Keeping up appearances is must for many
JAKARTA (JP): Beauty is only skin deep. Yet, it cannot be denied that many people judge others by their looks, especially at the first meeting. Therefore, it is not surprising that many people spend a lot of time and money to enhance their appearance.
Regular visits to beauty parlors are a must for the seriously vain, not only to get one's hair trimmed, but also for other services, including cream baths, pedicures and manicures.
The Jakarta Post talked to several people about going to beauty salons and body pampaering to boost their looks.
Gladys Suwandi, a 26-year-old film star and owner of a contractor company: I always clean my face before going to bed and spend sufficient time asleep. I also put day cream and night cream on my face. I eat a lot of vegetables, take vitamins and drink a lot of water. But what's more important is that I have a husband who loves me. Being loved is good for your health and beauty.
I go to a beauty salon, Alfon's, only once a week, or maybe less, depending on the time. It's true that you can gossip in a beauty salon. I used to do that when I was younger, as I went there with my friends. But not now, I don't have so much time.
In the salon, I have my hair done, I have a cream bath, a pedicure and a manicure. I never have any facial treatment at the salon. I always do it at home. There is an ibu-ibu (a middle-aged woman) who comes to my place once a week to take care of my face and my body. I have my body scrubbed and also have a milk bath, with sheep's milk ... I have my own equipment for the body scrub. It was made in America.
Either a trip to a beauty salon or body treatment at home takes about three hours.
My budget for all of that is about ... let's say between Rp 500,000 and Rp 750,000 a month.
Camelia Malik, famous dangdut singer and jaipong (traditional Javanese dance) dancer: I go to a beauty parlor only when I need to. I visit a salon twice a month for a cream bath, a manicure and a pedicure. I spends around Rp 60,000 (US$18) on each visit to the salon. I don't have facial treatment very often, maybe only once every three to four months. I regularly have luluran, a traditional body scrub, at home. Cosmetics budget? I don't remember the sum, but of course I spare a special budget. I use part of the budget to buy food supplements, including vitamins. I'm a person who doesn't like to use too much makeup. That's why my cosmetics last longer.
Anton Indracahya, a television talkshow presenter: I frequently go to beauty salons because I have to always look good on the show. I usually go to Johnny's or Rudy's salon to have my hair cut or for a cream bath.
What I want to look better is my upper body. You know, television usually just shoots the upper body.
Lelyana Santosa, a partner at Lubis, Santosa and Maulana law firm: As a lawyer, I have to care about the way I dress and look. I go to a beauty salon in Kebayoran, South Jakarta, once every two weeks to have a cream bath. Once a month, I have my hair cut and have facial treatment. I take special care of my hair and skin.
In the morning, I don't spend much time in front of the mirror, only 15 to 30 minutes.
At night, I always clean my face but I don't use any night cream or day cream. I take vitamin B, C and E.
I spend less than Rp 500,000 on my beauty treatment, cosmetics and vitamins a month. I allocate the money because I need to keep myself fit and neat. I have to dress neatly and look healthy and energetic in front of my clients.
Safwan Natanagara, vice president of PT Indosat: I rarely go to a beauty salon, just once a month to have my hair cut. I started going to the salon after I got married, previously I went to a barbershop. I did not have any idea that men also went to salons.
Now most of the time I go to the salon with my wife. I find that the beauty salon gives better service than the barbershop. The hairstylist cares more and the result is neater. But once I had a bitter experience in a salon which has now closed. The hairstylist was very careless and forgot to finish cutting my hair. When I got home I found that my hair was messy. (icn/cst/sim)