Threading

What Is Threading Hair Removal?

Threading is a proven age-old form of facial hair removal practiced in India, China and Middle East. The procedure uses a 100% cotton thread which is twisted and pulled along the skin surface of unwanted hair, lifting hair directly from the follicle. As the facial hair is removed, only a slight pinch is felt.

I went with Marc to have his hair cut one day at a barber shop in Benmore Gardens, Sandton and I was quite intrigued and wondered what the Barber was doing with a roll off thread, holding one end in his mouth while moving up and down over a mans face. Naturally I had to ask, and the guy kindly showed me how he removed facial hair with this technique called "threading".


















I never wondered about it again really, because I never heard anyone talk about it, or saw it done anywhere, until we moved to Asia. When we moved to India I suddenly saw threading being done everywhere and all my friends raved about this wonderful way to shape your eye brows. And I must admit, it is by far the best way to get rid of unwanted facial hair. I have never had such neat, perfectly shaped eye brows. I even started threading my upper lip and once I also had my chin done. It used to cost me about $1 to have my eye brows shaped.

So, if you've never had threading done, you should definitely try it. A warning though; some people might find it really painful. I had a friend that couldn't bare her upper lip being done but if you are used to tweezing or waxing, and you have a high pain threshold this is by far the best method of removing those unwanted facial hair.

The first time I went to the hairdresser in Jakarta I was upset that they didn't do threading. I went to three other salons in the Kemang area determined to find someone that does threading, but sadly they didn't even know what I meant when I asked if they did treading.

We drove past a Waxing Studio sign on Ampera Raya a couple of times but because the salon is off Ampera Raya and I could physically see it, I just didn't know what to expect and never actually took the time to check it out.

After another bad waxing experience since my post on waxing. I decided to check it out, still hoping to find a place I could go to for a good leg wax that won't cost me a fortune.

Having lived in Vietnam and India I got used to the typical Asian (under $10) spa experiences and I guess I have become rather spoiled. Naturally it pains me to have to pay $30-$40 for a facial which I used to pay about $10 for. I did pay high spa prices when we lived in SA and I of course really enjoy the occasional treat of going to a really nice candle lit, incense filled spa, wearing fluffy white robes and slippers while relaxing to background "inner peace" music. But, I am used to and are very happy going to more "local" salons.

STUDIO WAXING Poetré, on Ampera Raya, pleasantly surprised me. I walked into this small, no frills but neat and clean "local" salon. What I mean by local is that they clearly don't cater for expats, when you compare their IDR35,000 for a full leg wax to the IDR170,000 at the other "expat" salons around Kemang.























I was very happy with my wax and I was even happier to hear that they do threading.

Address: Jln ampera raya no.60 (depan pengadilan jakarta selatan)

Coming from Kemang - Drive down Kemang Timur (becomes Ampera), it is on the right hand side.
Look out for a sign board: STUDIO WAXING Poetré

Tel: 021-7813841 (only one of the girls speak some English)

Home made lip plump balm

As per my previous post on lip plumping home remedies, I have tried and tested the home made lip plump balm.

It was so quick and easy and I think, it really works. It is definitely a lot better than applying the 100% pure clove oil, that's for sure. I still wouldn't recommend kissing someone straight after you've applied it but at least it doesn't leave such a vile taste in your mouth and it definitely stings a bit less, but with the same, if not a better effect.

I actually had all the ingredients recommended for this home made lip balm, in my bathroom and kitchen cupboard's so it was really easy to concoct:

You will need:

Petroleum jelly (Vaseline)
Ground Cinnamon spice
Ground Cayenne Pepper spice
Peppermint essential oil
Clove bud essential oil

Find an empty container to mix the lip balm in. Preferable something small that you can put in your handbag; a lip balm or even eye make-up twist off tin/container would work well.








I didn't have one so I used an empty cellfood bottle (small plastic squeeze bottle with a removable dropper bit).

I just mixed the balm in an old hair mask tub, which I keep in the bathroom cupboard for future mixing and I put some of the balm into the squeeze bottle. It was a bit of a messy, jelly finger business to get the balm into the bottle but I managed to fill it and it actually works very well; squeezing the balm onto my lips.

But, it of course doesn't look very nice, so I won't be applying my home made lip balm in public ;-).


How to:

STEP 1: One or Two teaspoons of Vaseline (depending on the size of your container)
STEP 2: A couple of drops of peppermint essential oil
STEP 3: Add a couple of drops of clove bud essential oil
STEP 4: Sprinkle or add a pinch of Cinnamon and Cayenne pepper and mix

Voilà...You will feel a tingling sensation, and should notice a difference almost immediately. If you don't, you may want to add a couple of drops of the essential oils and spices.












My lips after applying the home made plumping lip balm.

I definitely think it plumps my lips and it also makes them a very nice rosy pink colour.

Paula's Choice - Skin Care

I picked up a Paula's Choice brochure and sample cleanser and moisturiser at one of the woman's club bazaars in May. I have never heard of Paula's Choice before and to be honest, the name Paula's Choice reminded me of the pick 'n pay "choice/no name" brand.

I tried the samples and I really liked the products. I did research on Paula's Choice and found the products to be very reasonably priced and the reviews looked good so I decided to try it. I bought a cleanser, toner and exfoliant, which cost approx. $60.

Paula's Choice Indonesia: (Call for delivery)
PT. Mitra Kurnia LarasatiJl. Raya Wolter Monginsidi No. 12B - Lt. 2Jakarta Selatan 12160Ph. (021) 720 8543 / (021) 722 0986Fax. (021) 722 3982

The skin balancing cleanser for normal to Oily/Combination skin is a 100% fragrance and colorant-free, mild foaming, water soluble cleanser that leaves my skin refreshed and removes all makeup, incl. eye make-up.





















Skin Balancing Toner for Normal to Oily/Combination Skin is 100% fragrance and colorant free. It soothes my skin and leaves it feeling revitalized, smooth and soft. It also has anti-inflammatory ingredients which is great for controlling breakouts; reducing redness.























Exfoliating 2% beta hydroxy acid lotion for all skin types is 100% fragrance and colorant free. It exfoliates the skin's surface and inside the pore lining with a 2% concentration of salicylic acid (BHA) and a pH range of 3.2-3.6.

It has definitely helped smooth out my skin's texture and seem to have minimized my blemishes and blackheads.
























I have always been very impatient, and usually change to a different product if I don't see results within a couple of weeks. The problem is that it actually takes a couple of months before you will start noticing a difference in your skin.

After nearly two months of using Paula's Choice I am very satisfied with the products and will definitely keep using it and hopefully I will notice an even bigger improvement in my skin, the longer I use it.

About Paula's Choice

Paula Begoun is the creator and innovative force behind Paula's Choice skin care and cosmetics. Paula Begoun is the author and publisher of several best-selling books on the beauty industry, including several editions of Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me, Blue Eyeshadow Should Be Illegal, The Beauty Bible, and Don't Go Shopping for Hair-Care Products Without Me. She has sold more than 2.5 million copies of her books and is also a syndicated columnist, with her “Dear Paula” column appearing in papers throughout North America. Her work as a nationally-recognized consumer expert for the cosmetics industry has led to repeat appearances on CNN, as well as programs such as Oprah, The Today Show, 20/20, Dateline NBC, The View, and Primetime.

L'Occotane - Immortelle Very Precious Cream

I started my search for skin care products in May, and tried many different samples and did a lot of research; looking at reviews trying to decide on a product.

I wanted something that will help with my occasional breakouts but I also figured being 30 something, calls for a really good anti-aging cream. And though it is believed that products work better when you use the same range of products I decided to mix them anyway. I decided on the L'Occotane Immortelle products but when I saw the prices of the products I decided to only get the very precious cream and very precious eye serum, which set me back approx. $160 and to go for a less expensive Paula's Choice cleanser, toner and exfoliator for approx. $60

And the verdict is; I love the L'Occotane very precious cream and eye serum. Definitely money well spent.

The very precious eye serum seems to make the skin around my eyes more even-toned, smooth and firmer.

The very precious cream appears to eliminate my crow's feet and fine lines and leaves my skin soft and supple. This anti aging formula uses organic Immortelle oil which help stimulate cell metabolism, improve wrinkle reduction and skin firmness. It feels like the cream really nourishes and repairs and it gives my skin a healthy appearance.

It's a fact of life; we get older and our wrinkles prove it. We have to accept it but it doesn't mean we have to like it. Not that there is a rule as to how many laugh lines, crow's feet a 32 year old should have but I noticed mine after 30. I believe prevention is better than cure. I probably started using eye cream when I was 25 and whether or not it actually works, I don't know but I will always use an eye cream and very importantly apply sunblock, every day to try and fight those signs of aging. Aiming to grow old, gracefully.

It works!

I am very happy to report that I've kept up the "health kick" regime, and I am reaping the benefits of my new lifestyle.

A green drink, 2 tablespoons of flax seeds, plenty of water and ensuring that I eat enough, fruit and veg and antioxidants foods everyday has definitely improved my overall look and feel.

I've been taking zinc and chromium supplements on and off for some time now. I started taking zinc about two years ago because someone suggested that it helps with problem skin and well, Chromium I think I started taking because someone said it is suppose to help speed up your metabolism and burn fat.

Unfortunately, it doesn't help only taking them every other day though. So, for the past month as a part of my "health kick" regime I've also been taking zinc, chromium as well as a 1000mg vitamin c drink, every morning.

The problem now is that I don't really know if I owe the difference in my skin and renewed energy levels and the 1 kg weight loss to the supplements, flax seed smoothies, antioxidants or the fruit and veg but I am really happy with the results and I am planning to keep up my new regime.

Click on the links to read more about the benefits of:
Zinc, Chromium, Vitamin C, Flax seeds and Antioxidants.