Product I Frigging Adore Alert Part 1: Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm 008

First post in a month. I know right, I'm so rubbish at having a blog but let me just say, my blog will be a year old this week! A whole year and I haven't deleted it! WOW WHAT AN ACCOMPLISHMENT, YOU GUYS. (I am a compulsive deleter of all things internet. Facebook, Livejournal. The lot, you name it so this is quite a big deal)

Today I'm going to rave about this product that I purchased yesterday for an obscene amount of money (£18) it’s a freaking lip balm. My boyfriend was speechless when we walked out of boots and I confessed how much that little red box had cost me. I got pure splurge guilt when I opened the box this morning to try it out on my lips but let me tell you, it's that good I'm 100% over the guilt.

I first heard about the limited edition Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balms about two years ago. I was transfixed on the images of the bright punchy candy pop sticks that promised hydration for the lips along with a sheer wash of colour. As it was a limited edition product only released once a year, I had to skip on these and completely forgot about them until now. I've been on a hunt for an everyday lip product which gives a stain like finish with longevity without causing dryness. I feel that I've reached a stage where I'm growing out of gloss but I find that the feel of lipstick every day drives me crazy whilst at the same time, products like Revlon Lip Butter melt like mad and always make me conscious of the whole lipstick on teeth thing.

This is where Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm steps in. This is exactly the kind of product that I've been searching for! A pigmented lipstick housed inside a transparent jelly. The product delivers a stain like finish that feels lightweight and softening. No thickness or drying flaky lips for me and most importantly for me, no more of the dreaded lipstick on teeth! I'm using 008 which is a deep berry shade. The only main issue with this is the price. £18 is way overpriced for a product that probably won't last me longer than a few months but I have too much love for it. I just want all of them so I can line them up and stare at the gummy bear like push pop jelly perfection!

I swatched all of the shades in store and didn't find the brigher two (005 & 006) anywhere near as pigmented. 007 is also a deeper plum shade but with a hint of bronze to it which didn't appeal to me as much.

If you're into the look of this I'd suggest getting down to a Boots ASAP as these won't last long!