I got a makeover at this celeb-favorite salon in Korea—here’s what happened

To be perfectly honest, haircare is the one area where I slack off, despite being super diligent with my skin. It's been more than a year since I colored my hair, and I haven’t done any root touch-ups since then (I know!). I just haven't made the time even if boxed dyes are available in the market.

But lately, I've realized how much hair can impact your overall appearance. Maybe it was the K-beauty inspiration from my trip to Korea last month, but I was definitely ready for a change.

Good thing that Jennyhouse PH allowed me to visit its flagship salon in the posh district of Cheongdam Hill, Gangnam in Seoul, Korea to try some of their services.

For those who aren't familiar, Jennyhouse is a top-tier salon in Seoul frequented by Korean celebrities like Song Ji-hyo, Han So-hee, Kim Tae-ri, and Son Ye-jin. This was actually my second visit – the first was for work back in 2018 – and it's consistently been an incredible experience.

Upon entering the salon, you’ll feel the full VIP treatment. To ensure your comfort, they provide secure lockers for your belongings and robes for you to wear. To complete the pampering experience, you can choose a refreshing beverage from their enticing drink menu – coffee, hot or iced tea, and juices are all on offer.

This time, I treated myself to a complete transformation: hair coloring, styling, and even a face makeover. My hair stylist, Si Woo, spoke minimal English, but thanks to his translator app, we communicated perfectly. 

Hair coloring

I had my sights set on some highlights initially, but Si Woo pointed out that my existing highlights had taken a toll on my hair's health. With his recommendation, I opted for the Jennyhouse Premium Hair Color in the Natural Brown 6NB shade. This particular product boasts Cica Care, which is a great addition to scalp health.

The coloring process itself was straightforward. Since my hair is on the thicker and longer side, they used two boxes of the dye. They also added a special treat: the Jennyhouse Intensive Protein Ampoule. This deep conditioning serum is packed with Double Cica, Jeju Seaweed, and Keratin – a perfect combination for reviving stressed strands.

Next came a thorough rinse with the Jennyhouse Self-Up Real Volume Shampoo. This shampoo struck the perfect balance – it was gentle enough for my hair, yet still managed to cleanse, repair, and nourish. Plus, it had a delightful scent.

It’s also good to know that while we don’t have a Jennyhouse salon in the Philippines, we could still get our hands on their products online—even the boxed hair dyes!

The whole experience was designed for ultimate relaxation, too. I was beside a tween who was enjoying her hair spa, but even if I was having a shampooing, the plush reclining salon bed, paired with their state-of-the-art tools and products, truly elevated the experience.

Face makeover

After they blow-dried my hair, I was directed to the first floor for my makeup. I didn’t think I would be having my makeup done that day, but it was a treat nonetheless.

My makeup artist asked if I had a specific look I wanted to try, but I left it to her to decide for me. I just told her I wanted something light as I would be going to a pojangmacha (street food tent) to meet my friends and my cousin for drinks that evening.

After pampering my skin with premium skincare products, my makeup artist created a Korean makeup look with that dewy dumpling glow. Korean makeup is all about achieving a "my skin but better" finish, and so I loved how she used minimal products – a sheer layer that effectively covered any imperfections without appearing cakey.

Lately, too, I’ve been drawn to coral colors, and I was thrilled she picked up on that. Coral is a favorite in Korean makeup, especially because it's so versatile and flattering to most skin colors.

I wasn’t able to get the exact products she used on my face but for the lips, she mixed the Romand Juicy lasting Tint in #22 Pomelo Skin and Amuse Dew Tint in Fig Brown. A cool tip I picked up from her was dabbing a touch of the Romand tint on my cheeks for a subtle, dewy flush. Best believe I picked up a tube at Olive Young after that session.

Hair styling

After my makeup makeover, I headed back upstairs to meet Si Woo who was going to style my hair.

My request was simple: super soft waves.

Impressively, he achieved this without a single touch of a curling iron. Si Woo strategically applied heat with a blow dryer on sections of my hair. This technique minimized damage while still creating beautiful, relaxed curls that framed my face and cascaded down the ends.

The verdict

I absolutely adored the final look, especially the hair color— I felt like a Korean for a moment! But what surprised me the most was the noticeable improvement in the health of my hair. Before the makeover, the colored ends were dry and brittle, and no amount of hair oil could seem to revive them. The only way to manage them was by using heat styling tools, which I knew wasn't a long-term solution.

However, after the treatment, my hair felt completely transformed. It was soft, smooth, and had a healthy shine – a stark contrast to the dull, damaged state it was in before. I just wish I had the same talent as Si Woo's so I could style my hair effortlessly.

The price doesn't come cheap compared to our salons in Manila (hair coloring is at P13,892, while the hair styling and makeup package is at P12,521), but if you want to live out your Koreana dreams, it's surely an experience worth trying. Plus, how often can you say that you've been to your favorite Korean celebrity's go-to salon?

Jennyhouse is located at 56 Seolleung-ro 146-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea

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Disclaimer: The makeover was sponsored by Jennyhouse.