For seven decades the Swedish super-star has blessed Scandinavia with her beauty, talent and grace — and now she's revealing her best kept skincare secrets including her €3 go-to product
If there is one word that could describe Efva Attling it would be legend. Now known as one of Scandinavia’s top silversmiths and jewellery designers, the icon has dabbled into other artistic areas in the past — from being a part of the band ‘X Models’, working as a model for over 12 years and even claiming the title of one of Sweden’s best professional disco dancers. She’s done it all.
Now, for her 70th birthday, we had to know: what’s the secret behind her eternal beauty and ever-lasting glow?
As usual, we start off with the basics, understanding her beauty routine. The first thing she does when she wakes up in the morning? A splash of cold cold water on the face. “During the winter I’ll sometimes take a dip in the ice cold sea at our summerhouse,” she says — beauty is pain as they say.
When it comes to her routine, hydration is key (plus a good set of genes). “I start off with a re-hydrating toner from Tonique Confort and follow it with Régenerie H.C.F Triple Serum,” she explains. “I’ve inherited great skin from my father’s side of the family, but it’s quite dry, so I save it with Lancome’s Absolue Soft Cream.” She is also an ambassador for the house.
Now, when it comes to her go-to product, the answer is quite simpler than expected. Her must-have product? “Carmex’s moisturising lip balm,” she says with a laugh. Who can blame her?
Continuing with her beauty regime, one had to ask if there were any secrets or magic treatments behind her glow? Turns out there barely is one, as she only gets a facial done every other year she recalls with a mischievous smile. Nonetheless, there is a ritual she follows as part of her me-time moments. “Doing my nails is my kind of meditation, when I’m very quiet my wife knows that’s what I’m doing,” she says. “My go to nail products are the ones from Seche Vite, but sometimes I’ll go to Frida Selkirk’s studio for a special ‘Dita Von Teese’ style.” Simply iconic.
Onto makeup, her tips are simple and effective — in true Scandinavian nature. “I always ensure to properly moisturise and to not use a heavy foundation and keep it balanced. If you do a heavy lip I go for a softer eye or the other way around,” she details, “on top of that, healthy teeth, a smile and lots of laughter!” Finally, her ultimate secret weapon for an everlasting glow? "Love".
To end the peek into her cupboard we set out to find her three favourite Scandi beauty brands. The answer? Mantle — known for their incorporation of CBD into their skincare, Aivira – who expertly uses the hydrating-power of ectoin in their products, and Sweed — for a perfect lash. Runners ups were Pixi and Nathalie Berzelius, who excel in their skincare, palettes and pigments.