Personal Color Analysis in Seoul: Prices, Booking and What Happens

Prices are Creatrip's won prices with English interpretation included, checked on 17 September 2026.

What happens in a personal color analysis?

A consultant holds coloured fabric drapes under your face, one at a time, and judges which colours make your skin look brighter and which make it look duller. TIME described consultants draping fabric swatches across clients' shoulders to see what makes a face light up rather than bring out dark circles.

The result is a seasonal type. The Korean system splits people into warm tones, spring and autumn, and cool tones, summer and winter, according to Creatrip's explainer. Warm palettes lean yellow and cool palettes lean pink.

The type then becomes practical advice. Depending on the studio and the package, that covers lipstick and eyeshadow shades, hair colours, clothing colours and whether gold or silver jewellery suits you better. The Korea Fashion Psychology Institute adds perfume to that list, and some studios test jewellery against your skin during the session.

Which session should you book?

A basic colour session, unless you also want advice on cuts and silhouettes. The studios checked here sell the colour test on its own and as a package with makeup or styling added.

• Colour only. The drape test, your season and product suggestions. The Bom's basic session takes 40 minutes; Color of You's takes 50.
• Colour plus makeup. The Bom's 70 to 80 minute option, 250,000 won for one person, adds a makeup session.
• Colour plus styling. Damppeum's premium tier, 215,000 won, adds body shape analysis and fashion fit advice. Color of You's combined session runs 90 minutes and costs 385,000 won.

The Bom also sells a separate 30-minute skin analysis for 79,000 won, which can be booked alone or with the colour session.

How do you prepare for the session?

Arrive bare-faced and on time. The studios ask you to come without makeup or contact lenses, or to remove makeup before the drapes come out, and The Bom asks for no glasses or coloured lenses during the test, with clear lenses allowed if your eyesight needs them.

Bring the makeup you already use, because the consultants will say which products fit your palette. For a styling session, Color of You asks for a top that shows your neckline, no collared shirt, and no jeans or leggings.

Lateness is expensive. Color of You, The Bom and Damppeum may treat arrival more than 15 minutes late as a no-show, with no refund.

Where are the personal color studios in Seoul?

Mostly in Hongdae, Seongsu and Myeongdong, with a premium cluster in Gangnam. Creatrip's May 2026 round-up of ten English-friendly salons places four in Hongdae, three in Seongsu, two in Myeongdong and one with branches in Sinsa and Yeouido.

• Hongdae. Color of You is on Donggyo-ro, 221m from Hongik University Station, which is on Line 2 and the airport railway.
• Myeongdong. The Bom is on Toegye-ro 18-gil, 272m from Myeong-dong Station on Line 4.
• Seongsu. Damppeum is on Yeonmujang-gil, 260m from Ttukseom Station on Line 2. A session there pairs well with half a day in Seongsu-dong.
• Gangnam. The Korea Fashion Psychology Institute is on Seolleung-ro, under 100m from Apgujeong Rodeo Station on the Suin-Bundang Line.

Pick the studio by where you are staying or shopping that day. Hongdae and Myeongdong suit different trips, and the comparison below covers which one to base yourself in.

Related guideHongdae vs Myeongdong: Which to Book for a First Trip to SeoulMyeongdong is the better base for a first trip to Seoul, two stops from Seoul Station and close to the palaces. Hongdae wins if your evenings are the point.

How far ahead should you book?

At least three days for most studios, and earlier for a weekend slot. The Bom and Damppeum require bookings three days ahead, and Color of You one day. The Korea Fashion Psychology Institute says advance reservation is required and takes bookings by phone or through its website, as well as through Creatrip.

The popular studios fill up. TIME reported in 2023 that one visitor called more than 30 places before getting appointments, so book once your dates are fixed.

The cancellation rules push you to decide early too. Color of You, The Bom and Damppeum refund in full up to three days before the visit and refund nothing within two days.

How do foreign visitors book?

Through a booking platform that includes interpretation. The Creatrip listings for the four studios above take bookings in English and build an English or Chinese interpreter into the price. Color of You and The Bom also offer Japanese.

Pay attention to who is named on the booking. The studios admit only the people on the reservation, so a friend who wants to watch needs a place in a shared session.

Can couples or friends book together?

Yes, as a 1:2 or 1:3 session with one consultant, which runs longer and costs a little less per head.

The Bom's and the institute's two-person prices were discounted from 260,000 won and 460,000 won on 17 September 2026.

Which studio is our pick?

Our pick for a first-timer is Color of You in Hongdae. It needs only one day's notice where the others ask for three, it includes interpretation in English, Chinese or Japanese, and it runs sessions for one, two or three people, 221m from a station on the airport railway.

The Bom in Myeongdong is the better choice on price: its 40-minute session is 130,000 won, and it is the one to add makeup to. Book it three days ahead.

The neighbourhood you sleep in decides which studio is easiest to reach, and the Seoul accommodation guide compares the areas.

Related guideWhere to Stay in Seoul: Choosing an Area, Not a HotelSeoul is large and its sights are scattered, so the neighbourhood decides your trip more than the hotel does. What each main area is good and bad at.

If the session sends you shopping for new lipsticks, how to pay in Korea covers cards and cash in Seoul shops.

To shop for the shades a session recommends, Olive Young for tourists covers which store to visit and the tax refund at the till. The rest of the city is covered in the Seoul travel guide.