How to Plan the Ultimate Seoul Glowup Trip (KBeauty Reccs!)

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Seoul Glow Up

Seoul is the city to visit if you’re looking for a little glow up.

Korea’s capital is the home of k-beauty and innovative skincare, and every time I visit it feels like there’s a hot new skin treatment or makeup trend to try.

I’ve visited Seoul many times now and the main reason I keep returning is for the affordable skin treatments.

And I mean, super affordable.

One visit to a derm in NYC would cost me the same as a trip to Korea (roundtrip airfare + ~4 hotel nights) 💀

…plus I find that clinics in Korea just understand Asian skin better.

Seoul Beauty Trip

There’s a pretty endless list of beauty experiences to try in Korea, so I’ve organized them by category below:

Before You Go

You’ll need an esim during your trip to Korea.

I’ve tried a couple different ones throughout my trips to Asia, but keep going back to Jetpac. Their esims are affordable (as low as $1/day) and you can monitor your usage on the go using their mobile app.

I like to browse Instagram for salons and stylists, but to book most of them will ask you to contact them on Kakao Talk or WhatsApp.

Then while you’re in Korea, they’ll usually message you the day before your appointment to confirm, so you’ll want to make sure you have wifi during your trip.

I once made the mistake of not checking my phone (Korea can be a little annoying with all the separate mobile apps that you need). My hair stylist thought I wasn’t coming because I hadn’t seen the message!

Luckily I had an esim so I was able to message her and confirm the morning of the appointment and all was well, but just make sure to download helpful Korean apps like KakaoTalk, Naver and Papago before your trip.

Check esim packages for your dates here.

seoul-cherry-blossom-season

Seoul is prettiest in spring and fall. if you’re planning to do more intense lasers and skin treatments, I like going in winter

Where to Stay

I recommend budgeting a full week in Seoul, to take advantage of all the incredible beauty and skin treatments the city has to offer.

And I recommend staying in Gangnam for a Seoul glow up trip.

It’s central to all the skin clinics and also near all the great shopping and restaurants. There’s multiple Olive Youngs and department stores in the neighborhood, so you can easily stock up on all your skincare and makeup.

I’ve stayed at Glad Gangnam Coex which was clean and affordable. It’s right near the COEX mall, famous for its Starfield library. Other great Seoul hotel options include:

All are clean, modern and affordable. Plus, they’re located right near subway lines for easy public transportation.

Makeup

I recommend starting off the trip with these beauty treatments, on your first or second day.

You’ll want to do this before any skin treatments, so your face is clean and unmarked. And this way, you can see what makeup products you like and what colors suit you, so the rest of your trip can be spent shopping strategically!

Makeup Lesson

South Korea is known for their unique k-beauty makeup techniques and products.

This is the country that perfected the ‘no makeup’ makeup look.

I remember watching Youtube videos of celebrity makeup artist Jung Saem Mool – korean makeup artists are like magicians with how they can transform faces!

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Book a makeup session with a local makeup artist to get a complete new look.

Korean / Eastern style makeup is so different from American makeup – there’s much more emphasis on beautiful skin and dewy lips and much less dramatic eye makeup.

While I’m not sure all the techniques are for me (in particular the too-pale foundation), it’s still a worthwhile beauty experience!

In particular, it was eye opening to see how much time they dedicate to skin prep before even putting on any foundation!

I also like how Korean artists focus on light but buildable layers of coverage.

And I feel like the more makeup techniques I learn, the more I can pick and choose which suits me best.

Some places offer packages, where you can also get your hair done and do a photoshoot with the styled hair + makeup, to really take advantage of the transformation!

Make sure to take notes of any products they used that you like, so you can buy it later.

My personal favorites:

Hanbok Rental at Gyeongbokgung Palace

With your makeup done, I suggest renting a hanbok and walking around Seoul’s national palace.

It’s one of the most popular things to do in Seoul and there are hanbok rental shops all around the Main Street leading to Gyeongbokgung.

You can reserve a rental here, and also combine it with a photoshoot. It makes for some really stunning photos, and would be a cute souvenir to remember your trip to Seoul.

Wearing a hanbok also gets you free entrance into the palace!

Half the people walking around the palace grounds are dressed in hanbok, so it feels like stepping back in time into a historical k-drama.

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all the people dressed in pretty pastel hanboks

Color Analysis

Another popular beauty experience in Korea is to get your color analysis.

If you’ve never quite known what colors are flattering, or are always a little dissatisfied with your wardrobe, you probably just need some professional advice on what to wear.

Color analysis sessions in Korea are comprehensive.

They’ll go over your colors, show you what makeup styles and tones are good for you and even discuss flattering jewelry and hair styles.

Book a color analysis session here.

Lash Tint + Perm

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I highly recommend a lash tint while you’re in Korea.

If you have stubbornly straight Asian lashes, a last tint and perm can do wonders.

I once made the mistake of getting this done in NYC and regretted it.

Not only was it expensive and a total waste of time, but the lash tech just clearly didn’t have enough experience with Asian lashes.

One lid had a noticeable crimp where some of the perming solution just didn’t hold properly and I had a 90 degree bend instead of a C-shaped curl.

I can basically guarantee you won’t have that experience in Seoul.

Korean lash techs work day in and out on thin, sparse Asian lashes and they’re able to work magic.

They usually have a couple different curl options you can choose from.

And I like getting a tint to subtly darken the eyelashes – it makes it look like your eyes naturally have a bit of mascara on them.

You can also get false lashes done if that’s your thing!

Personally I prefer a lash tint + perm using your own lashes. I find that falsies just look a little too obvious and fake, especially when you have monolids.

Brow Microblading

Ok, now this beauty procedure is one I haven’t personally tried, but half my friends have.

I’m seriously considering trying it on my next trip to Korea.

Microblading is basically a beauty tattoo for your eyebrows, to make it look like your brows are always perfectly filled in.

I’ve seen some really bad, botched micro bladed brow procedures, where the ink fades patchy or (eek) even turns blue, but the work in Korea is really well done.

Somehow, they’re able to make it look incredibly natural – even on the outer corners where Asians often have very little eyebrow hair.

Like with the lashes, there are lots of different micro blading styles and every few years there’s a new technique + trend, like airy shading, powder brows, etc.

They’re all really affordable too, around $35-45 USD.

Definitely something I want to try on a future trip!

I always feel like my face isn’t complete unless I have some brow pencil on because my eyebrows are so light.

Hair

Hair Cuts

Post pandemic, I think a lot of American hair salons have lost the plot. Charging $150-250 for a basic trim, charging more for blow drys?!

I used to have a couple go-to hair stylists in NYC but I basically stopped getting my hair cut in the city now that I go to Asia every year.

Hair salons in Seoul are affordable, efficient and full service.

Like you’ll walk into a salon in Korea and they’ll immediately ask what drink you want.

It’s also not uncommon to have multiple stylists blow drying and styling your hair.

They also understand Asian hair better if you have fine, stick straight hair that needs to be cut evenly.

I’ve lost track of how many high end salons I’ve been to in NYC that left me with visibly uneven layers because the stylist clearly didn’t have experience with pin straight Asian hair.

I’ll admit I’m really picky about my hair but still – so many dry cuts, uneven cuts, choppy layers, overly thinned out mushroom cuts 😭

Sometimes I think back to experiences I’ve had and I can’t believe I paid, smiled and never uttered a word of complaint.

In Seoul, expect to pay about 45,000 krw for a cut (~$30-40).

Like I said.. super affordable!

I found a senior hair stylist that I really like who charges a bit more, but she’s pretty great at cutting my hair exactly like the reference photos I show her and even then, she charges 88,000 krw (~$60 USD).

Hair Coloring, Highlights Balayages & Perms

A lot of my friends also swear by perms and color in Seoul.

Koreans specialize in C-perms, really natural wavy perms if you want a styled look right out of the shower. And they’ll understand how to tone and bleach dark black Asian hair.

I believe perms and color treatments will run you a bit more, ~$200-250 USD including the cut, wash + blow dry.

It’s still much less than what it’d cost here in NYC and they do a great job.

Scalp Spa Treatment

I didn’t do this, but it’s an incredibly popular thing to do in Seoul.

Ecojardin is famous for their 18-step scalp revival.

It’s a luxuriously relaxing and intensive, multi-hour hair treatment that cleanses, detoxifies, scrubs and revive your hair. Seeing the before and after camera is crazy (gross, but in a good way)!

It’s especially great for those with fine, thin hair. They also deep condition so your hair feels super soft at the end.

Juno hair salon is another famous salon in Seoul that offers cuts, perms and scalp treatments. They have multiple locations, but their Myeongdong branch has a scalp analysis and multi-step treatment which you can book ahead here.

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first, it starts off with a camera to get up close and personal with your scalp and hair follicles

Hair Loss & Scalp Analysis

My cousin went to this popular scalp doctor, as she wanted a treatment plan specifically for hair loss.

Moclock specializes in revitalizing the scalp and combatting hair loss, and after a thorough analysis he recommended a personalized tincture of herbs and shampoos (which she then purchased separately).

Book a scalp analysis at Moclock here.

I picked up this UNOVE treatment mask and this silk hair serum in Korea and like it more than the Japanese hair oil! It feels a bit lighter and more hydrating.

18-step-hair-wash-and-scalp-spa-treatment-in-seoul-korea

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then they deep clean your scalp, add a variety of serums to stimulate follicle growth and even do a blue light session

Another must-try beauty experience in Korea?

Getting your nails done.

Asia excels at very elaborate nail art. They can do press ons or fake nails, but are artists at doing really pretty designs on natural nails, so try to grow them out before your trip.

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just some of the themed monthly designs Seoul nail salons will offer. you can pick from their sets or mix and match

I like that Korean nail salons often have monthly theme designs.

Essentially, they’ll come up with 8-10 nail art options that you can pick from, and it’ll all be one set price (usually ~110,000 kew or ~$70)

Each nail will be slightly different, but all together cohesive and lately the trend seems to be lots of spring pastels, contemporary art gallery vibes or moody avant garde nails. Very fun and unlike anything you’d find in America.

If you’re used to just getting a simple, one solid color nail look, try something different in Korea!

Book a nail experience here.

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I love how they make each fingernail slightly different but all still cohesive

Body

Massages

Seoul has some famous spas that are known for their relaxing massages.

Korea’s spa culture is next level.

Whether you’re booking a rigorous full-body massage rooted in traditional Korean bodywork or surrendering to a multi-step hanbang herbal facial, the level of care, technique, and attention to detail here far surpasses what you’d find at a typical Western spa.

Prices are also very reasonable compared to equivalent treatments back home, making it easy to justify booking a session (or two!) during your trip.

A couple famous spas in Seoul to try:

Rakkojae in Bukchon Hanok Village: a unique, culturally immersive spa inside a boutique hanok hotel. try a traditional private jjimjilbang or a makgeolli rice wine bath
Sulwhasoo Flagship Spa: the brand’s signature ginseng-based skincare line is applied through a treatment that feels more like a ritual than a facial
Conrad Seoul Spa: a luxury award winning spa known for weaving eastern spa rituals with western-friendly treatments, including deep-tissue work and hydrotherapy
Spa Gogyeol: consistently ranked among Seoul’s best for its deeply customized massage technique that blends acupressure, stretching, and traditional Korean therapy
The Spa at Shilla Seoul: a classic luxury hotel spa blending traditional and modern techniques, with signature massages, body scrubs, and tailored facials

Jjimjibang or Korean Bathhouse

Korean bathhouses are an institution unlike anywhere else.

You can spend the whole day at a jjimjibang and even sleep overnight (but I don’t really recommend that, ha). Some, like this one, are even 24 hours so they’re handy if you have a late night flight and need to kill time.

They have snacks, they have (clothed) lounging areas and of course, multiple bathing pools, soaking areas and saunas (where you must be entirely naked, for hygiene reasons).

Most neighborhoods have a local bathhouse.

You can book a full body Korean scrub here, and then spend the afternoon relaxing in various pools and saunas.

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Private Korean Body Scrub

If you’ve never done a Korean body scrub before, it’s a must try.

An older Korean woman (ahjumma) literally scrubs your entire body with a rough scrubbing cloth, to exfoliate all your dead skin and leave you smooth as a baby.

Typically, it’s done at a jjimjibang in a room with several people at once, but if you’re a little intimidated by that, try a private scrub place.

You get your own room so it’s completely private.

I like to book mine first thing, right after my flight. It’s heaven to come from a 15 hour flight and immediately relax while the ajumma gets to work, sloughing off all the stress and stiffness of travel.

I also added on a couple things – a body oil massage, hair wash and lymphatic drainage massage and emerged feeling brand new!

It’s super relaxing and a great way to kill time if your international flight lands in the early AM, before most things in the city open.

Book a private Korean full body scrub here.

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Skincare Products

Nowadays, Korean brands are increasingly available in America.

In fact, Olive Young is partnering with Sephora to open stores in the US!

But, I still can’t resist stocking up on some of my favorite skincare products whenever I’m in Korea. They always have the latest and greatest, plus it’s a little cheaper buying direct in the country.

where-to-buy-rejuran-rejuall-seoul-pharmacy

Here are some K-beauty products I’ve tried and always repurchase:

Skin Treatments

Ok, I saved the best for last.

In my opinion, the #1 reason to go to Korea is for the incredibly affordable skin treatments.

I’m talking botox and lasers but also the more cutting edge treatments like rejuran (salmon sperm), RE:20, ultherapy, thermage and more.

Here’s a quick guide to some of the most popular skin treatment offerings in Korea:

Rejuran or Re20: a collagen boosting treatment using injected DNA fragments from salmon sperm
Skin botox: to shrink pores and give the effect of glass skin
Botox: your classic muscle relaxer to prevent wrinkles and fine lines
Potenza with exosomes or juvelook: radio frequency micro needling with exosomes, juvelook is great for tightening pores
Skin boosters: various boosters to improve skin elasticity, hydration and reduce the appearance of fine lines (laetigen, Chanel shot, etc)
Ulthera, Xerf, Titanium & Thermage: for skin lifting, tightening and anti aging
InMode or Onda: for targeting cellulite and fat
C02 for mole removal
Pico, Genesis, IPL: lasers for hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone

If you’ve been thinking about a trip to Korea for a beauty glow up, this is your sign to stop hesitating and just go.

Seoul has better, newer and more advanced skincare & makeup offerings than the rest of the world – and it’s cheaper!

You really can’t beat it. Just make sure to go to a good doctor (avoid factory clinics) and go in informed, with a plan!

Seoul Travel Vlog

Visiting Korea – Travel Checklist

Flights | Direct flights from NYC to Seoul can be limited, but I like budget Korean airline Air Premia. I also recommend taking direct flights to Japan (more flight options), then making a short stopover tip to Seoul. Check here for flight deals here and set an alert for your dates.

Hotels | Seoul is a large city, with lots of great neighborhoods for sightseeing, shopping and activities. I recommend staying North of the Han River in Myeongdong if you primarily want to sightsee and South of the river in Gangnam if your priority is skincare, shopping or beauty treatments.

Check here for deals on Seoul hotels and definitely book in advance if you’re traveling in the spring or fall.

E-Sim | Download a couple Korea-specific apps before your trip, like Naver Maps and Kakao Talk as Google Maps isn’t really up to date in Seoul. I highly recommend getting an e-sim so you can stay connected, translate menus & signs and hail a taxi. Jetpac offers affordable esims with daily packages as low as $1/ day.

Insurance | Lastly, be sure to visit Korea with travel insurance.

Whether you get injured and need to be hospitalized, your phone gets stolen, or a flight delay leaves you with nothing but the clothes on your back, travel insurance will help when you need it most.

Flight delays and lost baggage happen frequently and are always a pain, especially if you don’t have insurance to get quickly reimbursed! Get a quote for your trip here.

You Might Also Enjoy:

Seoul Vacation Planning

A First Timer’s Guide to Seoul: All the Essentials Tips You Should Know

Where to Stay in Seoul (tips for first time visitors)

10 of the Best Hanok Stays in Seoul

Seoul in Style: The Perfect 5 Day Girl’s Trip Itinerary

How to Plan the Ultimate Korea Glowup Beauty Trip

How to Get Around Seoul using Public Transportation

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