I first learnt Eva Fraser’s facial exercised in the mid 90s. It was when I noticed the first signs of sagging around the jawline and decided that it was time to take action. (This was before botox and restylane and all those other procedures were mainstream). I was working at a promotional event where she was giving a talk. She must have been in her early 70s and I was absolutely amazed at how taught and smooth her face looked. I eventually tracked her down to her studio just off Kensington High street and enrolled in a course to learn her techniques. I was taught by one of her trainers and at the beginning I found it extremely difficult to get the intricate muscle movements exactly correct. A one stage I nearly gave up, however when I asked the age of my trainer and she said she was 58 (she looked at least 10 years younger), I persevered. With a few occasional lapses I have continued with the 10 minute a day regime.
It is difficult to assess the results as I don’t know what my face would have looked like had I not done the exercises. The only thing I do know is that if I get lazy and stop doing them for a few weeks I have a sense that my cheek muscles are not as firm. This regime is not for the faint hearted as it does take considerable disciple; but who said looking good was easy!
See press article on Eva Fraser in here.
Eva Fraser website if you want further details
I found this video on U Tube. An interview with Eva on Breakfast TV taken a couple of years ago. It is quite long however worth taking a look at and Eva does demonstrate some of the exercises.
Have any of you had any experience of facial exercises? If so I would love to hear from you.
Thank you for reading. I really love to hear from you and appreciate the time you take to leave comments.
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Thank you for this post. It is all very interesting. I'm 51 and just beginning to see signs of sagging although I try to do my neck exercises every day for a minute. I've just e-mailed Ms Fraser for information about taking the course she gives in London. Is this the best way of contacting her? I'm very excited to try it out. I've always thought you look great in the photos you post of yourself.
Thanks for the lovely compliment. Ms Fraser may not be the easiest person to contact if you don't get a response to your email you could try telephoning. Do let me know how you get on.
Hello. I've just had a call from Eva Fraser's clinic and will be going for my first session in mid June. I will keep you updated regarding the experience. BTW, my name is Catherine. I've only recently started reading your blog. It was I who suggested the gym ball a few weeks ago. Now really looking forward to this facial exercise business .... thank you for a really good post.
P.S. There is a considerable difference in price depending on whether or not you opt for the course given by Eva herself - about £120 difference! Would you recommend paying the extra? It sounds like you were happy with the assistant's class. I would be interested to know your thoughts on this. Many thanks
Facial exercises do work. I have the book "Face Lift Naturally" by Julia Busch (now out of print). Her system is similar to Eva Fraser's. I used it regularly years ago and looked 20 years younger. Then I got lazy. Now I feel stupid when I look in the mirror because I know I could look so much better. Part of this is arrogance; I can re-start the exercises at any time. But as Chanel said, you should always look her best because you never know when you'll have a date with destiny. I am logging off and going to do my exercises now. Thank you for the inspiration.
This is all making me feel as though I should go back for a refresher just to check that I am still doing the exercises correctly.
Catherine I was very happy with the trainer that taught me I think Eva is very thorough and makes sure that everything is well supervised. Good luck
This is similar to the Emma Hardie technique, she incorporates both the exercise and massage. Her DVD is quite good and is usually pretty cheap on Amazon. Emma's skin is not as good as Eva's and she is only forty something, surely it is not just facial exercises keeping it in such good condition?! But whatever else there is no denying she looks amazing and not too taught. I read a very interesting article in US Vogue about a lady who was about to have her third facelift and the advice she was getting pretty much universally, was that the more there is under your skin, the more a surgeon has to work with, so it really does make sense to build your muscles in this way rather than wither them a la botox. I am journeying all the way to Cheshire on Friday to learn about microcurrent which is a mechanical version of this, so I will let you know how it goes...
..make that taut, must re read before pressing send!
Hi Alexandra I checked out Emma Hardie on amazon and her DVD did not have great reviews. I few years ago I got Carole Maggio's book however I still think Eva is the best.
Will be interested to learn of your experience of microcurrent. Off to do my exercises!
We do them in yoga class... who knows? I figure, can't hurt. Eventually, though, gravity overcomes anything we can do.
Hello again. Just to let you know I went for my first appointment at Eva Fraser's today. My session was with her assistant - it was great! she really worked me hard through the major surface muscles and even gave me advice on skin care without pushing any particular brands. Apart from collapsing with laughter a couple of times (at the grimace on my face in the mirror!), I was told I did very well. I certainly can feel it in my face now - it reminds me of the face ache I sometimes get laughing at my husband's jokes - though with life's pressures these days that doesn't happen so often.
Anyway I'm now on for practising 5 days per week for the next 3 or 4 weeks, and then I'll be going back for the next session. Not sure if I'm imagining it, but my cheeks already look slightly more defined.
Thank you for your post - it could have changed my whole outlook on life.