Pregnancy Diary – Week 18 & 19: Beauty from the inside-out

I just feel fat! Even if people who don’t know me are very surprised when I mention that I’m pregnant! I’ve even gone into baby stores in Hong Kong with another pregnant friend of mine, and the sales people only talk to her. When she tells them that I’m expecting too, they say: “So small…Where is the baby?” I guess the fact that I look like I could easily pass for an 18 year old doesn’t help either!

Even though I have dirty blond hair, I like to highlight it two to three times a year. So with my belly looking a little rounder in the middle, my darker roots growing out and my skin as dry as an alligator, you could say I wasn’t feeling or looking my best! So I decided it was time to beautify myself.

I know several doctors in Hong Kong are against coloring your hair during pregnancy. However, in the States, my friends’ doctors gave them the green light. After a lot of research, I found an option in Hong Kong that I thought was safe. A friend had told me about the Emmanuel F salon (Nexxus Building, Level 2, Shop 211-213, 41 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong, 2167 8280; check out our review here), who use products that are natural and organic and colours that are 97% chemical free. Since the colour doesn’t touch the scalp during the highlighting process, I figured this would be a somewhat safe option.

My trip to the salon was a success! I walked out feeling relaxed (due to the amazing head and neck massage I was given in the shampoo room), pleased that I didn’t have to breathe in the toxic fumes of hair salon chemicals and happy overall with my shiny locks. But let me warn you ladies, beauty doesn’t come cheap!

My next stop was for a much needed manicure and pedicure. Even though my skin requires several applications of moisturiser on it every morning and night, my nails are stronger and healthier than ever! I’ve been continuing to use my go to OPI nail colors, but there are other chemical-free options for concerned moms-to-be. Some of my friends have used Priti NYC polishes, which are made without toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) or formaldehyde. [Most major nail polishes companies have gone ‘3-Free’, including Zoya, Essie, China Glaze, Deborah Lippmann and Organic Pharmacy, all of which are available in Hong Kong.]

Although body massages really aren’t my thing, many pregnant ladies have raved about the two pregnancy massages at the Mandarin Oriental Spa (The Mandarin Oriental, 5 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong, 2825 4888), the “Mellow Mummy” and the “Body and Bump” treatment. They said they walked out feeling like a new person. [You can check out our review here!]

A few small beauty treatments can really make you feel a lot better about yourself. Hopefully, I can continue to pamper myself, aiding my “inner glow” until it starts to shine!