Clarins Beauty Flash Balm Collection

Last Christmas I was surprised by my sisters with Clarins' Beauty Flash Balm Collection (thank you 大姐 and 三姐). The Yuletide-themed box features red balls and ribbons.  

It contains the famous Beauty Flash Balm, Instant Definition Mascara in 01 Intense Black, and Natural Lip Perfector in 01 Rose Shimmer. 

The three products are meant to bring instant results into one's beauty regime. 

Opening . . . the box reveals a gold cosmetics case. 

The box states it is made of recycled materials. Eco-friendly is the way to go.

The case features an oval shape made of soft material. It is laterally roomy but may not easily keep tall bottles or bulkier products. These three wonders fit perfectly inside.  

The Beauty Flash Balm comes in its original 50ml size, while the Instant Definition Mascara and Natural Lip Perfector come in 3ml and 5ml sample sizes respectively. 

Beauty Flash comes sealed hygienically with a foil on the opening. This product has actually been around for a long time and is one of Clarins' classic releases. I remember trying this for the first time many years ago and loved the effect it gave. The product comes out as a peachy-flesh color which disappears into the skin when applied. It has a plant-based scent which lingers for a few minutes and dissipates. I find this product to have the best effects when used sparingly. Too much and the skin looks oily and tired. When the perfect amount is used (usually a small squirt) it really does its magic of making the skin look brighter and more revitalized. It can even work as a primer for normal/dry skin types. I personally use it on its own as it is already a little too heavy for me to top up with foundation or powder. I like the glow it gives but I don't use it every day as it has a tendency to clog pores. 

Above the pamphlet introduces two ways of using this product -- as a booster or as a mask. I haven't really tried using this as a mask as this method comes across as too rich for my skin type. 

The Instant Definition Mascara comes in a black tube with a gold metallic cap. 

The pigments in this mascara produces an inky black effect when applied to the lashes. 

The brush has short bristles and tapers to a narrow tip. I find this kind of tip helps reach into the inner lashes more easily. The best way to apply this mascara is to layer when it has slightly dried. It can be a bit too heavy for my sparse lashes, so I only use minimal coatings. Sometimes when I use too much it makes my lashes clump together. However, at the right amount it separates the lashes and gives a dark, smokey effect that is very attractive. It doesn't have curling properties so an eyelash curler is best paired with this product. Overall, this is a mascara that needs an expert hand, and not really one that is easy to use on an everyday basis. It does "dress" the eyes in an instant by giving it a sooty look. 

The Natural Lip Perfector comes in a pink tube befitting its Rose Shimmer shade. The golden cap adds a nice elegant touch to the look. 

Above is the applicator in pristine condition. The white fuzzy-textured tip gives way to a pink shade. This lip product is not really a lip gloss or a balm. It comes out as a pinkish gel-type liquid that coats the lips subtly with color and understated shine. The best part is it moisturizes the lips and makes it healthy-looking. I feel my lips are nourished throughout the time I wear this. There are two other shades in Apricot and Nude Shimmer, which I would definitely look into. This product is probably my favorite lip product of all time because it is practical and satisfies my beauty-related needs at the same time (not to mention the wonderful scent that accompanies it). 

The Instant Light series continues above. 

Ingredients for Beauty Flash Balm. 

Ingredients for Natural Lip Perfector and Instant Definition Mascara. 

Sulwhasoo Liquid Cleansing Foam

Sulwhasoo, Amore Pacific's pride and glory, is a skincare line targeted for women in their 30s onwards. All products in the line feature a distinctive ginseng scent, which may or may not appeal to others. For me, it took some getting used to, but there was nothing to dislike.

This deluxe sample of Liquid Cleansing Foam (thanks S) comes in a pale orange pump dispenser. The cleanser is also of the same color and is slightly viscous in texture. It is really easy to spread all over the face. If you are fond of foaming cleansers and have normal to oily skin, this is a great liquid wash as it cleans the face thoroughly without drying it out. It's always a pleasure to experience the satisfying effects of a high-end facial wash. Drugstore cleansers are fine for their cleansing abilities, but almost always lack the extra "care" that pricier ones leave on the skin.

One pump for the entire face foams up healthy lathers, while I would need two pumps when I pair this cleanser with Clarisonic Mia. It works either way, though I can see that the face is more thoroughly cleansed with the aid of Clarisonic.

This Liquid Cleansing Foam washed very well without harshness. It also did not break my fussy skin out. The ginseng smell is noticeable while lathering, but disappears after washing it off and drying the face. Overall, it is a fail-proof face wash that does its job well.

Daiso Detergent for Puff and Sponge

Rare is a cleanser beloved by many beauty bloggers. There is one brand that is always on top of the list and it is none other than the humble Daiso. Daiso's sponge cleaner comes in a sturdy plastic bottle.

The Japan-made detergent states it "removes remaining foundation quickly." True to form, the transparent liquid erases all traces of makeup in my sponge. Unlike traditional soap which always leaves stains and residue, a few squirts of Daiso Detergent for Puff and Sponge wipes the entire sponge clean.

I have come across reviews stating this is not suitable for makeup brushes, and find that to be accurate. It was too harsh when I used it to clean my Shu Uemura Kolinsky 5R.

The tiny hole makes product usage easy to control.

Instructions above.

At SGD$2 a pop (apprx. PHP70), no wonder this cheap and effective cleanser is a household name among makeup fans.