Women drop in to flip through a stack of fashion magazines, get their hair cut or colored, have their eyelashes tinted, be massaged or be manicured. The salon s prices are reasonable by Western standards, although a bit on the high side for Phnom Penh. But most of the employees are expatriates performing services for other expatriates who appreciate that the language barrier has been removed. It s a lot more affordable to pampered yourself here, said Harper, 30. Pedicures beautify feet frequently bare or on show in sandals, she says.
Women get their eyelashes tinted because mascara runs too easily in the tropical heat.
Legs, more often on show, are waxed. Hair treatments are popular, she says, because Phnom Penh water is too hard. Women, who usually have staff to run the house or take care of the children, have more time on their hands to take care of themselves. Phnom Penh life is also a bit dirtier than many women s home towns. You need to be pampered here.