With today’s emphasis on beauty and youth, is it any surprise that some strange beauty practices have emerged? I suppose “strange” is relative—in some cultures, these beauty trends are perfectly normal. Many beauty trends are deeply rooted in cultural beliefs and the healing powers of organic materials.
My first encounter with a so-called “weird” beauty practice was in eighth grade. A Filipina girlfriend confessed that she recently got her period. Her mother told her that in order to have a clear complexion a girl should rub her first “blood” onto her face. My friend reluctantly complied. She never had a pimple; her sister who did not follow this practice was not so lucky.
It seems that Japan is the main driving force of beauty trends these days. From sushi to über cool gadgets, the Japanese influence is undeniable in North America. You need to look no further than Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku Girls or movies such as Memoirs of a Geisha or the countless number of animé clubs.
Mud masks and an assortment of facial creams are part of the average woman’s beauty regime. Some of the following beauty practices may be tough to stomach. They are presented in no particular order.
Nightingale Dropping Facial
What it is: Pretty self-explanatory. Take a wallop of nightingale feces and spread it all over your face like a mask. Well actually, the droppings are sterilized and deodorized through a UV light process. The nightingale dropping mask is applied after an adzuki bean scrub, green tea shea butter or a lymph massage.
Purpose: The excrement from nightingales is believed to improve the complexion and translucency of skin.
Origin: Japan. Originally used by Geishas and Kabuki actors to remove their heavy make-up, nightingale droppings contain Guanine, an enzyme believed to lighten and heal skin. Some monks apply this natural ingredient to soothe their scalps. Don’t poo-poo this facial however; it is now offered in high-end spas around the world in London and Hawaii and can cost approximately US $150.
My 2 cents: Who was the brave soul who first tried this treatment? Perhaps the next time your canine leaves you a smelly surprise, or you are the unfortunate target of a fly-by dropping, you can jump with glee. You may have stumbled upon a goldmine.
24 Carat Gold Facial
What it is: This facial oozes opulence. You’re nobody if you’ve never plastered your face with 24 carat gold leaf. A US company called UMO is the brains behind this treatment. Clients enjoy an 80 minute procedure in which gold leaf flakes are arranged on the face and then gently massaged in.
Purpose: This precious metal is believed to enhance skin’s firmness and reduce wrinkles. According to Ron Razeggi, US Chief Operating Officer, UMO, “The skin tries to reject the gold because it’s a foreign object. In order to do that, it builds new cells. Right now, the body produces new cells every 28 days. But this accelerates the cell-building and, as a result, it firms and tightens the skin.”
Origin: The beautiful Cleopatra slept with a gold mask every night. Chinese empresses used gold rollers to massage their faces. The use of gold for beautification is an ancient practice. The 24 carat gold facial is offered in numerous locations including Japan and the US.
My 2 cents: The facial with the Midas touch is sure to please. People love all things gold from jewelry, to facials and even food.
Leech Treatment
This is considered a health treatment rather than a beauty treatment, however, I felt it worthy of mentioning.
What it is: Suck, suck, suck. This treatment is definitely not for the faint of heart. Demi Moore made headlines earlier this year from confessing her penchant for these suckers. The leeches are placed onto the client’s body where they find a juicy place to sink their teeth. For Demi, the leeches started at her belly button. The patient experiences some minor pain and bleeding and a large dose of the heebie jeebies.
Purpose: Leeches release an enzyme called hirudin into the victim’s client’s blood which helps to detoxify it.
Origin: While Demi Moore received her treatment from Austria, the leech treatment is also available in many other countries. Leeches have been used for medical purposes for thousands of years. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently endorsed the use of leeches as a viable tool in healing skin grafts and reattachment surgery.
My 2 cents: No, please!
Beer Spa
What it is: Nobody likes warm beer. But how about immersing yourself in a large warm tub of the sudsy stuff? If you have to drag your boyfriend to the spa, perhaps he will be more willing to try a beer spa—not only can you soak in beer, you’re also given a few pints to drink.
Purpose: They say that beer contains vitamins (really?!) that improves skin complexion and relaxes tense muscles.
Origin: It seems fitting that the beer spa is offered in great beer countries such as Austria, Czech Republic and Germany. I wonder what type of beer is used to fill up the large hot tubs…
My 2 cents: As tempting as soaking in a vat of warm beer sounds, it sounds a bit gimmicky to me. Won’t soaking in plain warm water also relax tense muscles? And personally I would rather drink the beer to get the “vitamins” than bathe in it. But all doubts aside, I would definitely try out a beer bath just for some drunken fun.
Goldfish Pedicure
What it is: You may never look at that cute guppy in your fishbowl the same way again. We know that fish eat flake food, but did you also know they enjoy feasting on dead, flaky human skin? But don’t worry. These are special fish called gara rufa. Just sit back, relax and watching your feet get nibbled by hundreds of tiny fishies.
Purpose: Nature’s exfoliant. A few minutes of nibbling will leave your feet soft as a baby’s derriere.
Origin: Japan. What would the Japanese do without fish? From delicious sushi to pedicure tools, fish are an essential part of Japanese culture.
My 2 cents: As someone with a low tickle tolerance, allowing my feet to be nibbled non-stop for 15 minutes would be unbearable. I would also worry about animal cruelty if I were to ever involuntarily jerk my feet and squish a school of gara rufa. My answer to a natural exfoliant? Walk on the beach barefoot.
Anti-Aging IV Drip
What it is: Walk into an IV Café. Get hooked up to a machine for 20 minutes. Relax knowing that nutrients are being injected directly into your bloodstream.
Purpose: This service promises to keep shoot-ups youthful by providing skin with a boost of nutrients and your body with a “pick-me-up” to ease everyday stress and fatigue.
Origin: Japan, of course.
My 2 cents: I had childhood asthma so I have first-hand experience with IV machines. They’re no fun. Anti-aging IV drips are an addict’s and hypochondriac’s dream. For an instant “pick-me-up” please just splash some cold water on your face and go for a walk. Or take a nap. Or eat an apple.
Bull Semen Treatment
What it is: Unfortunately, it is exactly what it states—bull sperm. In your hair. The good thing is they dilute Aberdeen Angus Bull semen with an Iranian plant rich in protein called Katera before applying it.
Purpose: Acts as a great moisturizer and leaves you with healthier, shiny hair.
Origin: Japan. It is also available in fancy London salons starting at approximately US $160.
My 2 cents: Personally, I’d rather deal with split-ends and dull hair.
