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

JORDAN - DEAD SEA DELIGHTS.

4 Days off saw me book a ticket to Amman, Jordan to discover what this little gem has to offer.

After a full day of roughing it  and experiencing the cultural history in Petra, we checked in to the Marriot Dead Sea Spa and Resort for some R&R.

The beauty of the Dead Sea is deep -   377 m deep to be exact and is made up of a 33.7% salinity level. 
The density of the sea means you float freely in the salt water while the glorious sun soaks in to your skin and you prepare for the tan of your lifetime.

There's a lot to be said about the healing and beautifying effects of the Dead Sea. The high mineral content of the water has been said to have magical effects on your skin and inner health. Many tourists travel here to experience the benefits of the Dead Sea minerals and natural mud scrub. I spent a full day doing this, then checked in to the spa for a massage and the best facial I've ever had. I know this because I feel asleep 2 minutes in. It was THAT relaxing.


I knew the trip wouldn't be complete without taking some of these products back home and sharing them with friends, so on the way to the airport I stopped to have a chat to one of the largest wholesale retailers of Dead Sea products. I purchased the products I've reviewed based on their recommendation and consumer feedback. There are many different brands of Dead Sea derived products to choose from so I chose 3 different brands and products to make sure I give an accurate review.


Apart from the attractive natural make up of Dead Sea products, I was happy to find that none of these had been tested on animals - otherwise you would not find them on this blog.

1. RIVAGE - Nourishing Body Mud Mask 500 gm - $32 USD

I chose this product in the hope that when I tried it at home it would take me back to the lush day I spent exfoliating with the natural mud, letting it dry and then jumping in to the Dead Sea to let it soak off. And repeat. 

Also, the gorgeous packaging and french connection of the brand really stood out among some of the plainer packaged products. Hey, I'm a marketers dream!

The mask comes in a foil pouch, which makes it incredibly easy to apply. The daunting thing when applying a MUD product is just that - it's Mud. Which is generally dark and messy and should only be applied in the shower.
 The mask boasts Jojoba Oil, Avocado Oil and Papaya extracts and the scent of the product confirms this.
 After showering, I applied the mud mask to my body and let it dry for 25 minutes. 
The mask was surprisingly lightweight and started drying a lot faster than anticipated. I tried not to touch anything/sit of my white linen sheets and felt thankful for my en-suite.

Instructions are to wash the body mask off using warm water and a "circular motion in order to exfoliate dead skin cells".  I did this and truly felt exfoliated and fresh.
 Afterwards, my skin felt soft and dewy but not unlike the result of a typical sugar scrub which is neither as messy or time consuming. 
The product recommends a weekly application. I'll leave this in my shower to remind me to do this, if time permits. Soon after my skin felt a bit dry from the exfoliating so I moisturised and enjoyed my 'new-skin' feeling.


FLY ACROSS THE WORLD FOR IT? If I was comparing this to the Dead Sea experience itself, probably not. But as far as home treatments go, this is a product I would definitely enjoy using on a regular basis to give me a clean refreshed 'spa experience' feel. Also, there is no mention of number of applications per pouch though I'd expect to get at least 5 which makes this a worthwhile purchase when you consider cost per use.

2. JOON - Dead Sea - Dead Cell Remover Cream (Refining & Regeneration) 120 ml - $35 USD

This cream for the face and neck promises to 'target dead cell buildup' and 'rebuild a youthful appearance instantly'. I'm sorry, however any non-surgical cosmetic product that claims to 'instantly' improve your appearance is about as useful as a hole in a bucket. That aside, the product has a gluely feel to it, and I would describe it more as serum based rather than a cream. 
Upon application, I failed to see what the product actually did for me. Maybe the over promising description on the plain packaging let me down as I was expecting to see 5 years shaved off instantly. My face and neck did feel slightly sticky which made me want to wash the cream off after 15 minutes.
The product contains Aloe which I like and is always beneficial for after-sun care.


FLY ACROSS THE WORLD FOR IT? No. However, I'll keep using the cream on a bi-weekly basis, especially post sun to see if I notice any positive changes, or INSTANT youthfulness.. I'll be sure to let you know if I do.

3. DEAD SEA TREASURES - Dead Sea Mineral Bath Salts 240gm - $6 USD

I haven't purchased many varieties of bath salts however DEAD SEA bath salts contain 26 minerals and trace elements, naturally from the dead sea so I felt like this would be an ideal purchase. The product comes in 7 different fragrances and I chose the Lemon for my review. As per the instructions I ran a hot bath and dissolved roughly a third of the product and soaked for 20 minutes. I didn't expect the bath salts to rock my world, but they did calm me while I thought about all the healing properties the minerals of the Dead Sea have. After a quick shower to rinse the salt off I felt relaxed and content.


FLY ACROSS THE WORLD FOR IT? No. Although I wish I purchased much more of this product! I'd take a relaxing hot bath on the regular if I did. Will add candles next time to complete the experience. Bliss.




For anyone thinking about travelling to the Dead Sea I am more than happy to offer any recommendations and advice. One thing I will say is JUST GO. It is one of my most memorable experiences and I can't wait to go back.