Mi Mi Mint!

I want to say thank you very much to my Mom, because she's taking these picture with her smartphone at Bandar Jakarta in Ancol after we went to my Grandpa's grave in Karet, Central Jakarta with my little sister, my Grandma, my cousins, my aunt, and my uncle though it's not too much like I really expected. But, I'm happy with these picture. I really want to wear these outfits, since...I don't know. -_-' But, I really happy to wear this. Alhamdulillah... :P

A little bit blur, but once again. Thanks, Mom!

Traditional Touch

I'm soooo tired, until I can't worked this blog really much. But, thankfully yesterday was Kartini Day. Kartini is an Indonesian national heroine. She was the pioneer of women's rights of Indonesians. To honor her work in defending the women's right, then on April 21 (which is the birthday of Kartini) Sukarno's Old Order state declared 21 April as Kartini Day to remind women that they should participate in "the hegemonic state discourse of development".  Me as an Indonesian woman was also celebrate the day with wearing kebaya (which is an Indonesian national costume) when I went to my relatives wedding.

I know, I'm not look a like Indonesian (I'm still very sleepy in here, though I'm wearing makeup. Because, I'm really tired. -_-'). But, I really want to wear this look. Who cares that I didn't like "real" Indonesian?

But, I just keep put a smile on my picture. :D No one is gonna realize that, I'm very sleepy. :D I brighten up my lousy dark day with a smile.

My Beauty Secrets

Assalammu'alaikum...

Every women has a beauty secrets (including me! :P). Moreover, at my age who are now in 20's. Back when I was a teenager and life in middle school, I'm having a very ignorant appearance. But once I entered high school, I can't do that anymore. I've started to feel uncomfortable with the acnes on my face, dark circles under my eyes, and my face begins to lose its elasticity. Especially, if I lack of sleep. My face is definitely became pale and dull.

I've started not confident with the beauty that God has bestowed to me. While many people, including my mother, told me I was a beautiful woman. But, I still feel insecure and still feel that I'm not pretty.

But when I entered their 20's (especially, after I wear the hijab), I realized that there is beauty 'hidden' inside me and what every people said about me is (maybe) right. And, I have to 'pull it out' by doing beauty treatments at home.

This is a small part of the secret of my beauty. And, this time I will share it with you.

1. Rice Water.

Rice water? Really? Yes! Of course! When my mother or my grandmother nanny (my grandmother thought she was a maid. -_-') was washing the rice to cook, I always ask for the water that used to wash those rice so it wasn't wasted and I can use it for my beauty treatments. Rice water is very beneficial for skin tighten, brighten the skin, prevent acne and moisturize the skin.

Rice water contains gluten protein, cellulose, hemicellulose, some vitamins, and oryzanol. Different types of rice, different benefits. For oily skin (like me), you can use white rice water. White rice water is very useful for controlling the oil on the face and prevent irritation due to acne. For dry skin, use red rice water. Red rice water is useful for moisturize your dry skin. Black rice water (which is a rare type of rice in Indonesia) is very suitable for all skin types.

I always use rice water to wash my face. After washing my face with rice water, my skin feels moist and firmer. I also use it as a toner before applying moisturizer. My face doesn't feel sticky because of excess oil on my face while wearing moisturizer and make up (natural/simple make up to be exact).

I also use it as a mask. The trick is I use a paper towel. Before dipped, make holes for the eyes, nose and mouth with scissors. Then, fold the paper towel to form a square and dip it in water rice. After that, put on the face and leave it for 15-20 minutes two times a week. The face will be refreshed after using the mask.

2. Olive Oil.

 

Do you have thin, loss, rough and lousy hair? Use olive oil. Olive oil contains unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants. Olive oil can strengthen hair roots and makes hair thicker. Olive oil can also make hair become more soft and can treat the bacteria in the scalp.

Normally, I use olive oil at night after a shower without shampooing. I let sit overnight and in the morning, I wash my hair with shampoo in the shower in the morning. My hair is getting thicker, softer, and stronger. Even though right now I'm wearing hijab, that doesn't mean I never treat my hair, right? Anyway, my hair is not too limp after using olive oil, though I wear the hijab for hours.

Oh. I almost forgot. Olive oil can be found in any supermarkets. Normally, being in the oil or in the herbs and foods hallway in supermarket.

3. Creambath/Hair Mask.

  

Who says women who wear hijab can't doing creambath/using hair mask? Sure we can! Creambath which is originally Indonesian native hair care, is useful to nourish hair damaged by the excessive use of chemicals and pollution. In order creambath products can be absorbed by the scalp, when we use it we have to massage the scalp (and, this is the most fun and also makes our scalp becomes comfortable).

You can also use a hair mask. Although it doesn't need a massage, but the benefit is almost the same as creambath. It's also not too long when you use it. Simply in 5 minutes.That is, to treat damaged hair, colored hair, dry hair, curled hair, or straightened hair.

Creambath and hair mask can be used once a week. And, now creambath and hair mask products can be found in any kind of shopping centers such as supermarkets.

4. Water.

The best, only from nature. Water. Water is very beneficial for our beauty. Because water can help the regeneration of the skin, prevents premature wrinkles, and keep skin moist. Water also can make our skin become refreshed.

If we don't consume enough water, your skin will be problematic. Scaly skin, acne, and pale skin, is the most common problem if we consume less water. Especially when our skin becomes very dry due to lack of water consumption, the wrinkles on our face will quickly arise.

I always consume water every day as much as 8 glasses in the morning, noon, and night. Oh. And, I also avoid cold water and soda. Understandably, I didn't want my voice damaged by drinking cold water and soda. :P

5. Exercise.

  

I know, I'm not a yoga freaks like Adam Levine. :D But, that doesn't mean I never doing exercise. I know, my mother never saw me do it. Because, I'd better do it in secret or in the morning when my mom was at work and my sister were at school. I don't know why, but I'm more comfortable to do it in secret.

Normally, I get the exercise that I do at home from magazines or the Internet. In fact, I always open the video in Youtube about the exercises that I want to practice. I didn't do it every day, because I did it in 5 times a week. However, the results are very satisfying. My body becomes more fresh and fit.

I like doing yoga, swimming, pilates, even dancing was also an exercise to me (note for every Muslim girl: dancing is NOT haraam if there is no stomping feet or an erotic movement. because, dancing movement is like an exercise for you and make you healthy. If you said dancing is haraam, then why I saw a ballerina with hijab on the internet?!). I always doing it for...I think is only 15-20 minutes. Not really long, because I don't want to push myself to doing exercise in 30 minutes. Human power has limits. So, I don't want to have a sudden heart attack for being too tired to exercise.

6. Prayer/Salah.

As a muslim, I believe that prayer/salah can provide many benefits. In fact, there are various kinds of health research on prayer/salah. As can repair the joints of the spine, improving blood circulation, improve the body's muscles, and etc. In addition, some parts of the body becomes strong. Like, breast (for women), hands, and feet.

Preparation before prayer alias ablution/wudhu, was also provides many benefits for beauty. Beauty aura of Muslim women more outward, after they performed ablution/wudhu before prayer/salah. So, for Muslim women should never underestimate the prayers/salah and ablutions/wudhu. All of it, has many benefits. I'd ever experienced it. So many people say that I'm pretty and sweet, though I'm not wearing makeup that is too thick or not wearing makeup at all.

I hope you like this blog and I hope you enjoy it. Wassalammu'alaikum!