Eyebrow and Eyelash Tinting

I don't like wearing a lot of make-up. Unless of course it's a special occasion or a night out, which gives me a reason to be "made up".

My every day make-up regime is basically brushing a couple of strokes of mascara on my eyelashes and applying natural colour lipgloss.

Like I've mentioned in a previous post, the one thing that I would struggle to live without, is mascara.

They say the eyes are the windows to your soul. And without mascara, I'm sad to say, that my "window's" look rather dull and I tend to look pale ;-0. I find that my eyes get lost in the scenery of my face. I think you will all agree that nearly invisible eyelashes can sometimes make a woman look a bit sick. And even the best-shaped eyebrows may not set off the eyes if the hair is fine, sparse or pale.

At the same time I don't always want to/and I don't always wear mascara, especially when I'm working out, diving or swimming.

Besides using waterproof mascara, which I hate; I was reminded again of a popular procedure known as tinting. I actually had this done once or twice before, many years ago. When a friend mentioned that she has it done in Jakarta I decided to try it again.

Brow and lash tinting may be your solution. Just like having your hair colored, tinting changes the colour, adds the illusion of thickness and dimension.

Before tinting

After tinting

The procedure took approx. 15 min and the results were visible. I am glad I had it done. I remember it being more noticeable when I had it done previously, though. I might ask them to use a darker colour or perhaps leave it on for a few minutes longer next time.

NOTE: Keep in mind tweezing or waxing should be done after a tint. This maximizes the amount of brow hair available for shaping.

Where to go:

Nikki's Salon on Kemang Raya No. 47A.
Tel: (021)-7192917

Price: Rp.100,00 for eyebrow and Rp.120,000 eyelashes.

Tip: Ask them about the price when you make your appointment.

I didn't enquire about the price and I was surprised when they charged me Rp.220,000 for a
procedure that only took 15min. I find it pricey considering that my hair colour incl. cut and blow dry (approx. 2 and a half hours) would probably cost Rp.350,000-Rp.400,000. Also, considering that most 1 hour treatments e. g. cream baths, pedi's and mani's don't cost nearly as much.

PLEASE COMMENT ON THIS POST, SHOULD YOU KNOW OF ANY OTHER SALON'S IN JAKARTA THAT PROVIDE THIS SERVICE?

Melasma/Hyperpigmentation

I have been dealing with and have been blogging about my eternal struggle with my "problem skin", and the search for products that will give me that soft flawless skin that I dream about.

I know it probably sounds a lot worse than it is. My skin is not that bad and the "problem skin" that I am referring to is more a "breakout problem" and not a real "acne problem".

As mentioned in previous posts I have managed to control my break-outs with Pro-Active as well as two of my latest product finds: Seba Med and Sariayu, which I will blog about in the posts to follow.

My biggest problem is my uneven skin tone due to blemishes/marks from acne scaring. I have been using Este Lauder Advance night repair and as per the post on it, it definitely has improved my skins over all appearance over the past couple of months.

Or so I thought. Just when thought my skin is actually starting to look better I started noticing more marks on my face. It started with a brown mark on my nose when we returned form our holiday in December. And though I always where sunscreen, I still got "some colour" and I thought it must just be from the sun.

I hoped that it will lighten and it did, a bit.

We returned from a trip this week and I was concerned about the very noticeable dark marks that have appeared on my upper cheekbone areas.

I was beginning to wonder "perhaps the breakouts and the sun are not the only contributing factors"...

It almost looks as if, I've been in the sun with my sunglasses and have tanned circles around my eyes. But, this is not the case.

I now have light patches all over my cheeks and the area around my chin.

Being over 30, a couple of people told me that I should get used to it "it comes with age". And though age probably does contribute to your skins appearance I have reason to believe that there is more to it and I sure do not want to GET USE TO IT. I want to GET RID OF IT!!

I have heard of woman that have had problems with pigmentation marks, caused by the sun damage as well as pigmentation problems during pregnancy.

After research, it appears that this type of pigmentation is called Melasma/Hyperpigmentation, also referred to as the "pregnancy mask". A big culprit is of course the sun, but it can also be due to hormonal changes during pregnancy, as well as contraceptives.

I realised that, I started noticing the pigmentation problem after I went back on the pill in November. Though I haven't consulted with a dermatologist yet, I have come to the conclusion that it has to be due to hormonal changes.

So what can I do about it?

I came up with the following:

Contraceptives
Consult a dermatologist about changing to a different contraceptive with less estrogen or possibly going off the pill if that doesn't help.

Sunscreen
Though I always wear sunscreen I should:

• Increase my SPF factor to 30 or 50


• Use zinc oxide based sunscreens with at least 10% of zinc Oxide.


• Don't leave the house without sunscreen.


• Where a hat/cap when outdoors.


• Not be fooled by the the sun's harming rays, whether direct or reflecting. I need to protect my skin from the sun even when I'm in the shade or when it's a cloudy day.

Whitening products
Look for a product with the following ingredients:

• Hydroquinone


• Salicylic acid ingredients

Note: Don't expect it to change over night. Improvements in the skin tone and overall appearance is not noticeable immediately, however products should lighten the pigmentation marks over time.

Treatments
Consult a dermatologists about available treatments like IPL (Intense Pulse Light).

Click here to read more on Melasma/Hypergigmentation.

I hope to write a blog entry and post a photo in the near future, on how I have managed to reduce my Melasma.

Please comment on the post if you have any advise or tips for me or other ladies with the same problem?

Este Lauder Advance Night Repair

As I've said before, I dream about soft, flawless skin and I have tried so many products...always looking for that one product that's going to give it to me.

One such product that has been around for many years is the Advance Night Repair formula by Este Lauder. And though this product is probably not going to get rid of my breakouts (that I'm still struggling with), I figured it's definitely worth a try.

If I could improve the overall appearance of my skin, the breakouts wouldn't look half as bad as it does on uneven, blotchy skin, right? Well, that's my theory anyway...

I bought a bottle of this so called miracle serum about 3 months ago. It was a little (ok, a lot) more expensive than what I usually spend on skin products but I figured being over 30 it is time I start investing in the good stuff.

I paid $90 for a 50ml of Este Lauder Advance Night Repair, that has lasted me just over 3 months. I have been using 3 drops as recommended at night and in the morning and in combination with a good cleansing routine, wearing sunblock daily and regular facials I am hopeful that I will one day have that soft, flawless skin that I've been dreaming of.

Though my skin is still along way from being flawless, I have to say this stuff works: My skin tone is more even and the pigmentation marks I had on my upper lip has definitely lightened and so has some of the other marks on my skin. I have also noticed that my skin looks more hydrated and it does appear smoother.

Though I still have enough serum for probably another week or so I have already stocked up on this product, that I have sworn never to go without.

I saved quite a bit when I bought 2x 75ml bottles (a promotional pack) at the airport in Abu Dhabi for $160, which I'm sure you'll still be able to find at most airport duty free stores. In my opinion it is money well spent. TRY IT!

About Este Lauder, Advance Night Repair:

Based on solid, scientific findings and 24 years of proven success, this is the one formula your skin shouldn't live without. It helps visibly repair the appearance of past damage and protect your skin's future.

It heightens your skin's natural repair response critical for its well being. Soothes daily irritation and builds a rich reserve of anti oxidants and lipids to help replenish skin's natural protectants.

It protects the future by neutralizing up to 90% of environmentally generated free radicals before they can cause your skin to look prematurely aged.

Because it is this environmental damage not time that can cause 80% of the visible signs of aging. It delivers high levels of long proven hyaluronic acid, nature's moisture magnet. Locks in moisture to create the ideal environment for healthy skin.

Think of it as your insurance for younger, healthier looking skin, today and tomorrow.

Biodroga facial - a mi Casa on Jl. Benda, Jakarta

As I've mentioned in a previous post, Entra a mi Casa (now, a mi Casa) is my favourite place to go to for pedicures and a manicures in Jakarta.

a mi Casa
Jl. Benda Raya no. 17,
Kemang, Jakarta Seletan
Phone: +62 21 7806 222

Now it is also my favourite place for facials.

As per previous posts about facials, I am always after a salon that uses good international skin care products as well as facial equipment. Oh, and don't forget the massage part ;-)

I am very happy to write about my fantastic experience at a mi Casa salon & spa and I highly recommend trying them for your next facial.

The Spa has private therapy rooms where you can really relax and unwind while the therapist works her magic.

The Balinese style spa has a terrific atmosphere with Balinese music playing and true sense of serenity. You change into a batik sarong and have your feet washed before you lie down for the most heavenly facial, including a 15min massage and later a hand and foot massage while you relax with the mask on your face.

Or is the real magic really the products they use?

They have a choice of 3 products, French, German or a local product. I opted for the German product called Biodroga.




I am not usually keen on whitening products but the therapist (Ibu Sumi) recommended I try the Biodroga Whitening facial at Rp. 300,000. This would apparently help with the breakouts and to lighten the dark spots/acne scaring on my face (Yes, I pick).

She suggested I go for a facial every two weeks if I want to really notice a difference in my skins appearance.

So after my second facial today, I can report that I do think my skin looks smoother, especially on my cheeks where I've been struggling with breakouts. And the couple of dark marks I had are definitely lighter than 2 weeks ago.

I look forward to my next facial, in 2 weeks and really hope that the Therapist is right and that I will soon have that soft, flawless skin that I've been dreaming of.

Martha Tilaar Spa

I've been for a couple of facials over the past 9 months in Jakarta and a lot of the salons use natural products from Bali or their own products made from nuts, honey, cucumber etc.

As I've mentioned before, I personally prefer a facial that uses a good skin care range and that uses facial equipment such as a steamer, high frequency machines etc.

I went for a facial at Martha Tilaar on Thursday. This salon was recommend by a friend and I was happy to hear that they use Biokos products.

Martha Tilaar Salon & Day Spa





Jl. Prapanca Raya Blok P III No 3,
Jakarta Selatan

Phone : +62 21 739 3519


The therapist analyzes your skin and recommends a facial that best suit your skin type. I had the Aromatic Acnomore facial including a mask. I paid approx. ($30) Rp.305,000 for the facial (Rp.195,000) plus an additional (Rp.110,000) for the mask that is optional.


Though I personally don't mind this, the facial was a rather "clinical" which included extractions. I know that a lot of people do not enjoy extractions and prefer a more relaxing facials with dimmed lights instead of the very bright fluorescent light shining in your eyes.


Just mention to your therapist that you would prefer not to have extractions done

I particularly enjoyed the facial massage including head and shoulders which felt like it was a little longer than the usual 10 min. The only thing that I thought was missing though, was the hand massage...


You can't always get it all though... ;-) I guess the quality of any spa treatment will almost always differ between therapists. Ultimately it depends on how experienced the therapist is.


It was over all a really good facial and I enjoyed the experience and I would recommend the Martha Tilaar salon for your next facial.

ENTRA a MI CASA Hair and Beauty

As per my previous posts about waxing, I've been going for waxes at the Waxing Studio on Ampera Raya that is really cheap and though "it does the job" I've realised that it is of course true that you get what you pay for.

I found that the hair grew back very quickly and I decided to continue my search for the perfect wax in Jakarta.

I called around, trying to find a salon that uses proper wax, rather than sugar wax.

The only wax that I know from back home is depilève and the thing about depilève is that the pre and post lotions used, apparently prevent ingrowns and are meant to slow down hair growth and leave the skin soft and smooth. It appears that most of the salons around Kemang use Sugar wax, but I found one that to my surprised use depilève.

ENTRA a MI CASA

Jl. Benda Raya no. 17,

Kemang, Jakarta Seletan

Phone: +62 21 7806 222.

I paid approx. ($22) Rp.220,000 for a full leg and full bikini wax. Ask for Cindy, she is really very good.

I am not a scientist though and whether or not depilève products are actually better than sugar wax or if it just has to do with the way it is waxed....I don't know.

All I know is that my last two waxes, especially the bikini area has been a lot less painful and I definitely have less ingrowns and it seems that the hair takes longer to grow back than before.

I have since then been back twice for a wax and I've also been for a pedicure and manicure which I can highly recommend.

I paid approx ($14) Rp.140,000 for a french pedi and mani.

I have referred quite a few of my friends to them and they are all very happy with the treatments they've received and they've all said that they will definitely go back there.

Proactive Solution - "It really does work"!

I was complaining about my breakouts, to a friend of mine here in Jakarta. Though I've tried a lot of different products and yes, some of the products mentioned on this blog did help but it really never made a huge visible difference in my skins appearance.

My friend told me that she used to have the same problem and that she would recommend I try Proactive Solution. She had some of her cleanser, toner and the mask left over, which she stopped using when her skin completely cleared up.

After 2 weeks I could see a difference. Though I had some dryness around my jaw line and neck I decided to keep trying it... I arranged with her to let her sister buy me the system, which she brought over in November.

I have seen this product advertised in magazines and I remember it being sold by Verimark back home, but like a lot of the infomercial type products, I just really didn't think it would work.
Well, I was wrong....


















I have now been using Proactive Solution for about 3 months now and I am happy to report that after trying many different skin care products as you would have seen on this blog, I finally found a system that actually work. The celebrities endorsements by Vanessa Williams, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Serina Williams to name a few are really not just Proactive's way of marketing their product. This product really does work!

I can't say that my skin is completely clear, yet. I unfortunately still have the occasional breakouts, which I believe is hormonal, but over all my skins appearance is a lot better and I will continue to use this product.

This product is not too expensive and definitely worth a try!

Home remedies for the treatment of acne and blackheads

As part of my "fight" for a clear skin, I research home remedies for the treatment of acne and blackheads. I have tried some of these remedies that I found online, and have been happy with the results. But ,it's just a lot easier squeezing a solution out of a tube, isn't it. (Thank's Paula)

Might be worth trying though and it's fun...

1. Put toothpaste on your pimple before you go to bed, should help reduce swelling overnight. Make sure it is the paste not the gel. One of the most popular acne home remedies.

2. Wash your face twice a day in warm salty water. This should leave your face oil free without aggravating the acne.

3. Extract juice of one lemon and mix with equal quantity of rose water. Apply this mixture on the face and let it stay for about half an hour. Wash the face with fresh water. About 15 days application helps cure acne, pimples and reduces blemishes and scars.

4. Apply fresh mint juice over the face every night for the treatment of acne, pimples, insect stings, eczema, scabies, & other skin infections.

5. A couple of garlic cloves, crushed and dabbed on the face 1-2 times a day. One of the smellier acne home remedies!

6. Home face wash for acne: Mix together 1 or 2mls each of the following: witch hazel, tea-tree and sweet fennel essential oils, adding essential oil of geranium for women and essential oil of rosewood for men. Mix with 300mls of water. Shake before use, as the oils will float on top of the water during storage. Dab affected areas with cotton wool two or three times a day. The oils will clean and unclog giving antibiotic-like protection to the skin.

7. Apply fresh lemon juice on the affected area overnight. Wash off with warm water next morning.

8. Use 2-3 tsp. dried basil leaves to 1 cup boiling water. Cool, and apply with cotton ball. Leave it on for 10-20 minutes and rinse it off.

9. Grind orange peel with some water to a paste and apply on affected parts. One of the best acne home remedies.

10. Clean face with cotton wool dipped in rose water 2-3 times a day.

11. Mix 1 teaspoon lemon juice in 1 teaspoon finely ground cinnamon powder and apply on affected areas frequently.

12. Ice down the acne before bed, by morning it should be noticeably less swollen. Works best on larger pimples that have not yet formed a head.

13. Take vitamin B5 and zinc supplements daily to strengthen the skin's resistance to acne.

14. Mix mint juice with turmeric powder and apply on affected area. Leave for 15-30 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water.

15. Mix some vinegar and salt in a bowl. Pour a little bit in your hand and rub it on the pimples. Soak a face towel in it and dab it on the bumps. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and rinse it off.

16. Blend cucumber and make a paste. Apply this as a mask on your face and leave it for 1/2 hour and then rinse. This refreshes your skin and prevents acne.

17. Mix corn flour with egg white and apply on your face. Let is dry completely for 1/2 hour. Dip your hands in warm water and massage your face and wash off. This when repeated regularly gives you a smooth skin.

18. Grind some nutmeg with milk and apply on affected area. Pimples disappear like magic without leaving a mark.

19. Make a mixture of lime juice and rose water. Apply on face and leave it for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water.

20. Make a paste by mixing 3 tablespoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Apply this paste on the pimples at bed time and wash it off the next morning with warm water. Repeat for two weeks, pimples will disappear forever.

21. Rub fresh garlic on and around pimples. Pimples will disappear without a mark with regular applications.

22. Mix 1 tsps groundnut oil with 1 tspn fresh lime juice to prevent formation of blackheads and pimples .

23. First wash face and then dab acne with cotton balls soaked in vinegar.

24. Apply juice of raw papaya (including the skin and seed) on swelling acne, pimples.

25. Apply ripe Tomatoes pulp on acne, pimples for up to 1 hour, then wash.

Very important: Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. At least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables should be included in your diet. All acne home remedies should include a healthy diet.

Facials are a "must"!

Pollution takes an extra toll on the skin and unfortunately products alone aren't enough, especially when you live in a city like Jakarta, which is probably quite high up the list of "most polluted cities in the world".

At the very least, a good facial will clean up impurities, exfoliate, re-hydrate and soothes the skin, lighten skin discolorations and control acne breakouts and enhances the absorption of skin care and anti-aging products, for that more youthful looking skin that we are all after.

I've had a couple of facials over the past couple of months from 3 different salons/spa's in the attempt to sort out my breakouts.




Jamu Traditional Spa - The spa is a great place to relax and prices are very reasonable. The ingredients used for all treatments are natural, and there is a fantastic aroma of honey and nuts and other "au naturale" ingredients in the air. The Jamu experience was good and very relaxing. Note: A lot of people have facials as a pamper session, but I prefer a facial where I can feel my skin being deep cleansed; enzyme, glycolic peels, extractions, high frequency etc. etc. Facials from Rp.190,000 (approx. $20).






Miracle Aesthetic Clinic - Not recommended if you are after a "Spa" atmosphere!

This is a very well appointed clinic where they do facial treatments, laser therapy, aesthetic surgery and more.

I've had two vitamin enzyme facial over the past couple of weeks, which they recommended to help clear my breakouts. The treatments are a bit pricey, from Rp.500,000 (approx. $50) onwards, and they also have other special treatments like collagen eye masks, oxygen infusion treatments from Rp.100,000 (approx. $10) onwards.

I've heard a lot about the "wonder facials" which apparently gives Madonna her youthful looks. An oxygen facial is an amazing treatment that literally breathes new life into your skin by using pure oxygen and a unique rejuvenation serum.

Whether an Oxygen facial and an Oxygen infusion therapy is the same thing, I'm not entirely sure. But, when Miracle Clinic explained that they offer Oxygen therapy that will provide visible results to all skin types, and can continue to improve the overall health, texture, hydration and elasticity of the skin; I of course had to try it. I can't say that I noticed immediate results, but hey, it's worth a shot and my skin did look and feel great, especially around the eyes.

Not that I will be doing it every week but F.Y.I. A weekly session over a course of six weeks is recommended for long lasting results.








Puri Santi - What a fabulous spa. Puri Santi is slightly more expensive than Jamu but still affordable and well worth it. They also use natural products from Bali but include equipment such as an extraction sucking tool, high frequency etc. which really made for the perfect facial experience. Facials Rp.250,000 (approx. $25)

Summary: I will alternate my facials between Puri Santi and the occasional more expensive treatments at the Miracle Clinic every 4 to 6 weeks (as recommended by the experts).

So, with my new facial treatment regime and Paula's Choice products that seem to work, I really hope my breakouts will be a thing of the past, in the very near future!

A Blemish Solution, that works!

As per my previous posts, I am happy with the results of my Paula's Choice products that I've been using for the past couple of months and I've decided to stick with it.

I unfortunately still struggle with breakouts and I decided to try another Paula's Choice product, which had really good reviews online:

Extra Strength Blemish Fighting Solution has a 5% concentration of benzoyl peroxide, considered to be the best over-the-counter ingredient for combating and killing acne-causing bacteria in the pores. It is a lightweight lotion texture contains no irritating inactive ingredients (such as alcohol and menthol) found in many acne-products.

I've been using the solution for about 6 days and "it works". I find it to be really effective on blemishes and I quickly saw great results.

Like with most acne creams and lotions, slight dryness and peeling occurs. I choose dry skin over pimples, any day though. I usually only use it ones a day, at night, and I apply a good night cream once the solution is dry, which solves that problem.

NOTE: You should always wear sunscreen anyway ;-) but if you do apply the solution during the day, remember to always wear sunscreen rated SPF 15 or greater.

If you are still looking for something to treat your breakouts; look no further!

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.

Here's to good health!

It's been nearly 3 weeks since I started my new health kick. Notice that I'm not calling it a diet... In fact I've given up trying to loose the extra 4kg that I've been carrying around for probably the past 5 years, looooong ago. I tried and tried, but I've just don't seem to get my weight down, and that's ok.... It's of course good to know how much you weigh and to try and always keep your weight within 2kg of what I call your "happy weight". There is nothing worse than trying to shed 5-10kg (been there, done that got the T-shirt and definitely aint going back) but 1 or 2kg are easily manageable. Just a week of being "GOOD" and you're back!!!

But more than just the weight on the scale, I think your clothes are a pretty good gage for determining whether or not you have gained weight. Just pull that old pair of "skinny" jeans/trousers out of the closet from time to time and when they shout "O no" even before you get them over your knees you will know to order a salad instead of fries with your meal. Also, don't buy a size bigger when you go shopping - If it doesn't fit, don't buy it.

Prevention is better than cure:

I try to stick to my rule that "treats" (only when I crave it) ice-cream, chocolates, crisps etc. are only allowed on weekends. Unless it is a special occasion.

And when I feel that my favorite pair of pants are a bit tight I just cut my carb and sugar in take and try the NO carbs after 4pm rule for a week.

Having said that, it shouldn't only be about managing those unwanted kilograms. We have heard it all before...."eat more vegetables and fruit, drink water, consume less alcohol, don't smoke and the list goes on. There are so many books and internet sites dedicated to educating us about "what you put in is what you get out". And over the years I have read it all and tried it all. I've tried special supplements, received many different expert opinions, from online health plans to dietitians personalised diets, all attempts to achieve optimum health.

I am by no means an expert in any of this. But I have decided to go back to basics:

If there was something called "Good Health for Dummies" I would imagine that the fist thing they would teach you would be that you should eat 2 fruit and 5 vegetables per day. Now I know nutrition is a lot more complicated than "an apple a day keeps the Dr. away" . I have decided to try (very seriously this time) to change my lifestyle by just eating the required portions of fruit and veg. per day, rich in antioxidants and all the other good stuff that my body needs.

The problem with eating healthily is that it isn't always convenient. It is one thing grabbing an apple or banana but you can't exactly run out of the house with a bunch of spinach in your hands. And the leafy greens are what we need to eat more of. For a long time my vegetable in take consisted of capsicum, onions, zuccinni, eggplant, tomato, cucumber, lettuce and definitely not 5 portions per day, more like 5 portions per week.

I have been very good the past 3 weeks. I've been making sure that I always have fresh veg and fruit in the fridge, which forces me to use it before it goes off. Snacking on raw carrots and celery and making juice, blending carrots, celery and apple together.

After watching an episode of Oprah I decided to try the Dr. Oz green drink and I love it. There are a couple of different recipes on the internet but this is how I made it.

Green Drink (enough for 1 glass):

Blend together a hand full of Spinach, a celery stick, half a peeled apple and cucumber, fresh ginger and lemon to taste, add water and ice and voila you have a refreshing juice and you can actually taste the goodness.
















TRY IT!

According to the experts, eating your fruit and veg holds a promise of improved health and is also the best anti-aging prevention approach.

Take this quiz to find out if you are eating enought fruit and vegetables!

Still on the lip plumping...

I have been doing a bit of research on lip plumping products. There are of course many different lip pluming products on the market, incl. the wonderful lip fusion that I wrote about in one of my previous posts.

If you've ever used any of these lip plumping products, you would have realised that most of them contain either Cinnamon, Clove, Cayenne pepper or a combination of these spices. I decided to do a bit of research on "home remedies" for plumper lips.

I came across a lot of different tips: From, rubbing you lips with a wet cloth, scrubbing them with sugar and even recipes for making your own plumping lip balm by just mixing cinnamon, cayenne pepper into a bit of Vaseline.

I've decided to go with the easier suggestion of just rubbing clove oil onto your lips. I bought a small 10ml Clove bud essential oil from a pharmacy for approx $3.

Be WARNED though...in this case it is really painful to be beautiful!

Yes, it actually does work. So, for those of you with a high pain threshold, no taste buds (because it really tastes vile) go ahead and try it. It will definitely give you fuller lips.

So, if you are brave enough to try it, I would advise you to wait about 30 minutes for the oil to be absorbed, before you drink or eat anything and especially before you kiss anyone. Most men generally don't like to kiss us with stuff on our lips. So your man will definitely not appreciate a kiss that leaves him with a bad taste in his mouth and stinging lips.

Next I will try mix up my own lip balm, so watch this space for a post on that.

ALWAYS remove your make-up

The first rule we all learned (should have learned ;-) about wearing makeup is...to take it off! I can honestly say that I can only count the times I woke up looking like Marilyn Manson, gone bad, on my one hand. I have always been very good with that and it doesn't matter how late it is, I can't sleep without washing my face.

If you are guilty of doing this I would strongly advise you to STOP! Make a point of ALWAYS removing your make-up, especially your eye make-up. By removing your eye makeup daily you can actually avoid those early signs of aging. Leaving make-up on will result in those unwanted lines and wrinkles and can even cause blemishes/blackheads and impact your complexion.

Removing your eye make-up:

As I've mentioned in one of my earlier posts, you have to be very gentle when you remove your eye make-up, as that can also cause lines. The correct way to do it is to remove your eye make-up first, using a eye make-up remover and a cotton ball/pad. Then cleanse your face, avoiding the eye area. Unless your cleansers is suitable for the eye area. Have you ever checked that? Most cleansers are to harsh and dries the skin around the eyes out and that, (yes you guessed it) can also cause lines.

The "Ultimate beauty tool" commonly known as Q-Tip, Cotton Swab, Cotton buds or just plain old ear buds are of course the best thing you can use, to ensure you remove all the make-up from your eyes.

If you don't use Q-tips, why don't you do a little test:

After you've cleansed your face like you usually do, take a Q-Tip and put a little bit of eye make-up remover (some people prefer to use good old Vaseline, lotion or baby oil, which also works) and just trace your lashes and spin the Q-tip over your lashes and underneath your eyes. You will be surprised how much make-up still comes off! The best thing about using Q-Tips is that it is really gently on the eye and there is no pulling or hard wiping.

I'm sure we are all guilty of doing this too, but the next time you jump in the shower and start lathering up the face wash, washing and scratching under the eyes to get all the make up of, rather reach for the trusty Q-Tips, they really are the best!

Product Recommendation:

I've been using AVON Conditioning eye make-up remover for the past couple of months and it really works well. Another product that I really dread "finishing" because I probably won't find it here. Sniff, sniff...

The wonderful world of Make-up

When I was researching waterproof vs. normal mascara I came across a couple of forums that discussed this as well as the topic "why we wear make up, at all" and it got me thinking....This is my thoughts around it:

Even though I admit to being a "product junkie" I have never been one for a lot of make-up. I guess I owe that to my mom. My mom is a beautiful woman and she has never really needed to cake on the make up. A little bit of mascara and lipstick was all she ever needed. Even now at the age of 53 my mom hardly ever wears foundation or heavy eye make up.
















Left: My mom (Christa) with only mascara and lip gloss Right: More make-up

Having said that, I also remember my mom telling me that they used to use shoe polish as mascara when they were younger. I used to love watching my mom "doll up", doing her evening make-up, thinking and commenting on how amazing she looked with make-up. And like most little girls I also remember playing dress up and using my mom's make-up, even doing her make-up for her (okay, so she probably re-did it in the end). And then of course the very important milestone in any young girls life, the first time I got to wear make-up to a school dance.

Make-up has been around since the time of the Ancient Egyptians. "Everybody else is doing it, so why can't we" right? It is just one of those things we learned to do, just like brushing our teeth, cutting our nails or cutting our hair. And it has become something that most women (and even some guys) just can't live without.

I remember being so shocked when I found out that one of my friend's, (then) boyfriend had never seen her without make-up on. But then again, I don't think anyone ever did. This was more than 10 years ago and I haven't seen her for years, but I really hope she doesn't still do this. It isn't just bad for your skin but also very sad that someone can be so insecure and unhappy with themselves, that they end up hiding behind a mask, and that no one ever really knows what they really look like.

Another friend of mine once visited a mutual acquaintance of ours in hospital and when she walked into the ward she looked around the room but couldn't see her friend. She thought she had the wrong room so she went back to the nurses station to check but as it turned out she was in the right ward. The friend must have seen her walk out because when she went back in, she of course said "hey, why did you walk out, everything okay"? Truth is, she didn't have any make-up on and because my friend had never seen her without make-up (and she used to wear a lot), she looked straight at her but didn't recognise her.

Make-up sure is a wonderful thing though and I would hate to live without it. But, it should be used to enhance our features and not become a mask we hide behind. I prefer the "Al natural" look during the day.

"Less is more"

If you have to choose only 2 make-up products that you absolutely can't live without, let it be your mascara and a lip balm/gloss. And if you (like me) have the occasional blemish or 3 to try and disguise, try using a concealer rather than foundation.

Foundations, Powders, heavy eye liners, eye shadows, mascara and that kind of 'face painting' is only really required in the evening.

Normal vs. Waterproof Mascara

I need new mascara and have been looking for my L'Oreal Double Extention Mascara which I've been using for some time now.

I really like this product. It actually does extend your lashes and it feels soft and looks natural. I do find that it works better when it's new though. Don't know if it's just me but once you've used it for a while, even if you make sure not to use the extender side with the white mascara over the black and making sure that you wash all the mascara off before you re-apply, it still somehow gets discolored after a while and for some reason doesn't extend as well as a brand new one.

I have used other brands of more expensive mascara's like Almay, Estee Lauder etc. but found that L'Oreal, Maybellene and Revlon was just as good. But to my frustration I can only find waterproof mascara here (at least in all the shops I went to) and I HATE waterproof mascara.

I was in the shop again today and I was very tempted to just buy a waterproof one but I decided against it. I will first go to the mall where they sell the big houses like Clarins, Este Lauder, Clinique etc. and hopefully they will have normal mascara.

I did a bit of research on the Internet about whether or not waterproof mascara is actually good for you. I was happy to find out that I'm not the only person that doesn't like it (clearly the Indonesians love it though).

Why I don't like using waterproof:

Though I don't believe waterproof mascara is necessarily bad for your eyelashes I just find that it is a real mission to remove, even with a good eye makeup remover, you might think you do but, you never get it all off and your lashes are left dry and worse of all, I found that my lashes fell out.

After reading up on some tips and comments about using waterproof mascara I realise that I wasn't gentle enough and probably pulled them out, rubbing to hard, trying to get it all off. And that, I also believe causes wrinkles. The area around your eyes are super sensitive and you should never pull, rub or wipe to hard around your eyes. That is also why you have to use your ring finger to dab and not rub your eye cream in.

But like most things in life, it is a personal choice. But, I do believe that if you've always used waterproof you should perhaps just try using normal once. You will really feel the difference and I even believe you might decide to change to normal or at least only wear waterproof when you know you'll need it.

Because really: Unless your job is reviewing tear jerker movies, why would you need to wear waterproof every day?