First time at Korea miyu Makeup Room
Tobi
12 hours ago
Recently I went to Hongdae and finally checked off MIYU Beauty Studio from my list. To be honest, at first I was just bombarded by Xiaohongshu (RED) and Instagram posts and wondered if it was really that amazing, but after trying it myself I felt it was definitely worth sharing.
MIYU Beauty Studio is actually easy to find, it’s just near the Hongdae shopping area, about a five-minute walk from Hongik University Station on Seoul Subway Line 2. The storefront has a simple Korean-style look, white with a touch of creamy tones, it feels clean and cozy, and the entrance is already very photogenic.
As soon as you walk into the shop you’re struck by the rows of makeup, most of which are Korean counter brands, and the brushes are neatly organized, so you can tell the place is pretty professional. The staff first confirm my reservation details, then they ask briefly what kind of look I want today, for example more natural, sheer, Korean-style idol vibe, or a more mature makeup. I said I wanted “that K-pop girl group look but not too heavy,” haha.
Before starting the makeup, the artist will tidy up your base a bit, like moisturizing and a quick assessment of your skin. She actually explains things while she works, for example saying my face shape suits slightly lifted contouring, and my brows shouldn't be drawn too flat so I look more awake. I liked that, because it wasn't a mechanical, just-do-it-and-done kind of service.
The base makeup was really impressive, they nailed that thin, sheer Korean look. Right after application you can't really see a lot of powder, but the overall skin looks very clean. The concealing was done meticulously, for example dark circles and the sides of the nose were handled naturally, without looking heavy.
The eye makeup was the part I was most excited about. The beautician started with a very light brown base, then layered on some subtle shimmer, and finished with a bit of aegyo-sal glitter. She also adjusted the length of my eyeliner, saying it would make photos look more like a Korean idol look. The lashes were brushed individually, really finely, with no clumping at all.
The blush and contour also have a Korean-style vibe, with the blush placed closer to under the eyes, giving an overall soft flushed look. The lip makeup was done with a gradient, deeper in the center and blended outward, looking natural but very healthy-looking.
The whole makeup process takes a little over an hour, and when it’s done they’ll also help tidy your hair a bit, like adding soft curls or fixing your bangs, which makes the overall look more complete. Finally, the shop also has a small photo area, and many people take a few pictures there.
My first reaction when I looked in the mirror was, 'Wait, is that really me?' I looked very Korean-style, and my face seemed smaller by a full size, haha. The key thing was the makeup didn’t feel heavy, and it didn’t look fake even up close.
If I had to mention a downside, it’s that the price isn’t exactly cheap by Korea’s standards, but I think it’s acceptable as a travel experience. A lot of people actually get their makeup done here and then head straight to Hongdae or Yeonnam-dong to take photos, which makes for a complete outing.
Overall, if you already love the Korean-style makeup look, or want to experience a real Korean makeup artist’s technique, I think MIYU Beauty Studio is well worth trying once. Especially if you plan a makeup session while visiting Hongdae, it can add a memorable little activity to your trip.
