I can sing nothing but praise, for Clarins Beauty Flash Balm! I have spent months buying and trying primers from Benefit The POREfessional, Revlons Photoready and bareMinerals prime time foundation primer, and nothing has come close to my Beauty Flash Balm! All of the primers I have tried have been voted some of the best, but personally I have been so disappointed, although they have helped my make-up last, my foundation wasn't as easy to apply and my skin was left looking dull and dry. For all you beauty beginners, primers are used to prep your skin for your foundation. Primers ensure your skin is hydrated and leave a smooth surface for your foundation and can make your foundation last all day.
I have dry to normal skin and found I had to double up when using all these previous primers by using a moisturiser (which I dont like to do, as I put enough on my skin already - if I can avoid adding an unnecessary layer I will!). Also, using both a primer and moisturiser is just an added expense. Although you can use a moisturiser to prime your skin, it wont necessarily have the added benefits of a specially designed primer such as pore minimisation, filling in lines and wrinkles and the added bonus of your make-up lasting for hours. As I have dry skin I found that these pervious primers didn't hydrate my skin at all.
However after months of experimenting with primers, I
have FINALLY found a primer that ticks all the boxes (yes all the boxes!). I
love Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, it creates the
perfect base for make-up and I would say it is a great primer for those with
dry skin like myself. I don't have use too much just a pea-sized amount and I
smooth it onto my skin rather than rubbing it in. I then instantly apply my
foundation as directed in the instructions - it works better this way.
Sometimes I also mix my foundation with the balm if I’m in a rush and the
results are just amazing! My skin is left looking fresh, bright and dewy and it
has also helped to even out my skin tone and minimize my pores. In the long run
it helps my make-up last and really gives my skin that extra boost, whilst
keeping it hydrated! It is also great for hiding a hangover (but lets keep that
between me and you!). And if you didn't think that was enough you can also use
this Beauty Flash Balm as a facial mask by smoothing onto the skin and leaving
it for 10-15 minutes and it will help to energize and smooth your skin - I love
products that can be used in multiple ways. It is fragranced and in my
opinion isn't as subtle as I would like it to be, but I can look past
that! All in all, the results of using this primer are well worth the extra
couple of minutes it takes to apply it and if you have dry skin like I do or
dull skin, save your pennies because this really is worth buying! I can't get
enough of it! However, if you are on a budget Nivea do a great alternative
which is also great for dry skin, it is called Nivea's express hydration primer
and you can also buy that here.
Have you tried this primer? Next I would really like to try one of the Laura Mericer primers, as they have different primers for different skin types. Clinique have also just launched a similar range of primers.
Have you tried any of these primers?
Have you tried any of these primers?
Emily