I can be quite fickle, sometimes just a little bit of a hype and a compelling product name are enough to have me feverishly tracking a product down. The Clarins Beauty Flash Balm has always appealed to me, something about ‘beauty flash balm’ which just sounds like it will make you look like Gisele in a ‘flash’ or is that just me? Used as a primer it promises to brighten and tighten tired or dull complexions as a radiance booster and contour the skin so that it looks more rested and relaxed- who doesn’t want a little balm that can make you look instantly more radiant and relaxed? The Beauty Flash Balm also promises to “prep skin for perfect make-up application and hours of luminous wear” and it is suited to all skin types.
A cult product that’s one of the brands most famous and best-selling it’s been on my list for a while, so when I received a sample size I could hardly wait to try it out for myself. It’s a little bit odd- the application stresses that you shouldn’t rub it in and that you should follow with make up immediately. I squeezed a tiny amount out and it was enough to cover my entire face, I dabbed it on in gentle patting motions and then followed up with either my Chantecaille Tinted Moisturizer or Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation. My skin did look plumped and brighter, but not that much more so than usual- the jury is still out whether this product actually does anything, but I love the smell and the idea that it does make me just that little more supermodel-esq. I will definitely be using this for a little while longer and report back on any improvements I see, but for now I think it’s just a nice primer for skin to boost moisture levels and not a bewitching product that can instantly turn back the clock and erase signs of one too many late nights! I really am desperate to love this, but we’re all a bit guilty of falling for clever marketing, hype and catchy names aren’t we?
As with all Clarins products it is reasonably priced thought, £29 for 100ml and available here