I spent millions on plastic surgery as a ‘guinea pig’ – you name it, I’ve had it, but now I swear by natural skincare
After spending millions on plastic surgery, a model has taken her past addiction to perfection and turned it into a business.
Alicia Douvall, 44, and her daughter Georgia, 29, utilized their nip-and-tuck traumas and lessons learned to develop a skincare brand with an emphasis on natural anti-aging.
Model Alicia Douvall discussed the pros and cons of natural skincare and plastic surgery with The U.S. Sun.
She and her daughter Georgia shared how cosmetic work impacted their lives in different ways.
“I know the behind-the-scenes of it all, and it’s definitely been a lesson learned for me,” Georgia admitted.
Both women stressed the importance of self-acceptance and a healthy lifestyle over quick fixes and unrealistic beauty standards.
Alicia began getting work done when she was just 20 years old, and 13 years ago, she gave it all up completely.
In 2011, she and her daughter launched Douvalls beauty brand after discovering the benefits of cold-pressed argan oil on their skin.
I had over 20 boob jobs. I’ve had laser, microdermabrasion, ribs shaved, and toes. You name it, I’ve had it.
Alicia Douvall
But it was a winding road before Alicia embraced a minimalistic outlook on beauty.
MO’ MONEY, MO’ PROBLEMS
Alicia admitted that she spent over a million pounds on surgery for different procedures all over her body.
“I had over 20 boob jobs. I’ve had laser, microdermabrasion, ribs shaved, and toes. You name it, I’ve had it,” she said.
“When a new thing was coming out, they would sell it to me and I would be gullible enough to have it even though it’s not been tried on by anybody else. Guinea pig really unknowingly.”
Alicia admitted that the reason that she started getting all of this work done was because she wanted to be a model.
“I wasn’t quite tall enough to do the fashion. So I slipped into glamour, and that was when I got the breast augmentation,” she said.
She claimed that this was during the “era of the supermodel” with idealized images of Pamela Anderson and Cindy Crawford as part of why she “chased perfection.”
“For my first breast operation, I thought I was not quite right. So I got another one. Then they weren’t big enough or too big or something wasn’t right and it just spiraled from there,” she added.
I had a tummy tuck and then I had butt implants. Obviously, with your bum, you’re always using it. It’s impossible not to.
Alicia Douvall
“You’re looking at images and striving for perfection, which doesn’t really exist. So I guess I was always disappointed.”
“I’ve definitely been put off by it and know sort of the risks involved. I think it’s really important to know, especially with people looking up to, like, Kylie Jenner, the reality of it,” Georgia chimed in.
PAINFUL PROCESS
“I think, in hindsight, all the operations were pretty painful and the recovery was not only unnecessary, but it was long-winded,” Alicia admitted.
“In my generation, where it is social media and people strive to be perfect and have a lot of Botox and things like that, I’ve experienced it through her,” Georgia added.
Out of all of her surgeries, Alicia said her most painful was probably the stomach area and her bottom, but the most dangerous had to be her butt.
“I had a tummy tuck and then I had butt implants. I was one of the first ones to have that job. Obviously, with your bum, you’re always using it. It’s impossible not to,” she explained.
When she first got it done, Alicia admitted that she kept it secret as well because it was a “real shameful thing to have back then.”
BREAKING POINT
Her biggest turning point was when a surgeon damaged a muscle permanently during a facelift.
“Those things added up and made me realize this is a really silly, horrible thing and it’s also very addictive because it’s selling you hope that doesn’t really exist,” Alicia said.
Georgia agreed that surgeons and aesthetic professionals are “there to make money,” and not to “tell you when to stop.”
“I’ve seen that as well from going to appointments with her and things like that. They just continue to upsell you things. it’s just the business,” Georgia said
Alicia called all of the surgical procedures “a shortcut” to the body you want.
I tried to get things removed, but it was going to cause more damage than good
Alicia Douvall
“Instead of a healthy diet and being the best version of yourself, you think you can cheat Mother Nature and take the easy way out and actually it doesn’t work,” she added.
That life-changing moment over a decade ago is what prompted Alicia to co-found the Douvalls brand — and also try to get her cosmetic work removed or reversed.
“When we started the company, I just stopped it. I tried to get things removed, but it was going to cause more damage than good,” she revealed.
“It could have cost me to have to have more operations. So I just left things as they were.”
Both Alicia and Georgia went on a worldwide search for natural alternatives to take care of their skin.
Georgia admitted that she struggled with acne, while her mother had rosacea which really damaged the skin barrier.
The duo couldn’t find the best solutions in their native region of the United Kingdom, so they flew abroad and found their holy grail ingredient, argan oil.
“We went to Morocco and went to 20 different women’s cooperatives to find the specific one that we work with,” Georgia added.
“From there we bought back about 500 kilograms to this tiny flat in London and shared it with friends and family and launched in Harrods.”
Georgia said that the oil transformed their skin and repaired their problem areas with natural skincare products.
“I wasn’t having struggles with acne. My mom was repairing it and helping with that redness, dry skin, anti-aging at the same time as well,” she explained.
DOUVALL DREAM
Their best-selling product is the Douvalls Organic First Cold Pressed Argan oil, $46, at Walmart.
“This one ingredient, amazing product actually worked for both of us with completely different skin types and different ages,” Georgia said.
Alicia added that it was “scientifically proven to reduce coarse lines and fine wrinkles,” which many A-list celebrities can attest to.
Selena Gomez, pop star Kylie Minogue, Jennifer Aniston, Angelina Jolie, Julianne Moore, talk show host Kelly Ripa, and models Josie Maran and Gisele Bundchen are just a few.
Buy it now
Douvall’s Organic First Cold Pressed Argan oil, $46, Walmart
Douvall‘s Daily Argan Moisturiser with SPF30 UVA/UVB protection 60 mL, $26, Walmart
Douvall’s Argan Active Anti-aging Eye Serum, $71.35, Douvall’s Beauty
“I was spending thousands [of pounds] on dermatologists in LA and London. I was buying really expensive creams from Harrods and all sorts of amazing gadgets and lotions, but nothing worked,” she said.
Alicia revealed that after putting so many products on her skin, it actually started to get worse, but the oil “completely transformed” her overall appearance.
“My hair started to grow. My nails started to grow. So I got rid of the fake nails. I got rid of their hair extensions. And it was just completely transformative.
LESSONS LEARNED
In the end, Alicia advised those interested in plastic surgery to “save your money and invest in a better future for yourself.”
“I think the best investment you can ever have is natural skincare and a healthy diet, membership, or whatever it is to keep yourself active and healthy,” she said.
“It’s not about having the best nose or the best face. It’s about feeling confident in your body and yourself.”
Their other best anti-aging Douvall’s products included the Daily Argan Moisturiser with SPF30 UVA/UVB protection and the Argan Active Anti-aging Eye Serum
All are available at Walmart and Amazon, and their website which ships worldwide.