Clarin's Flash Balm - yet another love ruined - AIBU to wonder why companies do this?

[Dreichit]

This is a bit S&B but I am disappointed so AIBU.

Just got my rare birthday treat of replacement flash balm to find...

the formula has changed completely to a sticky super glue like gel that smells like that really nasty liquid soap you get in public loos that never washes off right. Oh and it looks like semen with a hint of pink! 😱

Why do companies do this? Who decides a bestselling product that has been a favourite for years ought to be done away with completely? Is there an actual belief by cosmetics companies that we won't notice that our favourite moisturiser has been replaced by itchy stinky semen soap?

I am a sensitive soul with highly reactive skin so the number of products I can use is very limited to begin with, it gets smaller every year. Is there a list somewhere of cheap dupes to replace done away with formulations?

Original Source mint shower gel is another one, that was ace for years and then they replaced it with some sort of semen glue that stops it mixing with water and makes me look like I have had an all over acid peel.

AIBU to say boo to "reformulation" (eg vanishing favourite products) and why don't they just bring out a new product alongside instead of replacing a popular one and pretending it's the same?

I loved it too and am really sad it's gone. I'm hoarding the last 2 tubes that I managed to snaffle. Apparently they were unable to get a sustainable source of Marula oil for it. Wish they'd bring it back, I haven't been able to find anything I like as much.

I was first directed to flash balm by male cabin crew on a long haul flight who told me it's the crew product of choice to keep up appearances on the job, he also told me about the patting it on over make up to freshen up. I have always had a tube in my bag since and what I loved about it most was how little you needed so it would last for ages and how lovely and fresh it made my skin feel.

I do love Bobbi Brown make up but haven't tried the skin care so will investigate that too, thank you.

It's so annoying when you find something you love, for this to happen 🙁

They reformulated all the cleansers too and they're shite now. I was so allergic to that Double Serum stuff though, got my money back for that.

On a non S&B theme, Popchips. Specifically, the Sea Salt flavour. I buy used to buy them only when they were on special offer as they're a rip-off for the amount you get occasionally for a treat, but won't be doing again, because they've replaced around half the salt with potassium chloride, resulting in an overwhelming burning sensation and a nasty sharp metallic taste. Weirdly, they haven't done it to the sour cream flavour. Just the one where the salt is meant to be the focus of your attention 🙄

I used to use Bodyshop body butters. They were lovely. Then they changed the formulation to vegan friendly and now they feel disgusting, almost waxy. I was really fucked off. Still am to be honest.

@Dreichit it won’t let me pm you a photo. They’re all just travel/sample size but I actually had more than I thought!

OHMYGOD!

Don't show them come back over to pms so we can discuss scones...

I’ve pm’d you

TattiePants is my new bestie

Aw bless you. Sorting out my toiletries had been a good distraction from worrying about GCSE day….

😂

This made me smile a whole lot....

and you invoked the power of mumsnet to turn a disappointing day into a happy shiny one for me. Good Luck with exam results TattiePants offspring

I bought some BFB some years ago. I was SO disappointed as it just made my eyes water and my nose run. But it is annoying when these things get discontinued. I still miss Vidal Sassoon shampoo and conditioner from the 80s.

Inspired by this thread.... I patted my Bobbi Brown vitamin stuff onto my face while waiting for a client to join a call. Luckily she's a friend as she did a) ask me what I was doing to my face and b) told me that yes, I was looking glowy. So thanks for that tip!

@isthismylifenow I use double serum under my vitamin C if I used it in the morning. I'm not sure how it would work with Retinol but I also often use it under my hylaronic acid.

I was wondering if it was lilial. You really wouldn't want it on your face!

Superdrug do this www.superdrug.com/skin/face-skin-care/face-balms/superdrug-naturally-radiant-radiance-balm-50ml/p/516452

A lot of places have removed ingredients because of EU cosmetics rules (which are largely replicated in the UK) or because of supply issues or cost. Interestingly though, Liz Earle changed one of its products and has changed it back after poor customer feedback. So it shows that on occasion, the manufacturers will listen.

It's really annoying when they change things for the sake of it. And then try to pretend that they haven't.

I agree, it's so annoying. I used to have all the Beauty Bible books, and as soon as a product appeared in there because everyone liked it, it got discontinued! Or changed.

Grrr.

I am so pissed off about Beauty Flash Balm. I've been using it for years and most days it's the only thing I put on my face. I just opened a new tube the other day.

Oh NO what have they done to flash balm? It’s such a good product, it must be one if their signature items, why mess with it?

And yes, it’s SO odd that companies do this. Being cynical, sceptical and suspicious, I always wonder if having a reliably good and popular product stops people wasting money trying to find decent products amongst all the crap. Which given all the ‘only-used-once’ products in my cabinet, I suppose makes up a huge proportion of their revenue.

Tattiepants could I buy one please!!!!!

Thanks for the heads-up. I’ll have to save my BFB “for best”

What we want to know is should we bin old products ourselves?