Seoul: Personalized Korean-style Makeup Experience

Reviewed · K-BEAUTY & STYLE EXPERIENCES

Seoul: Personalized Korean-style Makeup Experience

4.9 · 36 reviews From $86 Operated by Riha Kim · Bookable on GetYourGuide
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A makeup lesson that actually fixes your routine? That’s what I love about this Seoul session: Riha Kim studies your face and turns it into a practical, Korean-style look you can repeat at home. Two standouts: the tailored eyeliner design for your eye shape and the PDF product guide that helps you shop with confidence. One thing to consider: this is built for a daily, natural Korean finish, and it skips party looks, Western styles, and false lashes.

You’ll get more than “try this palette.” The session is organized around your face balance—upper, middle, and lower—then applies that to foundation color, skincare steps, and eye details. Afterward, you leave with a shopping list approach, not a vague tip or two.

Because it’s hands-on and time-limited (40 minutes to 1 hour), I’d treat it like an appointment: arrive with your basic skincare done and come ready to work with the look you want.

Key points before you go

Seoul: Personalized Korean-style Makeup Experience - Key points before you go

  • Face-shape and feature analysis that guides the whole makeup plan, not random guessing
  • Tailored eyeliner designed around your eye shape (a big pain point for many people)
  • Two formats to choose from: a beginner-friendly lesson or full makeup plus recommendations
  • Daily Korean style focus, with no party makeup, no Western-style look, and no false eyelashes
  • A PDF after your session so you can shop and repeat the routine later

Finding Riha Kim’s studio inside Ssangyong Namsan Platinum

Seoul: Personalized Korean-style Makeup Experience - Finding Riha Kim’s studio inside Ssangyong Namsan Platinum
The meeting point is in Gyeonggi Province, at RihaKim makeup on the first floor of the Ssangyong Namsan Platinum Building. If you enter through the entrance right next to the CU convenience store, there’s an elevator. Take it up to the first floor, walk down the hallway to the end, and the studio is the last office.

This kind of setup matters because you only have 40 minutes to 1 hour. If you show up late, the session can’t proceed and will end immediately, so plan for a little buffer time. Also, check the location details in your voucher so you’re not hunting around the building at the last minute.

A private setting is part of the appeal here. It’s not a group class where you wait your turn—you get direct attention for your face, your products, and your questions.

What really happens during the face-shape makeup analysis

Seoul: Personalized Korean-style Makeup Experience - What really happens during the face-shape makeup analysis
The core of the experience is a personalized makeup design based on a face study. The session includes analyzing your face shape and how the upper, middle, and lower sections are balanced. Then Riha Kim builds a Korean-style makeup plan that matches your proportions and your features.

In practice, that means you’re not just picking colors. You’re getting choices tied to structure—where to place emphasis, how to balance the look, and what to do with areas like the eyes and skin finish. The goal is a “you, but better” look: natural and flattering in a Korean style, not a costume.

You can expect recommendations across the basics too:

  • Foundation color matching and how to think about the right shade
  • Skincare products that fit the look being created
  • Eyeliner designs tailored to your eye shape
  • A personalized shopping list style of guidance for Korean cosmetics

Two details from past clients are especially telling. People consistently highlight how Riha Kim explains not only what she’s doing, but why it works for their specific features. And many call out that eyeliner tricks were a life changer, especially for eyeshape-specific guidance.

The 40–60 minute timeline: how the session stays focused

Seoul: Personalized Korean-style Makeup Experience - The 40–60 minute timeline: how the session stays focused
This is a short session by design, so everything is aimed at results you can use fast. Expect an initial setup and analysis, then a build toward a final Korean-style look. If you’re doing the personalized lesson format, you’ll also follow the process while learning how to recreate it on your own.

Here’s what makes the timing feel effective: the service targets the steps you usually struggle with. Makeup counters often teach you products; this experience teaches you method. Eyeliner setup, for example, is time well spent because it changes the entire eye shape impression once it’s done correctly.

One practical note: come with only your basic skincare completed. If you arrive wearing makeup, it can limit what the instructor can do. That’s not meant to be strict—it’s about giving you the clearest possible custom results.

Korean-style makeup approach: natural daily look (not party makeup)

Seoul: Personalized Korean-style Makeup Experience - Korean-style makeup approach: natural daily look (not party makeup)
The style here is described clearly: daily Korean makeup that enhances your facial features in a natural way. It does not include party makeup, Western-style makeup, or the use of false eyelashes.

That choice is actually part of the value. Many people spend money chasing dramatic looks they don’t wear. This focuses on what shows up in day-to-day life in Korea: subtle adjustments that make your eyes and skin look more balanced without looking overdone.

The eyeliner portion is a great example. A lot of makeup problems aren’t really about the eyeliner itself. They’re about placement and shape. With Korean-style guidance, you typically learn how to adapt eyeliner to your eye structure instead of forcing your eye to match the trend.

And yes, you’ll likely leave with techniques that feel different from what you’ve seen online. Several past participants mention learning “tricks” for things like highlighting around the eye area and getting more accurate results by following a method designed for their face.

Lesson vs full makeup: which one fits your level

Seoul: Personalized Korean-style Makeup Experience - Lesson vs full makeup: which one fits your level
You basically have two paths, and choosing the right one can make or break the experience.

Personalized Make-Up Lesson (1:1)

This is for beginners and people who struggle with makeup application. The format is designed so you learn to:

  • choose suitable cosmetics and brushes
  • apply makeup with guidance
  • do the makeup yourself by the end

A key detail: this lesson format isn’t suited for people who already have strong makeup skills. If you’re already fully comfortable with your routine, you might not get as much from the step-by-step coaching.

Full Make-Up & Cosmetic Recommendations

If you prefer to sit back and get the look applied, this option includes full makeup plus an email listing the cosmetics and tools used. It can be a good fit if you want to see the finished Korean style first, then use the recommendations as your next shopping trip.

Either way, the end goal stays the same: you leave with a guide you can follow. Past clients repeatedly mention feeling more confident because the advice becomes a routine, not just a one-time look.

Your PDF shopping guide: what you can do after you leave Seoul

Seoul: Personalized Korean-style Makeup Experience - Your PDF shopping guide: what you can do after you leave Seoul
After the session, you receive a PDF with the information provided during your time with Riha Kim. In plain terms, that means you’re not relying on memory, blurry photos, or guessing which products were recommended.

This matters because Korean cosmetics can feel overwhelming when you’re standing in a store with big shelves and no map. A well-made list turns shopping into a mission with a finish line. One review specifically mentioned buying a recommended eyeshadow palette at Olive Young after the lesson—something you can do more confidently when you have a clear shopping list and how-to guidance.

So how should you use the PDF when you’re back home? Use it in two ways:

  • Shop smart: buy the items you’re meant to use together (foundation shade, eyeliner approach, compatible skincare steps)
  • Repeat the method: focus on the order and placement, since that’s what makes the look work for your features

The PDF is also helpful for gifting. People noted using the recommendations not only for themselves, but also for buying items for friends.

Price and value: is $86 worth it?

Seoul: Personalized Korean-style Makeup Experience - Price and value: is $86 worth it?
At $86 per person for 40 minutes to 1 hour, you’re paying for a private, customized service with real instruction and a take-home guide. That price can feel high compared with a store consult, but it’s usually fair when you look at what you get: face analysis, tailored eyeliner work, product matching guidance, and a personalized list you can actually use.

Compared with doing makeup the traditional way—watching videos, buying products, and hoping—it’s often better value because it cuts down trial-and-error. The session is built for beginners and for people stuck on specific problem areas (eyeliner, choosing foundation shade, and finding a routine that works).

Also, since the service is private, it’s less about “filling time” and more about getting your questions answered while the makeup is in progress.

Practical tips to get better results fast

Seoul: Personalized Korean-style Makeup Experience - Practical tips to get better results fast
You’ll get the most from this experience if you show up prepared and honest.

First, arrive with basic skincare only. If you’ve already applied makeup, it may limit what the instructor can do. Second, think about what you want most: a better daily look, a fix for eyeliner, or help choosing the right products.

If you have photos from recent days (even phone photos in natural light), that can help you point out what you like and don’t like. The experience is about customizing to your features, so your preferences matter.

Finally, plan to stay on schedule. With a service that can end immediately if you’re late, your best move is simple: build in extra minutes for the studio entrance and elevator directions.

Should you book this Korean-style makeup experience?

Seoul: Personalized Korean-style Makeup Experience - Should you book this Korean-style makeup experience?
Book it if you want a custom Korean-style daily makeup plan you can repeat—especially if you struggle with eyeliner, don’t know what foundation shade works, or feel like you’re buying products without a real method.

Skip it if you’re looking for a dramatic party transformation, a Western makeup style, or a session that includes false lashes. Also skip it if you’re already highly confident with makeup techniques and you mainly want product opinions rather than coached step-by-step guidance.

If you’re the type who wants a practical routine, plus a PDF you can use for shopping and practice, this is the kind of lesson that pays off long after your Seoul day ends.

FAQ

What is the duration of the makeup experience?

It takes about 40 minutes to 1 hour. Starting times vary, so you’ll want to check availability.

Where is the meeting point?

It’s at RihaKim makeup on the first floor of the Ssangyong Namsan Platinum Building. Enter through the entrance next to CU, take the elevator to the first floor, walk to the end of the hallway, and find the last office.

What should I do before I arrive?

Arrive with only basic skincare completed. If you arrive with makeup on, it may limit what the instructor can provide.

Do they include false eyelashes or party makeup?

No. The service does not include false eyelashes and it doesn’t offer party makeup or Western-style makeup.

Are there different service options?

Yes. There’s a 1:1 personalized make-up lesson for beginners (you learn and apply your own makeup), and there’s also a full make-up option with cosmetic recommendations and an email listing the products and tools used.

What language is the instructor?

The instructor speaks English and Korean.

What do I receive after the session?

You receive a PDF file with the information provided during your session. If you choose the full make-up option, you also receive an email listing the cosmetics and tools used.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.