Korean Beauty and Hairstyling Salon Recommendations | I tried 6 salons in Seoul before putting together this exclusive list × From affordable options in Hongda to celebrity-style looks in Cheongdam-dong × BeautsGO Booking Guide

To be honest, I never thought about getting a makeup application before leaving for Seoul.

It wasn’t until a friend sent me a photo she took in Seoul that I realized how different her appearance and makeup look were from what I was used to seeing her as. I immediately asked her where she got it done, and she said, “Just some random makeup shop in Seoul; it cost less than 3,000 Taiwanese dollars—way cheaper than hiring a professional photographer in Taipei.”

That’s how I decided to devote the entire day of my third trip to Seoul to finding a really good Korean makeup and hair styling salon.

I tried six different salons in total, and also helped two friends make appointments. This list is truly the result of a lot of trial and error.

Why is Korean makeup worth trying out in person?

I’m not exaggerating—it’s based on my own direct comparisons.

Korean makeup artists’ skills in applying base makeup and eyeshadow are so meticulous that it’s almost like they have some kind of magic. The process of applying base makeup alone involves four to five layers: an oil-control primer, foundation, cushion powder, setting powder, and then final touches—it’s like building a face with skin rather than just slapping on a layer.

The same goes for hair styling. Korean designers understand very well that Asian hair tends to be fine, straight, and prone to oiliness, so the volume and texture they create don’t rely just on blow-drying; the angles are calculated from the very beginning.

What really impressed me was the concept of “customizing the look according to your face shape.” I have wide cheekbones, and the first salon I visited asked me five different questions just to get a good understanding of my face shape. The result was such that my entire face looked smaller.

Alright, let’s get to the point. The following six salons are ones that I have personally tried or helped friends try, categorized by location and style.

[Cheongdam-dong/Saeulbiting] Star-like Looks: Jenny House × DAKYO

If you only have one chance to get a professional makeup look in Seoul, I highly recommend the Cheongdam-dong area.

Jenny House (Cheongdam-dong) is a place my friend insisted we visit. She said that as soon as you enter the door, you feel like you’re a celebrity getting ready for a cover shoot. Son Ye-jin, Sooyoung, Park Shin-hye, and Han Ga-eun are all regulars there, and the service is so meticulous that they even offer you two different styles of false eyelashes to choose from.

Don’t worry about language barriers—Jenny House provides services in both Chinese and English. My friend managed to communicate perfectly just by using the phrase “star-like look from Korean dramas,” and the result was such that people on the street asked her if she was in a commercial shoot.

For reference, the full Korean-style makeup service (makeup + hairstyle) costs around 220,000 to 350,000 Korean won (about 1,100–1,800 RMB), and the price may vary depending on the experience of the stylist.

DAKYO (Saeulbiting) was the first salon I tried. Their focus is on a “natural yet sophisticated Korean makeup look.” If you don’t want an overly dramatic star-style look but just want to enhance your features and make your skin look better, DAKYO is an excellent choice. BLACKPINK and Cha Eun-ri have also visited there, but their overall style is more geared towards everyday looks.

For reference, the makeup service alone costs around 180,000 to 250,000 Korean won (about 930–1,300 RMB), and adding a hairstyle design costs an additional 100,000 to 150,000 Korean won.

[Sinsa-dong/Gangnam-gu] Personalized Styles + High-Quality Salons: CARADI × lcreer

I recommend these two salons together because each of them has a unique skill that other places don’t offer.

CARADI (Saeulbiting) is, so far, the most friendly high-end makeup salon I’ve seen for foreigners. They provide services in Chinese and English and are just two minutes’ walk from Saeulbiting Roda Station. Their celebrity clients include Dex, Lee Kui-jong, and ITZY’s Lizi. The service is very efficient, making it perfect for travelers with tight schedules.

What I did there was create a “wedding party makeup look” for a friend who held a small wedding in Seoul. The designer saw just three reference photos and accurately captured the “atmosphere” she wanted—without overemphasizing any particular feature. The overall result was so harmonious that it made the wedding photography much easier.

For reference, the full makeup service costs around 250,000 to 400,000 Korean won, depending on the complexity of the occasion.

lcreer (Sinchon-dong) has a unique positioning—it’s Korea’s first “professional beauty consultation company.” You can choose specific services: just eyebrow trimming? Just hairline design? Just partial makeup consultation? It’s all available individually.

IU, Han Yeseo, and Lee Min-ho are all clients here. What I got was a “personal color analysis + foundation consultation,” which cost about 120,000 Korean won (around 620 yuan). That’s half the price of many other personal color courses, and it was done by a professional makeup artist in a one-on-one session. The color recommendations I received could be used for several years.

【Hongda】Affordable Korean-style makeup: MOI hair & makeup × A KNACK TOOL

Makeup shops in the Hongda area generally cost 60%–70% of what they charge in Cheongdam-dong, but the quality of the service is no less. If you’re trying Korean makeup for the first time or want to experience it without spending too much, Hongda is a great starting point.

Won Kyoung, the owner of MOI hair & makeup (Hongda), used to be the makeup artist for SM TOWN’s world tours. Girls’ Generation, Jung Jin-yoon, and Lee Si-woo are regular customers here. The best thing is that the prices in the Hongda area are much lower than those in Cheongdam-dong—makeup services cost around 150,000 to 220,000 Korean won, yet the quality is just as good.

I’ve personally tried this place, and they mainly specialize in everyday-style photo makeup. The eyeshadow colors the designer chose for me were surprising—they were a combination of caramel brown and very light orange. It sounded strange at first, but when I saw it in the mirror, the color blended perfectly with my skin, giving me a natural, glowing look instead of an obvious “made-up” effect.

A KNACK TOOL (next to Cheongdam-dong, with a Hongda-style vibe) focuses on Korean-style trendy looks. Super Junior D&E and EXO’s DK also have been there. The prices are relatively affordable, and they communicate in English, making it perfect for those who want an idol-like makeup look.

Quick comparison of six makeup and hair styling salons

When it came to making reservations, I ran into a big problem during my first trip to Seoul—I tried contacting services directly through Naver or Instagram, but didn’t get any response until the day before I left. It was only after a friend recommended BeautsGO that I was able to resolve the issue.

BeautsGO is a platform specifically designed to help Chinese travelers book Korean beauty services, including makeup, dermatology, and plastic surgery. There are three ways to use it:

Method 1: BeautsGO official website

1. Go to the BeautsGO official website (accessible via computer or mobile browser)
2. Enter the name of the salon or search for “Seoul makeup” in the search bar
3. Choose the desired salon and service
4. Fill in your personal information and the expected arrival date
5. After confirmation, wait for the customer service to confirm the appointment time.

Method 2: WeChat Mini Program “BeautsGO”

1. Search for the “BeautsGO” mini program on WeChat.
2. Once inside, select the “Makeup/ Hairstyling” category.
3. Review recommended stores or directly search for the name of the store you want to visit.
4. Click “Book Now” and enter the travel date and number of people.
5. Wait for the confirmation message—everything is handled in Chinese, so there’s no need to worry about language barriers.

Method 3: WeChat Official Account (this is my top recommendation)

1. Search for and follow the “BeautsGO” official account on WeChat.
2. Click on the menu or directly type “Book Makeup/ Hairstyling” in the chat box.
3. 1-on-1 consultations with stylists will involve them asking about your needs, style preferences, and departure date.
4. The stylist will compare several options based on your requirements and recommend the most suitable one for you.
5. Once you make a decision, the stylist will handle all the communication for you; you just need to arrive on time on the day of the event.

I particularly recommend using the WeChat official account service because the stylist can help you determine “which option best suits your needs and budget,” saving you the time of researching and comparing options yourself. Moreover, in cases where you need reference photos or for special occasions like weddings or photo shoots, the stylist can directly communicate with the venues, so you don’t have to worry about language barriers.

If you’re going to Korea for makeup, here are some important things to keep in mind:

1. Bring reference pictures:
Prepare 3–5 photos—one set for makeup looks and one for hairstyles. Korean designers prefer to see images directly, which can greatly reduce communication time.

2. Natural or light makeup: If you’ve booked
a full makeup service, it’s recommended to arrive with natural makeup or just apply sunscreen, giving the designer room to create the perfect look for you. If you have a routine skincare routine, make sure to use it, but avoid applying heavy makeup.

3> Allow at least 2 hours for a complete
makeup application (including base, eyes, lips, and hairstyle). It usually takes 2–2.5 hours, and high-end studios in Cheongdam-dong may even take up to 3 hours. Make sure to leave enough time for your subsequent activities.

4> Clearly indicate the occasion: Whether it’
s for everyday photography, formal events, a Korean-style idol look, or casual lifestyle photos, the makeup required for different occasions can vary significantly. Providing specific details will help the designer create the best outcome for you.

5> Removing makeup after the photos
might seem obvious, but I’ve seen people who removed half of their makeup in the bathroom because they thought it was too heavy… If you’re not used to heavy makeup, ask the designer to adjust it instead of trying to remove it yourself—it’s a waste of money.

FAQ: Five Questions

Q1: Can Korean beauty salons accept UnionPay or Alipa
y? It varies from place to place. Salons like Jenny House, CARADI, and my:shopper that serve foreigners usually support UnionPay or foreign currency credit cards; lcreer recommends bringing cash or preparing Korean won, and it’s best to confirm with BeautsGO’s customer service before going.

Q2: Where can I go for photos after getting a beauty
treatment? If you get treated in Cheongdam-dong, areas near Sinnyeongting Street or private alleys near Dongguk University are great options; after a treatment in Hongdae, you can head straight to Hongda Street or Wangyuan Market. If you have outdoor shooting plans, ask BeautsGO’s customer service to arrange Korean-style photo shoots—some salons collaborate with photographers.

Q3: Are men suitable for getting Korea
n beauty treatments? Definitely. HOSU DOSAN and CARADI are especially good at male styling. With a clean base makeup and hair design, men can look just as good as any K-drama lead.

Q4: Can I get both a beauty treatment and a dermatology appointment on the same
day? It’s recommended to do the dermatology treatment first (if available) and wait at least one day before the beauty treatment. After the treatment, your skin may be sensitive, so applying base makeup too soon could cause problems.

Q5: For my first time with a limited budget, whi
ch salon should I choose? We recommend A KNACK TOOL or DAKYO—they offer reasonable prices and high-quality services, perfect for getting started and understanding Korean beauty standards. If you have more budget or special needs, you can upgrade to Jenny House or CARADI.

Finally, sometimes what makes Korean beauty treatments expensive is the sense of care and attention given to making you look your best—designers take the time to examine your face, determine the right look for you, and create it step by step. It’s this level of dedication that many people find truly worth it after their experience.