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?

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.

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.

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.

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...