Review: Clarins Beauty Flash Balm

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm has been an icon in the beauty industry since its release over 20 years ago. It is a cream product that claims to 'brighten and tighten' the skin to allow for perfect make up application.

I first started using this product a few years ago when my mum gave me her free Clarins samples but at the time I didn't really think about how to use it... I used it as a moisturiser, as a cleanser, mixed it with foundation, you name it I tried it! However, after a bit of investigation and my own experimentation, I discovered it is best applied after your morning moisturiser and before foundation.

I find it works best if you pat it in to the skin but do not rub it in, so that a thin layer covers your face. When you then start to apply your foundation it allows for a very smooth application and a bright, natural, glowing finish. I find it helps my make up to last well during the day but I don't tend to suffer to badly with make up waring away. It certainly delivers on the brightening front and I also feel it offers good moisture cover too. I often have dry patches or dehydrated skin and this helps with that massively! I can't really comment on the tightening aspect, I'm thankfully still wrinkle free but I imagine it probably goes towards smoothing out fine lines!

The product is a little pricey for a make up base, £28 for 50ml, but it will last you a while. It also often comes as a freebie in 'Gift With Purchase' offers in substantial 30ml sizes (as pictured above) so if you're a frequent Clarins customer you may not even need to splurge on it alone. The packaging has just changed (along with a lot of Clarins products) and I think it looks great, they've made the dispensing of product easier so volume control will be easier.

All in all I think this is a great product and would highly recommend it for those whole like their foundation to have a bit of a glow about it, even if it is on the pricey side!

Let me know if you've used this product and what you thought in the comments below.

Review: Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation

I picked the Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation up when it first came out in the UK, it was reduced to £5.99 from £8.99 as an introductory offer so I thought I might as well give it a go! Boy am I glad I did! It claims to reawaken and illuminate the skin, it definitely delivers! This foundation really is superb for a 'drugstore' priced product.

I got the colour True Ivory, the second lightest shade and I've found it to be fairly neutral in tone. The colour range is not huge but the product is very blend-able so you should be able to get a colour that suits. It offers a medium coverage with a dewy finish that feels incredibly light on the skin. It also lasts quite well, I would say touch ups are only required after about 8 hours of wear. It does not cling to any dry patches on my skin and I think with an adequate primer it would be ok for slightly oily skin, probably not so good for very oily skin though.

I've heard lots of people talking about 'glitter' in this foundation, this is not something to be concerned about, there is a slight shimmer when the product is in the bottle under false light, however it is undetectable on my skin. I think it purely offers a light reflective finish, which is to be expected from a dewy finish product.

The product is not heavily scented, a little fruity like their other foundations, but nothing too noticeable. I really like the packaging, it's a step away from the plastic bottles of Rimmel's past. All in all, for just shy of £9 it's a very good buy!

Do you have any more questions? Pop them in the comments below and let me know what you thought of this foundation!

Top 5: May Wish List!

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer

              

Stila 'In The Light' Eye Shadow Palette

Liz Earle Brightening Treatment Mask

Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturiser

Nails Inc. Porchester Square Polish

Excuse me using file photos but I don't own the products to take my own pictures!

If anyone has used any of these and could recommend or advise on them let me know in the comments below!

What's In My Bag?

 

Handbag - Zara

 

Left to right if I can manage!

Umbrella

Strepsils

Gloves - Johnston Lambswool

Hair clip - Primark

Uni things

Nivea hand cream

17 Shine Control Powder

Max Factor pocket mirror

Glasses (Oscar and Fitch) and lens case

Gold large clasp - Primark

Jack Wills lip gloss and lip stick

Jack Wills pen

Piz Buin Suncream

Abercrombie and Fitch No. 8 perfume

Car and house keys

Purse - Osprey

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Lip Protectant

Vaseline

Nail file/buffer - Leighton Denny

Space Nk Travel brush kit

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua

Bobbi Brown Day to Night eye palette

iPod

Coin purse - Radley

 

As you can see I carry a lot of rubbish in my bag but I probably use most of it on a fairly regular basis.

Let me know if you enjoyed this post or if you have any suggestions in the comments below!

Max Factor False Lash Effect 24 hour Mascara

 

Recently I've been trying out a few new mascaras as I fancied a change. I normally use the Max Factor Lash Extension but I wanted to try something that gave me a bit more volume. I have tried the False Lash Effect before so when I went to Boots and saw they had released a 24 hour version I had to try it.

I went for the black as I rarely wear any other colour of mascara. It is certainly a good dark black, I often feel black mascara can be a little grey but this is perfect! It has a very thick plastic brush that is excellent for applying the product evenly and not leaving any clumps, but it can be bad for transferring product on to your eyelids which is very annoying! Which leads me on to the '24 hour' aspect... It's AWFUL! The formulation doesn't claim to be waterproof, it certainly is not as it smudges with water contact, but it's near impossible to remove. It does not come off with normal cleanser or a simple water based eye make-up remover, the only thing that take it off is Clarins eye makeup remover, but even then I feel like I'm scrubbing at my eyes... not ideal! It lasts all day but I just can't recommend it because it's so annoying!

The actual application is easy and gives a very good effect with just 2 coats, I would leave it at that as the lashes can stick together after 3 coats. It takes a while to dry which is annoying but once dry it is fairly flexible and doesn't crumble. (Please excuse the photo quality, had to use my phone...)

No Mascara

1 coat

2 coats

I think this mascara looks great but I will not be buying the 24 hour version again, in fact I've stopped using it because my poor eyes can't take the removal process. I would highly recommend the normal version to anyone looking for a volumising every day mascara and at £10.99, for the quality, it's not a bad price.

I've also been trying out the Clarins Wonder Volume mascara so look out for that review over the next couple of weeks!

Any questions or comments? Pop them in the box below!