[Experience Report] Transform into your favorite K-POP idol! The reality of Korean makeup

[Step 1] Search and choose a makeup salon on social media or the web

To experience Korean makeup, first look for a makeup salon. If you search for words like "Korean makeup experience" or "idol makeup experience" on social media or the web, you will find many results, so choose a salon that interests you. If you are unsure about which salon to choose, try to keep the following points in mind.

Choose the look and purpose of your makeup

The atmosphere of each salon is very diverse, with some specializing in glamorous idol-style makeup, and others offering natural, mature makeup like that of an actress. For example, if you have a favorite idol, you can get the same makeup done as your favorite idol at a salon that does the idol's hair and makeup, or you can have a photo taken of yourself dressed as the idol at a salon that also has a photo studio. The salon you choose will depend on your purpose and ideals.

Choose by budget

Prices vary depending on the salon and the type of treatment. Generally, hair and makeup alone costs 50,000 to 200,000 won (approximately 5,500 to 21,000 yen), and if photography is included, the average price is 300,000 won (approximately 32,000 yen) and up. Compare different salons and choose one that fits your budget.

Choose by time

Some salons start doing your makeup at 6am, while others close around 3pm. The advantage of a salon that is open early in the morning is that you can enjoy your day with your makeup on. Even if you find a salon you like, it may close in the afternoon, so don't forget to check the opening hours when looking for a salon.

Choose based on whether Japanese is supported

If you search for "Korean makeup experience" in Japanese, you will find salons that cater to foreign tourists. Some salons have staff who can speak Japanese from the time of booking until the day of the appointment, so if you are worried about the language barrier, it is a good idea to choose such a salon. In particular, there are salons that speak Japanese in areas with many foreign tourists, such as Myeongdong and Gangnam, so it is also a good idea to search by area.

[Step 2] Make a reservation for makeup

Makeup salons require advance reservations, so if you find a salon you like, make a reservation. Reservation methods vary depending on the salon, so be sure to check their websites or social media accounts in advance.

The editorial team chose "FREAK" in Seongsu, a popular area for young people in Seoul. The deciding factor was that it costs around 100,000 won, you can make reservations in Japanese via LINE, and it opens at 7am, so you can stay in your makeup all day long.

Important points to note when making a reservation

There are a few things to keep in mind when booking a makeup salon. Here are four points you should be aware of in advance.

There are restaurants that only accept "NAVER reservations"

There are various ways to make a reservation, such as through the restaurant's website, direct messages on SNS, or LINE, but some restaurants only accept reservations through "NAVER Reservations." NAVER is a major search engine in Korea, and you must register an account to use the reservation service. The site does not have any Japanese text, so if you are worried about the language barrier, it is recommended that you choose a restaurant that accepts reservations through a method other than NAVER.

If you pay by credit card, a fee may apply.

If you pay by credit card, you may be charged a fee in addition to the treatment fee. It is generally around 5% to 10%, but if the treatment fee is over 100,000 won (about 10,000 yen), the fee will be expensive, so it is a good idea to have a prepaid card such as WOWPASS or cash on hand.

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Some restaurants are fully booked at the last minute.

Popular salons (such as those that employ hair and makeup artists who work with idols) may be fully booked if you make a reservation at the last minute. If there is a salon you have in mind, we recommend that you make a reservation well in advance. Also, be aware that some salons do not accept makeup experience on Saturday mornings due to hair and makeup for weddings, etc.

If you are late, your reservation may be cancelled.

Even a slight delay can result in your appointment being canceled. Not only will you miss your appointment, but you may also be charged a cancellation fee, so be sure to arrive at the salon on time. To make things smoother, it's a good idea to find out the location of the salon and how to get there in advance.

[Step 3] Try on the makeup!

Here is a report on the makeup experience. We will cover the know-how unique to Korea and the techniques unique to professionals.

[Counseling] Communicate your ideal makeup

During the consultation before applying your makeup, you will tell the makeup artist what kind of look you want to achieve. Since there may be language barriers, it will go more smoothly if you prepare a photo of the look you want to achieve and show it to them. If you don't have anything in particular, that's okay! They will suggest a makeup look that suits you.

This time, I used a photo of Winter from the girl group "aespa" as a reference and ordered idol makeup using coral pink tones. When I made the reservation, I was able to communicate in Japanese, but on the day, there were only Korean staff members, so I had to communicate through a translation app in some places.

[Makeup] Lots of eye-opening makeup techniques!

Once the consultation was over, it was time to start putting on makeup! It took about 50 minutes. I was told that I could just apply sunscreen beforehand, so I started with a thin layer of it on. The makeup process was as follows:

First, apply the primer and then the foundation to create your base makeup.

I used a brush to apply the foundation, spread it thinly, and then carefully spread it with a sponge. I repeated this about three times, but it didn't feel thick at all, which surprised me! The foundation's color was "Porcelain." I chose a bright pinkish shade, which was completely different from what I usually use, so it was a fresh experience for me.

Eyebrows are simple; just shape them with powder and then lighten the color with eyebrow mascara.

Next, we move on to the eye makeup. The key to this makeup is the "coral pink" color. First, apply pink eyeshadow to the upper and lower eyelids as a base. Applying it to the top and bottom is said to have the effect of making the eyes look bigger.

After applying eyeshadow, heat the eyelash curler with a lighter and curl your eyelashes. This simple step is said to help keep your eyelashes curled. However, heating the eyelash curler with a lighter can cause the rubber part to deteriorate, so it is not recommended for people who are not used to it.

The eyeliner used is a gel liner. It is a brown color and is applied from the inside of the eyelashes, filling in the mucous membrane. I was impressed by how detailed and careful the application was.

Next, she puts on false eyelashes, a key feature of idol makeup.

The false eyelashes are applied in small increments. There are many different types, from doll-like long and curled types to more voluminous and glamorous types. They choose the right type for each person, and are mindful of making them look as natural as possible.

After applying false eyelashes and mascara, heat a bamboo skewer with a lighter to lift your eyelashes even higher. Using a bamboo skewer allows you to make fine adjustments, such as lifting only the inner corner or outer corner of your eye, resulting in a glamorous look. This is actually a common sight when applying makeup to K-POP idols.
If you want your eyelashes to stay curled for longer, you can also get an optional eyelash perm (+50,000 won).

Lightly shade and apply a gold glitter shadow to the upper and lower eyelids, then apply blush all over your cheeks.

She used three different types of blush. She applied a peachy cream blush, then layered a velvety powder blush with a different texture on top. Finally, she applied a slightly bluish pink cream blush to the high points of her cheeks to create a radiant look. I want to incorporate this into my makeup routine in the future!

Apply lipstick, glitter to your under-eye bags, and mascara to your lower lashes to finish!

Because it was idol makeup, I thought it would be heavy and gaudy, but it ended up being surprisingly natural. The balance between adding and subtracting is perfect.

In addition, she will tell you all the types of products she used in her makeup. Most of the products she used were inexpensive Korean cosmetics, but there were also some Japanese brands. It's nice to be able to imitate them after returning to Japan.

[Hair] Add volume with fine curls

Once the makeup is done, it's time for hair styling. From here, the baton is handed over to the hairdresser. It takes about 20 minutes. If you have an ideal hairstyle in mind, show the hairdresser a photo. They also offer cuts, coloring, and perms upon request. This time, I asked for a "trendy style," and they suggested a gorgeous style with large waves inspired by Wonyoung from the popular female idol group "IVE."

Use a thin iron (28mm) to curl the hair in small sections.

Once you've finished curling, take the hair on top, lift the inner hair with a brush, and use a hair dryer to create volume. This was a new experience for me, as I've never had this done at a salon in Japan.

Finally, spray hair with hairspray. I used a milk-based hairspray instead of a gas-based one. It is not hard to the touch, but has a soft, fluffy texture.

That's it. With makeup and hair done, it only took a little over an hour to get the perfect look!

The hair and makeup cost 165,000 won (about 18,000 yen), including 150,000 won and credit card processing fee. I arrived at the hotel after 10pm that day, and only had my lipstick touched up. I was surprised at how well my hair stayed in place, without any creasing, and the waves stayed in place for a long time. I was so satisfied that I want to try this again when I go to Korea!

The salon where I experienced hair and makeup

FREAK

Transform yourself into a different person with Korean makeup

Korean makeup experience allows you to experience eye-opening makeup techniques. Enjoying your trip in a different look than usual is sure to create unforgettable, special memories. Use this article as a reference and try out Korean makeup when you visit Korea.

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