Etude House Color Factory Custom Lipstick

Calling all beauty lovers in Korea! With so many lipstick shades, eyeshadows, foundations and makeup, it’s a headache to try and figure out which is the best for you. Enter Etude House Color Factory. It’s basically a custom makeup house in two of the most famous shopping districts of Seoul—Garosugil and Myeongdong. There’s so much that goes into makeup and even know as a twenty something I’m still navigating the enormity of the beauty industry. If you’ve been wondering what your perfect lipstick, makeup look, and colors are then Etude House Color Factory has it all figured out for you. 

Wondering what Etude House is? Well, it’s  huge brand that deals with quality makeup and cute packaging. I know in America we’re like, “Why do you like weird, cute things?” Let me tell you, cuteness is a lifestyle here. If you’re into pink, looking good and rocking it, then I can’t recommend going to the color factory enough.

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About the Experience

I was pleasantly surprised to find the Garosugil branch wasn’t bustling and busy on a Sunday and I literally had the entire place to myself. I feel like this experience isn’t just made for the younger crowd but can also cater to the older crowd because as women, we all have the right to feel beautiful.

Once I walked down the insanely colorful rainbow inception inducing stairs, I entered the basement section. There were sections catering to different skin types, colors, and looks.

I was warmly greeted by the attendant and the first thing she did was remove my foundation on my jawline. She explained this skin is closer to my natural birth skin and will give a better reading on the tones in my skin. According to the attendant, I have yellow and red tones in my skin but they are more overwhelmed by the red. According to the skin reader, I matched best with cool summer tones and the color palette laid next to the device are the shades that would look best on me.

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In addition, I was given advice which foundation would be best, eyeshadows, makeup looks and styles. I was told less makeup and a more feminine style would suit me, but I laughed because if you’ve seen me on Instagram, I dress like I’m headed to a rock and roll concert or trying out to be a Shadowhunters extra (a girl can dream, right?).

After the initial consultation, she pulled three cool summer color palettes that would look best on me. And let me tell you, there were so many to choose from so we made a deal.

I would pick two colors, she would pick two colors and then we would choose one together. It definitely helped take the guess work out and she was great at cracking jokes and selecting beautiful colors. Once the colors were selected, she would put them on a sketch pad so I could clearly see the color. As you can tell, I’m a fan of really dark colors in the winter/autumn and light colors in the spring.

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To keep the lipstick hygienic, the color was put on the mini shovel and onto a lipgloss stick. The color was then applied and I was given the opportunity to see exactly how the color looked on me. Since the lipsticks are very highly pigmented, they can stain. I put on and apron and sleeve protectors before I did any of this. At this time, mattes are not yet available but the glossy lipsticks are just as amazing. Below you’ll find the swatches for two of my favorite colors. 

In case you were wondering… Yes, my smile is lopsided. I actually had a professional photographer in Korea comment that my smile is crooked, but you know what, folks? Imperfection is beauty and I love my twisted smile. 😉

So I’m sure you’re waiting for the fun part and that is when you get to pick out your own lipstick case and truly make it something you can really have as your own. Etude offers twenty different lipstick cases and an engraving service. You have have up to twelve characters and put adorable things like hearts on it. Now I have two lipsticks that match perfectly to me and should I ever lose it, my name is on it in English and Korean. It takes about 30 minutes to make the lipstick from scratch so you can go and eat or shop around the area while you wait. 

Make a Reservation

Be a pro and call when the Etude House opens at 11am. It’s the best way to reserve your spot because they sell out quickly. I find calling at the beginning of the month you want to go works best.

Cost

One of the things I love most about Korea is the fact everything is cheap and the quality is on point. One lipstick is 20,000 won but you can make two for 30,000 won. Now that’s what I call a bargain!

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How to Get There

Garosugil Directions: Walk out of exit 8 and walk down three blocks until you reach Dosan-Daero 13 girl. Make a left and walk down the street about five minutes. You’ll see the Etude House Color Factory on your right hand side.

Garosugil Address: Garosugil B1, 22, Dosan-daero 13-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Garosugil Phone Number: 02-549-7202

Myeongdong Directions: Walk out of exit 6 at Myeongdong Station and walk for two blocks. it’s on the right hand side on the corner. 

Myeongdong Address: 31-7 Myeongdong 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul

Myeongdong Phone Number: 02-3789-5463

Like all experiences in Asia, I can definitely give the experience a ten out of ten. The service is always top notch and I had a fun time conversing with the girl who helped me and picking out lipstick colors. Think of it as a sleepover without the pajamas. Would I recommend this experience for anyone in Seoul? Absolutely!