Introduction to K-Beauty
K-Beauty has been steadily gaining popularity in Japan recently. Among its offerings, services you can experience directly in Korea—such as eyelash extensions, nail care, and hair salons—are attracting attention for their high skill level and reasonable prices. In this article, we introduce the differences from Japan, recommended areas, price ranges, and even a K-Beauty experience course that lets you look fabulous in just one day.
Eyelash Extensions (Matsueku)
Korean eyelash extensions are popular for their natural finish, long-lasting effect, and reasonable price. Many salons provide detailed consultations to match the design to your eye shape, offering a variety of styles (cat-eye, dolly, etc.) and materials (silk, flat, mink).
Differences from Japan:
- Preference for more voluminous finishes than in Japan
- Treatments combining eyelash perm and extensions are popular
- Shorter procedure time and lower cost
Average Prices:
- 80–100 lashes: ₩30,000–50,000 (approx. ¥3,500–6,000)
- Eyelash perm: ₩25,000–40,000
- Retouch: around ₩20,000
Recommended Areas:
- Seoul: Hongdae, Gangnam
- Busan: Seomyeon
Nail Care & Gel Nails
Korean nail salons are known for high-quality art designs and a wide range of styles reflecting seasonal trends. Services range from basic care to 3D art, and it’s common for clients to find designs on SNS and communicate their preferred style before the appointment.
Differences from Japan:
- Japan favors natural and simple designs
- Korea favors flashy styles such as gel extensions and stone art
- Some salons offer YouTube viewing during treatments
Average Prices:
- Gel nails / one-color: ₩40,000–60,000
- With art design: ₩60,000–90,000
- Nail care only: ₩15,000–25,000
Recommended Areas:
- Seoul: Itaewon, Sinchon
- Busan: Nampo-dong
Hair Salons (Cut & Color)
In Korean hair salons, you can experience stylish looks like those seen in K-Dramas or on K-POP idols. Popular services include layered cuts, see-through bangs, and ash-toned colors. Careful finishing and styling are provided, and more salons now have Japanese-speaking staff.
Differences from Japan:
- Japan tends to favor natural and conservative styles
- Korea typically includes trendy finishing and styling
- Men’s hair is also designed with detailed attention
Average Prices:
- Cut: ₩15,000–25,000
- Cut + color: ₩70,000–100,000
- Straightening or digital perm: ₩90,000–150,000
Recommended Areas:
- Seoul: Cheongdam-dong, Hongdae
- Busan: Haeundae
One-Day K-Beauty Course to Look Fabulous
- Morning: Eyelash extensions in Gangnam (about 1 hour)
- Lunch: Stylish brunch at a café
- Afternoon: Nail art or gel nails in Sinchon
- Late Afternoon: Haircut and styling in Cheongdam-dong
- Evening: Explore cafes or shopping malls with your new look
Following this course, you can achieve a noticeable visual transformation in just one day! The biggest charm of Korean K-Beauty is the ability to enjoy a variety of beauty treatments faster and at more reasonable prices than in Japan.
Summary
Korean beauty services showcase the essence of K-Beauty, combining trend-conscious sensibility, high technical skill, and reasonable prices. Since you can experience a different sense of style compared to Japan, we highly recommend trying eyelash extensions, nail care, and hair salon treatments during your trip to Korea. You will surely feel not just a simple treatment, but a true transformation.
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