Nearly every beautymagazine seems to rave about this product, with it featuring regularly in the 'celebrity's favourite beauty essentials' type lists; apparently Charlotte Church and Robbie Williams are big fans. So last time I was in Boots I forked out £22.50 and that night tried it out before going out for a meal with my OH. My skin is quite dry, and past its best at 40+, so I was hoping for a much needed boost.
The packaging is rather miminal, white with red lettering which reminded me very much of Champneys beauty product design (though I'm sure Champneys copied them rather than the other way round!). The flash balm is dispensed simply, through a toothpaste like tube, and comes out easily in a lotion that is not too runny or too thick. It has a rather powerful flowery perfume which I found rather too strong. I expected clear or white cream, but it is actually an orangy flesh colour. Fortunately this colour does not show when spread on the skin. On application it looked shiny and rather greasy, but after a few seconds it sank into my skin, and felt very soothing and richly moisturising.
A few minutes after application my skin started to feel rather tight, as if I needed to apply more moisturiser. I didn't put any foundation or powder over the top, but just applied eye makeup and lippy and went out on the town. My OH didn't comment at all on my skin (but then I didn't really expect him too) but I glanced in the mirror a few times while out and my face looked fine, though I didn't see any startling transformation. However, after we'd started on the main course I noticed my OH starting intently at my skin and felt hopeful - perhaps the Beauty Flash Balm was making me gorgeous? Afraid not - 'what's that on your face?' he asked, and when I ran my hand over my skin, little white blobs of flaked cream came off on my hand. The flash balm seemed to be coming off in small lumps and my skin felt tight and uncomfortable. I retired to the bathroom and had a bit of a splash with cold water to try and remove the flaking product.
So, while this obviously suits some people, try if you can to have a test in store before buying - put some on your face and leave it for an hour or so to see if your skin reacts like mine to the ingredients. I don't normally have sensitive skin at all and use most beauty products with no problems, so it must be something in the Clarins product that just doesn't agree with my face, unfortunately.
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Spend over £25 and get a free £25 cosmetics pack and free delivery. Clarins top seller! ... more
Look no further if you want to give your appearance an instant boost. Clarins Beauty Flash Balm has become a bestseller purely on this basis and it's a well-earned...
Postage & Packaging: £1.95 Availability: 5 - 14 working days
Clarins Beauty Flash Balm is an instant radiance booster, reviving skin's beauty for a ... more
softer, smoother, healthier-looking complexion. The ideal pick-me-up to help minimise signs of fatigue or stress. Perfect to use before going out or whenever you w...
Advantages: Achieves a healthy glow. Disadvantages: Not a significant healthy glow.
L0BSTER_QUADRILLE 01.10.2005 (01.10.2005)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Clarins Beauty Flash Balm
Advantages: An instant 'pick-me-up and refresher for fatigued skin. Disadvantages: There is a real knack to applying this.
Morning_Becomes_Electra 30.01.2008 (30.01.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Clarins Beauty Flash Balm
Advantages: Keeps make-up looking fresh all day or night, perfect for brightening up tired skin. Disadvantages: Quite pricey at £18, not for everyday use.
SAMELLIS21 14.04.2002 (05.11.2002)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Clarins Beauty Flash Balm
Advantages: Keeps make-up looking fresh all day or night, perfect for brightening up tired skin. Disadvantages: Quite pricey at £18, not for everyday use.
SAMELLIS21 14.04.2002 (05.11.2002)
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Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Clarins Beauty Flash Balm
Advantages: It has a great consistency that should suit anyone and takes years off your face. Disadvantages: some people hate the smell - but I love it!
Oct 6th, 2007
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