Clarins Beauty Flash Balm Review

Clarins' Beauty Flash Balm is an iconic cult products that has has been around for years and is forever featured in magazines. It's won multiple awards and is a best-seller for the brand, thanks to every beauty editor singing its praises. Despite this, on the blogging and vlogging scene, it seems to be overlooked and that's such a shame. From the plain packaging, it may not seem as exciting as a new Hourglass palette or as attention-grabbing as a garish Too Faced collection, but it's what's inside that counts. And this little tube has the capability to perform skin miracles! Seeing as I've been obsessed with it over the past year especially (it even made it into my 2016 Makeup Favourites), I thought I'd throw it in to the spotlight for this post. 

I'm just going to come right out and say it - the Clarins Beauty Flash Balm is a complete game-changer. I just cannot stress enough how much I'm obsessed with this product. As the name suggests, this balm literally transforms the look and feel of the skin in a flash. This is the perfect pick-me-up for a dull complexion in desperate need of a boost. Whenever you're hungover, have missed out on a full forty winks, or have been struck down with a dreaded cold and still need to look presentable, this cream will eliminate any tell-tale signs and cheat a fresh, healthy complexion. It's literally like an energy drink for the face.

Zapping signs of fatigue, it quickly works to quench skin's thirst, smooth the texture and impart a dewy radiance. What sets this skincare and primer hybrid apart from the rest, however, is that it tightens and firms the skin at the same time. The bold claims of lifting and brightening are by no means far-fetched false promises. You don't have to wait months to see results with this product either, as the clever formula transforms the skin right in front of your eyes. Receiving instant gratification, you can actually feel and see it working just seconds after application. 

 Clarins' Beauty Flash Balm is a great multi-tasker, used in place of moisturiser, as a primer, or even as a hydrating mask if applied generously and left on the skin for ten minutes. Personally, I prefer it as a primer, simply because I don't find it hydrating enough as a moisturiser for my perpetually parched face. I'll go through my entire morning skincare routine, leave it all to sink in whilst getting dressed, before smoothing this balm across my face and applying my makeup. It can be used alone, but if you do wear makeup on top, then Clarins direct you to apply your base immediately after. It's a must.

What's absolutely imperative with this product, is nailing the application technique. In order to achieve that famous tightening effect, gently smoothing it over the face and never rubbing it in is essential. Although it feels like you're left with a coating of wet residue, it's crucial to avoid applying too much pressure when gliding it across the skin - I promise it ends up absorbing. The secret to achieving that lifting effect, is that the balm contains a starchy film-former, which creates a thin veil across the skin and gives a temporary tightening effect that lasts until you cleanse. The film sets into place as it dries, hence why you feel that firming effect. If you apply too much or massage it in too vigorously, then it will simply start to peel off and any firming benefits will be lost.

Don't let the word balm fool you or scare you into thinking this product is heavy and laden with oils. Actually, it's more of a thick, but lightweight, gel-creme. It's rich and nourishing, but it doesn't feel suffocating or at all greasy in texture. On application, it feels instantly cooling and soothing, which is lovely as the skin instantly wakes up. I always worried that the starchy film would stifle my skin, leading to break-outs. Thankfully, though, the formula is non-comodegenic and won't block your pores. Along with the important ingredient of Rice Starch, which creates that unique film, Clarins also use Olive and Witch Hazel extracts to tighten the skin and soothing Bisabolol to add illumination.

Although Clarins claim that this product is suitable for all skin-types, the Beauty Flash Balm may be slightly too illuminating for those with an oilier complexion. It does leave a dewy sheen on the skin which helps it to look plumped all day, whether you apply makeup over the top or not. Perfect for more mature faces, the formula also helps to diffuse the look of lines and wrinkles. There's no hint of shimmer, glitter or any perfecting pigments within the cream, it just acts like a mini facelift and adds a bucketload of moisture. Like many of Clarins' skincare products, it does have a subtle scent to it, but it's not at all overpowering or offensive and it never causes me to sprout any spots. 

 Whenever I use this product as a primer, my makeup lasts all day and never starts to look dry or patchy. It's like that film gives the makeup a smooth canvas to grip to, whilst creating a barrier between the skin and your base, so that it doesn't just suck up your foundation, or break it down when your natural oils start to come through. The thin coating it creates acts a buffer between the outside elements and the skin, so I find that my makeup lasts significantly better when I pop this primer on first. Whenever I have a special occasion to get ready for, this is an absolute must-have in my makeup bag, as I can guarantee it will help me achieve a flawless, long-lasting result, no matter which makeup look I opt for.

Clarins' Beauty Flash Balm costs £38 for 50ml. As I use it mostly as a primer and don't reach daily, a tube lasts for months and months in my makeup bag. Considering the impressive impact it has on the skin, which is so unique and gives a result unlike anything else I've tried, it's an absolute essential for me.

Have you tried Clarins' iconic Beauty Flash Balm before?

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