This is the third installment in my Clarins make over. As my skin got better with the Obagi System I wanted a new start. I went to the Clarins counter where a woman named Linda was very helpful. I am very happy with Clarins Hydra-Balance Tinted Moisturizer SPF 6.

Next on the list which I bought is the department store was blush. Linda suggested Clarins Blush Powder. Then she put on Clarins Instant Light Perfecting Touch. I commented to her that I used a liquid and stick concealer for spots and for under my eyes. However when I looked in the mirror I knew that was going in the “to buy” pile.

Instant Light:

I usually don’t spend $27.00 on makeup but our daughter is getting married so money seems to be taking on a life of its own. I didn’t even ask how much any of the products I bought cost. However if I don’t think that down the road I would ever spend $27.00 for .07 fluid ounces of concealer I will tell you.

This comes in a very pretty, thin red metallic case that seems to match the powder compact. Unlike others I use, this does not have a sponge at the end but a brush.

Linda already comfortable with my fair skin went right for the lightest color. Clarins does not name these colors. They go by numbers. The lightest which I have is 00. Nordstrom’s’ website shows that Instant Light goes up to 05 however other websites have the darkest as 03. In either case the shades go from light to dark. I have found that the lighter colors for what I thought was my medium skin work better than darker shades which I’ve been buying in the past. If your skin is any darker than fair you’ll want a shade up. I did find a suggestion that said “Shades: Try 01 with pinker tones, 02 beige, 03 for more olive skin tones.” Shades range from fair to deep. (www.clarins.com)

The benefits:

We are told that Instant Light conceals dark circles, small imperfections and the appearance of fine wrinkles. We are told that it adds radiance to our skin. It is quick and convenient and is advertised as “perfect for touch-ups anywhere.”

Ingredients:

Instant Light’s active ingredients are an anti-pollution complex by Clarins which is supposed to protect my skin from the environment. Linda told me that all the products I was buying would help my skin not just cover up problems. That was definitely a selling point for me. It has ginseng which tones the skin and protects it against free radicals. Free radicals are defined as Molecules containing oxygen that attack cells in the body. www.himalayasaltcrystal.com/glossary.htm.

It contains Horse Chestnut which is said to have a calming affect. It is defined as “A natural astringent derived from this herbal extract. A vasoconstrictor also used to control inflammation of connecting tissue (cellulitis).”
www.beautynaturally.com/bningred

It contains Linden which protects skin against those free radicals and also has a calming affect. It is defined as “Linden is a relaxant used in nervous tension and some forms of migraine. It has a reputation as a prophylactic against the development of arteriosclerosis and hypertension. It is used to combat high blood pressure associated with arteriosclerosis and nervous tension. Linden’s actions include: nervine, anti-spasmodic, hypotensive, diaphoretic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory and astringent.
www.lamasbeauty.com/glossary/glossary_L

It contains color coated pigments that provide Instant Light to have a light texture that is easy to blend and that goes on easily. It also has light deflecting pigments which help minimize the appearance of tiredness and fine lines.
It also has a whole list of other ingredients I will be glad to supply for you.

Using Instant Light:

I really like this applicator. As I’ve said I’ve been using a sponge applicator. I found more often than not that would put the liquid from the sponge onto my finger and then dab it under my eyes and on spots. I did this because I didn’t find that the sponge worked very well to get the liquid to blend and I was using my finger anyway.

Instant Light really does glides on. I’ve not only used it under my eyes but I’ve used it to highlight my cheekbones or really to highlight the spots that light might be hitting my face. I use it on different areas depending on the time of day but I always use it under my eyes.

To use it I take off the cap. The first time I had to prime the pen. To do this I turned the dial at the base of the stick until the product was evenly distributed through the brush applicator. I then dried off the applicator and my pen was primed. I turn the dial once or twice depending on how much I want and dab it where I want it. It can go over markup or alone.

I have found that blending it with a cotton tip makes getting into the corner of my eyes easier. When I’m home I wear glasses so I often have red spots where the pads were. The cotton tip gets into the corner of my eye.

Instant Light has a very mild pleasant odor and has a light consistency.

My experience:

One of my concerns was that it would cake up under my eyes. When I got home the first day I thought Linda had put too much on and there was a bit of cakiness by my eyeglasses. I don’t go up that far. I don’t think I have to. I don’t put as much on as she did and have had no cakiness. Certainly on areas other than close to my lashes I have no problem.

We are told that to correct our skin brush Instant Light into the fine lines on my face. I have found this very effective on top of my other two products to give my skin a bit of highlights. To conceal imperfections like the redness from my glasses I dab it into the deep shadowed areas, dark circles, inner corner of eye and blend. To perfect so my skin glows I sweep it across my cheekbones. I also use it under the outer half of my eyebrow when I’m not wearing eye shadow.

Final thoughts:

I must say that after Linda put it on me I looked in the mirror and said wow. There was such a marked difference between one area under my eye and the other. I don’t have dark circles but that area could use some help especially a vein I have running around the area. It was gone. Once again Clarins hasn’t disappointed me. I have had no adverse affects from Instant Touch. I can carry it around instead of my makeup and apply it to touch up spots.

I can’t say I would spend $27 on it again. I might but unlike the other two products there are less expensive on the market that may not be as good but close. So this one will get four stars. I would definitely recommend it or at least recommend that you try it.

Related reviews:

Physicians Formula Le Velvet Film Makeup ~
Loreal Visible Lift Line Minimizing Powder ~ Loreal Visible Lift Line Minimizing Makeup ~
Physician's Formula Gentle Cover Concealer Stick



Recommended: Yes