Last week I was reminded why I don’t like shopping with the help of salespeople. I’m sure you’ve been in this situation…you’re casually browsing at a department store when an SA starts talking your head off and next thing you know you end up taking home a bag-full of things you never intended to purchase in the first place! So was the case for me last Saturday whilst passing the afternoon with two friends at Bloomingdale’s. To the SA’s defense I did pick up the product in question, Eve Lom Cleanser, and turn to my girlfriends to tell them I’ve been hearing a lot of buzz about it at events recently. Immediately the SA chimed in to tell us that Vogue named it the “#1 Cleanser in the World,” and that it’s a miracle-worker since it treats acne, removes even the most stubborn of makeup, exfoliates, tones…I mean I’m telling you the way this guy was selling this product to us (“The woman who developed it still works with the brand and charged $700 per facial in London!”….), I’m surprised I didn’t buy a dozen. The lesson learned here is always go with your instinct. Even though I’ve heard a number of people rave about Eve Lom, the cleanser not only smells pretty bad (though others have said they like the smell), it has a really odd waxy, pasty consistency that immediately made me dismiss it as something I wouldn’t personally like.
Unfortunately I fell for the SA’s spiel and not only did I have to throw out my Clarisonic brush after I used it with the cleanser, it irritated my skin because of the harsh exfoliating balls in the paste (plus who wants to exfoliate everyday in the spring!). It’s also hard to spread and to top it off, I still had to use a makeup removing wipe after using it! Of course it could have been worse — I could have broken out or gotten a rash, but this is definitely the worst experience I’ve had with a cleanser. When it comes to beauty, always stick to instincts – no SA knows your skin and preferences like you do!
Hi Sharon I have been hearing alot about this cleanser and almost bought it but I researched it online and saw a review that said it was made of alot of oil and basically was the same as using baby wipes. I passed on buying it and I am glad, it seems you did not like it either.
Hi Lori!
You know I didn’t find it that oily. I found it harsh and drying actually…I would take a baby wipe over this any day!
I love this product and have been using for two years now…I think it has helped with clearing my skin.Do you recomend a similar cleanser that is maybe cheaper? I hate the $$$
I’ve never used anything with this pasty/waxy of a consistency before. For exfoliation I like Dermalogica’s Microfoliant http://www.dermalogica.com/us/html/products/daily-microfoliant-11.html (water-activated powder), and Liz Earle makes an affordable everyday cleanser called Cleanse and Polish that’s awesome http://us.lizearle.com/cleanse-tone-moisturise/cleanse-and-polish-hot-cloth-cleanser.html
Ugh sounds awful! Where did you buy this?? I hate pushy sales associates!
Ugh sounds awful! Where do they sell that – I’ve never seen it at Bloomies. I hate pushy associates!!!
I got it at the Bloomie’s on 59th in NYC in the Space NK section:)
It sounds like the SA did not instruct you on how to use this cleanser. This is not meant to be used with a Clarisonic at all – way too irritating as you found. There is a very specific cleansing ritual with a special cloth (Liz Earle’s cleanser is based on this) and it it is a bit of a production to clean one’s face. Those who love it, love it. I did like the funky medicinal herbal aroma, but it took way too much time.
It sounds like the SA did not instruct you on how to use this cleanser. This is not meant to be used with a Clarisonic at all – way too irritating as you found. There is a very specific cleansing ritual with a special cloth (Liz Earle’s cleanser is based on this) and it it is a bit of a production to clean one’s face. Those who love it, love it. I did like the funky medicinal herbal aroma, but it took way too much time.
I’ve been using this for three years and I swear by it. During the winter I use it more often than in the spring/summer because it helps with the dryness that I get on my face in the winter. A little goes a long way and it helps if your fingers are little wet and you rub some of the cleanser between them before applying it to your face. The cleanser should have come with a cloth, too, that you dampen before wiping the cleanser off of your face. If you really hate it, Eve Lom makes a gentler version of it meant for use in the morning but you can use it at night too. I haven’t really noticed a smell to this, but others may be more sensitive to it.
Nina – I use Liz Earle’s cleanser with my Clarisonic (not the cloth it comes with) and love it, but the consistency of the two are totally different…Earle’s is much more mild and doesn’t really exfoliate. Even when I used the cloth with the Eve Lom cleanser it irritated my skin because of the large exfoliating balls and you’re right, it takes forever to get it off your face because of the waxy/pasty texture!
Melissa – is the day one that different? Seemed like it had the same pasty consistency minus the clumps…I think I’m too scared to try it! I’m going to stick with Dermalogica for my facial exfoliation:) Glad it works for you though! It seems to be very love it or hate because so many people swear by it.
I think you used too much plus dealing with the sa left s bad feeling. I have normal to oily skin and I love this product. Use a little with the cloth and followup with another cleaner. You’ll like it. If you don’t want to be bothered, take it back and get a refund
Hey Briena, I’m also a fan of the Eve Lom, well, until it broke me out! But I hear that the Lush’s Ultra Bland is similar and way cheaper.
Oh Sharon, I hope you didn’t really toss your Clairsonic!! That would truly be tragic.
Eve Lom takes some getting used to, but it is definitely a love it-or-hate it kind of product!! I loved the consistency and weird smell. LOL
Sadly, it ended up breaking me out, and NOTHING breaks me out anymore. So I’ve got a big giant jar of it now!!
If anyone is thinking about trying this, definitely get a sample first. 🙂
I’ve been using Eve lom products since they came out especially the cleanser. I’ve always been complemented on how my skin is glowing after a cleanse. I don’t use it every day every alternate day though and it works very well. The warm water and cloth is what really does the trick at the end it’s like a mini facial. I live in India so it’s very hard to get my hands on these products but when I do I stock up. I swear by eve lom and have been returning to it after having tried many other products. They are a tad steeply priced but really work when used correctly (as the directions suggest) I would never touch a clairesonic brush to my face unless I was getting a professional facial which I’ve rarely had to because of Eve Lom.