I know that many a Bride spends a great deal of time searching for the answer to complexion perfection in the run up to the big day. I was no exception, having been troubled by rubbish skin since my early twenties (what’s with spots at that age?) and desperate to avoid an outbreak on the most important of days. Any reader threatening to break out in a cold sweat should be reassured at this point, that any make-up artist worth their salt will cover even the most gigantic vesuvius like spot, but everyone wants the perfect base to work with right?
So I made it my mission to achieve porcelain perfection in 6 short months, on the back of regular facials and a wicked skin care routine.
And my first stop? My GP.
La Pharmacia
There are all manner of lotions and potions out there ladies and skincare myths a-plenty but the real truth? Spots are all about bacteria or skin clogged sweat glands. It’s not as glamorous as the glossys lead us to believe but the answer lies in medicine not cleanser. So if you have a desire to remedy any greater a problem than a very occasional pimple, and particularly if the remnants of spots leave red marks on your skin, get yourself to your Doctor, pronto. (I’m not going to divulge what I used as each case is different, but suffice to say I used it for 10 weeks prior to wedding (and long after) and it did a great job – Please note all skins care treatments should be given at least 6-12 months to act, but there’s no harm in getting started!)
Ok so Biology lesson over, lets get on with the fun stuff. Given my blemish prone skin, I has been my want to try and starve it of moisture in the most, (I thought,) sensible approach to getting rid of grease. Strangely, I never had oily skin, just spots, and the answer itself lay in Oil. Aromatherapy oils, and lots of them.
Eve Lom, although firmly in the luxe skin care camp basically looks like Vaseline. Yummy smelling Vaseline that you smear all over your face when it’s dry and massage in to increase blood flow and lymphatic drainage. It’s like a mini facial every night and used with the muslin cloth provided (Yes, you would expect that for £48 a tub!) soaked in piping hot water and wrung out to hold against the skin and steam the cleanser into the pores, gives a really satisfying cleansing experience.
Eve Lom cleanser contains Egyptian chamomile, hops, clove and eucalyptus oil, together with cocoa butter to cleanse, tone, exfoliate all in one. And it’s no word of a lie. After steaming the face you use the cloth to buff off the cleanser in a circular motion removing all the makeup you were wearing plus hopefully, a ton of dead skin cells, never to darken a pore again.
Sell out Sucess.
The best thing about Eve Lom is that you can buy a starter collection for £25.00 which has 2 mini cleansers, the face cloth, a rescue mask, TLC Cream and SPF 15 day cream to try it out, and I really can’t recommend it highly enough. I have never come across a cleanser that after drying my face doesn’t leave my sin tight or flakey. Never. Until Eve came along.
I should also add that although it’s a pretty hefty price tag for a cleanser, each pot lasts me around 6 months, so not really that awful? Personally, I think it’s worth it for a great skin day everyday. 
Plus, with the lack of drying effects and your skin left comfortably soft, there’s no need for a second expensive item like toner or moisturiser.
Of course the range doesn’t stop there. I now use the Rescue Mask which is again, the first and only mask I’ve found that a. doesn’t break me out in a whole new set of spots, or b. actually works and stops current ones or future ones in their tracks! The Kiss Mix is divine and for a bit of sun protection I use the SPF 15 moisturiser which has a matte finish and forms the perfect make-up base. It’s Eve Lom all the way baby.
Are you all about Eve?
Do tell us all about your skin care regime running up to W-day and let us know if you are an Eve devotee or going to take the plunge…
Yours Truly,
Rebecca xoxo
yippe. I love eve. I have psoriais and roseacea on my face. Its delightful. Not.
I use Eve religiously every day, cant get on with the cream but the cleanser is a.mazing! With that and regular facial peels my skin is looking better, not great but getting there. Anyone who is thinking of this – do it. Its the best.
I’m an Origins girl at heart…switched to them 3 months before W-day and haven’t looked back since. For me it’s all about natural skincare. I get terrified by the stuff that’s in some cleansers.
However, sometimes it does skin good to be shaken up a bit, and Rebecca you have seriously tempted me here…I really fancy a facial every night! And your point about not needing a toner/moisturiser is convincing (and cost-effective). How long does it take to do this steaming and scrubbing malarky? And how do you get the piping-hot water…just bathroom tap?
I have never heard of Eve, but must admit that even though a tub lasts for ages, that’s a bit out of my price range. I’ve recently started using Neal’s Yard products, and my skin has never been better. I have a face wash, exfoliant, toner and moisturiser, and I love it all!
Anna, Just the bathroom tap – my house is blessed like that – not so much in other ways! Takes about 5mins I guess. I do keep a sneaky packet of facial wipes in the drawer for those can’t be bothered (or in my case ‘up late blogging’) nights.
Lauren, out of interest, how much does your Neals Yard haul add up to?
I too suffer from breakouts in my twenties, and they have been leaving scars for the last year, nothing worse when you are wedding planning! i’ve tried everything the doctor has prescribed including some ultra strong tablets which seem to work for everyone else but me! was looking at the eve lom range yesterday actually but was a bit pricey for me…may have to save up and give it a go-i’ll try anything at this point!
I’ve been getting really annoying breakouts along my jaw line/top of my neck recently (apparently hormonal spots, that’d be right!!!!) which are really lingering around then leaving red scar marks when they do eventually go down. So, with that in mind, I might make an appt for the GP.
I tried the Liz Earle Cleanse & polish (exactly the same concept as eve lom but didnt notice any difference in my skin but then got put on to Alexandra Soveral and OMG is her stuff amazing….again not cheap but very good http://www.alexandrasoveral.co.uk – her website is really informative with skin care advice etc etc even if you don’t buy any products xx
Rebecca, I bought all my stuff when I got a 20% off code from Marie Clare magazine, and they also had a free moisturiser, so I just bought the other three items. If I’d bought them all full price, it would have been about £46, but with the 20% off, for the cleanser, toner, exfoliant and moisturiser, it would have been about £36. Plus, if you buy online, they chuck in a couple of sample size goodies. Always makes me feel a bit better to get a freebie!
I’ve always eyed up Eve Lom but having used Dermalogica since I was about 14, every time I switch to a new brand (Decleor, Liz Earle, Lancome, Karin Herzog) my skin goes nuts so I’m a bit scared to try anything new nowadays! But your write-up has inspired me to try!
I had to have a major course of industrial strength facials to sort me out after very cleverly trying a new brand of skincare right before the wedding and giving myself a nice case of adult acne! Obviously the more I stressed about it, on top of normal wedding stress the worse it got. Not a great time!
Thankfully, like Rebecca says, my make up artist (Kit Hall) ‘Rocked my Face’ to sort me out!
This is obviously something that bothers pretty much everybody! I am quite lucky with my skin. Don’t get me wrong, it could be better but it’s quite predictable and not too sensitive.
Dermalogica seems to have worked quite well for me. I also use the Clinique 3 step routine but it’s leaving me with a really greasy t zone so don’t think I’ll but it again.
Either way, I have just treated myself to the Eve starter kit!
Step away from the credit card…
Ooh, also got a Chanel Rouge coco lippy at lunch!
A Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish fan here and also a big fan of Cowshed facials. I’ve been looking for a new face mask and so shall try the Rescue Mask.
ps I was hoping for a beauty post today as I felt beauty post deprived and then two in one day hurrah!
AJS – I suffer with the same problems as you but swear by Dermalogica. It really seems to kick the dirt out but still leaves my skin super hydrated. Only problem is with so many different products to use it takes an age to get ready in the morning and go to bed!
xx
I too have been suffering from spots since my mid twenties having flown through my teens with not a blemish in sight! I have tried pretty much every product available and I would have to say when my skin is a nightmare (when I am really stressed) dermalogica has been amazing. I have tried eve lom which is brilliant and smells divine but I do find I am very lazy when it comes to my skin care routine so I am not the best at doing the whole muslin cloth thing etc. xx
Rachael – I used to use the Clinique 3 step routine until I popped to Selfridges one day. I mentioned to someone, albeit from a competitor brand, that I was worried that I found the toner a little abrasive. She said not only can it be really aging as it strips away the skin, but it was so strong they all used it to clean the counters at the end of the day! This may have just been a sales pitch but on closer inspection it does smell suspiciously like Flash, so watch out!!
Ohhh so tempted to give this a go! So not fair getting spots and wrinkles at the same time!
Can anyone recommend which website best to order from? Thanks x
A few months ago I read about the Clarisonic Brush on a blog called Nothing but Bonfires (American travel writer who had a lovely wedding last year) here’s the link -http://nothingbutbonfires.com/best-thing-ever/clarisonic-brush
- I investigated on MUA and eventually bought one. You can buy them in Space NK now and it has made a difference to my skin… Not cheap but worth a try if you are willing to make the investment – it’s cheaper than a bunch of facials!
x
Love Eve Lom so fully agree with your post Rebecca. Although…I have strayed of late and after not getting on with Kiehls SPF15 moisturising lotion, I’m loving it now. I may stay with it..but the lure of Eve is still strong! And I work very close to a SpaceNK which I swear has a magnet at their door, dragging me in
My fave product right now though is the gorgeous Creme de la Mer eye cream which a (very generous) friend bought for me for Xmas and I LOVE it. Not sure I’ll be buying it myself tho when it runs out!! I’ve started my facial routine and have had a wonderful facial at Vaishaly recently which included a microdermabrasion session. Slightly alarming and stingy at first, but it gave me the most AMAZING skin a day or two later. Reminds me, must book in for next session soon. Now where’s my credit card?
Hi ladies!
So interesting to read about your beauty likes. Amy – I bought one of the clarisonic things and after a week as it didn’t make a difference I got bored …. am now tempted to try it again. Also really bizarre but I remember that blog! they had a beautiful wedding – wasn’t it on SMP? and I was reading MUA today – for like an hour!!!
Fleur – the beauty editor of Cosmo ( who I imagine has tried EVERYTHING) said Vaishaly facials were the ONLY thing that made a difference to her skin.
I resort to microdermabrasion when my skin is tragic – had quite a few before the wedding. I think it is a little harsh for my fine sensitive skin but nothing clears up breakouts like a crystal clear.
I am off to check out all these other recommendations girls!
Charlotte xxx
Charlotte yep it was on SMP, that’s how I found the NBB blog originally, her wedding was amazing! I don’t think the brush has worked miracles but my skin wasn’t so bad in the first place luckily! It does make it smoother and more glowy though; it just gives it that *something*! (Or maybe it’s all in my head?!…) xx
I had dreadful skin throughout my teens so when I hit 18 I used Clinique religiously for about 2 years, it certainly improved my skin but it still looked pretty bad with make up on top and I still got spots. So a month ago I had a Dermalogica prescriptive facial as I’d decided after 10 years of bad skin I deserved a break! It wasn’t cheap, the facial was£30 and all the products I needed came up to £100 (thankfully this was all bought by my mother-in-law to be as a birthday gift) but I really haven’t looked back since. I haven’t had a spot in a whole month which hasn’t happened since I was 12!
I think whatever products you decide to embark on it really is best to go and speak to a professional. They might be being paid to sell you a product but they’re also paid because they know what they’re talking about. And if you can invest in good quality products your wedding
couldn’t be a better exuse
Victoria, can I ask what type of facials you had? I’m looking to have a course of treatments to treat my acne scars after the wedding and would love any recommendations? X
Does anybody have any recommendations/remedies/magic bullets for body acne?! Bizarrely I only ever get the odd spot or two on my face … but I get loads on my chest, back, shoulders and throat (!) – BIG problem when so many wedding dresses are strapless! Really don’t want to spend the week before my wedding worrying about whether I’m going to have a massive breakout on my chest/back/shoulders – any suggestions?!
I’m a Liz Earle girl all the way, have been for about 4 years now.
A brilliant high street recommendation is the boots protect and perfect serum and moisturiser. I got bought a sample set for crimble and have become slightly addicted to it (plus have been ID’d in the supermarket more times in last 4 months than in whole life – that must count for something right?!). Its not the cheapest out there but I have eczema and sensitive skin and have tried sooooooooo many products without success.
PS Charlotte – I am holding you single handidly (if that’s a word!!) responsible for another MAC splurge yesterday. Damn that Carnaby shop!!
Oh my gosh – I think I am in love with this post!
I wa always really unlucky to suffer from bad acne from my late teens into my early twenties and it didnt help that I was surrounded by beautiful clear skinned friends!
I eventually stopped wearing make up (except for a night out on the town) which helped and I also switched to a nifty product called Oxypeel, which after 6 months or so, I really started to notice the difference.
My skin is much better now and any spots I do get are normally small and short-lived.
I have also started to treat myself to a mini facial on Sundays with this Temple Spa scrubby facewash thingy with bits in it, which smells lurvely.
I have to admit that I am always a bit scared to try new stuff because of the cost and also my skin is so hyper-sensitive, I jst dont want to risk it. Maybe now is the time to take a leap and try something new…xx
I’d like to mention, in keeping with the medical-side of this post, have people considered their contraception? I had mostly naturally clear skin through my teens, this continued up until I was 20 (and had been on the pill since 16). At 20, I got the contraceptive implant, and my skin gradually got worse. I didn’t even realise what i was causing it at first, but I was getting painful spots on my chin, and REALLY bumpy skin on my forehead.
Eventually, I decided to go back onto the pill (after about 2 and a half years) and I swear, within a week of having my implant removed, my forehead was smooth again. I’d never seen anything like it.
The spots on my chin also cleared up, and although I would get the very occasional slight blemish, I’m finding my skin in managed really well by the Neal’s Yard stuff (as I mentioned in my last comment!)
Anyway, it’s worth a mention!
I think I must have tried every product on the high street for my combination/spotty skin including a session of Dermalogica facials before the wedding, Clinique, Eve Lom and Liz Earle and do you know the only thing that has really made a difference…getting pregant! After roughly 14 years I finally have spot free skin – now I’m not recommending this to all as a quick pre-wedding fix but it’s worked for me!
Not sure how long I will remain clear with all these hormones/sleepless nights, but i’ll enjoy it while it lasts…xXx
Kat – I had Karin Herzog regular “Peel and Plump” or “Spring Clean” facials. They use oxygen as the main ingredient to purify and then glycolic (sp?) acid to peel off the top layer of skin and all sorts of other scientific type lotions and potions. I also had Dermalogica prescription facials because as my skin improved it changed so the type of facial they did was different each time. Once they used colodial oatmeal to calm, another time they used some acid peel stuff and a steamer and so on.
If I hadn’t changed from my usual routine I never would have needed them as I think Dermalogica is the brand for me, but I’m a complete product junkie and a sucker for a recommendation and so load myself up with something and when I react I tell myself “it’s just my skin getting used to it…” I’m like a beauty and skincare magpie!!
Oh Jackie, just read your post and my top tip (and uber cheap) is Body Shop Tea Tree Body Wash with an exfoliating mit. I used this every morning and night for about 3 months before my wedding last year and it really seemed to help. I also used the neat tea tree oil directly on the spots.
Maybe worth a try. xxx
Can I just ask a question to anyone that uses the Eve Lom stuff? I am considering getting the starter pack and giving it a go, but wondered what people did as part of their morning skincare routine if they only use the cleanser etc at nightime? xx
Hi ladies
Recylenow – oops sorry! hope you enjoy your purchases though Pet!
Alex – HUGE congratulations hun !!
Lauren – you are right, more than any fancy cream the thing that changes my skin more than anything is the pill. I am currently on Yasmin and my skin seems to like it. A lot.
Some years ago I had the contraceptive injection and the effect on my skin was awful – I am very dry/eczema prone and literally over night I turned into a big greasy chip. My scalp went oily even – it may sound vain but some days I didn’t want to go out it was so bad.
Mahj – the cleanser is to be used twice a day, that’s the recommendation from Eve Lom anyway – that is how it works to its maximum potential. If you don’t fancy the faff of the cloth etc twice a day maybe use a plain and simple cleansing lotion in the morning?
Charlotte xxx
Sorry to add to this discussion MONTHS after it was posted, but after a few tantrums recently about the sheer state of my skin, I hit google hard tonight, knowing that I had seen a post on RMW about pre-wedding skin care.
Having not got on with Liz Earle at all, I am desperate to find something that actually works.
Having said that, prompted by this post and the rave reviews, my card has just had a horrendous bashing on the John Lewis website and I have purchased the Eve Lom cleanser.
I hope to high heaven that it works for me, if it does – well worth the money! *fingers crossed*