K-Beauty Hanbok Makeup & DIY Perfume Making (Near Gyeongbokgung)

Getting your hair and makeup done before a hanbok outing can make a palace visit feel like a special occasion, without turning the whole day into a photoshoot. At this Bukchon studio, you can choose makeup, hairstyling, photo services, or a separate package with personal color analysis and DIY perfume making.

I like two things here: the makeup artists’ attention to your preferred colors and look, and the convenient setting near Gyeongbokgung and hanbok rental shops. The main caution is that the address can be tricky to find, and some photo packages use a separate studio, so allow extra time and check the route before you go.

Key things to know before you book

• Makeup is the most consistently praised service: Artists such as Grace and Kim Jin are noted for careful, friendly work and for listening to what you want.
• Choose the right package: Makeup, hairstyling, photos, and DIY perfume with personal color analysis are different options, not necessarily one all-inclusive service.
• You may need Naver Map: Some customers have found the location hard to locate using the provided address alone.
• Photo services may be elsewhere: One customer reported that the photography studio was about a 15-minute walk from the makeup location.
• Hanbok rental is not always included: The general inclusions exclude rental, although a particular outdoor hanbok photo option is described as including it. Confirm the exact package.
• Tuesday is closed: The studio’s stated hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Wednesday through Sunday.

A beauty appointment beside Seoul’s palace district

This experience is less a sightseeing tour than a chance to get ready for one. The studio is at 43 Bukchono-ro 5ga-gil in Jongno District, close to Gwanghwamun and Gyeongbokgung Palace. That location makes it a practical stop if your plan is to wear hanbok around the palace grounds or take photos nearby.

The appeal is simple: professional styling can help your outfit and your photos feel more finished, while saving you from trying to do your own hair and makeup in a hotel room. You can book makeup alone, hair alone, or a combined service. There are also photo packages and an option that brings together DIY perfume making, personal color analysis, and a mini makeup class.

Do check exactly what you are booking. The activity’s overall description covers several related experiences, but the package options are priced separately. A makeup appointment does not automatically mean perfume making or a photoshoot is included. Likewise, the phrase hanbok makeup describes the style and setting, not a hanbok rental.

Choosing a package that fits your day

The listed options begin at different prices: hairstyling from US$42.49, makeup from US$112.35, makeup with hairstyling from US$131.25, photography with makeup and hairstyling from US$141.59, and DIY perfume making with personal color analysis and makeup from US$103.85. A separate summary gives a starting price of US$46.75, so treat the price as package-dependent and check the amount shown for your chosen date and service.

The difference between packages matters more than the headline starting price. If you mainly want a polished look for hanbok photos, makeup alone may be enough. Choose the combined makeup and hair option if you want a complete look without arranging each service separately. If you need an ID photo or profile images as well, make sure you select the photo package rather than assuming photography is part of a styling appointment.

Photography options include an ID photo, a light profile with an ID photo, a light profile from the upper body, or a profile extending from the upper body to full body. An updo costs an additional 10,000 KRW. Outdoor hanbok photoshoots are also offered, with a stated weekend surcharge of 20,000 KRW.

There is one important rental detail to resolve before paying. Hanbok rental is listed among the exclusions, but the description for outdoor hanbok photoshoots says rental is included. That may depend on the specific option. If wearing a hanbok is central to your plan, confirm what the package covers rather than relying on the general description.

Makeup that starts with your preferences

The makeup service is a strong fit if you want Korean-style beauty for a palace outing, but would rather not arrive with a fixed look in mind. You can show photos and choose colors you like. One reported appointment offered brown, pink, or coral as the color direction, a useful reminder to bring reference pictures and be ready to explain what suits you.

Several customers describe the makeup artists as gentle, professional, and attentive. Grace is singled out for meticulous work, while Kim Jin is noted for being kind and patient, even when an appointment was running short on time. English communication was also described as manageable in one appointment, though you should not assume every staff member will speak English equally well.

I would make your preferences clear at the start. Say whether you want a soft or more defined look, and show a photo if you have one. The styling team may suggest what works with your features, hair length, and outfit, but the best results appear to come when you take part in those choices instead of leaving everything open-ended.

There is a small service caveat: the praise is stronger and more consistent for makeup than for hairstyling. One customer loved the makeup but felt the hair work was less accomplished, while another described a quick, firm hairstyle. That does not mean you should avoid the hair option, but if a very specific updo is important, bring a clear reference image and confirm what is possible for your hair length.

Hair styling for a hanbok look or photos

Women’s hairstyling is estimated at about 30 minutes. The advertised choices include soft curls, updos, and half-up styles, adjusted to your hair length, outfit, and facial features. Men’s styling is estimated at 20 to 30 minutes and is described as a polished Korean-style look made with professional products intended to hold through a photoshoot or special occasion.

For timing, a combined makeup and hair appointment has taken just under an hour for one customer, though your own appointment may vary. That is a helpful planning guide, not a guarantee. If you have a palace reservation, rental booking, or photo session afterward, leave a cushion rather than scheduling every part of the day back to back.

An updo carries a stated 10,000 KRW surcharge. Ask about that when selecting the package if you want a more formal look. The base hairstyling price is the lowest listed option, but it does not include makeup or photography.

Photos, studio distance, and the value of planning

The photography package can save you from arranging a separate makeup appointment and portrait session yourself, but the location details deserve attention. One customer reported that the photo studio, identified as Cheese Smile Studio, was about a 15-minute walk from the makeup location. That customer also had to search for the studio after the appointment, so do not assume all photo services happen in the same room as your styling.

This is the part of the experience where a little preparation can protect both your schedule and your makeup. Check the location in Naver Map before the appointment, and confirm whether your selected photo session is on site or at another studio. One customer specifically recommended using Naver Map and warned that the address supplied through the booking platform may not point to the right place.

The photo choices cover different needs. An ID photo is practical if you need an official-style portrait. A light profile can give you an upper-body image, while the full profile option extends from upper body to full body. If you are dressing in hanbok for outdoor pictures, ask whether rental is included and whether your chosen day carries the extra weekend charge.

There is also a caution about coordination. One customer who booked makeup, hairstyling, and an ID photo described being passed between several staff members and then sent to another studio without clear preparation. Other appointments were smooth and positive, but this account is a reason to confirm your full plan at the start: which services you have booked, where each one takes place, and how you will get to the photo studio.

Personal color analysis and making your own perfume

The DIY perfume package combines three elements: personal color analysis, a mini K-beauty makeup class, and making your own perfume. That makes it a different kind of appointment from simply getting ready for a palace visit. It may suit you if you want an activity as well as a finished look, or if you are curious about which colors work for you.

The available details do not specify how long the perfume activity or color analysis takes, what scent ingredients are offered, or how the analysis is conducted. If those details will shape your decision, ask before booking. What is clear is that the package combines these activities with a professional makeup touch-up, rather than offering perfume making by itself.

The value depends on what you want from the day. If your priority is a quick look for hanbok photos, this package may include more than you need. If you want a beauty-focused activity and a personal souvenir, it brings several services together in one booking.

Location, hours, and a few useful safeguards

The meeting point is given as 43 Bukchono-ro 5ga-gil, Jongno District, Seoul. The studio is described as near Gwanghwamun and Gyeongbokgung, but being in a central district does not make the door effortless to find. Use Naver Map to locate the business, and consider checking the route a day early if your schedule is tight.

Opening hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It is closed Tuesday. The same price applies to all ages. Wi-Fi, tea, and a locker are listed as included amenities, along with the selected hair service where applicable.

Your voucher is valid only for the date and time specified. The stated cancellation terms offer a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity, using local destination time. If you are 20 minutes or more late, a refund is not available. That makes route planning especially worthwhile, since more than one person has found the location confusing.

Extra charges are meant to be made clear, and you can choose whether to buy the added service. Still, confirm likely extras in advance, especially the updo fee, weekend outdoor photo surcharge, and any rental arrangements. If severe weather or another unforeseen event leads the operator to cancel, you can reschedule or request a full refund, subject to the stated terms.

Is this the right appointment for you?

I would consider this experience if you want professional K-beauty makeup before a hanbok outing, or if you like the idea of pairing a beauty appointment with photos, color analysis, or perfume making. The strongest reason to book is the chance to get a look shaped around your own color preferences, with a location suited to a palace day.

I would be more cautious if you are booking mainly for a complex hairstyle or need a photo session to run on a strict schedule. Hair styling feedback is more mixed than makeup feedback, and some photo appointments may involve a separate studio. Confirm the exact package, route, rental details, and extra fees before you commit.

For the smoothest visit, arrive with a reference photo, find the address in Naver Map, and leave time between styling and photography. If those small bits of planning fit your style, this can be a convenient way to make a Gyeongbokgung day feel more personal.

FAQ

Where is the makeup and hairstyling studio?

The meeting point is 43 Bukchono-ro 5ga-gil in Jongno District, Seoul, near Gwanghwamun and Gyeongbokgung Palace. Naver Map may help you find it.

What days is the studio open?

It is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on Tuesday.

What services can I book?

Options include makeup, hairstyling, makeup with hairstyling, photo packages with makeup and hairstyling, and DIY perfume making with personal color analysis and makeup.

Is hanbok rental included?

Hanbok rental is listed as not included in the general package information. The outdoor hanbok photoshoot description says rental is included, so confirm the details for your specific option.

Are photos taken at the makeup studio?

Not necessarily. One reported photo studio, Cheese Smile Studio, was about a 15-minute walk from the makeup location. Confirm where your selected photography session takes place.

How long does hairstyling take?

Women’s hairstyling is estimated at 30 minutes. Men’s hairstyling is estimated at 20 to 30 minutes.

Is there an extra charge for an updo or weekend outdoor photos?

An updo costs an additional 10,000 KRW. Outdoor hanbok photoshoots have an additional 20,000 KRW charge on weekends.

Is the price different for children or adults?

The same price applies to all ages.

What happens if I arrive late or need to cancel?

A full refund is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date, using local destination time. Refunds are not available for participants who are 20 minutes or more late.