K-makeup gets personal fast. This private session by Riha Kim pairs face-shape analysis with practical Korean makeup techniques, plus a clear shopping list you can use right away. I especially like the 1:1 coaching approach for beginners and the fact that you walk away with a PDF-style guide, not just a pretty look. One thing to consider: this is built around daily Korean-style makeup, and it does not include party makeup, Western styling, or false lashes.

If you’ve ever felt stuck picking foundation shades or eyeliner that never matches your eye shape, this is the kind of appointment that fixes the “guessing” part. Expect a friendly English-and-Korean instructor, a detailed look designed to balance your features (upper, middle, and lower face), and product guidance you can actually follow at home. The session runs about 40 minutes to 1 hour, so it’s focused, not drawn-out.

Because it’s a beginner-leaning lesson, don’t book it if you already have a full routine nailed down and want only advanced artistry. It’s also best if you arrive with basic skincare done and without makeup already on your face, since that affects what they can apply and teach.

Key points to know before you book

• Face analysis by proportions: she checks how your features balance across the upper, middle, and lower face.
• Foundation shade and skincare picks: you’ll get guidance on what to use before you even start makeup steps.
• Eyeliner design for your eyes: you learn eyeliner patterns that suit your eye shape, not a one-size template.
• Beginner-friendly 1:1 method: you’ll select products and brushes and then guide your own application.
• PDF after the session: you receive a document with product/tool info so shopping in Korea is less chaotic.
• Daily Korean style only: the look is meant to be wearable, not party/Wester glam.

Where Riha Kim’s studio is (and why arriving on time matters)

Your meeting point is RihaKim on the first floor of the Ssangyong Namsan Platinum Building. If you enter through the entrance right next to the CU convenience store, you’ll see an elevator. Take that elevator up to the first floor, walk all the way down the hallway, and your studio is the last office.

This is a small studio setup, which is exactly why timing matters. The session can’t proceed if you arrive later than the scheduled start time, and it ends immediately—so plan to get there a few minutes early. If you’re the type who likes to reset your bearings with a quick coffee before anything starts, do it after you’ve confirmed the route.

Because it’s a private session, you’ll get focused attention from the instructor rather than being worked into a shared schedule. That’s great for learning, but it also means there’s less flexibility if you’re late.

What happens in the 40–60 minute Korean makeup coaching session

Think of this as a short, structured makeover lesson. The appointment begins with an analysis of your face, including shape and the balance between the upper, middle, and lower sections. From there, you receive a bespoke Korean makeup design that guides everything from base to eye details.

You’ll also get a recommended list of Korean cosmetics that match your features and needs. That matters because Korean makeup isn’t just about a look—it’s about using products and application styles that fit your coloring and facial proportions. The result is a plan you can repeat, instead of a one-day experiment.

There are two possible service styles depending on what you book:

• Personalized Make-Up Lesson (1:1): designed for beginners and people who struggle with applying makeup. You learn how to choose suitable cosmetics and brushes, how to apply them, and you’re guided to do your own makeup. You finish with a complete Korean-style look and a PDF with makeup tools and cosmetics information.
• Full Make-Up & Cosmetic Recommendations: you receive full makeup, and you’ll get an email listing the cosmetics and tools used.

So if you want a teach-me-and-then-I-do-it approach, pick the 1:1 lesson. If you want the look done for you and then a product list afterward, go with the full make-up option.

The makeup style: daily Korean look, tailored eyeliner, and no false lashes

This experience is specifically for daily styled Korean makeup. You’ll get a look that naturally enhances your facial features, and it’s designed to look believable in everyday life—not like you’re heading to a stage or wearing a Western party routine.

A few boundaries are clearly set:

• No party makeup
• No Western-style makeup
• No false eyelashes

That can be a dealmaker or a dealbreaker depending on what you want. If your goal is wearable, flattering, and easy to replicate, daily Korean makeup is perfect. If you’re hoping for heavy drama, big lashes, or a glam concept look, this session may feel too grounded.

One detail that tends to make a big difference is eyeliner. The method here is about matching eyeliner to your eye shape, so the line design works with your natural features instead of fighting them. If eyeliner has always felt like a guessing game for you, this is exactly the kind of appointment where you should expect better answers.

The real value: the product recommendations you can shop with

A makeup transformation is nice. But the long-term win is what you do afterward, and this session is built for that.

After your appointment, you receive a PDF file containing product information from the session. For the 1:1 lesson, the PDF includes details about the makeup tools and cosmetics used through the teaching steps. For the full make-up option, you’ll also get an email listing the cosmetics and tools used.

That PDF matters because it turns “I liked that product” into something actionable:

• You can double-check what foundation shade was recommended for you.
• You can see which skincare products were suggested alongside makeup steps.
• You can follow the eyeliner design approach and recreate the look with similar tools.

And if you plan to shop while you’re in Korea, this kind of organized guidance helps you avoid random browsing. Based on what you learn in the session, you’ll be shopping with intent, which is where value usually comes from.

Price and value: why $86 can be a smart use of time

At $86 per person for a 40 minutes to 1 hour private session, the price makes sense because you’re paying for three things at once: analysis, instruction (or execution), and a shopping roadmap.

If you’ve ever bought makeup based on trends without knowing your shade matches or how to apply for your eye shape, you’ve likely wasted money the slow way. Here, you’re compressing the trial-and-error period into one appointment with tailored guidance.

Also, it’s private. You’re not watching someone else’s face-shape guide while you sit there hoping it applies to you. The whole format is built around your features—especially the balance across the face and the eyeliner approach that fits your eyes.

Could you book a less personalized service for less? Maybe. But you’d probably end up doing more work on your own afterward, which is the part this session tries to remove.

What to bring (and what not to bring) for the best results

You’ll get the most out of this if you follow the arrival guidance. Come with your basic skincare completed and arrive with minimal-to-no makeup already applied. If you arrive with makeup on, the service may be limited, and you’ll lose some of the teachable “blank canvas” moment.

Since the lesson is about selecting products and applying them in the right order, starting from freshly prepped skin makes the steps clearer. It also helps the instructor match foundation and skincare recommendations to your actual skin condition during the session.

If you want to take notes or ask extra questions, bring a phone for quick reference, and consider taking a few photos of your face after you’re done—so you can compare your attempt later at home. (Just make sure you ask if you’re allowed to photograph during the appointment.)

Who this is best for (and who should skip it)

This experience is a strong fit if:

• You’re a beginner or you feel frustrated by makeup basics.
• You want help matching foundation shade and building a routine.
• Eyeliner is your biggest trouble spot and you want a method that fits your eye shape.
• You want a Korean daily look that’s flattering and more wearable than “event makeup.”

It’s also useful if you’re planning a photoshoot or a special outing after your session. A well-done daily Korean makeup style can translate well on camera because it’s designed to enhance features rather than overpower them.

You might want to skip it if:

• You already apply makeup confidently and don’t need guidance choosing products/brushes.
• You’re looking specifically for party glam, Western makeup styling, or false lashes.

In other words, it’s a lesson and a tailoring session, not a costume transformation.

After the appointment: how to use your PDF to keep the look consistent

The goal isn’t just to leave looking great—it’s to keep improving. That PDF gives you a structured reference for tools and cosmetics, which makes it easier to rebuild your routine step by step.

Here’s how I’d use it:

• Start by buying the exact items you’re recommended, not random upgrades.
• Recreate the makeup order in the same way you were taught.
• Use your eyeliner design notes as the anchor for the whole look.

If you plan to shop in Korea right after, this is where the guide is most practical. One of the smartest parts of this experience is that it helps you shop with a plan instead of relying on store aisles and packaging guesses.

Should you book Seoul: Personalized Korean-style Makeup Experience?

Book it if you want a private, tailored lesson that helps you stop guessing about Korean makeup. The big strengths here are the personal face analysis, the beginner-friendly 1:1 coaching style, and the follow-up PDF that turns recommendations into a usable shopping and application guide. At $86, you’re paying for focused time plus resources you’ll keep.

I’d say skip it if your dream look is party glam with false lashes or you already feel fully confident with product selection and application. This session is built for everyday Korean style and for people who want a clearer routine.

If your main goal is learning how to wear makeup in a way that actually matches your features—especially eyeliner and base—this is a great use of an afternoon in Seoul.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Korean-style makeup experience?

It lasts between 40 minutes and 1 hour. Starting times depend on availability.

Where do I meet the instructor?

Meet at RihaKim makeup on the first floor of the Ssangyong Namsan Platinum Building. Entry is via the entrance next to the CU store, then take the elevator to the first floor and walk to the end of the hallway to the last office.

What language will the instructor use?

The instructor teaches in English and Korean.

Should I arrive with makeup already on?

No. You’re asked to arrive with only basic skincare completed. Arriving with makeup on may limit what the service can provide.

Does the service include party makeup or false eyelashes?

No. The service offers daily Korean-style makeup and does not include party makeup, Western-style makeup, or the use of false eyelashes.

What do I receive after the session?

After the session, you receive a PDF file containing the information provided during the session. If you book the full make-up and cosmetic recommendations option, you’ll also receive an email listing the cosmetics and tools used.