I sorta got inspired by the blog post of Mrs. O of the same title to write about an experience of mine! I didn’t plan on really writing about it at first, but what the heck… it’s too funny not to!
The famous Indonesian creme bath
Monday last week I totally went local and went to a neighborhood salon, where an Indonesian I know goes to get her traditional creme baths done. Creme baths are very popular here in Indonesia. It’s their version of a hot oil. They massage a traditional cream onto your hair and scalp, leave it on your head with some heat on, then while waiting you get a back and shoulder massage – sometimes with their famous Lulur scrub! They give really GOOD massages here in Indonesia. And it’s funny how the Filipino guys I know wouldn’t dream of getting a hot oil in the Philippines love getting creme baths here – even the ones without hair! E you know I am talking about you!
I arrived at the salon and the women were nice and I can’t say the place was very clean, but the masseuse was very good. But what really surprised me was that the 2 women flanking me were smoking! Not very pleasant for a non-smoker like me but what the heck? I am going local after all, so I’m not just going to get my feet wet but dive in head first! After having a smoke, their orders of bakso (a kind of soup) arrived from a nearby Warung. I was sorta proud of myself for hanging in there – after all I can just wash the smoke after right? RIGHT?!?
Big sexy curls is de rigueur
Boy was I wrong! =P Basically after the relaxing massage, they wrapped a steaming hot towel around your head, rinsed, then gave me the standard big blow-out (Big sexy curls and imeldific coifs is as desired here Indonesia, as straight hair is in the Philippines!). I had to be clear that I wanted my bangs flat down – NOT big and poofy like the 80’s! Unfortunately all that heat sorta cooked the smoke into my hair! And my hair was smelling like smoke for about a week and a half after! LOL!
I can’t forget one morning about a week after my creme bath, TD gave me a good bye kiss then told me with a straight face “your hair still smells like smoke.”
I guess I’ll have to find some other cheap neighborhood salon (Rp 65,000 for creme bath, massage and blow-dry) that doesn’t allow smoking! If you know of a cheap and clean place, I am totally game to try it! Drop me a line.
UPDATE: I finally found this amazing salon that is clean, has amazing service and is very well managed. Best of all everyone speaks English!
itje’s in jl. cipete. THE BEST!
Yey! Thanks for the reco! Can’t wait to check it out!
That’s Indo for you!!! 🙂 That’s totally going local 🙂 I hope the smell’s gone now sweetie?
LOL! After the third week the smell was completely gone! Thankfully!!
I haven’t done cream bath in over a year. I can’t believe your hair smelled like smoke for a week! Please let us know after you check out ITJE mentioned above. 🙂
I’d like to, but I think I’ll feel braver if I had someone to go with me. Do you wanna plan a cream bath adventure? =P
you could try johny andrean..available at mall ( sometimes i also try the training salon from johny andrean :p )
i like hair spa cream bath 😀
Hi Antonia, usually we go to Johnny Andrean… but it’s always full. They’ve increased their cream bath from 68rb to 88rb too. So usually I just go down to the salon in our apartment (it’s only 70rb without having to go through traffic) But recently I found a place near Pakubuwono that’s only 35rb for a cream bath. It’s a corner salon, nothing posh or anything but it’s so cheap hehe! =D Thanks for dropping by my blog and commenting!
i want some information about professional hair saloons in indonesia..
please do reply anyone
Hi Shivangi, I finally found this amazing salon that is clean, has amazing service and is very well managed. Best of all everyone speaks English!