DO I LOOK RADIANT? ;-) (Clarins Beauty Flash Balm)

Member Name: PRINCESSPUSSYCAT

Product:	Clarins Beauty Flash Balm
Date:	30/01/08 (736 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A real boost to the radiance of the skin.

Disadvantages: There is a knack to applying this.

***CLARINS BEAUTY FLASH BALM***



**THE SECRET OF INSTANT RADIANCE**


I bought this quite a while ago after reading some very good opinions on the product, and after a while the balm kind of got pushed behind some newer items which I bought and placed in my bathroom cabinet. I was sorting this cabinet out the other day, and there it was. I had totally forgotten I had bought this.



Now Clarins is not at the cheap end of the market, but I had read how amazing this product is, and decided to try it. It cost me about £25.00 from Debenhams department store. Pretty pricey I thought, but if lived up to it's claims, it was money well spent. I couldn't wait to try it, as the balm sounded brilliant, and it seems to be a favorite with top models, and actresses alike, so it must be doing something right.



I thought this product would be a great idea to use before a special night out. An ideal skin refresher, a face 'pick-me-up' to wipe away the stresses and fatiques of the day. A gay friend of mines boyfriend uses it when he goes on a night out he always has an illuminating look about his face, it looks great. I asked why he looked so refreshed, and he told me. This, backed with the opinions I had read, prompted me to buy it.



Beauty flash balm otherwise known as Beaute Eclair, is suitable for all skin types. The small 50ml tube comes boxed in a rather plain white and red box. I find Clarins products simple in their packaging, but they do come with a very good reputation. Tried and trusted I'd say. Clarins have been in the beauty business for over forty years, and they use the purest plant extracts in their products. The tube of Beauty Flash Balm which is white with red writing on is four inches high, quite small for the price tag. The cream inside is pink, and slightly pearly in appearance. It is thick in consistency, and glides over the face well, when applied. It has a pleasant smell, a bit like lanolin. It states that you can also use this radiance cream as a face mask. Just leave on 10-15 minutes, then rinse, and it will energize and soothe your skin.



The reason I say 'glides' over your face is that it was recommended to me by the salesperson that you do not rub this balm in. You simply glide it over your face, neck, and decollette. Then smooth in very gently, and quite quickly until dry. If you try to rub this balm after it is dry, it crumbles, and looks messy, and the effect is lost. You can wear the balm on it's own, or under your make up. When applying your foundation, do this immediately after you apply the balm, or once again, if you leave it too long after the balm has dried you will end up with a crumbling effect.



There is a bit of a knack to applying the Beauty flash balm, but don't worry you soon get the hang of it. 0Ooh, one thing, I was told by the saleperson that I was to not use the balm more than twice a week!, and I can only summise it is probably because of the Sorbitan stearate that it contains.- I would say it defines the contours of the face a little, and when I applied make-up, it gave my skin a radiance.



Since I have had interest from another member in a comment to this review regarding the 'Sorbitan stearate', I will supply you with the link, in case you are interested in knowing a little more about it, like she was :o)

http://www.geocities.com/fragranceallergy/Chemica lsUsedInCosmetics.html



I have to say the effect once dried is lovely. My face has a real glow to it, like I have just stepped in from the cold. My face is pink and alive. I put some on one side of my face to see if I noticed a difference. I then asked my Husband to say which side of my face looked better. He chose the other side, hehe...but that doesn't mean anything. I could see the difference in my skin tone on the side that I had put it on. It definitely had a shine to it, a lustre. Basically Beauty flash balm is a refresher. It give tired skin a 'lift'. It pupports to promote "firmer looking skin and to diminish fine lines". Also to make your "skin feel softer, and your complexion brighter."



I think it definitely does that. I have to say it's good, but I wasn't blown away by it, and I don't think I would pay the £25.00 for it again, though I am sure you could find this on Ebay, and online stores for a whole lot cheaper. I think the small 50ml tube would last a long time, as I didn't need to use a whole lot of this balm to cover my face and neck- It's claims "It gives your skin 'Radiance in a flash'." and I think that just about sums it up. -



Thank you for reading.
PRINCESSPUSSYCAT 2008*

Summary: An instant 'pick-me-up for tired skin.