GBI - on vacation

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CHINA - CUP CUP AND AWAY

One dumpling, two dumpling, three dumpling - floor.

As soon as I landed in Beijing - China, after a delicious feast of dumplings to cure my Yum Cha cravings I had from missing home (Sydney - how ironic that the things I miss are asian cuisine), I set out looking for traditional Chinese remedies.


I became skeptical about purchasing cosmetics in China from articles I've read. China is the land of all things fake and hyper produced so I didn't feel right making any product purchases, especially any that involved testing on animals.
China is however highly regarded for its traditional medicines & therapies so I decided to give the art of 'cupping' a go 

 Disclaimer: pictures to follow are graphic and NSFW.

Initially I set out in search of Acupuncture as It's always been something I've wanted to try and after I've started getting a slight tingle in my lower back I've thought about natural therapies. I always look forward to my chiropractor visits, but wanted to try something a bit out of the norm.
Acupuncture is only done by licensed professionals within hospitals in China and I wasn't able to book an appointment with a reliable doctor that came with good credentials. So acupuncture will have to wait until next time.


I'd first heard about cupping a few years ago when celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie and Victoria Beckham had been papped with circle shaped bruises on their backs and shoulders. I decided to see what all the fuss was about and found a nearby massage parlour recommended by the hotel I was staying at and booked in for a massage followed by dry cupping - also known as Hijama. I wasn't sure what to expect and I'd been told that it didn't hurt.

Gwyneth's doing it..

Victoria Beckham's doing it... everybody's doing it!

After my massage had finished the therapist told me he was going to apply the first cup.
I heard the sound of a hissing lighter and the next thing I knew I felt a vacuum like suction and slight heat on my back. I winced at this new feeling. It felt a bit like I was being pinched. I tried to relax as the next glass cup went on. I could hear a suction "cupping sound" and felt more and more cups being applied to my upper & lower back and shoulders. Soon I felt like my entire back was pulled tightly however it was a peaceful type of pain. It was tolerable and felt as comforting as it hurt.
The therapist told me he had finished and to "wait while the bad toxins in your blood are removed" Hmmm ok. 

CUPS ON

So I lay patiently for what felt like 15 minutes and then the therapist started to remove the cups with a POPPING sound as each one came off. 
My back felt tender, especially after the massage and I couldn't wait to rush home and take some back selfies in the mirror to see how my newly cupped back was looking.

CUPS OFF

I had a little moment of shock and the first thought in my head was WHAT HAVE I DONE TO MYSELF?!
 I was expecting to feel lighter and refreshed like I'd had all the bad chi sucked out of my system. Instead my back hurt and felt very hot. I was drained and just felt like lying down in this heavenly bed:

Soon after my back was tender and remained so for the following 2 days. The marks are still very prevalent and I'm hoping they clear up before I go on annual leave next week. 

Cupping - Instagram style

There have been many formal studies conducted on the Chinese art of cupping however no proven benefits and in the same token, no negative side effects have been observed. Is this just a matter of your inner chi?


They say cupping has a detoxifying effect and is meant to restore the flow of healthy blood throughout the organs. It has also been used in ancient Egyptian and Greek traditional healing practices. 


I feel like this is a 'something to try once in your life' kind of procedure. I'm not noting any benefits, just some tough looking bruises peeping out of my shirt. Could this explain why I've been listening to a lot of 2Pac recently? A friend of mine noted that I looked like I was "taking the leopard print trend a little too seriously". Ok so the marks aren't in anyway attractive but do actually make me feel as though some sort of toxins were released.

iPhone case and bruises BTYB China. Thanks.

The therapist told me that the spots that appear redder and darker are the ones which contained the most toxins. For me this was in my shoulders, so does this mean I have bad shoulders? Bad blooded shoulders? They've always worked ok for me, so I'd hope not.


Has anyone else tried cupping or something similar before? Any noted benefits? 






GBI x

JAPAN - PART 1: FACE LIKE A GEISHA

I'm back at home catching up on sleep after a busy week in China & Japan full of cultural sightseeing, delicious authentic food, and a beauty haul.
I'd been told by my Japanese friends that I would find everything I was after at Tokyu Hands in Takashimaya department stores. They had aisle upon aisle of every product you could imagine.. it was like a Priceline/CVS/Superdrug on steroids. 

Tokyu Hands. HAI!

I could have spent hours in here admiring all the cute packaging.  Actually I did.


One thing I noticed about Japan is the number of skin care products they have which are dedicated to UV protection. Any smart person knows that the two most damaging things we can do to our skin are smoking and exposure to the sun.

UV Face Mists - genius!

I purchased Ettusais - Aqua Splash UV SPF 25 PA ++  - 40ml (US$29) a light moisturising sunscreen mist that can be used over or under your makeup for added sun protection. I always start my morning skin care routine by cleansing then I apply a sunscreen based moisturiser before the cosmetic routine begins.
Even though I know I'm doing the right thing in applying sunscreen on first, I worry about how long this will protect me during the day - enter Aqua Splash for a quick touch up that doesn't mess with your makeup. I'll be sunning it up in Mexico in a couple of weeks and this mist (along with a strawberry daiquiri) will be right by my side.

Ettusais - Aqua Splash UV SPF 25 PA ++ - Made in Japan.

Aqua Splash UV SPF 25 PA++ contains moisturising ingredients, minerals (magnesium & potassium to prevent damage from UV rays), chamomile & rosemary extracts and is derma logically tested and colourant free.
My friends normally laugh at me when I slop 50++ sunscreen on my face and neck and don't rub it in properly when we're tanning - to be fair we live in the middle east, so a 40 degree day is quite normal. And I'm not about to let any sun damage my skin!

Now look who's laughing!

Another product that I came across was IKEMES - Face Magic Cover with Pearl Extract. - 30ml (US$18). A make up setting spray which is used to set your makeup in place for up to 8 hours. I dread that 3am look in the bathroom when you can literally see your foundation breaking up with your skin. It's painful to watch and sometimes no matter how much you've prepped, primed and set - your makeup still won't hold in harsh or humid conditions.

The instructions are quite cute, (as all things in Japan are) and show the occasions when Magic Cover can be used. Even in the gym they say! I'm not one to wear makeup to the gym but for all you lunch break gym freaks, this could be quite a helpful time saver in the dash back to the office before you're sitting at your desk eating last nights broccoli, brown rice and chicken combo. We've all been there.

Sport! Waterproof! Important Scene! and the most important - Turtleneck!

I might be the only one who was excited by this product - has anyone else come across effective make up setting sprays? 

I'm ashamed to admit I've done a quick blast of hairspray across my face as I've 'heard' that this helps keep your makeup in place but I just feel sticky afterwards.

Would love to hear any other recommendations!

I didn't want to bore you with an indepth review of each product - rather just bring you interesting beauty finds and show you what is BIG IN JAPAN! (see below).

I wasn't sure what these were either. However I bought one and I'll be posting about it later

I'll be posting more of my product finds along with the important cultural aspects of Japan shortly, for now here's a few interesting items I came across in Tokyu Hands. 






GBI x

Eye Tape? Whaaaaaaaat?!

Beauty for Baby section. Not really. These products are meant to give you 'baby soft' puckered lips. 

At last! The beauty smile trainer I've been looking for. Now I never have to do duckface again. Win.