Eve Lom Cleanser: Snob or Slob?

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!