Lu’Lur is an exfoliation and polishing process that has been practised in the palaces of Bali and Java for centuries and as a pre-wedding full body treatment. Lulur is given to the bride-to-be to beautify, soften, and sweeten her skin. Normally it takes four to five hours to prepare the bridal make up and clothes. The bride has a paes pinanganten or wedding forehead painting in their front hair line. The island of Java and Bali in Indonesia have a long history for beauty rituals. Rice is the main beauty ingredient along with various herbs and spices.
The traditional Javanese Lu’Lur treatment includes a massage, a spicy wrap, enveloping yoghurt, and floral bath. Traditional Lu’lur is based on century-old recipes handed down through the generations. Each treatment has a unique, freshly prepared menu made from locally produced herbs, fruits, tropical flowers, ground nuts, roots, spices, honey and high quality essential oils for therapeutic benefits. It is an aromatic beauty ritual that leaves the body and mind relaxed and the skin soft and supple.
Javanese Lu’Lur is known as Indonesia’s traditional royal body treatment. It was concocted in the 17th century for princess brides to soften their skin, and make it glow.
Typically a paste of sandalwood, turmeric, ground nuts, rice and other scented woods, native herbs, spices such as Pandanus leaves is prepared and painted on to the body for exfoliating purposes and left to dry. The dried paste is then gently frictioned off to exfoliate the skin. Lu’Lur recipes differ from one family to another. After a hot shower, a yoghurt mix is spread over the body to restore balance to the skin. The Mandi Lulur ends with a warm bath filled with fresh tropical flowers.
The Javanese wedding ceremony is rich and colourful with tradition. The bride and groom are adorned with jasmine flowers and wrapped in jasmine-scented traditional fabrics accented with ornate brass and gold ornaments. The throne where they reside for most of the wedding day is decorated with flowers as well.
Later, the wedding couple will find their bedroom entrance and honeymoon bed covered with flowers, sweet rice cakes, coconuts and auspicious bundles of plants. These are given as offerings for fertility that their first evening together be blessed with offspring.
Traditional Javanese Lu’Lur Recipe>>
TRANSFORM YOUR SALON & SPA ©Belinda Meyer offers helpful information relating to health, beauty therapy, spa, skin care, hair and nails. She is an expert author at SalonProfit, Ezine Articles and DIY Spa Therapy. She offers success and marketing tips to make your Salon and Spa unique and profitable.