Editor's Diaries: I Got a Makeover at This Legit Korean Salon

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Editor's Diaries: I Got a Makeover at This Legit Korean Salon

Kate Paras-Santiago

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Updated Feb 07, 2025 05:28 PM PHT

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It's 2025 and we're still hooked on the Hallyu wave! Who can blame us? With stellar K-drama plots and a never-ending stream of content from our favorite K-pop groups, our Korean obsession grows each year! Seoul is also dubbed the beauty capital of the world—for good reason! Their devotion to beauty perfection drives them to innovate at lightning speed, serving us brands and beauty technology to experience and fall in love with time and time again. 

That's why when I got the chance to get a makeover at a legit Korean salon, I grabbed the chance! It's not every day we get to have a major pampering session with the K-beauty experts themselves! I'm talking about the biggest Korean salon in the metro—DAOL Korean Salon. As of publishing, they have three branches: Aseana, BGC, and Malate. 

DAOL Salon Aseana's main salon floor | Kate Paras-Santiago"At DAOL, beauty is about enhancing one's natural features while staying attuned to the latest trends. Our philosophy centers on creating personalized styles that not only reflect individuality but also boost confidence. Our stylists, with over 10 years of experience from prestigious salons in Gangnam, Seoul, specialize in Korean balayage techniques and advanced keratin treatments that restore and transform damaged hair", the salon's Korean owner shared.


Check out my experience at their newest branch in Aseana:


K-drama-worthy interiors

If you're a K-drama aficionado like me, you've most likely witnessed a salon scene in one of the shows. Whether it be a makeover montage or a K-celebrity getting ready for an appearance, these salons in K-dramas are havens for world-class beauty in Seoul, with chic interiors to boot. Aseana has that exact vibe—an open, industrial ceiling, windows on every side, and minimalist yet striking furniture. The staff shared with me that all their equipment, tools, and furniture came from Korea—as they want to maintain the same level of quality they're used to serving back in their homeland.

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DAOL Salon Aseana's VIP room | Photo courtesy of DAOL

Located at the second floor at 8912 ASEAN Avenue, Building Aseana City in Parañaque (near Parqal mall), DAOL Aseana boasts of a spacious salon that houses special rooms for kids, families, VIPs, a head spa room, a makeup room, a semi-permanent makeup room, shampoo rooms, a cafe, and the main salon floor. 

DAOL Korean Salon Aseana's makeup room—just like we see it in K-dramas! | Kate Paras-Santiago

The makeover experience

I went into DAOL having just a vague idea of what I wanted to do—a trim perhaps, a color refresh, and a trial makeup session. I got all these and way more, and believe me—it's worth an entire day's visit! Make sure to clear out your schedule if you're eyeing a whole new look because DAOL offers more than just the usual cut and color. They aim to transform!


13-Step Korean Head Spa

The first part of the experience was their Relaxing Head Spa. I had on some hair product to keep my hair in place so this was a needed step to detox my scalp and prepare it for all the treatments I was going to get that day. While there are a ton of head spas out in the metro today, you have to choose your salon carefully to ensure excellent results. You don't want to spend hard-earned cash on subpar services, so check out reviews and results! At DAOL, I can safely say their Head Spa is highly recommended, not just for its relaxing effects, but for the amazing results it gave my scalp. From being a bit flaky and oily, an hour after I had a clear scalp—just like a baby's! 


The Relaxing Head Spa costs Php 2,000 for the Basic one which lasts for 1 hour, and Php 4,000 for the Premium one which lasts for 1 hour and 20 minutes. The steps include Scalp Diagnosis, Hot Eye Mask, Scalp Ampoule Application, Scalp Steam, Scalp Scrub, Rinse with Tea Tree Shampoo for Hair Loss, second Scalp Steam, LPP Hair Scalp Treatment, Dohispa Therapy, Water Pump Scalp Massage, Shampoo and Rinse, Finishing and Nourishing, and Hair Drying.



Korean Eyelash Extensions

I'm not an eyelash extensions newbie, so I went into the treatment having an idea of what I was going to be getting. I had refrained from getting eyelash extensions for about a year already because there was a time that I did it nonstop and my very fine lashes simply could not handle it anymore. I had to give my natural lashes some time to grow again. My visit to DAOL was perfect timing because when they offered that I try their Korean eyelash extension service, I knew it was time for me to go for it again! And surely, DAOL did not disappoint!

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Julie was my Korean beauty technician | Kate Paras-SantiagoAfter about 40 minutes of letting my Korean beauty technician Julie work her magic, I opened my eyes to beautiful, natural-looking lashes that fit my face perfectly. My fine lashes could not carry long, thick eyelash extensions so the outcome of this was just what I was going for! They're yeppeuda (pretty), don't you agree?

Before and after getting Korean eyelash extensions | Kate Paras-Santiago

Hair Cut, Color, and Treatment

As soon as my eyelashes were done, we quickly headed to the main salon area to get started on my hair. I was up for a hair color, treatment, and cut so I was pretty excited to see how this would go. Head Stylist Anna (right) and stylist Bang (left) collaborated on my look—a fresh and volumized LOB (long bob) with a brighter hue. I asked them about the hottest trends in Korea right now, and they shared that "The signature DAOL look evolves monthly, inspired by the latest hair trends from Korea. Our team studies the hottest cuts and styles trending in Seoul, bringing them to life in a way that suits each client's individuality. This commitment to staying ahead of the trends ensures that DAOL consistently delivers fresh and stylish results."

Korean stylists Anna and Bang together with their Filipino staff worked their hair-coloring magic on me | Kate Paras-SantiagoI trusted them completely with the process, knowing that Koreans are very particular when it comes to cuts and colors that truly complement one's looks. We also chit-chatted about 2025 trends, and they shared the following looks to watch out for this year: Soft Layered Cuts: Natural, face-framing layers that add dimension and movement to hair, Glass Hair Revival: A polished, ultra-shiny look achieved through precise cutting and advanced treatments, and Playful Color Balayage: Subtle pastel or warm tones integrated into natural shades, offering a modern twist on classic styles.

This machine is supposed to help with better absorption of the hair treatment | Kate Paras-SantiagoAfter about an hour and a half, my new "Ash Sombre" and "Chocolate Brown" hybrid hair was ready for a new cut—stylist Bang did the job perfectly and swiftly if I may say so! He speaks really good English too—a plus for us Filipinos who want to communicate our desired look. Bang gave me a layered haircut that would be easy to style with a brush and hair dryer—I loved it!

Stylist Bang gave me a volumized, layered LOB | Kate Paras-Santiago

Korean Makeup Experience

As most of us know, Koreans are either on the "barely there/no makeup-makeup" route or on the K-pop Idol extravaganza route. These two makeup looks are completely different, and at DAOL, they aim to highlight one's features in a very subtle Korean way—none of the Hollywood-esque "done" looks. I admit, this was a very different approach to how I usually do my makeup because I'm so used to having smoky brown eyeshadow and black cat eyeliner daily. I let Head Stylist Anna transform my look with her skilled, experienced hands, and by the end of it, I picked up a trick or two she swears by. First, applying highlighter or frosted eyeshadow on the apples of your cheeks makes you look glowing and young, and avoiding the over-arched brow look keeps you from looking old. Check out my look from when I first stepped into the salon and after:

Before with Anna and the salon's owner, and after with Anna's Korean makeup | Kate Paras-Santiago

"Korean beauty emphasizes natural elegance and flawless, effortless-looking styles. In contrast, Filipino beauty often celebrates bold colors, dynamic shapes, and vibrant expressions. Korean beauty leans toward subtle textures and layered haircuts, while Filipinos embrace versatility and tropical flair. At DAOL, we strive to blend these unique styles, ensuring every client finds the perfect balance between sophistication and personal expression", the salon owner shares. 

While I love my Filipino way of dolling up, I must say this Korean makeover opened my eyes to the many possibilities I could explore in terms of my looks! After all, that's the fun of beauty, right? There is no right or wrong look. It's all about what makes you feel and look beautiful in the truest sense of the word. 

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The verdict

Would I go to DAOL again? The simple answer would be—why not? After experiencing top-notch services and a wonderful makeover, it's easy to see why they are growing to be one of the biggest names in Korean beauty in the Philippines. "DAOL is derived from the Korean phrase that means "good fortune comes with every endeavor." Our mission is to bring blessings and positivity to everyone who visits us. The name embodies our desire to create a space where clients feel fortunate and beautiful, inside and out", they share. Now this is what we always look for when we go out for a self-care day! Kamsahamnida, DAOL!


Click here to view DAOL Salon's complete menu of services. Follow them on Instagram for updates.

DAOL Salon, SECOND FLOOR, 8912 ASEAN AVENUE, BUILDING ASEANA CITY, Parañaque, 1702 Metro Manila. Contact them at (0954) 4650051.

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