Hongdae makeup salon for a church elder hanbok look: Today Makeup

Last Tuesday I got my hair and makeup done at Today Makeup (오늘메이크업), a makeup studio in Hongdae, for my church elder (gwonsa) installation service.

Today Makeup location, hours and parking

Today Makeup is at 2F, 26-8 Woldeukeopbuk-ro 1-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, 312 m from Exit 1 of Hongik Univ. Station. It is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. If you want an appointment before opening time, you need to ask separately.

Parking is free, and if the lot is full, they point you to a nearby paid lot.

Church elder installation: worrying about hair and makeup for a hanbok

The installation service means putting on a hanbok (traditional Korean dress) and standing in front of many church members, so I needed hair and makeup that looked far neater than usual, yet bright. It's a once-in-a-lifetime, honored occasion, and my heart had been racing for days beforehand.

I badly wanted a style that suited my face shape and mood and went well with the bright colors of the hanbok.

So after careful searching, I found a place that already had a lot of word-of-mouth.

Why I chose Today Makeup among Hongdae makeup salons

The biggest reason was that a professional styles you one-on-one in a private space. Honestly, I wanted to get ready calmly in a quiet room rather than somewhere crowded, and this was exactly what I was after.

Today Makeup is known for delicate styling tailored to the purpose, whether a wedding, an interview or everyday, so I trusted it. It's near Hongik Univ., so it's easy to reach, and above all I loved how natural the updos looked in the photos.

Hair and makeup matched to a hanbok photo

They first checked my skin tone and condition, then looked at a photo of the hanbok I'd be wearing and right away suggested fitting colors and a hairstyle. On the day, I walked in excited, and the studio was very clean, with lots of cosmetics neatly arranged, as you'd expect from a professional's shop.

Throughout the makeup, the artist was so careful with every detail of the skin finish, and I was amazed that the spots I'd always been self-conscious about were covered seamlessly.

The hair was elegant yet full of volume to go well with the hanbok, and every time I looked in the mirror I felt a bit unfamiliar with myself but really satisfied.

Installation day: a day in an apricot hanbok

When I finished styling and left Today Makeup, the person in the mirror looked truly confident.

Thanks to that, on installation day family and friends kept telling me, "You look so radiant and pretty today."

Thanks to hair and makeup that suited me perfectly on an important day, I think I'll remember those precious hours even more specially.

Above all, among Hongdae makeup salons, Today Makeup seems to bring out natural beauty without overdoing it. I was truly grateful that they created an elegant look fitting such a solemn, precious occasion as a church elder installation.

If you have an important event coming up, don't hesitate; I sincerely recommend preparing for your special day at Today Makeup. I'll gladly come back whenever I have another event.

How were the color and staying power?

Today Makeup recommended colors that fit my image perfectly, and my whole impression felt much brighter. The hair volume also lasted, and I went around all day without it falling flat.

Above all, it wasn't too artificial; they nailed a natural style, and I really liked it. I'd go back!

Today Makeup FAQ

Can you park at Today Makeup?

Free parking is available in the building. If it's full, they reportedly direct you to a nearby paid lot, so keep that in mind.

Do I need to prepare the style I want?

If you have a style in mind, bring photos for a more accurate consultation. They style you to suit your face shape and the occasion. When I showed my hanbok photo, they suggested colors and hair right away.

Three-line summary

• I had custom hair and makeup at Today Makeup in Hongdae for my church elder installation service.
• In a private space, the expert's delicate touch made me look bright and elegant to match the hanbok.
• If you want something special for an important day, I recommend Today Makeup, a Hongdae makeup salon.