Natural permanent hair removal with Thanaka powder and Kusuma oil

Hello my lovelies,

it's been a while, but I'm back with some new ideas that might be interesting and very helpful, both time and money savers on the long run.
Today I am going to talk to you about a topic I believe plenty of us have problems with, body hair.
It is there, no matter what you do it grows back, most of it is not useful in any way for the lifestyle in the present day, but since evolution takes its time we can get ahead and try to find a way to get rid of it.

I have been thinking about laser and various similar methods to get rid of some of the body hair for years now, but I never went for it because I didn't want to take the risk of spending quite some money on the process that might be harmful to my skin and is not going to work for sure.
This brought me to consider natural alternatives to get rid of my body hair permanently, or at least to diminish the quantity, the thickness, the growth time, anything that would reduce the amount of time and money I spend to threat the unwanted hair.

The internet research I did brought me to find out about plenty of methods people have been using for hundreds of years, recipes mothers would pass on their daughters, most of whose ingredients can probably be found in your kitchen cabinet or in the local supermarket. Natural methods take time and might, but don't have to work. It could work for one person and not work for another.

I chose the method I was most attracted to probably because it seemed so exotic to me and because it seems to work for most of the people in the reviews I've read, and I will give it a try in the upcoming months. My goal is to get rid of most of my body hair, but will start with just one part.
We are going to discover together whether it works for me since I am going to run you throughout the whole process which should last for 3 months. Worst comes to worst after the treatment I should still have hairy but silky soft skin.

The method I am going to try is a combination of Thanaka powder and Kusuma oil.

About the products I am going to use:

Thanaka powder

Thanaka powder is made from the bark of at least 35 years old thanaka trees (Limonia Acidissima) that grow mostly in Burma. Burmese women have been using the powder for over 2000 years for sun protection and nowadays still apply it on their faces. This tree powder contains antioxidant properties. Besides sun protection, the natural ingredient can help smoothen skin, clarify and constrict pores, moisturize, and control unnecessary oiliness. Studies have also shown that thanaka has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which help to leave acne skin naturally clear and beautiful.

However, in combination with Kusuma oil is it supposed to leave your skin hairless.

Kusuma oil

Kusuma oil is pressed out of the seeds of the precious Kusuma flower (Schleichera oleosa, Safflower). Safflower oil is a natural anti-inflammatory agent that increases cell membrane integrity. It protects you from high levels of toxins and bacteria in the air. It is especially beneficial for those suffering from psoriasis and eczema. It easily removes dirt and oil without drying out your skin and hair. Since safflower oil is sensitive to both light and heat, its recommended that consumers purchase safflower oil that has been stored in a brown glass bottle, and keep it refrigerated after opening.

I suggest you to use the best quality products because it is better for your skin and it is more likely for it to do the trick. I was very tempted to get cheaper version of the powder and the oil which can be found at online shops such as Amazon, iHerb, eBay etc, and was very skeptic about paying a high price for something I don't know if it's going to work, but I gave it a try. I bought the smallest possible quantity, 65 g of pure Thanaka powder for 35,50 $ and 115 ml of Kusuma oil for 15,50 (it was discounted) on Argo naturals. I have no idea about the quantity I am going to need for 3 months and am not sure I will even use it for that long, so I ordered a small quantity to see how it works on my skin.

My first order from Argo Naturals

I got my bikini sugar waxing appointment tomorrow morning and will start using the paste once I have my pubic hair removed. I will apply the paste on a small area for the first couple of days just to see my skin's reaction to avoid the damage (even though there should be none) on the whole area.

How to use:

- Safflower or Kusuma oil, enough to make a paste
- Thanaka powder, enough to cover your hair ridden skin

1. Mix the oil with thanaka powder to get a paste. Apply this to your unwanted hair area at night      before going to bed and leave it overnight.
2. Wash off with water in the morning. Use regularly for about 3 months to get results.

I also read the following on http://thanaka.net, where you can find some other useful info:

"Massaging the paste is the most important part of the treatment. Therefore make sure that you invest at least 5 Minutes into massaging the paste into the opposite direction of your hair growth. This way you will make sure that it is getting best absorbed by the hair follicle. Once this is done correctly it should be enough if you leave the paste on for only 30-60 minutes and then wash it off.
More important than applying the paste as much as possible is that you use it in a regular time frame. For example every Monday to Friday from 6pm till 7pm. As with all ayurvedic treatments this makes it easier for your body to become accustomed to the treatment."

This is not a sponsored post and I am not in any way connected to Argo Naturals company. I am showing their products because those are the ones I decided to use based on the research I did. I don't know if articles, reviews and experiences I found online were sponsored.

I will keep you updated!

xoxo

Glitter sneaker Vol. 2

 A year ago i made these baby pink ribbon glitterati sneakers. I loved them since before they were born but didn't have that much of a chance wearing them because they cracked after I wore them twice or so.
 This year I decided to give them another chance (the same bad quality shoes) and give them a small twist with a black ribbon.

For a more detailed procedure you can check here.

Which one do you like better?

Parody GIRLS Season 38

"Girls" Parody

A sharp video parody on tv show "Girls", what the characters would be like in 40 years.
I am a fan of the show and I think this is hilarious.
Great job girls!

Lithuania, a single at a wedding and chunks

 This past weekend one of the dearest people in my life got married. My gal, my party-mate and a person who says the words at the same time with me even though we don't see each other or communicate in any way at all, for years, someone who understands me and whom I'll always be fond of.
 My feelings have put my expectations quite high, and I know that even if it would have been really bad, I'd still have had a great time, but it was AMAZING. Nothing more to add.

It was my first time in Lithuania and I knew quite a few things about the country, the people, the traditions, but everything way so surprisingly nice. Most of it thanks to my very welcoming friends and all the positive energy that was floating around us at all times.
 I was amazed by how warm and friendly everyone was, I guess I was expecting more of a northern county treatment but what I received was happy, smiling, ready to help people.

I flew to Vilnius, the capital city, but then I went to the seaside because that is where the wedding was. I stayed at my friend's family house and enjoyed every single bit of it. They were sooo nice to me, but it's my friend's parents, so I guess that doesn't count. It felt like home.

 The weather was nice and sunny, just the right temperature, which was important since the wedding ceremony was close to the beach. It was an international wedding but I had most fun with the locals. :)
Lithuanian guys are really something, trust me on this one. It is always a bit weird not having a date at a wedding, but I think it was much better this way :)

Washing our feet in the Baltic sea

Love the female only beach sign

No need to wash strawberries and some pretty good
black currant wine

A lake at my friend's parents country house

Lighting paper lanterns on the beach

The beach at 6or 8 am, after the wedding

Driving back to Vilnius

Rainy Vilnius view from the University tower

Angel statue in Užupis, an independent bohemic neighborhood in Vilnius and Lithuanian Pont des arts

Now that I've seen it, I can definitely say I will come back, as soon as I can.

Who doesn't like flowers

 Especially when they come in a nice pot, beautifully arranged. I did a small, tiny favor to a friend and got this beautiful thank you gift. Needless to say I wasn't expecting or hoping for nor expecting anything. It was such a lovely gesture and a great surprise.
It really is the small things.

You even get a rose attached to the bag

 It was bought in Au nom de la rose shop in Milan.
Here are some pictures of one of their Milan shops, in via Mercato.

xoxo

 Lately

I know I've been gone for a while now, so I am bringing you a small mix of what I've been up to lately.

My latest customised sneakers in the train, DIY coming up soon

My brother's PHD in Electrical Engineering and Computing defense, I cried like a little baby

Turkish style coffee

A friendly seagull and a ribbon bracelet for the International day against homophobia, the 17th of May

Summer and snow time in May

Another crayon canvas, check here for a DIY

Limoncello preparing for cold winter months

Have a great week!

bisous

The Great Gatsby

It is getting close and closer and I just can't wait for the movie to come out, now more then ever. I love the 1974 version with Mia Farrow and Robert Redford, the story, the acting, the costumes, the music, everything is so good so I am so curious about the new one.
Add the fact that I love Baz Luhrmann's movies, find Leonardo DiCaprio to be a brilliant actor and was totally conquered by Carey Mulligan in "Drive" (if you haven't seen this one, do it, Ryan Gosling's abs, can't go wrong) and you get to understand how excited I am, or somewhere close to it because I'm so waiting for this one!! I can't even watch the trailer because I become so nervous.

Hope you enjoy it!

Recycled music

 A couple of months ago I told you about an amazing documentary I watched, "Waste land" (I hope you did/are going to as well). It showed us everyday life of the recyclable-pickers and I have found it rather awareness-raising as well as a great art project.
 Now I would like to share with you another interesting project. This time I'll let the music do the talking.
Enjoy!

Apple strudel (vegan)

This is the one I made recently, with the supermarket puff pastry

 From what I managed to find out on the internet the original apple strudel is vegan, that's why I have it in brackets. This isn't a simplified version which lacks something or has it substituted, this is the real deal.
 Even though it's one of my favorite desserts and my go to hostess gift for dinner parties (and not only) this is the first time I did everything by myself. I would usually buy the puff pastry, reducing working time on 10 minutes. I thought it was about time to take a plunge and get my hands dirty.

Ingredients:

Dough:
-200 g all-purpose flour
-pinch of salt
-1 teaspoon white vinegar
-approx 1/2 cup lukewarm water

Filling:
-3 apples (2 or 4 would work as well)
-2 tablespoons raisins (soaked in the rum and lukewarm water)
-1 tablespoon pine nuts (toasted)
-2 tablespoons demerara sugar (or any other)
-cinnamon (as much as you like, I think it's never enough)
-juice of half lemon
-breadcrumbs if you like, I skipped this

 Mix the flour in a bowl with with salt and vinegar, add some water and start working it. Add more water gradually as you need it, you'll figure out how much water you need, the dough shouldn't be too sticky. Form a ball and leave it covered on the room temperature for half an hour.

 Cut the apples (I peeled them as well) into small pieces, add lemon juice, raisins, pine nuts (I chopped them up a bit), sugar and cinnamon.

 Roll out the dough on a floured working surface, as thin as you can, into a rectangular shape. Spread your filling over the dough and fold the dough. Close the end like an envelope.

Oven for 40 minutes on 180°C.

Sprinkle with icing sugar.

My strudel turned out a bit pale, so I might have put the oven on 200°C as well, will try that the next time.

Girls, season 2 finale

 For all of you who still haven't seen it, stop reading now, watch the finale and then come back!

 For all rest, what was that?!? Even though I am a huge fan of SATC, Gossip Girl and other chic lit shows, I loved Girls because it was different. It wasn't a happily ever after show and television lacked that in this, young girls/ big city context. It was real, dramatic and, sometimes, disgusting, but that kept it real, closer to us. I'm sure there were times when each one of us could have related to one of the characters, at least for what we could have done. It was no fake promises, stockings from Germany or macarons from Paris, less Nora Ephron, more real life. In the last night's episode it felt as if Lena Dunham said 'let them eat cake'.

 As a result we got:
 Marnie and Charlie are back for good. No, no and no! He should have dumped her after everything he's been through for her, she never really cared about him. I simply don't believe in this type of second chances, I'm sorry Marnie.
 Hannah and Adam? Could have predicted that when they left him in the series, but I so don't like it.
 Shoshanna and Ray? One good thing, that girl has to live her life and not being stuck at home with her world-hating boyfriend.

 I was sure Natalia, or whatever her name was, would dump Adam after he got drunk and kind of raped her. Kind of because in this episode, she is still there, having sex with him, which confirms her consent for the abuse scene from the previous episode. I thought that was totally wrong, but if I think about it better, this is how us girls are, masochists when it comes to men.

My opinion on this season finale isn't the best one because it changed my whole perspective on the show, but I'm looking forward to the third season to see what way it will go.

Pedro the turkey

 Time to time I watch old movies, getting into character comes way more easily than with modern-day cinematography, at least for me. I am not always in the mood for an oldie, nor do I like all of them, but when I find the one I like in the right moment, I keep thinking about that movie for days, running through the scenes in my head.
 Last weekend I watched "Giant", an amazing film starring James Dean whom I like so much (I know it's a cliche', get over it) and Elisabeth Taylor. If you haven't seen it, I'd recommend it.
 There was this one scene with Leslie's (E. Taylor) kids who didn't want to eat Thanksgiving lunch because they realized it was a turkey they were playing with earlier that day. I think it's such a good example of how genuine we all are in early childhood, it's such a pity that growing up we lose that sense of guilt.

This weekend was "The Great Gatsby", I'm slowly getting into the Charleston mood while expecting Baz Luhrmann's version.

Hope you all had a good weekend!

On vegan diet

 Almost two months ago I've decided it was time for me to give a go to the animal friendly diet (it wasn't my new year's resolution, it just happened like that). I decided I would try it for a month, just to see how it is.
 A month has passed yet I haven't gotten back to my old eating habits. I'm doing this the adjusted way, my way, but it still feels great! I don't know how long I will stick with it, I'm not giving any promises, but I'm certain I will always have the compassion in me.

 I have found it very hard to survive on a vegan diet in Italy. I don't want to use it as an excuse, but it really is, trust me! It works perfectly when eating at home, the problem is eating out and at other people's houses. A plant-based diet seems like something so hard to understand, and the few who get it seems they don't accept it. You can't even have a non dairy cappuccino for breakfast!

 At the beginning I was feeling tired and grumpy, but then I got some vitamin B complex supplements which helped a lot. (B12 can be found naturally only in foods from animal sources so supplement is needed.)

 I have put on some weight which might seem weird because people usually go down, but I have been eating way more white carbs than I did before. I still have to work on that even if I did not do this to lose weight.
I think this is psychological, I feel like I'm substituting animal products... I will figure it out eventually.

Here are the pictures of what I have been eating:

 On more than one occasion I was in a situation where I felt uncomfortable refusing food that I "wasn't" supposed to have, so I ate it. If I want to be honest, most of these times I really wanted it.
At my friend's place for a dinner; a friend I haven't seen in ages bringing Laduree macarons for a desert at my place; a friend of mine coming by my place at a late hour with 1 kilo of my favorite ice cream; my (by now) ex flatmate making a Bavarian breakfast just for me (it was an old promise and she had all the ingredients flown in from Germany); my best friend's traditional sushi birthday dinner (and this year it was even a goodbye dinner); my Argentinian friend bringing me traditional cookies from home...

Rose petals macaron; rose petals- white chocolate, pistachio and coffee- almond ice cream; mochi ice cream

Alfajores and mate, Argentinian traditional cookie and drink; Bavarian breakfast; more ice cream

 As you can see I haven't been very strict and for now this is how I will do it. I will cook vegan and tend to buy as many vegan products as I can, but for all the rest, eating out, at other peoples' places etc I will be flexible. This is my way.

 I am well aware vegan is a lifestyle and not a diet, but I'm not there yet. I'm not ready to completely change my lifestyle and I'm not sure I'm even going there, but for now this is where I stand!

If anyone has any advices, especially on the supplements, please fill me in!

3D pen

Isn't this cool!? It is a Kickstarter project, similar to the hot glue gun, but with a completely different output.
Now you can bring your doodles to life for $75.

Saving a sweater, elbow patches

 My flatmate had this sweater since forever I guess, though you could never tell, and she was about to trash it because both of the sleeves were torn under the elbows. Fortunately I stopped her on time, borrowed it for a couple of hours and gave it back refashioned and ready to wear, with the elbow patches on.

Firstly I mended both of the holes to prevent it from further ripping and then I just hand stitched wool patches that I previously cut out from some leftover material I had.

Have a nice week everyone!