Threading

So my host, Vivian, and I were walking to the night market and passed a woman who was threading a lady's face right there on the sidewalk. For the uneducated, threading is where someone uses a twisted thread to remove your facial hair; it's available in the States but is more expensive than waxing and it's hard to find a good, experienced person to do it unless you're in a very large city with a very nice spa. Vivian told me it's something old ladies in Taiwan have done so their makeup stays on better. I wanted to try it, so Vivian was kind enough to wait and take some pics for me:BEFORE. I am a hairy beast of a woman and it's a wonder anyone can gaze upon me.
The long shot, where you can clearly see the exorbitant price this 73-year-old A-ma charges for her service: NT$250, or about $8 US. Did I mention? She's been doing this for about 60 years.

The powder apparently helps the thread slide over the skin. I was not being Edward Scissorhands at the time.



Aaaand, AFTER. My face, it is naked. And my brows, they are lovely.

(l-r: My host, Vivian; the Pro; and my pretty skin.)

To answer your next question, YES. It hurt. Hurt like heartbreak. But this nice woman cooled my face off with baby wipes and applied a delightful lotion ensuring that less than 5 minutes later I had no redness anywhere, unlike when you see someone who just got their brows waxed and they look all flamey and painful. Happy A-ma up there is older than my dad and her skin is just gorgeous, even after spending the past 60 years working outside on the streets of Taipei.

Oh, and she told me when I sat down that I was already "So beautiful." Why, yes. Yes, I am.