Say goodbye to blemishes with a super-indulgent facial treatment

According to the staff at the Space NK counter at Harvey Nichols, it doesn't matter what exciting new products they get on the shelves of their swish stand, as Eve Lom Cleanser will consistently prove to be their best-seller.

It's no surprise really. Despite the fact that this make-up-removing wonder is much pricier than your bog standard pack of cleansing wipes, it contains cocoa butter, eucalyptus, clove and chamomile oil, a combination of which is almost guaranteed to leave you with velvety soft skin.

I know because I once owned a pot of this stuff, and was pretty gutted when I eked out the last of it.

That was a while ago. Still, I instantly recognised its menthol-like fragrance when it was used as part of a limited edition Eve Lom facial that I experienced recently in the ground floor treatment room in Harvey Nichols.

Considering I'd sparingly decant a thimbleful of this product on each use, it seemed pretty indulgent to have a giant scoop slathered onto my face (4.50 worth, I'd say), then swept off with a warm and damp muslin cloth.

After this element of the treatment was complete, my therapist towel-dried my skin, before undertaking my favourite part of the experience. This involved having my face brushed with warm paraffin wax, for a sensation as soothing as pulling on a pair of socks warmed on a radiator.

While this was "detoxing" my skin, I was given a gentle hand and arm massage, before the mask was gently eased off in solidified chunks. Then it was time for the "extraction", which is the toe-curlingly "ouch-y" yet oddly satisfying process of having your pores pinched clean.

After that minor punishment, my oily T-zone was dotted with a little of Eve Lom's Dynaspot lotion, which contains tea-tree and salicylic acid to discourage excess sebum.

Then my shoulders and neck were given a quick rub-down with the nourishing Creme Universelle, before my face was smoothed with rose-scented TLC Radiance Cream and my eye area coated with serum.

Post-treatment and my complexion would usually resemble an oil slick. However, after this facial, every millilitre of product had been sooked up. My skin looked evenly toned, without a blotch in sight, and boasted a springy, plump texture.

The bonus is that, although this treat is a rather pricey 85, that amount is redeemable on Eve Lom products (if you spend 100 or more). So, basically, if you buy two bumper pots of their cleanser (50 for 100ml), you get a freebie treatment thrown in. It's the perfect excuse to splurge on something rather more luxurious than cleansing wipes.

Space NK, Harvey Nichols, St Andrews Square, Edinburgh (0131-524 8353)

Eve Lom facial, 85 for 60 minutes, from 25-29 January only

This article was first published in The Scotsman, 22 January, 2011