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.

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.

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.

Time for a wax

Waxing - Something we all loath but can't live without doing. I still think the laser hair removal sounds like the perfect solution to the "hairy problem" but of course it is pricey and there are a lot of other things I'd rather do with the money. Hopefully, one day!

So until then I have to, like most women put myself through the painful and in my opinion demeaning waxing episodes at least every 4 weeks. I always thought that a gynecologist would be the only person that would ever see me in such a compromising position. But like most girls will attest a bikini wax is right up there with a visit to the gyne as far as embarrassment goes (well, for me at least). "Can I use that towel to cover my face with rather, pleeeeeeease"? And, "no...it doesn't burn so you can please stop blowing on it now"! LOL! Will never forget that, Edith!

Philips Epilator

Over the years I've been for many waxes but I have also been using an epilator in between. Many of my friends ask if it isn't painful to use, but I really don't mind it. I do think that a wax is a lot better and leaves my legs a lot smoother but, I figured that it's not always convenient to go to the salon and when needed I quickly do a 10min epilator job and I'm good to go for another week or so. I even use the epilator under my arms...I know, I'm mad! It really works though. The 1st time is very painful but once you've done it once and keep doing it, it is actually not that bad. You just shouldn't shave in between because that makes the hair grow back coarse which of course hurts like hell when you epilate after that. I can go for up to 2 weeks without epilating under my arms. The hair grows back soft and has become a lot less over the years. I would definitely recommend it to those of you with a high pain threshold.

So back to the waxing and the embarrassing bikini waxes. I have actually been waxing my own bikini line for some time now. It is not just because I feel uncomfortable, I also just figure, why pay someone to hurt you! I'd much rather use that money for a different spa treatment that I actually enjoy :-)

I used hot wax and paper strips for the past 2 years and even brought the wax pot (thanks Jacqueline) with me to Jakarta. Many different kinds of waxes were available in India and it was really cheap. About $1.5 for a pot that would last you about half a year.

I've been to a lot of Apoteke's (pharmacies), health and beauty stores in the South of Jakarta but I haven't been able to find any wax or wax strips.

I finally decided to just go for a wax. There are many beauty salons in Jakarta and I decided to try Puri Santi in Cipete.

It is a lovely salon and I will definitely go back to try one of their other treatments but definitely not for a wax!

I asked for a full leg wax and said that I will decide if I want a bikini (Luckily I've learnt). Long story short, she started waxing (luckily she didn't start with the bikini) and I realised that there was no way I could put myself through an hour of what I can only call a amateur "patch work" wax. I apologised for perhaps being rude and explained that if it's alright I'd rather not carry on with the wax job. I just couldn't get myself to pay $25 for a wax (legs and bikini) that I could do better myself.

Note: I hope to have more positive reviews about their other services soonest. Watch this space!
The only problem was that I still didn't have any wax to do it myself. I did one of my quick epilator jobs on my legs and I managed to find:

Sally Hansen Extra Strength Brazilian Bikini Waxing & Shaping Kit


I ended up spending $20 on the kit which I should get at least 3 bikni waxes out of. "Still not sure what the mirror is for" LOL ;-)

It worked well. Like with a lot of products it doesn't work exactly like the instructions indicates though. I had to microwave it for longer than the indicated 20 seconds and 3 times during the wax as it goes thick again quickly. I still prefer the bekini strip wax though but beggers can't be choosers. Over all this product is actually very good. It got rid of the hair easily and left my skin feeling soft and smooth and didn't irritate or leave my skin red at all.