Inspirations
EKOTYKI - NATURAL COSMETICS FAIR
Last Saturday, September 30, we had the opportunity to visit the autumn edition of Ekotyki - Natural Cosmetics Fair. The event took place in a well-known place in Krakow - Forum Przestrzenie. Such events show how strongly and dynamically the natural cosmetics market is developing. On the Western market, the trend of natural cosmetics is no longer a niche, their sales and popularity are increasing twice every year. It is slowly becoming a mainstream trend in Poland, which we can see from the popularity of such fairs, among others. This trend is also starting to be clearly visible on drugstore shelves, where separate shelves are already being allocated for natural care. We are very happy that buyers are starting to attach such great importance not only to healthy food, but also to what they feed their skin. It is impossible not to notice how much awareness and knowledge of customers about the composition of cosmetics is growing, we no longer want to lubricate our skin with unnecessary chemicals, parabens, silicones, wash our hair with harmful surfactants. Each of us wants to know not only what we eat, but also what we use to care for our skin. That is why we read the ingredients with great care, attention and curiosity. Due to the great interest in the first edition of the Ekotyki Fair, which took place in March, it was decided to organize an autumn edition as well. A lot of you showed up in March, but this year the turnout was definitely even bigger. Our stand - the Orientana stand was very popular with you, there were a lot of questions, and we tried to tell each of you as much about our products and brand as possible. You came with your families, friends, neighbors, your significant others. It's wonderful to see that what we do makes sense! We create cosmetics addressed specifically to your needs, we want to help you take care of the beautiful, healthy appearance of your skin, we take great care of the quality of our products and we are extremely pleased with your positive reception! Thank you for such a large attendance and shopping at our oriental stand. And we hope to see you at the next edition of the Ekotyka Fair!
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TEN NOVELS WITH INDIA IN THE BACKGROUND WORTH READING
As it is still the holiday season, some of us have more time to read. Books have been my hobby since childhood and I got to know many countries by reading novels about them before I had the opportunity to visit them in person. As you know, I like to travel around Asia, I am fascinated by its culture and nature and I am very curious about people. I am not able to go everywhere, and books will take me to even the most undiscovered regions of the world. I come to you today with a list of books about India that I have read and that I recommend. CHITRA BANERJEE DIVAKARUNI "AT THE FEET OF THE GODDESS" An interesting family saga showing the fate of Indian women. The story of Grandma Sabitri, a baker's daughter living in an Indian village, her daughter Bela, who will leave in search of a better education and a better life in the United States, and her granddaughter, who has never seen her grandmother, but who writes her a letter from distant India when she learns that the girl wants to give up her education and quit her studies. Beautifully described fates of women. MACIEJ WESOŁOWSKI "VERTICAL SPLIT" A colourful and interesting report. The author takes us through India from Varansi where corpses are burned on gathas by the Ganges, to a visit to Rishikesh where in 1968 the Beatles sought eastern spirituality. A lot of interesting information for people who want to visit India and find interesting places there, not only those described by tourist guides. RANA DASGUPTA "DELHI. THE CAPITAL OF GOLD AND DREAM" The author, born in Great Britain, half Indian, half British, settled in Delhi to better understand the city and its people. A colourful reportage about contemporary India, explaining its culture and giving the reasons for many phenomena resulting from a difficult history, which in my opinion is very similar to the history of Poland. Did you know that Independence Day in India is celebrated on August 15? JOANNA IRZABEK "INDIA SPÓŁKA Z OL" A very compensated story that briefly touches on the most controversial topics related to India. You will find information here about how living in the slums you can start a business and become almost a millionaire but still not be accepted by society, how arranged marriages look like, how and why women are treated this way and not differently, and you will read about other most current problems of modern India. VIKAS SWARUP "SIX SUSPECTS" A very interesting crime novel by the author of the novel on which "Slumdog Millionaire" was based. A very complicated and interesting story about the six people in the title, who are suspects in the case of a murder that took place at a party. All the suspects had weapons with them. The road through India leads us to solving the mystery. GREGORY DAVID ROBERTS “SHANTARAM” A terribly thick book that you will either love or hate. This is the true story of an Australian heroin addict. His family life fell apart, he became a bank robber. Sentenced to 20 years in prison by a court, after a few years he escapes spectacularly and becomes one of the most wanted men in Australia. After reaching India, he hides in the slums, where he does a kind of penance for his previous life and tries to be a good person - he heals the poor, but in the process he gets involved with the Bombay mafia. WILLIAM DALRYMPLE "NINE LIVES. IN THE TRAIL OF SACREDNESS IN MODERN INDIA" One of the most interesting collections of reports describing the lives of nine different people through religious experiences. Here we have the opportunity to meet Jains (I really recommend it!), we learn the story of a follower of Jellamma obliged to provide sexual services, and a Buddhist monk who became a guerrilla fighting Chinese soldiers during the annexation of Tibet. WOJCIECH JAGIELSKI "EAST FROM WEST" A moving and interesting story of a Polish woman who left Warsaw taking one backpack with her. She rejected her previous life – studies, apartment, career and chose India to live in, where she seeks spiritual balance. The author also describes the story of a hippie “Saint” – who values free love, drugs and religious communes. They travel along the path of India, which fascinates many who choose it in order to find a different, better spiritual life. And what they find, you will learn from this book. ANNA JANOWSKA "MONSOOON COMES TWICE. A JOURNEY ON THE PEPPER TRAIL THROUGH KERALA, OMAN AND ZANZIBAR" Reportage not only about India, but I chose this book because the author beautifully describes Kerala - a state that I like very much and often visit because it is the capital of Ayurveda. You will read here how the cultivation of not only pepper but also other important spices and herbs has changed over the years. You will get to know the Kerala spa-sanatorium, completely different from what you can find in Thailand, for example. PIOTR KŁODKOWSKI "THE EMPIRE OF GOD HANUMAN. INDIA IN THREE VIEWS" This is a book written by a former Polish ambassador to India. We get to know India from the political perspective – we have the opportunity to meet statesmen, incredibly wealthy businessmen, influential journalists and Bollywood stars. We get to know the interesting history of India and its connection with the history of Poland – it is really interesting how much we have in common. The author also shows the fate of ordinary people: salespeople, taxi drivers, servants. Summary: My goal is not to summarize these items, but only to indicate what you can expect and encourage you to reach for these items. The order is very random, they are different and everyone will definitely find something for themselves
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ORIENTANA CHARITY - Magic STAR
On DECEMBER 9, we took part in a charity meeting "A Christmas Full of Magic" at the Radisson Blu Sobieski Hotel in Warsaw. It was a meeting organized for children from an orphanage. Orientana was a sponsor of the Christmas bauble painting workshops! The Christmas meeting was led by Paulina Koziejowska (journalist from Nowa TV) and Natalia Siwiec. WHO TOOK PART IN THE MEETING WITH CHILDREN On this beautiful day, we were joined by actress Anita Sokołowska and Nicole Bogdanowicz known from the series "Przyjaciółki", Paulina Chruściel (actress who played in the series "Singielka"), Monika Dryl (known from "Barwy szczęścia", "Klan", participant of the program "Twój Twarz Brzmi znajomo"), Marcelina Zawadzka (presenter of "Pytanie na Śniadanie", host of "Bake off - ale ciacho", Miss Polski 2011), Agnieszka Kaczorowska (dancer of "Dancing with the Stars"), Adrianna Pałka (athlete, personal trainer), Katarzyna Krupa (dancer, presenter) and Rafał Maślak (Mister Polski 2014). Our festive table was also joined by the finalists of the program "Masterchef" - Ola Nguyen, Laurentiu "Lorek" Zediu, Martyna Chomacka and "Masterchef Junior"! Congratulations to Oli Nguyen on winning the show! WHAT WERE THE ATTRACTIONS? Everyone, together with the children, created beautiful baubles, read books together, played games and cooked Christmas dishes. Delicious dishes and desserts were created, the participants of "Masterchef Junior" helped with cooking and gave valuable tips. It was a day full of fun, filled with love and joy! The children spent the day with celebrities and bloggers. There was no end to laughter, group photos and autographs! Our little ones also received lots of presents from Santa Claus! At the end of our Christmas meeting, when leaving, the children said that they felt "like in paradise". It is wonderful that we could bring a smile to their faces together. They will definitely remember this magical day for a long time! We are glad that Orientana could contribute to this happy day for them!
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SIKH - MEET PEOPLE FROM INDIA
Sikhs – we encounter them more and more often on Polish streets. Turbaned men look exotic and foreign, but there's nothing to fear. They're wonderful people. As you know, before I created the Orientana brand, I spent a lot of time in India, mainly learning the principles of Ayurveda, which I applied in my natural cosmetics. In this post, I'd like to tell you about the Sikhs. I found them a very interesting religious and social group, which I had the opportunity to meet in India. In Poland, we know little about them, and I've noticed that they are often confused with Muslims. So, if you ever see someone wearing a turban, be sure they're a Sikh. In India, they constitute a relatively small group, making up only about 2% of the population, but they are most recognizable for their turbans and thick mustaches and beards. I've met several Sikhs; they are educated people with open minds and hearts. It's a Sikh who is responsible for maintaining GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and ISO standards for the production of natural cosmetics at the factory in India, where we produce only some of our cosmetics. I asked him to explain his religion and who the Sikhs are. WHO ARE THE SIKHS? WHO IS THE MAN IN THE TURBAN? Sikhs originate from Punjab, and in their language, Sikh means "disciple." Although the largest number of Sikhs live in India, they are not Hindus. Sikhism is the fifth largest religion, with 25 million followers worldwide. Sikhs believe in one God, equality, freedom of religion, and social service. They cover their hair, which they haven't cut since childhood, with a colorful turban. The turban represents a commitment to equality and justice. Sikhism emphasizes the equality of all men and women, which I really appreciate. Sikhs believe in three fundamental principles: meditating on the existence of God (prayer), earning a living honestly (industriousness), and sharing the fruits of their labor with others (charity). SIGH WILL HELP EVERYONE It was this charitable spirit that I so admired about the Sikhs. I saw it firsthand in India. While visiting their gurdwara in Delhi, I noticed a large group of people sitting at the side of the temple, as if waiting for something. It turned out they were pilgrims and the needy, waiting for a meal. The temple serves meals to the poor every day, and everyone is involved in this work. At each gurdwara, huge kitchens and areas are being built where people eat what volunteers have prepared for them. Anyone can enter the kitchen and observe the preparation of the free meals, but they can also get involved and selflessly help others. I observed people even bringing their children along, joining in the preparation of dough or rolling out huge quantities of roti. A meal will be provided to anyone who needs it, regardless of religion or background. Anyone can come to the gurdwara, and everyone will receive support. At the appropriate time, those waiting are admitted into the vast dining hall, wash their hands, sit cross-legged on the floor, and patiently wait for their food. A Sikh walks among the people with a giant pot and ladle, pouring lentil soup for everyone, while another distributes hot roti flatbreads. The community kitchen is a symbol of equality and brotherhood. Believe me, it's impressive. It sent shivers down my spine. FOR A SIKH ALL ARE EQUAL Equality is of paramount importance to Sikhs. Their religion rejects all distinctions based on caste, creed, gender, color, race, or national origin. All are equal and should be treated equally. For Sikhs, God is not found in isolation or through renunciation of the world, but is achieved as an active member of one's family and community. SIKHISM RECOGNIZES THE EQUALITY OF MEN AND WOMEN The Sikhs' treatment of women is interesting. The Sikh faith recognizes women as equal to men and defines God as gender-neutral. It is one of the few religions in the world to do so. In a gurdwara or within the Sikh community, there is no activity that is permissible for a man but not for a woman. There is no religious function that prevents women from engaging in it at any time. SIKHs work hard Sikhism is a practical religion, and Sikhs are pragmatic people. Their community emphasizes leading a hard-working, successful life, and the achievements and successes of others are highly valued. Thanks to their education and hard work, these people truly achieve a very successful life and high social status. However, they are constantly mindful of others, those in need, and support them in any way they can. Cooperation for peace and harmony in the world is also important. If you encounter a Sikh on the street (there are already 5,000 of them in Poland), remember this post and smile. Sikhs are a peaceful people who are very tolerant, honest, and kind. And if you want to learn more about the Orientana brand, which I created inspired by Asian nature, read About us .
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BIO HENNA HOW TO CHOOSE A COLOR?
Are you wondering what henna is and how to choose the color of this natural paint? We will tell you in this post. What is henna? How to choose the color of henna? 100% natural henna for hair is a plant-based product that is made exclusively from the leaves of a plant called lawsonia inermis . It is a natural dye, known for thousands of years, used to color hair, skin (e.g. mehendi) and textiles. Henna is valued for its coloring, hair strengthening and care properties. Henna is a powder made from ground and dried Lawsonia leaves. The main active ingredient is Lawsonia , a natural dye that binds to the keratin in the hair, giving it color and shine. 100% natural Henna does not contain any chemical additives, preservatives, oxidants or artificial colors. In India, henna is also a variety of herbal mixtures adapted to dye hair in specific colors. Orientana offers various types of henna, which not only give hair a beautiful color, but also care for it. HENNY Orientana - 100% natural hair dyes will help you emphasize or deepen your color, as well as completely change it. The most popular color in our store is Henna Dark Chocolate. How to use 100% natural henna for hair? Preparing henna: Mix the powder with lukewarm water or herbal tea until you obtain a thick paste. Leave in a warm place for a few minutes to activate the dye. App: Apply the paste to dry or slightly damp hair, distributing evenly. Put on a foil cap and wrap your head with a towel to keep warm. Operating time: Leave on hair for 1 to 2 hours, depending on the desired effect. Rinse: Rinse the henna thoroughly with water, without using shampoo. The final color develops within 48 hours as the dye oxidizes on the hair. HENNA HOW TO SELECT A COLOR WITH MIXTURES Henna Dark Chocolate Main ingredients: Indigofera tinctoria : Gives cool, brown tones to hair. Lawsonia inermis : Natural henna, strengthens the hair and adds shine. Amla (Emblica officinalis) : Rich in vitamin C, it strengthens hair follicles and adds volume. Bhringraj (Eclipta alba) : Known as the "king of hair", it strengthens hair structure and prevents hair loss. Henna Hazelnut Main ingredients: Indigofera tinctoria : Gives a deep brown colour. Lawsonia inermis : Strengthens hair, giving it a healthy shine. Amla (Emblica officinalis) : Acts as a conditioner, strengthens hair follicles and restores shine to hair. Bhringraj (Eclipta alba) : Thickens hair, stimulates growth and prevents hair loss. Henna Caramel Brown Main ingredients: Lawsonia inermis : Responsible for the warm, light brown shade. Amla (Emblica officinalis) : Moisturizes and regenerates hair. Neem (Azadirachta indica) : Has antibacterial properties and supports scalp health. Shikakai (Acacia concinna) : Natural cleansing agent, improves hair structure. Henna Mahogany Red Main ingredients: Lawsonia inermis : Gives an intense red color with mahogany tones. Amla (Emblica officinalis) : Improves hair structure, giving it shine. Bhringraj (Eclipta alba) : Supports hair regeneration and growth. Neem (Azadirachta indica) : Supports scalp health. Henna Ebony Black Main ingredients: Indigofera tinctoria : Provides a deep, black color. Lawsonia inermis : Provides shine and nourishment to hair. Amla (Emblica officinalis) : Strengthens and regenerates hair. Bhringraj (Eclipta alba) : Thickens hair and prevents hair loss. Henna Colorless Cassia Cassia Colorless Henna does not dye the hair but nourishes it and makes it look better. Main ingredients: Cassia obovata (Senna) : Acts as a conditioner, strengthens and thickens hair, giving it a natural shine. Neem (Azadirachta indica) : Supports scalp health. Shikakai (Acacia concinna) : Strengthens hair and has a cleansing effect. Amla (Emblica officinalis) : Adds a healthy shine to hair. All Orientana hennas are 100% natural, free from chemical additives such as ammonia or PPD. Thanks to the use of plant ingredients, the products not only color the hair, but also strengthen and care for it. HENNA HOW TO CHOOSE A COLOR FOR YOUR HAIR 100% natural henna for hair is an excellent choice for people who want to take care of the health of their hair, avoid chemical dyes and focus on natural solutions. It works as a dye, conditioner and strengthening agent, while being a safe and ecological product. Natural hair - henna how to choose the right color You will get a color change or a deepening of the hair shade. Your hair will gain multidimensional color, will have a wonderful shine, will become thicker, will look healthy and beautiful! Chemically dyed hair - henna how to choose the right color If you have dyed your hair in the past 30 days, it is worth doing a color test on a single strand of hair. Close to the scalp, where natural hair grows, the color may initially be slightly less intense and stronger at the ends of the hair. Over time, the differences in shade will even out. Hair lightening, balayage, highlights, bleached, after a permanent wave - henna how to choose the color With this type of dyeing, it is necessary to perform a test – a test on a hair strand. Depending on the lightener or bleach used, hair may react to herbs in different ways. If you still want to experiment, remember that the green shade that may appear on henna-dyed lightened hair can be washed off with tomato puree, Gray hair - Henna how to choose the right color It is also necessary to perform a test – a test on a hair strand. Gray hair can be dyed with henna with good results. Small streaks of gray hair will probably be covered with one color, but with larger streaks and a large amount of gray hair, even regrowth, you need to perform two-step hennaing. The coloring effect depends on the degree of pigment loss by the hair and the selected HENNA color. If you want to achieve an intense shade of Dark Chocolate or Ebony Black and your hair is already very gray, you must first dye your hair with Mahogany Red. This can be done over the weekend. On Friday evening we dye our hair with Mahogany Red henna, which covers the hair without pigment. On Saturday we dye it with the chosen color, which covers the red henna. On Monday our hair is ready and has a beautiful fresh color. Properties of 100% natural henna Coloring: Henna gives hair beautiful colors. The effect depends on the natural color of the hair. Henna does not lighten hair because it does not contain chemical oxidants. Hair strengthening: Henna covers the hair with a protective layer, making it thicker, more resistant to damage and brittleness. Reduces the problem of split ends. Scalp care: Henna has antibacterial and antifungal properties, which can help fight dandruff. Regulates sebum production, supporting the health of the scalp. Natural shine and volume: Thanks to the protective layer provided by the dye, the hair gains a healthy shine and looks thicker. Benefits of 100% natural henna for hair Safe: Contains no chemicals or irritants, making it suitable for sensitive scalp. Ecological: Biodegradable and environmentally safe product. Permanent: The colour effect lasts for several weeks, gradually fading naturally. Multifunctional: Colours, strengthens and cares for hair at the same time. What to avoid when buying henna? Mixtures with chemicals: Some products labeled henna contain artificial dyes such as PPD (p-phenylenediamine), which may cause allergic reactions. Contaminants: Make sure the henna is clean, free of sand, heavy metals, or other contaminants. Buy henna from trusted brands that have been on the market for a long time. Summary 100% natural henna for hair is an excellent choice for people who want to take care of the health of their hair, avoid chemical dyes and focus on natural solutions. It works as a dye, conditioner and strengthening agent, while being a safe and ecological product.
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Holidays in Asia - little-known places
Holidays in Asia. Who doesn't dream of them? I recommend destinations for total peace and quiet that are worth visiting. EIGHT DESTINATIONS IN ASIA WORTH RECOMMENDING I receive requests from you to indicate interesting destinations in Asia. Many of you ask about places that will allow you to relax in peace, away from civilization, with few tourists, on deserted beaches, but at the same time you want them to be interesting places for tourists. There are many such places in Asia. Below is my subjective list. Asia for me is peace and quiet. Being close to nature, healthy food, walks and yoga. I quickly escape from big cities where the plane from Poland arrives. I like Bali but in Asia there are less popular places where you can spend beautiful moments. FLORES ISLANDS, INDONESIA These are a dozen or so smaller islands located close to each other and it is worth finding a place on one of them. It is close to interesting tourist places such as the Komodo or Rinca islands, where Komodo dragons live. I flew to Labuan Bajo from where I took a boat to the Seraja island where there was only one ecological hotel, no signal and basically no internet. I lived in a bungalow right by the sea and after swimming literally 20 meters a beautiful underwater reef full of turtles and colorful fish began. In moments free from diving you can go trekking around nearby mountainous islands from where beautiful views spread out, you can sail to the so-called pink beach and sail to bays full of rays. This really is a hidden paradise. GILI DEGE, INDONESIA A small and peaceful island with a few hotels. There are 26 Gili Islands in total, but this one is an oasis of peace and quiet, unlike Trawangan Gili where there are endless parties. You get here from Bali by boat. The island is called "secret" by the locals and is only 4 km long. Despite the fact that it is a small island and I had the impression that our hotel was the only one on the island, there were villages inhabited by very nice locals around. The island is surrounded by beautiful beaches with moraine bays where you can swim with young sharks. Indonesian villages are very interesting because everything happens outside. People sleep on terraces on stilts in front of their houses, farm animals walk peacefully next to them, and children play and look at tourists with interest. I had the impression that my family and I are a huge attraction for them. KERALA, INDIA It is worth visiting Kerala and sailing through the beautiful Karelian backwater channels. A plane from Poland will take us to Kochi, from where we can travel further to the very source of Ayurveda. It is worth finding an Ayurvedic center and staying there for two weeks. You can find more in my post "Ayurvedic treatments in Kerala" - where I describe in detail what a stay in such a center looks like. GAYA ISLAND, MALAYSIA It is a large Malaysian island near Kota Kinabalu, where I flew by plane and then sailed by water. It can be a boat provided by a hotel or a small public ferry. This time we chose a hotel consisting of houses on the water, so we could jump straight from the bedroom into the clear blue abyss. Gaya Island is located in a national park, so the hotel we stayed in was fully ecological. It had another big advantage - there was a marine educational center next to the hotel. The Marine Ecology Research Center is a scientific center where you can learn a lot about ocean life. You can also take a piece of coral reef under your care there and "plant" your own coral, and then receive photos and reports on how it grows until it is transplanted from the nursery to a real reef. Our family supported the reconstruction of the coral reef in Malaysia, and my children were very proud of it. GOA, INDIA A state of India known for its tourist attractions with beautiful, golden beaches and coconut palms. There are many small hotels offering tasty, healthy food, yoga courses and spa treatments. The Goa coast is green, full of lush vegetation. Banana and mango trees grow here, rice and spices are grown. Everywhere you can see white chapels from the times when the Portuguese ruled here and colorful Hindu temples. I recommend going to Calangute, where there are beautiful beaches and small charming hotels. We spent a few days in such a hotel after an exhausting visit to Delhi. SABAAH, BORNEO, MALAYSIA You can have a wonderful holiday in the middle of the jungle, but without beaches or swimming pools. This is a good place for guided hiking. It is quiet, wonderful and very close to nature. I recommend Borneo Rainforest Lodge in Danum Valley Conservation Area, a place carefully guarded by the Malaysian authorities. It is a national park, where you can only enter if you have a spot in the Rainforest Lodge. There are no such random people, the place is protected from poachers and noisy tourists. I watched with surprise as our documents were checked in front of a huge barrier blocking the entrance to the jungle. I spent two weeks in the middle of the rainforest, observing animals in the wild, walking on hanging bridges, which make it very easy to observe nature. It is full of charming places - bays and waterfalls with fish. You have to watch out for the omnipresent leeches, but this is real wildlife at your fingertips. KOH SAMUI, THAILAND I don't know about today, but a few years ago Koh Samui was a quiet, peaceful island full of spas, massage parlors and fantastic open-air bars serving the best Thai cuisine for pennies. We can relax here on beautiful beaches, but we can also do some sightseeing - it's worth visiting the Wat Phra Yai temple and the Big Buddha, as well as the complex of temples with the statue of the Chinese goddess of mercy Guanyin. We traveled around the island in search of the best beaches and interesting tourist spots, which took our breath away. However, everything is less intense and calmer than in Phuket and there are fewer tourists. PHU QUOC, VIETNAM A large island in the Gulf of Thailand, on the border with Cambodia but full of quiet, wild and peaceful places with access to your own beach. Here we dived, practiced yoga, meditated and ate delicious Vietnamese dishes. Peace and quiet with the possibility of visiting interesting places and sailing to smaller islands. Here you can really relax.
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Cosmetics straight from the kitchen. Recipes for homemade masks and scrubs.
In our cosmetics, we are guided by the principles of Ayurveda. One of them is that we do not put anything on the body that you cannot eat. Orientana natural cosmetics are full of ingredients that you will find in your kitchen. These are pomegranate, cherry, turmeric, saffron, ginger, green tea, honey, cinnamon or papaya. Thanks to them, you can have a more beautiful complexion, strong nails or hair. Look into your fridge or kitchen cabinet and see how many cosmetic ingredients you have in it - superfoods for the skin! You are probably also familiar with moringa, which you drink in cocktails or teas. Due to its amazing antioxidant effect (it contains as many as 46 antioxidants!) it was chosen as the superfood of 2018! Now it's time to do something for your skin from the ingredients you use to make desserts or salads. And you can really do a lot. In this post today, we'll present you with a few ideas for homemade face masks, scrubs or masks! Maybe you have some of your own favorite methods? After all, our kitchen hides so many wonders rich in vitamins, minerals, fatty acids. Let's use them! THE WAY TO GET SMOOTH, SILKY SOFT HANDS Are your hands rough and dry? Make an avocado mask. How? Mash half an avocado with a fork, add an egg yolk, a teaspoon of honey, a teaspoon of bran and 10 drops of evening primrose oil. Mix everything together. Rub the mixture into your hands (you can also rub it into your feet!). PERFECT SKIN WITHOUT DISCOLORATIONS Do you know what is an effective way to deal with acne discolorations and scars? Use a very simple ingredient that you sometimes add to tea. Yes, it's lemon juice! Soak a cotton pad in the juice and apply it to your skin for a few minutes (no more than 15 minutes!). Then wash your face. Do this in the evening after removing your makeup. You will notice a brighter face, but it is also a great way to tighten pores! A FRESH, RESTED LOOK Everyone probably knows the method with cucumber slices. We put the cooled slices on our eyes and relax lying down for 10-15 minutes. Then we wash our face with cold water. This is a great proven idea for dark circles under the eyes and puffiness!! It also has an astringent, smoothing, cleansing and refreshing effect on the skin. THE WAY TO BEAUTIFUL HAIR Do you know what the secret product is? A cheap one that is well-known to us – vinegar! A great way to have smooth and shiny hair! Okay, so we have vinegar, so what should we do with it now? Add half a glass of vinegar to water and rinse your hair with it after washing! What does vinegar do to our hair? It has an acidic pH, so it closes hair cuticles, prevents them from tangling and allows for thorough washing off of all cosmetics. It will also take care of the scalp, fight dandruff and prevent oiliness. EFFECTIVE HOME MAKEUP REMOVAL Did you know that oils are the best way to remove makeup? This is because fats dissolve best in oils, and makeup is nothing more than fats. You can use slightly warmed olive oil to cleanse your skin. Wet your skin, massage the oil in, and rinse it off with warm water. If your skin is dry, you don't have to wash the oil off thoroughly, just wipe your face with a cotton pad. Did you know that olive oil will also strengthen your eyebrows and eyelashes? HAIR LIKE BEACH WAVES To get them, all you need to do is get a can of coca-cola. Mix it with a little water and pour it into the atomizer. You can now spray dry strands. You don't have to buy a texturizing hair spray anymore! SEXY SHINY LEGS Mix half a glass of olive oil with half a glass of coarse sea salt and rub into damp skin of legs and buttocks in circular motions! Your legs will shine sensually after such a scrub and your skin will be firmer. A REMEDY FOR SUNBURNED SKIN If you sit in the sun for too long, try applying a mixture of a few spoons of natural yogurt with half a grated cucumber to your skin. Leave it on your skin as long as possible! A method with just kefir or buttermilk will also be good, which you probably know from your grandmothers or mothers. CINNAMON PEELING - DRY SKIN In a bowl, mix five teaspoons of sugar and 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon. Add olive oil to create a uniform paste. Apply the scrub to your face and neck, avoiding the eye area. Massage gently in circular motions and rinse with water. The scrub soothes dryness, and your skin becomes soft and moisturized! COFFEE SCRUB WITH SALT Mix a tablespoon of salt (fine or coarse) and two tablespoons of freshly ground coffee and a teaspoon of cinnamon. Add unscented shower gel to create a fairly thick consistency of the mixture. Now it's time to gently massage the entire body, especially the thighs, hips, feet and stomach. Rinse the body with alternating warm and cold water and then pat in a moisturizing or firming balm. The scrub removes dead skin, smoothes and makes the skin soft. QUICK AND EASY HAIR MASK You need a glass of flaxseed, which you pour boiling water over. It will create a pudding consistency, which you need to pass through a sieve or gauze. You will only need a liquid, without seeds, which you apply to clean, damp hair. We keep it for a few minutes, then rinse it off. The hair will be moisturized and nourished. You can also make a mask with turmeric, the recipe for which can be found in our previous post Turmeric and its amazing properties . Now choose your recipe and organize some relaxation time for yourself with cosmetics from your kitchen! I wonder which one you will choose? Maybe you know some other interesting and effective recipes?
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10 THINGS THAT SURPRISED ME IN TOKYO
ANIMAL CAFE In the cafe you can cuddle and pet various animals not seen in Japanese homes, such as an owl, a fennec fox, a rabbit, a guinea pig. There are also cafes with only cats. The Japanese have very small apartments and are often not allowed to keep animals in them. More and more Japanese people do not form relationships, they do not have another person to live with, so they seek closeness with animals. They sit in such a cafe, drink quite expensive coffee and cuddle cats. PEOPLE IN MASKS I understand wearing masks when we have an infection. It is a kind of responsibility that is difficult for us to understand but very common in other Asian countries. I am used to it. However, in Japan, masks are also worn for two other reasons. And probably for these reasons, they are worn more often. When riding the subway in Tokyo, you will notice that there are often more people with masks than without. Why? It is a kind of isolation, the Japanese want to cut themselves off from others in this way, discourage contact and acquaintance. Another reason is to cover minor skin imperfections or lack of make-up. Did you get a pimple? Put on a mask and cover it. A mask is an essential product here and everyone has one at home. BALL MACHINES FOR ADULTS Do you remember those machines with plastic balls? After inserting a coin and turning the lever, a ball flies out, which has a surprise inside - a plastic figurine. In our country, there are usually one or two such machines in a place where children appear, because they are the ones who persuade their parents to insert a coin. In Tokyo, I saw entire walls of such machines and they are mainly used by adults. There is still a plastic toy in the ball. The Japanese call them Gashapon. Gashapon toys are figurines of characters from Japanese manga, games or anime, but also figurines from the American entertainment industry. Yes, adults here collect plastic Spiderman figurines. PEDOPHILE MANGA The Japanese have really great bookstores – several floors, including at least two floors occupied by manga – a type of Japanese comic book. There is a section of pornographic manga (homosexual and heterosexual) as well as comics about intimate relationships between adults and children. It was a shock for me. In Japan, having sex is legal with a person from the age of 13 (if they agree – I don't know how to comment on that ☹)! "Light" child pornography is also legally available. The "heavy" kind was legal until 2014. Manga in which adults have fun with children in bed is within arm's reach here. It didn't even surprise me, but it did make me nervous. RESTAURANTS WHERE YOU ORDER AND PAY AT THE MACHINE In the totally old-school-looking, tiny bars serving udon noodles (in 12 or more varieties) they don't have waiter service - you don't order or pay a human here. When you enter, you come across a cabinet with a selection of dishes - here you press the appropriate button, choose a dish and pay. You hand the receipt to the cook, who immediately gets to work. PROFESSIONAL KARAOKE STUDIOS Karaoke as we know it in Poland is no match for Japanese karaoke. These are small professional recording rooms that you usually rent with friends. You can order drinks and snacks for such a room, but most importantly you can rent a stage outfit. And so, dressed as Cher, I could perform her greatest hits - and see it all on the monitor as if I was giving a real concert. For many Japanese, karaoke has a therapeutic effect, they treat it as relaxation after work, and that is why in districts where there are many offices there are also many such karaokes. FOOD SHOPPING MALL How surprised I was that in Tokyo there are shopping malls with only restaurants and no shops. In a huge multi-story building you have a choice of dozens of restaurants and bars where you can eat and drink alcohol. These bars and restaurants are crowded in the evening because after work everyone goes to eat something - Japanese people rarely cook in their apartments because they either don't have a kitchen or they don't have permission from the owner of the property because the smell can bother the neighbors. Everyone there probably eats out! PACZINKO - GAME AROUNDS These are places so crowded and smoky with cigarette smoke, and so loud that it's hard to stand for a few minutes. In addition to the shooting and scoring machines, where adults sit with poker faces (so I don't know if they win or lose), there are machines for pulling out plushies. These are also besieged by adults - they pull out plushies from Moomins, Pokemon, Harry Potter. POPULAR SWEETS AND SNACKS IN STRANGE FLAVORS In specialized shops in Tokyo we can buy Kit Kat in flavors that I have not seen in Europe or the USA or anywhere else. Kit Kat in matcha tea flavor, apple, strawberry and others. Pringles in flavors of octopus dishes, with lime and chili, cinnamon and wasabi. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE - ROBOTS IN BANKS In Japan, which is known for its technological innovations, I met for the first time robots the shape and size of a large child, which helped with customer service in a bank. You could communicate with them freely, ask a substantive question and receive an answer. It was great! My trip was purely business but I had some time to walk around the city. In Tokyo, Orientana presented natural cosmetics at the Cosme Tokyo cosmetics fair.
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HOW DO HONG KONG PEOPLE DEAL WITH STRESS?
I was last in Hong Kong six years ago and I can tell you that changes are happening quickly, because I hardly recognize the city now. And its inhabitants too? A few years ago there was more British influence here and the city seemed calmer. What is Hong Kong like today? Very interesting modern architecture, luxury shops and a lot of Teslas on the streets, but also... smog, noise, excessive activity of residents and overstimulation. Hong Kong residents suffer from overwork and huge competition in the workplace. They have no prospects for their own apartment (1 m2 in a good location in Hong Kong costs about PLN 100,000), they have no time for friendships and relaxation, they live in constant crowds and noise. The Chinese, and especially those who live in Hong Kong, are very loud, shouting at each other, talking on phones, honking and screaming. I have seen their aggressive behavior more than once. All this makes them one of the most stressed groups in the world, and the suicide rate and mental illness rate there is increasing rapidly. I spoke to Hong Kong residents because I wanted to find out how they cope in such a difficult environment. Here are some of the basic ways Hong Kong residents relieve stress: ACUPUNCTURE There are many salons in Hong Kong that offer body needling. Needling equalizes the flow of energy in the body, brings balance to the body, can treat all kinds of neuroses and obsessions. Acupuncture increases blood circulation and tissue oxygenation, reduces heart rate and lowers blood pressure, helps manage stress hormone, releases endorphins and relaxes muscles. USING ASIAN HERBS In Chinese medicine, there are hundreds of herbs specifically used to achieve body balance and thus reduce stress. The goal of Chinese medicine is to have the body function in harmony. Stress can be combated with a proper lifestyle, and in extreme cases, you should go to a herbal shop, of which there are many on the streets of Hong Kong. A good herbalist will be able to determine where imbalances occur and will prescribe the appropriate herbal mixture. It is popular to drink valerian or chrysanthemum tea every day and eat the fruit of the common jujube, which has a strengthening effect for people with delicate and sensitive health. FIRE THERAPY Fire therapy (huǒ liáo) involves heating larger areas of the body with fire. The procedure involves isolating the skin with a warm, wet towel. An isopropyl alcohol solution diluted with water is spread over the isolated skin, e.g. on the back, a fire is lit for a few seconds, and then extinguished with a warm, wet towel. This procedure draws toxins out of the body and reduces tension in the body. QIGONG GYMNASTICS It is a popular exercise that combines meditation with tai chi movements. It is usually done outdoors and slows down the heart rate, relaxes muscles, causes breathing to stop and lowers blood pressure. Regular daily exercise for 5 to 30 minutes can help relieve stress. MEDITATION Meditation is a great way to relieve stress. The Chinese have been meditating for thousands of years and it is one of the pillars of their tradition. It helps lower blood pressure and eliminate cardiac arrhythmia, improves sleep quality, relieves headaches and migraines, and reduces chronic pain. If your life is also full of stress, you can try the methods of coping with stress described above. In Poland, you probably won't try fire therapy, but acupuncture is available. I also encourage you to meditate. If you would like to try it, you can learn it, for example, in yoga schools.
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