daily ritual is all it takes to make a little more room for wellness in your life. Browse products (Global) Browse products (US)