As I approached 35, I was ready for something more aggressive than an at-home face mask. I couldn’t ignore the resting witch face (frown lines), emerging crow’s feet, and decades of sun damage in the mirror anymore. Ever/Body’s package, “The Resurfacing Plan” was my answer. It included a Hydrafacial Detox, Morpheus8, and three sessions of the Clear + Brilliant Laser Facial. All treatments promise to complement each other and facilitate a rebound for the loss of collagen that I was experiencing. As a bonus, a package like this will also markedly shrink pores. Since I wanted to get carded at the bar before my 35th birthday dinner, I went for it.

Here’s how “The Resurfacing Plan” works

First, I booked a detoxing Hydrafacial, known for its exfoliating and hydrating benefits, at the Ever/Body Upper East Side location after work on a Thursday afternoon. It starts with a steam and hydration wand but also includes manual extractions at Ever/Body. It was relaxing, rejuvenating, and clarifying. Despite the congestion that I was experiencing on my chin, I walked out after exceptionally gentle manual pore extractions without a pink mark on my skin. I was glowing on my commute home, but the glow didn’t fade right away. Three days later, I was going sans makeup and sending selfies to my mom. I decided that I’d purchase a package of Hydrafacials after my “Resurfacing Plan” program was complete. I wanted to glow like this forever.

Then, there was Morpheus8. I was scared but excited for this one. This was the safest but most intense treatment I could think of to target the earliest stages of sagging and deepening nasolabial folds (laugh lines, in layman’s terms) that I’m spotting after 35 years of laughing too hard. While I will never stop laughing, I will gladly employ microneedling with radiofrequency to erase the signs.

There were a few side effects, but nothing that would prevent me from doing it again

I won’t lie, Morpheus8 wasn’t wasn’t as much of a relaxing experience, but it was over quickly. After 45 minutes of numbing, the machine passed through each part of my face twice. It almost felt like a staple gun supercharged with an electric zap. But it was over almost before it started. The skilled aesthetician powered through for me to ensure less than 30 minutes of pain. I also wasn’t too red after, but I did have to cover a black eye in the days that followed. This is a common side effect, but worth noting so that you don’t schedule Morpheus8 too soon before a big event. I’d still do it all over again for the tightness I saw almost immediately after. That “hot stapler” took ten years off of my face.

Finally, it was time for the series of Clear + Brilliant Laser Facials, which are known to promote cellular turnover and collagen production for smoother, clearer, and brighter skin. I knew that a series of these would be the answer to my remaining hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and skin texture to take my pre-birthday glow to the next level. After Morpheus 8, this type of treatment itself was a breeze, and the downtime was non-existent. I was red for less than a day that followed, and have a feeling that I’ll feel glowy for months on end.

Whether it was worth it, and if I’d do it again

Throughout this process and in the days following, I felt refreshed and vibrant, which was the ultimate goal. Despite the additional decade of perspective and life experience, I almost forgot that I was approaching such a pivotal life stage and decided to embark on a similar skincare journey as a lead-up to every birthday in the future.

I’m getting married next September, so I’ve just officially begun the hunt for my wedding dress. While the journey has been better than I had anticipated so far, the experience of being clamped and fitted into sample-size dresses—and having to look at your body in all new shapes and styles—has definitely been a bit challenging. I’m a huge proponent of body positivity and loving yourself at any size, but I also believe in investing in the things that make you feel like your very best, no matter what. When I heard three lucky Coveteur staffers were going to have the chance to try out Ever/Body, I knew I had to jump at the opportunity to give truSculpt iD a try.

What truSculpt iD is

A non-invasive procedure, truSculpt iD permanently destroys fat cells in a targeted area of your body (lower belly, abdomen, arms, back, thighs, etc.), using high-heat radiofrequency. Aside from removing fat cells deep beneath your skin’s subcutaneous layer, the treatment also contours the body, increases skin laxity (tightening loose skin), and reduces cellulite.

While it takes about 12 weeks to see full results post-procedure, I knew that going for a treatment ahead of my first dress appointment would help placate my body-conscious brain during the fittings and give me peace of mind that by the time I walk down the aisle next year, I’ll look and feel even better than I do right now.

About the appointment and post-procedure downtime

I was shocked at how quick the truSculpt iD session was, making it super easy to fit into my hectic schedule. While most of the forty-five-minute appointment is prep (chatting through your target area(s) with your medical technician, mapping out the areas on your body, and taking ‘before’ pictures), the truSculpt iD pods are only on your body for 15 minutes total. Activated in groups of two, the pods increasingly heat up in a series of 60, 30, 15, and 5-second bursts, which makes time fly as they constantly rotate throughout. Don’t get me wrong, the level of heat was much stronger than I expected (especially on the sensitive lower belly area where I opted to get my treatment done), but it is certainly nothing you can’t handle. And seeing the sweat drip off your body once the pods are removed—without having moved a single limb—is so worth it.

Once the full six-pod cycle was over, I was dressed and out the door in less than five minutes. There’s little to no downtime post-procedure since truSculpt iD is completely non-surgical, so aside from making sure to hydrate, avoiding extreme temperature changes, and keeping a normal diet/exercise regimen, I was able to go right back to my daily routine.

Whether it was worth it, and if I’d do it again

Even though it’s only been about four weeks since my treatment, I can already tell my stomach has begun to slim down and is just starting to tighten and show a bit of new definition. Based on others’ reviews that I’ve obsessively googled pre- and post-appointment, I can’t wait to see what I look like once the full results take effect in the next two months.

Given how easy, efficient, and painless the truSculpt iD experience was, I’m already considering going back for another session on my lower arms in the spring. Based on the great things Leya and Caroline had to say about their experiences, it sounds like I might be making Ever/Body a monthly go-to for facials ahead of my nuptials, too. Why not, right?

After recently entering my official late 20s, I’ve decided to be proactive about caring for and protecting my skin. Outside of leaning further into an SPF routine, I found that Ever/Body’s curated systems were exactly what I was looking for in an expert approach to both caring for previous skin concerns and preventing future damage.

My main skincare concerns

After years of hormonal acne that only recently subsided, I still struggle with hyperpigmentation and uneven texture. When researching ways to tackle multiple concerns at once, Ever/Body’s “The Facial Starter Plan” quite literally seemed like the perfect place to start. While I am already a Hydrafacial devotee, the Clear & Brilliant treatment and VI Peel are both definitely a first. Post-treatment downtime was also a concern of mine, making this specific treatment plan the best fit for my busy work schedule and lifestyle.

An overview of my experience

The entire Ever/Body experience manages to feel luxe and relaxing while also clinically and medically safe. I can tell that all of the providers whom I have had the pleasure of meeting so far are highly-trained experts beyond what I have experienced with other providers of facial treatments. With all of their clinical expertise, they still manage to maintain the relaxing atmosphere that you want from a spa-like setting with a serene lobby and waiting room and relaxing music throughout.

My results thus far

While I’ve experienced the hydrating and smoothing power of a Hydrafacial treatment in the past, my Facial Starter Plan journey started with a Hydrafacial so relaxing that I actually fell asleep mid-treatment—definitely a first. After glowing for two weeks, I returned for my Clear & Brilliant treatment, which, transparently, is a bit more intense. I was initially a bit intimidated by the topical numbing procedure that takes place before the laser treatment begins, but definitely understood why it was necessary as the intensity increased about halfway through. My provider explained that my skin would feel “like sandpaper” for a week following the procedure as a result of the mass cellular turnover taking place, which turned out to be a very accurate description of my skin texture for five days before my smoother skin was revealed. I first saw noticeable results exactly a week post-treatment when I was applying my daily moisturizer and felt a clear improvement in the smoothness of my skin.

Whether it was worth it, and if I’d do it again

I feel very lucky to have one of Ever/Body’s newest NYC locations right in my neighborhood, so I know that returning on a semi-regular basis is something that I will absolutely do. I have loved kicking off my Ever/Body journey with The Facial Starter Plan curated package, and would ideally like to do this exact system once per year with regular Hydrafacials as maintenance in between, though Leya’s experience has landed Morpheus8 a spot on my wish list for future treatments, as well.

Every Skincare Journey is Unique

Everyone is on a unique skincare journey and these carefully curated routines make those experiences far less daunting. Once Emily feels wedding-ready, she’ll be dreaming about her birthday glow-up, too, and Leya will be preparing for the ol’ three-six. We’re already looking forward to booking our next curated package and experimenting with new treatments is half the fun.

Skincare is a maintenance game that we can all win together. While life experiences and aging milestones are a privilege, we can always do the work to show up looking more glowy than ever before the next epic skin-worthy moment awaits.