Wedding guest hair and makeup in Mapo, Seoul: Today Makeup

Whenever I have a wedding to attend, I end up debating whether to do my own makeup or book a studio.

This time, I booked a makeup studio in Hongdae without a second thought. It was the wedding of someone from my old company before I changed jobs, so I was going to see loads of former coworkers for the first time in ages—and, more importantly, I heard some people I’m not particularly fond of would be there too, haha.

So there was no way I could just show up looking thrown together.

Since I had prepared a slightly dressier outfit than usual, I decided to get my hair done properly too and booked Today Makeup near Hongik University Station.

How much is daily makeup at Today Makeup?

I got the daily makeup service, which cost ₩120,000.

That price includes hair as well as makeup, so it was great for getting ready all at once on a day when I wanted to put in a little more effort than usual, like attending a wedding.

When I made my Hongdae makeup appointment, I didn’t go in with a super-specific style in mind. I just said, “It’s wedding guest makeup, and I’m wearing something a little dressy today,” then asked them to take care of the rest based on my face and overall vibe. Honestly, every time I go to a makeup studio, I wonder whether I should bring photos beforehand, but I prefer having a professional look at my face and choose what suits me rather than explaining every tiny detail of what I want.

I said, “Please take care of it,” and they really did take care of it beautifully.

That was what I liked most about this Hongdae makeup studio. I didn’t have to make all sorts of requests; they naturally matched everything to my outfit and the overall mood, which was so easy.

It wasn’t excessively glamorous just because I was a wedding guest, but it also wasn’t as plain as my everyday makeup. It was exactly the kind of look that said, “I made an effort today.”

Especially since I wore something dressy, I think the overall balance would have been off if my face had looked too ordinary. Getting my hair done too really made the finished look feel different.

They also chose a hairstyle to suit my outfit and makeup—perfectly, without me needing to say much! They lightly tied it back so the tie wasn’t visible, and that was such a smart move. My hair stayed in place all day and it was so comfortable!

If I had done my own makeup, I would have been frazzled before the wedding trying to get dressed, do my hair, and put on makeup. I just had to sit there and leave it to them, and I thought, ah, this is why people come to studios on days with important plans, haha.

My former coworkers’ reactions were the best part

And then came the moment when I really felt this Hongdae makeup appointment had been worth it! When I arrived at the wedding venue and met my former coworkers for the first time in ages, everyone immediately told me I looked so pretty. If only one person had said it, I might have thought it was just politeness, but hearing it from several people made me so happy, haha. Since they were people who had seen my face a lot in everyday life, I think they noticed the difference even more on a day when I had professional makeup.

I guess you really do need a professional’s touch on important days... Ah, I love it so much, hehe.

The reason I got so dressed up was a little anticlimactic, though, haha

Actually, there was another reason I went all out and booked a Hongdae makeup studio that day. I had heard that three people I’m not very fond of were coming, haha. It was going to be a reunion after a long time, and naturally I wanted to show up looking my very best... You know what I mean, right? Haha. So I put on a dressier outfit than usual, got my hair and makeup fully done, and went to the wedding.

In the end, only one of those three people came. A little disappointing(?) haha. Still, all my former coworkers I hadn’t seen in ages told me I looked pretty, so it was a very satisfying choice in the end.

Today Makeup was a satisfying choice for wedding guest makeup

I do my own makeup normally, but on days like weddings or important appointments, when I’ll be taking lots of photos and seeing lots of people, professional makeup really does make a difference.

This time especially, my favorite part was that they created a naturally flattering style even though I hadn’t prepared a makeup reference photo; I only told them about the occasion and what I was wearing.

At ₩120,000 including hair, it isn’t a price I could pay every time without thinking about it, but I would use them again for a day when I really want to dress up properly, such as a wedding or a photo shoot!

If you’re looking into makeup in Hongdae near Hongik University Station, or if, like me, you prefer leaving things somewhat to a professional instead of defining your desired style in detail, Today Makeup was a good option. More than anything, I think all the compliments I got that day speak for the result, haha. If another important wedding comes up, or someone I absolutely need to look pretty in front of attends(?), I think I’ll book a Hongdae makeup studio first. Only one of the three came this time, so please let them all come next time, haha.