Wednesday 6 November 2013

Beauty in a flash with Clarins

I don't know if this is just me, but I have a set of products - skincare, makeup and perfumes, that I only wear every now and then, and when I do bring them out it really is a special occasion. These products are special for all kinds of reasons - maybe it's an end of line product, the price (let's be honest I don't think anyone would wear their most expensive mascara or perfume to the gym right?) or memories linked to them, but when you wear them you feel Special, a bit like a princess. Does this sound familiar to you?

One of my Special products is the Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, because of the amazing effect it has on my skin. I first came across it in a You Tube video on primers by the amazing Lisa Eldridge, but the Beauty Flash Balm is so much more than a primer and I would go as far as to say that it should be a staple item in every beauty wardrobe for those times when you want to feel more Special than usual.
 
The Beauty Flash Balm contains olive extract which is rich in anti-oxidants and witch hazel which in addition to being a well known acne fighter reduces puffiness, helps to tighten pores, refreshes skin and it locks in moisture. It also has algae extracts, bisabolol and rice starch to revitalise, soften and purify the skin. These ingredients create a real Cinderella cream that immediately tightens your features and makes your skin look as if you've slept for 15 hrs. The balm has a lovely slightly peachy color that adds a very faint hint of shimmer to the skin, which glows through your makeup giving an incredible lovely radiant finish.

Most Clarins products have a gentle and fresh scent of different ingredients, however the Beauty Flash Balm surprisingly has a much stronger, old school (almost granny like) perfumed scent to it - but luckily that scent doesn't remain on your skin for very long. When you wear this under your makeup you only need very little product, and I would recommend that you use no more than the size of a grain of rice - after all this is not a moisturiser as such. The balm feels very cooling and relaxing on the skin when you first apply it, and it instantly forms a thin protective layer on your skin, acting as a primer to help your makeup stay in place for longer. As with many of the Clarins products there's a "correct way" of applying the balm, you don't just massage it into your skin. Instead you have to apply it with a few gentle strokes in the same direction, or press it into your skin with your palms to get the silicone to create or activate that firming feeling on your skin. When you've applied the balm, the skin will feel velvety smooth, invigorated and protected and you can move on to foundation straight away without needing to let the balm settle on your skin. 

There have been days when my skin has felt as if it needed a mega boost of radiance, so I have put on quite a thick layer of the balm all over my face and left it on for 10 mins, like a drink up mask before wiping it off. It's worked quite well and made the skin look plump and instantly radiant, however my skin has felt slightly sensitive afterwards, so I don't do this very often and personally I prefer the sensation of the balm working on your skin, and the glow throughout the day or evening under your makeup.

According to Clarins you can use the Beauty Flash Balm as part of your daily routine, either in the morning or the evening, but I definitely wouldn't do that. I have a theory that your skin gets used to products, just like any other muscle gets used to certain exercises and since I really want that Cinderella effect every time I use the balm, I'm a bit selective of when I use it which probably also helps that feeling of "something special". So I save it for special occasions, or if I have a really important day ahead and I want to feel confident and the best I can. The only downside of this product for me is the scent - it's not at all what you would expect from Clarins and if for some reason there really is a need for such a strong scent, I wish it was more modern in its style. Otherwise it's a wonderful smoothing, illuminating and firming product and since the effect last so long, there's no need to hurry home before midnight - before you turn into a pumpkin!

60 comments:

  1. I've never heard of that stuff! And that's weird for me. :D But the affects of the balm sound really lovely. I will check it out...maybe as a treat :)

    Blu Button Box

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    1. It's a lovely product - I don't think you'll be disappointed :O). Xx

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  2. I like products with a hint of shine in them. I might give this a go.

    http://www.minsbeautyequipment.com/

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    1. If it's glow you're looking for, then this is a great choice! Xx

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  3. The effects sounds nice to me! :)

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    1. It has a wonderful effect on the skin, but I personally also think that it works so well on me because I don't use it every day :o). Xx

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  4. This sounds great! I'm sure the shimmer looks fantastic. You can never go wrong with Clarins!
    xo, Kate

    kateberlinsays.blogspot.com

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    1. Hiya Kate, I agree with you Clarins have some wonderful products and I hope they can do something about the scent of this one :o). Xx

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  5. I have never thought about getting this because I love the Instant Light Complexion Perfector but I think you may have changed my mind, I want to try it!

    www.makingmeblushblog.wordpress.com

    xx

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    1. Hello Alice, well if you do get the Complexion Perfector, let me know what you think of it since I haven't tried it yet :o). Xx

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  6. I love the Beauty Flash Balm - you're right, it definitely does have a quality to it that makes me feel special :) I love how radiant it makes my skin look when I wear it, I must try it out as a mask! I only have the small sized tube, but I would definitely repurchase the bigger size when I run out.. :) xx

    Rachael | overdosedemaquillage.blogspot.com ♥

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    1. It's a great under make up cream, but if you have very sensitive skin - you should probably try the mask on a small area first so you don't end up with a mini disaster. My skin feels just a tiny bit sensitive after using it as a mask, so just to be sure. Xx

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  7. I think everyone has products that they keep for special occasions, I know I do! This sounds great, may have to pick it up and try it out x

    fabheadtotoe.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Good choice! If you get it online from Clarins directly you can get it as part of the Radiance Collection gift set for £29 that also includes some mini sizes of the lip perfector, the correcting concentrate and a little bag :o). Xx

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  8. I agree its not good to overdue a product skin does get use to it and stop working. Great review.
    http://tifi11.blogspot.com

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  9. I love this stuff and I so agree with you, it's way too special to use every day! I love the smell though, it is really old Granny like but it reminds me of my Nanna's bathroom :) I love using this as a mask too, but using so much in one go does make me cry a little lol

    Claire | AgentSmyth

    Claire | AgentSmyth

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    1. LOL, I know exactly what you mean, it's almost too good to be used that way :O). Xx

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  10. i've never tried this but it sounds great!!

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    1. It's a really great product and it feels so silky on the skin :o) Xx

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  11. You're really tempting me to get this now, sounds great!

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  12. I couldn't get on with this at all :(

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    1. Oh no what a shame, I hope you've found another Cinderella product that works better :o). Xx

      http://makeupbycandlelight.blogspot.co.uk/

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  13. I get you since I also have some stuff that saves for special occasions. This balm sounds so great, I didnt know it and would love to give it a try!:) Kisses! xo

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    1. If you do - let me know what you think of it :o). Xx

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  14. Sounds really nice. Anti- oxidants are always good. :)
    fashionhappenss.blogspot.sk

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    1. Absolutely, anything that keeps lines and wrinkles away is a good thing :o). Xx

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  15. I have a sample of this that I have been saving up to use for a special occassion!

    katespitz.blogspot.com

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    1. Lovely - I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I do :o). Xx

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  16. This sounds like a fab product! Surprisingly I don't own any products by Clarins, this is possibly one for the Xmas list.

    Tara xo

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    1. That would be a great little treat to look forward to :o). Xx

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  17. This sounds so lovely! I don't really have any products that I save for special occasions - I take the view that life is a pretty special occasion! Haha :)

    Jess xo

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    1. That's a great approach really! I should probably do that a little bit more :O). Xx

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  18. I've always wanted to try this product, but the price puts me off a little, I think I might have to treat myself after Christmas :) your post was nice to learn of the different ways to use it xx

    www.ohsoaddictedtobeauty.blogspot.com

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    1. Hello Rachel, thank you so much that's really lovely of you :o)! Xx

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  19. I've had my eye on this for a while but I wasn't sure if it was something i really 'needed' (never stopped me before though has it!) I think it's something to put on the list for next time I want to treat myself, because I've already bought so many skincare products lately.
    saida xx

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    1. I know how you feel - I'm even contemplating a November spending ban - can you believe it!!!!! Xx

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  20. Definitely need to try this, I'm in need of something to brighten up my skin! Great post x
    http://the-finestthings.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. That's really lovely of you - thank you! It's a wonderful cream that works wonders for me so I hope you'll be happy with it too :o). Xx

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  21. Defiantly going to tray this product!

    www.thesecretstop.com

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    1. Hello Karolina and thank you for visiting! Great choice - it's a wonderful product for instant radiance. Hope you'll visit again soon :o). Xx

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  22. Like many others who have commented, I want to try this, too, mostly for the effect. It caught my attention at the mention of being able to de-puff my face. Lol.

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    1. It feels wonderfully cooling on the skin and you can almost feel how it tightens up your features - I hope you'll be happy with it :o). Xx

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  23. I have some of those special products to but they are mostly face masks (I may be slightly obsessed) but my Beauty Flash Balm... I use that all the time, it's absolutely fabulous!
    xo
    styleontheside.com

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    1. It really is a classic isn't it - and for good reason :O). Xx

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  24. Ahh I love Clarins products but they're unavailable in the States. May I should look for it on eBay...

    xo Deborah
    Coffee, Prose, and Pretty Clothes

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    1. It's so strange to me that Clarins isn't available in one of the biggest markets - anyway, I hope you manage to get hold of it since it's well worth the hunt! :o) Xx

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  25. I used to work for Clarins years and years ago. While this product wasn't a favorite of mine back then, it is really great and a lot of women do like it! Great post dear!
    xx Easy Outfits, by Pip

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  26. I've never tried this before, but I've always wanted to as it sounds so intriguing! I think it's got to be fantastic for it to be such a cult product. Well your review has definitely sold it to me :D xx

    Gemma | Miss Makeup Magpie

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    1. I can't get a better comment than that :o) - thank you so much, and let me know what you think of it! Xx

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  27. This seems to be a very interesting product!! I've heard so many great things about Clarins but never knew what to get as my first product from their line, after reading your review, I hope to find this somewhere close by to get this! Thank you Charlotte for sharing this with us! xoxo

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    1. Hiya Liz, sounds great and I hope you'll find it as wonderful as I do :o). Xx

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  28. Omgsh dear this product looks amazing ! I love Clarins for their skin care products ... I'm definitely going to buy this primer...
    Kisses
    http://beautyndbest.com/

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    1. It's amazing the radiance it gives you immediately :O). Xx

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  29. Sounds really lovely! Also to the commenter who posted above that Clarins isn't available in the States - I'm pretty certain you can at least get them online? http://www.clarinsusa.com/

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    1. Hiya Rebecca - thank you so much that's so nice of you! Thanks as well for the link to Clarins USA - hopefully that will make some Clarins lovers happy :o). Xx

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  30. love this product!

    http://pomegranateandcoffee.blogspot.co.uk

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  31. Have you tried using a thicker layer as a face mask. It's my favourite way to use this. Leave it on for about 10 minutes and it gives your skin a lovely radiant look x

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    1. I have tried this, and it works but makes my skin a little sensitive - I don't know if it's from the scent...Xx

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