This is a review of Soap & Glory Bright Here Bright Now Instant Radiance Energy Balm. I treated myself to a 50ml tube of this on recent trip to Boots as I had to spend a few more pounds to get 250 Boots points so added this to my basket of goodies even though I didn't really need it.

Packaging
I think the packaging seduces me on the Soap and Glory range. With the energy balm it comes boxed with a window featuring the product. The box makes it look a bit bigger than it really is I think as it has an insert to push it up in the box. Inside is an attractive silver tube, a bit like old fashioned toothpaste and a red plastic top. There is a lot of information on the front of the tube which promises an awful lot:

-Make that dull skin dazzle
- Just apply bright here bright now
- Instant radiance energy balm
- and get beautifully luminous skin
-with moisturizing apricot kernel oil, aloe vera and face firming active instantight2

In use
You can use this alone as a moisturiser or mix it in your foundation. I tend to use this as a moisturiser rather than with make up as I usually use mineral powders so that doesn't really mix well with this. I find the tube always squeezes out far too much product no matter how hard I try to only squeeze out a bit. The cream is a light peach colour which helps the skin to have a bit of a glow just from the cream. If you want to you could wear this on its own without make up but I do prefer to add a bit of make up. After applying, I find my skin tingles a bit which tells me something is happening with this balm. I also found my eyes were streaming the first couple of times so now I am careful to avoid the eye area when applying as that was not pleasant.

Price
I paid £7.50 for a 50ml tube which was on special offer. I believe this had £5 off the normal price so that would make it £12.50 but this range is often on 3 for 2 and I think the Christmas gift sets that included this were better value, especially in the sales!

My thoughts
I think the full retail price is too expensive for this product but when it is on offer it is not bad value for money. Obviously it is not advisable to rub any cream in your eyes, and it did hurt when I inadvertently did it, but to be fair it does warn about this on the back of the tube.

Final word
So, the best way of rating this is to consider whether I would buy this again in the future. I do have issues with the packaging, mainly in that it dispenses too much in one go and it is virtually impossible to get it back in the tube once it is out so sometimes my arms do well out of my intention to only moisturise my face. I do quite like the results of the cream and feel it made my skin look better. I even had a photo wearing this (and make up) and it was quite flattering to my skin (which is unusual for me) so I can only really say that it is a good balm and probably one I will buy again in the future if the price is right.