I tried 5 viral K-beauty treatments in South Korea—here’s what they were really like

She started by asking about my current wardrobe and colour preferences, then walked me through the process. Most colour analysts in Korea work with four seasonal palettes: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Woo covered my hair and T-shirt with white napkins to neutralise distractions, then held up over 60 colour swatches against my face.

I was surprised to see how certain shades made my skin tone look more radiant, while others completely washed me out. Interestingly, many of her observations aligned with choices I already make — bright colours and high contrast tend to suit me. She noted that pastel tones bring out the green and grey undertones in my face, which explained why I’ve always avoided them, even if I like them on others.

There were some unexpected takeaways too. While I assumed bright colours were my best match, Woo believed they were actually my second-best palette. Her top recommendation? Deep, wintry shades like forest green, navy, and maroon, hues I’d never considered before.

We then moved on to hair colour, jewellery tones, and makeup. This part fascinated me. She used a device to assess the red and yellow undertones in my skin and helped me identify my ideal foundation shade. Then she took a look at my personal makeup kit, which, unsurprisingly, was full of bright lipsticks and peachy blushes, and suggested I try softer, glossier finishes in shades like berry, rose pink, and cherry red.

It’s been a month since that appointment, and her advice has really stayed with me. I now find myself gravitating towards those wintry tones when I’m shopping, something I’ve never done before. I also picked up a few makeup items in Seoul based on her tips, and while the look is different from my usual style, I’ve been loving the change.

If you struggle with personal styling or often feel overwhelmed when shopping for the right clothes and makeup, I’d highly recommend trying a colour analysis session in South Korea. It’s insightful, surprisingly fun, and can really shift how you see yourself.

Tip: Go prepared with any styling questions you have, and carry your makeup bag along. Suzi will review your eyeshadow, blush and lipstick shades as part of the session.

Price: ₩120,000 (approx. ₹7,400) for a session