Eve Lom and the Ritual of Cleansing

Outside of the devotional world of ceremonial baptisms, holy ablutions and spiritual purifications, the liturgy of cleansing also exists as a secular phenomenon within the cosmetics industry. Ritualistic routines have long-permeated the lives of the world’s most celebrated beauties: Audrey Hepburn proclaimed that, "The secret of my complexion is simply washing my face five times a day" while Joan Crawford used to splash her face 25 times with ice-cold water after she cleansed.

Here at AnOther, the bathroom can quickly become considered a sacred space, its transformative possibilities seemingly innumerable (see: Editor Laura Bradley discussing her love for sinks, Steven Holt listing his vintage favourites or Fashion Director Katie Shillingford's shoot with Colin Dodgson in AnOther Issue 27). Basically, from Hepburn to Holt, some of our favourite people are really into cleansing themselves thoroughly.

1. Fill sink with hot water
2. Massage the product onto face and neck (ideally incorporating lymphatic drainage techniques)
3. Soak muslin cloth in hot water and hold over face for three seconds: the heat softens skin, while the aromatic oils cleanse it of impurities
4. Rinse cloth and fold it into a square, before using in circular motions to cleanse and exfoliate face while promoting circulation
5. Rinse cloth in cool water and hold over the face and neck to give skin an even, toned appearance

And with those five, performed either once or twice a day, you too shall look like a golden-age starlet, and possibly achieve inner peace and spiritual enlightenment. Or at least, here's hoping.

Revered skincare brand Eve Lom was founded in 1985, inspired by techniques like lymphatic drainage, cranial osteopathy and “witch doctor” Czechoslovakian herbalism. Ever since, their line has led the way in ritualistic skincare, proclaiming the importance of a multi-step procedure performed with only the essential products.

An antidote to the million-and-one skincare steps on the market, Eve Lom's cleanser quickly achieved (and sustained) cult status by offering cleansing, exfoliating and toning all in one gold-embossed pot. Promoting the tips of dermatologists and Hollywood starlets alike, the brand quickly ascended to hallowed  status within the industry by ennumerating these simple steps.