K-Beauty Services Review Part 2
Eyes fixed, thighs snatched, and skin glassier than ever — my Seoul glow-up journey continues
Last month, I shared a full recap of the beauty services I tried during my November trip to Seoul (if you missed it, catch up here). But as the universe would have it, I found myself back in Korea this March — this time with a bit more intention (read: medical tourism), curiosity, and courage.
We’re talking vision correction (goodbye, glasses), painless Rejuran boosters, and leg surgery.
There’s a quick video breakdown over on Instagram, but for the full story — with receipts — this deep-dive lives here on Substack.
Let’s get into it.
✂️ Hair Refresh at EcoJardin (Myeongdong)
Despite getting a perm four months ago, I felt like my hair was falling... flat. I wanted that K-wave bounce again, so I booked a root perm, a perm refresh and treatment session at EcoJardin, one of Seoul’s more well-known chain salons — famous for their 18-step stem cell scalp treatment that’s gone viral on TikTok.
To be honest, I picked their Myeongdong location because it was walking distance from my hotel (L’Escape) and conveniently affordable for both me and my partner (he got a men’s perm too).
What I Got:
Grace Wavy Perm: loose, voluminous S-curls ₩310,000
Root Volume Boost: subtle lift at the crown ₩100,000
Shiseido Deep Treatment: a keratin-based smoothing treatment ₩180,000
My Experience:
Booking was seamless via DM on instagram. The salon itself was clean and bustling, with a mostly international crowd. It runs like a well-oiled machine — don't expect hyper-personalized service, but do expect efficiency. The whole thing took under three hours. My only gripe? The final styling felt rushed — my hair wasn’t fully dried, so I didn’t get the big reveal moment. But a few days in, I noticed my waves actually held better than my previous perm.
Cost: ₩590,000 KRW (~$404 USD) for all three services
Worth it? I’d go again for the root perm for sure. The natural lift is everything for flat hair days. Would I trade California salon prices for Korean perms? Absolutely.
Website / Social: Website / Instagram
💄 Full Glam at Shinokisaenal
If you're the type who screenshots Vogue Korea spreads for makeup inspo, Shinokisaenal is your place. This duo specializes in editorial beauty, and was recommended by my photoshoot team for that dewy, natural Korean makeup look.
My Experience:
They don’t speak much English, but beauty is a universal language. I handed over creative control and they delivered a look that felt fresh, elevated, and 100% me. I even jotted down the products they used — especially the false lashes looked so good on me! They also gave me a few hair styling tips for the shoot.
Cost: ₩175,000 KRW (~$125 USD) for everything
Worth it? Yes! I left feeling editorial-level polished. I left feeling luminous and learned a few beauty tricks in the process.
Website / Social: Instagram
📸 Photoshoot at LeeJ Studio
Want to look like a K-pop star without auditioning for HYBE? Head to LeeJ Studio. Their studio gives New York loft energy, and they specialize in clean, natural concepts that make you feel (and look) expensive.
My Experience:
I went for their “beauty concept” — soft light, minimal retouching, and gentle poses that complemented my makeup. The team was warm, high-energy, and guided me through everything (posing girlies, you’ll be fine). As someone who’s low-key camera shy, they made me feel like a model.
Cost: ₩226,000 KRW (~$193 USD)
Worth it? Yes! The only pain point? Picking just three photos to edit. They’re that good.
Website / Social: Instagram
🦵 Thigh Liposuction at Q-line Women’s Clinic
Yes, you read that right — I got thigh liposuction. Seoul is the capital of subtle beauty tweaks, and Q-Line is a locals’ favorite for liposuction. It’s professional, and refreshingly no-nonsense.
My Experience:
I scheduled a consultation via KakaoTalk and booked surgery two days later. While they don’t cater heavily to foreigners, the doctor and coordinator spoke enough English to make me feel comfortable. I appreciated their honesty: they told me upfront how much could be removed since my legs are more muscle than fat. Surgery day? I felt like a marinated raw chicken — they coat you in antiseptic before sedation — and then it was lights out. If you are able to stay longer, you can come back for a drainage massage included in the pricing.
Important PSA:
Do your homework. Liposuction is still surgery. Understand your body, your limits, and the aftercare. I’ll share a longer review soon on my social media.
Cost: ₩3,300,000 KRW (~$2,255 USD) for both legs
Worth it? Recovery was rough (think: two months of tenderness and tricky toilet logistics), but the early results are subtle and shapely. Stay tuned for the update.
Website / Social: Instagram
💧 Post-Op IV at Balance Lab
What’s the best way to recover after surgery? Get yourself a post-op IV injection. IV injections are big in Seoul, especially after surgery, drinking, or burnout. Balance Lab is a clean minimal clinic with all the IV cocktails you need.
My Experience:
I opted for a post surgery recovery IV drip and the whole thing took 40 minutes. It was fast, painless, and gave me an immediate energy boost to get through my afternoon appointments.
Cost: ₩120,000 KRW (~$90 USD)
Worth it? As needed and if you have time. Book via KakaoTalk and discuss your needs ahead of time if you don’t speak Korean.
Website / Social: Website / Instagram
✨ SMIN Clinic Skin Treatments
This was my go-to for anything skin-related while I was in Seoul. Clean clinic, no upselling, and they actually listen to what you want (rare). I talked more about this clinic in Part 1, but here’s what I tried this time around:
What I Got:
2 sessions of ASCE+ Hair Exosome
I managed to squeeze in two sessions during my two-week trip to target my receding hairline. This treatment uses exosomes to stimulate hair growth — think of it like giving your follicles a pep talk.
Worth it? I noticed some improvement in my scalp line after a month, but let’s be honest — this is a “you need multiple sessions” kind of situation. Results were promising but not long-lasting with just two. And yes, it’s pricey.
Rejuran HB Plus (2cc)
Hot take: HB Plus > Rejuran Healer. Less painful, faster recovery, and the hydration payoff is chef’s kiss. I got offered the machine injection this time, though next round I’d try manual — I’ve heard it delivers better long-term results.
Heads up: You’ll look like a lizard for a day (bumpy and textured), but by the third day your skin is plump, smooth, and glowing.
Worth it? If you’re in Seoul short-term, this might not be a game-changer unless you're prepping for an event (like I did for my birthday party). It’s perfect for a short-term glow-up but best used as a series (multiple sessions).
Masseter Botox
Botox is much more affordable in Seoul, so I took the opportunity to slim the jawline with a few quick pokes.
Worth it? 100%. Subtle, snatched, and no downtime.
CO2 Laser for mole removal (6 moles)
I have flat moles on my face that I want to removed and laser is the usual way to remove these in Asia. However, if they are big and deeply rooted into your skin, they may regrow. If you have a 3D mole or asymmetrical moles, please consult with a dermatologist as lasers may not be the right solution for those.
Worth it? For small surface moles, yes. But for anything bigger or darker, don’t expect miracles — mine are still visible (just slightly lighter) a month later.
Cost: ₩2,046,000 KRW (~$1,253 USD)
Website / Social: Website / Instagram
👁️ SMILE Pro Eye Surgery at SNU Eye Clinic
I finally got my vision corrected with SMILE Pro at SNU Eye Clinic, and it was shockingly seamless. SMILE Pro is like LASIK’s more refined cousin — less invasive, and a great for those with astigmatism (aka me) who are not eligible for LASIK. And SMILE Pro is the more advanced version of SMILE (in which PRO more accurate for those with astigmatism).
Experience: I had a translator by my side the entire time, and the clinic itself was spotless and award-laden so I trusted them. Consultation, testing and surgery took about 3 hours They even provided a bunny plushie during surgery for comfort.
Real talk: They set expectations with me, it won’t give you superhero vision if you have high astigmatism, but it’ll match how your glasses corrected your vision — which is more than enough for me.
Cost: ₩4,300,000 KRW (~$2,736 USD)
Includes ₩300,000 KRW worth of corneal protection for free if you go with SMILE PRO
Worth it? Absolutely! Life-changing. I can see, okay?
Website / Social: Instagram
💅 Omakase Nails at B by You
A tiny, aesthetic studio where nail art is treated like actual art. They specialize in hand-painted gel and design-by-request.
Experience: I sent 10 inspiration photos of designs, and the artist customized each finger to match each picture. We’re talking Dior nails, tiny gold and floral touches — each nail its own story.
Cost: ₩110,000 KRW (~$71 USD)
Worth it? 10/10. Chic, custom, and exactly what I envisioned.
Website / Social: Instagram
Final Thoughts
Two weeks. One city. Seoul delivered everything I was hoping for: high-tech skincare and clinical professionalism at prices that made my U.S. quotes look laughable.
From clear vision and luminous skin to hand-painted nails that felt couture, this trip reminded me that you can achieve your beauty goals. Please note that all treatments was considered, not impulsive. Please do your research well before committing!
So, whether you're planning a beauty pilgrimage or just indulging in some wanderlust scrolling, let this be your sign: with a little prep, a clear vision, and a few well-placed appointments, Seoul can become your glow-up playground.
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XOXO,
Grace