Gongdeok lash salon: first 1:1 extensions for short lashes, Iyo Shop

What was my first eyelash extension at Iyo Shop near Gongdeok Station like?

I got eyelash extensions at Iyo Shop in Gongdeok. My lashes were never long, so I had only ever done perms, and this was my first time getting extensions. I was worried about ending up with "camel lashes," but the result turned out nicely balanced.

Iyo Shop location and opening hours

Iyo Shop is at 143 Mapo-daero, Room 211, 2F, Mapo-gu, Seoul. It is open 09:00–21:00, and on Sundays 09:00–16:00.

How does Iyo Shop apply its eyelash extensions?

Iyo Shop uses the 1:1 technique, attaching one extension to each natural lash. The writer says there was no poking or stinging at all, during or after the treatment.

• The textbook 1:1 technique: The shop's principle is protecting the lash root by attaching exactly one extension to one natural lash. At less skilled places, the lashes can poke your skin or clump together painfully, but Iyo Shop leaves a precise gap from the root, so I felt no poking during or after the treatment.
• Safe glue with no eye stinging: Maybe because they use good certified glue, my eyes never stung or watered. The owner's touch was so delicate and gentle that I fell asleep without realizing it. That's how comfortable and irritation-free it was.
• Careful, quick hands: With no pointless waiting, the work was done skillfully and precisely, so it never felt as long or boring as I expected, and the lashes came out perfectly symmetrical.

Why I decided to get eyelash extensions

Every morning, using a lash curler and then mascara took forever, and by the afternoon my lashes would smudge or droop, which really bothered me. I was always racing the clock on makeup, so I finally splurged and went to a place known by word of mouth for great extensions: Iyo Shop, an eyelash beauty salon near Gongdeok Station.

I was satisfied from start to finish, so I want to write up this visit with accurate information only. If you're looking for an eyelash salon to settle on around Gongdeok Station, it's worth a look.

What is the atmosphere and hygiene like inside Iyo Shop?

The inside of Iyo Shop is clean and cozy with a white-toned interior, and treatments take place in a quiet, separate space. My first impression the moment I walked in was, "It's really clean and cozy." Hygiene and cleanliness matter most at a beauty salon, and the white-toned, tidy interior boosted my trust right away.

• Comfortable waiting area: The decor is cute yet stylish, so you feel relaxed the whole time you're there.
• Thorough hygiene: The bed, sheets and tools were visibly kept very clean. They sanitize hands before the treatment and strictly follow a single-use supplies rule, so I could trust them with my eyes.
• Private treatment room: Because the treatment happens in a quiet, separate space, you can have your own healing time without worrying about other people's eyes.

How does the 1:1 consultation before the treatment work?

Before the extension, Iyo Shop's owner does a one-on-one consultation to assess your lashes and decide the curl and length. This is where the shop's expertise really showed. Instead of casually asking "Longer? Or natural?", she analyzed my eye shape and everyday makeup style in detail.

• Lash condition check: She carefully checked the thickness and density of my natural lashes, plus the direction and angle they grow in.
• Custom design: Rather than an obviously artificial look, I was recommended a curl and length that bring out my eye shape's strengths and look naturally defined. She even explained, kindly and accurately, the millimeter length that suits my eyes, which made choosing really easy.

Results and how long Iyo Shop's eyelash extensions last

My first extensions at Iyo Shop were designed to get longer toward the outer corners, and my eyes looked defined without being over the top. The moment I looked in the mirror, I loved it! It's not too much, but my eyes look somehow livelier.

• Eye-shape enhancing effect: My rather bland eyes came alive, subtly and clearly, as if I'd drawn eyeliner. The design that lengthens toward the outer corners made my eyes look much longer and deeper.
• Light, comfortable wear: Even though they're extensions, I felt no foreign sensation at all, and they were so light, like my real lashes, that I was surprised. Blinking never feels heavy.
• Zero foreign-body feeling: When I opened my eyes right after the treatment, there was no redness or bloodshot look, and no blurry vision either.

I recommend Iyo Shop near Gongdeok Station for people who want to cut down their morning makeup time, or who want a natural but definite mood boost. A week is when they look best, but I think it would be nice to get them done now and then when something important is coming up.

Since Iyo Shop is 100% appointment-only, I recommend sorting out your schedule in advance before visiting.