Cleansing It Up - Eve Style

So wasn't I a lucky duck over the Christmas? I got a chance to try some cleanser by Eve Lom.

Eve is a master facialist who believes that if your skin is really super clean, thats all you need!

Her cleanser is revered in the beauty world and Vogue once called it the best cleanser in the world so it's hyped to be pretty good stuff. The cleanser itself comes with a muslin cloth which you use to first open your pores and then to gently exfoliate the skin.

It's an oil based cleanser that can be used on any skin type which at first I was dubious of. I'm pretty sensitive and I was concerned about the abrasiveness of the cleanser and cloth. The cleanser itself is a light yellow 'gloop' - for lack of a better word - with an unusual scent. I imagine that the cleanser's holistic properties account for the scent and Eve makes no apologies for that. The scent is not unpleasant but it's not scented candle material. I personally am more then willing to put up with it for the sake of perfect skin, but some may not.

The cleanser comes with a specific set of instructions for use. First, you apply the cleanser in small circular movements to the face. Then dip the cloth in hot water, wring it out and press and hold it to the face for 5 seconds. Repeat this step 3 times ad then use the cloth in circular motions to remove the cleanser and exfoliate. It all seems very specific but trust me she knows what she's on about, that Eve :)

Within one use I saw an immediate difference in how my skin was behaving. Smooth, supple and with no adverse reactions. Plus, I'm a lot less oily then I was which I love. I think the biggest change is how hydrated it is. The cleanser alone leaves my skin really moisturized and IMO that makes it HG stuff.

The bummer here (and you knew there was one) is the price tag. A 100ml jar of this in the south goes for €73 and in the north £48. A 200ml jar is €120/£78. I know, mad money.

But the truth is I would still pay 73 quid for what I think is a fantastic product. Now if it was cheaper, that'd be better too but I'll take what I can get :D

I like Eve's philosophy of less is more and what you spend on her cleanser, you save in not needing a bunch of other creams and lotions to do the same thing. Half of the magic comes from the oil formula and half no doubt comes from the cloth. An oil cleanser is a risky thing to try but if you think about it, oil replaces natural oils lost while cleansing and dissolves all types of makeup. Appealing to all skin types in one product is not an easy thing to do and judging by her rave reviews she has succeeded with flying colours.

Have you tried Eve?

-Em

*None of the products mentioned were sponsored and I am not affiliated with the company*

A Complete 180??

So as you know about a month ago I shelled out an extra 4 quid to try MAC's Studio Sculpt Foundation;

"A creamy, luxurious, gel-based foundation that provides medium buildable to high coverage with a natural satin finish. Hydrating, instantly revitalizes the skin while keeping it looking smooth, soft and plush. Long-wearing, water-resistant."

So at first I was convinced it was love; hydrating, luminous, good coverage... everything one would look for in a foundation. The stuff dreams (and trashy romance novels) are made of.

Sadly, it was not to be. It wore great on me for around a week but after that it just seemed to have melted off my face after about two hours wear. I tried absolutely everything to get it to stay in place but there's only so much primer and powder a girl can wear without it defeating the purpose altogether.

So I just thought; you can't win 'em all and dumped it in the foundation drawer with all the other misfits. It was then I saw the light, it wasn't Studio Sculpts fault... my SKIN had changed! Mind boggling and confusing as it may be my skin has done a complete 180; I am now oily, instead of dry.

Who'd have thunk it?

I cannot for the life of me fathom how it has happened. Nothing has changed in my routine!

I think it would be unfair and wildly idealistic to suggest that Studio Sculpt is so ultra-hydrating that it was the cause... at least without a proper test. And since I can't use it without my make-up sliding off in a puddle on the ground; such a test will be a long time coming I'm afraid!

For the short time I wore it, I really did appreciate the formula. It did what it said on the tin (and possibly more?) but I would not recommend it for oily skin. It has an unusual scent; it's something I recognise but I can't place it. Something that comes from Starbucks maybe? If anyone knows, please comment :D

As of now, I am using Jemma Kidd's Mineral Skin Nourishing Tint in Porcelain with a *light* dusting of Studio Fix Powder over it and I have to say I am loving it at the moment. Of course I will be picking up another Studio Fix Fluid, but it's nice to try pastures new :)

-Em

An Oldie but a Goodie

Around 5 years ago I got my first GHD hair straighteners, and I still have 'em.

They're a bit bashed around and have more then a few scuffs, but I think they still work as good as day numero uno. Personally, GHD's are my favourite. I've tried all different brands, from Remington to Toni&Guy, and none of them have performed nearly as well or lasted nearly as long as my GHD and lived to tell a hair straightening tale.

They can still be found at Peter Marks salons and some online places. I think I paid around €150 for mine, but that was waaay back in the day so they could be more or less expensive now, it's a good idea to check.

My set have really stood the test of time and believe me when I tell you they have been through the mill (literally) and are still hanging in there. Sure, the words have faded and the holographic woman has been melted away but that stuff adds character :D

It still takes 30.4 seconds to heat up (I timed) and it still gets just as hot. So, to demonstrate it's awesome power, here is me before; (eek no makeup)

To be fair, my hair is naturally straight so I'm not in need of a 'heavy duty' iron but I love the sleekness and shine that straightening gives. Plus, I think it's a much faster way of curling hair then curling tongs. Here are curls, the GHD way; (sorry, I'm looking down)

To create curls, take a small section, clamp near the root, twist 180, and pull through. The more you twist, the more 'ringlety' your curls will be. The less you twist, you'll have more wavy hair :)

And from curls to straight;

To straighten, take a section, clamp near the root and just pull though.

My one critique of the GHD's is that mine (probably version 1) didn't come with the fail-safe thing that knocks it off after 30 minutes. I've often run out and left it on to come back to singed sheets and white-hot straightener handle :/ To save from fire hazard all new models come with the fail-safe.

The thing I love most about the GHD's is that when I use them, my style (curls or straight) stays all day without the need to touch up, even if I don't use styling products.

Holy grail stuff for me and if they ever did break, I couldn't live without one :)

-Em