Up Close & Personal with Angela Karto

Angela Karto

Livia Prananto, Franka Franklin, Angela Karto, Dewi Carlina, Inge Yap

Angela Karto and Lia Prananto

Angela Karto and Dewi Carlina

Franka Franklin, Livia Prananto, Thania Muljadi, Angela Karto

Yudha Kartohadiprodjo, Angela Karto, Rachmat Harsono

How do you spend a typical day?

Right now I’m based in Kuala Lumpur and my new project is yet to start hence I’m spending my days like I’m on an extended holiday.

What do you do to refresh yourself after a hectic week?

When I was living in Jakarta, I loved to escape to Bali for the weekends to just get away from city life and to forget about time or I’d meet up with my close friends for long lunches that lasts until teatime or long dinners that lasts until the restaurant closes.

My favourite would be to laze around by the pool with the pug or curl up in bed with a good book with Lays salt & vinegar crisps and the pug.

Do you think socializing is important?

It is important as I view socializing as networking, irregardless of the industry that one is in.

What do you think is most important in life?

It’s very important to be close and open to family because they are the ones who are most capable of giving you unconditional love and the best advices as sometimes they know you more than you know yourself.

And also to have a strong close knit of trust-worthy friends who you know will stand beside you through all your mistakes, faults, triumphs, tears, joys, indecisions and decisions.

Everything else will just fall into place with time when you have created a strong foundation for yourself and are surrounded by people who truly care about you.

As a woman, do you think beauty is important?

Yes

Then what do you do to manage that?

When you take care of yourself it shows your self-worth and self-love. When you look good, you’ll feel good.

I try to have a balanced diet but I don’t deprive myself from my chili cheese fries, crisps or chocolates but I eat in moderation.

Even if I just exercise for 10 min today I’d still pat myself on the back, this way I condition myself to not see exercising as a ‘chore’.

I believe in you are what you eat, so I cut down on processed, instant and pre-packed food.

I always try to eat fresh food and stay away from MSG that contributes to hair fall and sodium which causes water retention.

Alas, I have acne prone skin so I have to pay extra attention to it. I use L’Occitane which is natural and organic and it works very well for me.

How do you define your personal style?

It’s defined by those whom are closest to me.

What is your secret of beautiful and healthy hair?

My secrets which all of my girlfriends already know are;

I don’t dye my hair except for once when I was in high school. Thinking it was so cool to have blonde hair only to have to dye back to black the next day because I got suspended by the head master and to top things off, I was then grounded for a month by my unimpressed oldies.

Hair dye contains harsh chemical which could also lead to unhealthy scalp but if you do dye your hair then make sure you go for salon hair spa treatments or I love hot oil home treatments which softens my coarse hair up instantly.

I don’t use any specific brand of shampoo or conditioner as I constantly switch brands but I always make sure that it does not contain high level of lauryl sulfate. It’s not about the brand of the products or how much it costs; it’s finding products that works for your hair and life-style. Right now I’m using Pantene for hair fall (because it was on special offer), it leaves my hair soft and smooth but sadly it doesn’t really help with the hair fall that I’m going through right now.

Each time after I swim in the sea or pool, I’ll always make sure to wash my hair thoroughly to remove all traces of chlorine and seawater that dries hair.

I never wash my hair with hot water. During winter of course I do but I’ll make sure the last rinse is with cold water to close up the pores and makes your hair shine naturally. But I swear by using cold mineral water as your last rinse. You can really feel and see the difference.

Don’t tie your hair up for too long because it weakens your roots and leaves an unsightly mark.

Don’t wear caps for too often and make sure you take it off once in a while if you sweat. Exhibit A – Andre Agassi, need I say more?

Bun your hair up and try to wear a hat while tanning or doing activities under the sun as it’ll lighten your hair color.

Always brush your hair from the bottom first and gradually move up to reduce hair fall.

Oily scalp doesn’t always mean you have to wash your hair more often. It could also mean your scalp is very dry and the glands are over compensating for it.

To get volume for lanky hair, tilt your head downwards and alternate your hair dryer between hot and cold air but don’t aim the nozzle too close to your hair.

Reduce the use of hair spray or any hair products that contains alcohol as it will dry out your hair and scalp.

Stay away from curling or straightening irons as they ‘cook’ your hair and will cause it to break.

On most days I’ll let my hair dry naturally and I’ll only go to salon to blow dry my hair for special events.

I have a few gray strands now and the oldies weren’t lying when they say if I pluck them, more will just grow back to mock you!

Fun facts;

Favorite designers: Prada for work dresses, YSL for work suits, Galliano & Valentino for skinny jeans, Abercrombie & Juicy Couture for chilling. Actually I’m not too particular about brand names. If it compliments me then I’ll take it. But currently I’m in love with Roberto Cavalli’s entire s/s collection; favorite make-ups: Laura Mercier for foundation, concealer & translucent powder, Anna Sui for mascara, eye shadows, blush, perfume & eyeliner because I love their packaging. Shu Uemura is unbeatable for eyelash curler and make up brushes; (top ten) favorite people in Jakarta: my workaholic & chic BFF Dewi Carlina, the smartest & yet blondest at times, Inge Yap, always suave and the most hardworking globe trotter, Rachmat Harsono, the kindest & generous hearted, Livia & Lia Prananto,the ever creative Yudha Kartohadiprodjo who always knows the best places to eat & must-see places all over the world, the merriest and cutest, Aniva Franka Franklin whom i lovingly call Nims, Christian Rijanto, who always recommends the best places to stay and amazing restaurants all over the globe, Leah Widjaja, super mom & super career woman of Sinar Mas Group, and Kiki Utara, the best PR in Asia and the only man capable of making me laugh until I tear up.