MaxFactor Mastertouch Concealer Review

Hey all,

I'm back.  It has been ages since I last wrote something on this blog, but now I'm back with more reviews, which hopefully you'll find helpful before making any purchases.

Today I am reviewing the MaxFactor Mastertouch Concealer, which I have just now completely finished and therefore can provide you with a better review of how this product performed thourhg different seasons.

About the product in general;

It comes in a pen like shape and the product comes out from the sponge applicator after you twist it until the desired amount comes out.  When you buy it for the first time, you'll have to twist it several times before product comes out, from then onwards all you need is a couple of twists to get a little product.  It comes in three shades only, and in my opinion none of the shades available are suitable for darker skins.  

MaxFactor advertises the product in the following manner;

'Ever wondered how top models keep their skin looking flawless at all times? Tried backstage by professional make-up artists at the hottest catwalk shows, new Mastertouch Concealer is a miracle product to give you the expert touch of a professional make-up artist. With an easy-to-apply texture it hides blemishes. It’s all down to a special skin smoothing applicator and light-diffusing creamy formula that makes precise coverage a breeze!'

So does it live up to Maxfactor's claims?

The concealer did help a lot to make my complexion look more radiant.  Application was very easy.  However, I still had to use my fingers to blend the product well as the applicator in my opinion didn't help when it came to blending.  

The formula was very creamy and easy to blend.  I mostly used it under my eyes or around the chin area.  I'm not a very morning person and don't like to wake up early, which always results for me having little time to do my makeup as I would run late, so on most occasions before leaving my house I would just use this concealer, my mascara and lipgloss and I would be good to go.  As application was very easy and the formula is very creamy and easy to blend and not very messy I was good to go in a couple of seconds.  When I compare it to the Avon Concealer I have, it takes less time to apply and achieve the desired result with the MaxFactor Mastertouch Concealer than with my Avon one.  

The product hid blemishes well and was not drying on my skin at all.  However, I have dark circles under my eyes and this concealer didn't conceal them as well as it did for blemishes.  This is quiet disappointing especially since on the product packaging itself it is shown as being specifically an Under-Eye concealer.  However, to be fair it is difficult to hide dark circles.  I used many products and none of them help a lot. Regardless, it did offer some help in making my dark circles look less dark and balance out my complexion.

When it comes to lasting power, like many foundations and other makeup products during the Maltese summer it is a complete disaster.  After leaving my house and arrive at work, I sometimes would have to blot my face a little because of the sweat and the product would immediately come off.  During the winter I had no such problem.  So if you have oily skin I doubt the product would last a lot.  

Would I buy again?

This is one of the very few products which I have finished completely, so that already gives adds a lot of points.  Although as one can see from the image there is very little product (basically the transparent part showing the product colour is the amount you get, the black part is the mechanism of the concealer pen), the product has lasted me for almost 12 months and being used almost every working day (i.e. Monday to Friday), so don't be fooled by the small amount.  I found that you don't need to use a lot of it, just twist until you get a drop of product and then dab a little on all the areas you need coverage, blend and you are good to go.  However, do keep in mind that I don't have a lot of blemishes and do not suffer from acne, which is why the product has lasted a good deal for me.  

So for the price of approximately 12 Euros, if you require a lot of coverage I would not recommend this product for you as for 12 Euros you can find other concealers with more product in them and probably a good coverage as well as this one.  Otherwise if you just need a good all around concealer with no fuss and mess, then I would definately tell you to buy this.  Indeed, I am miss using it, but first I would like to finish my other Avon concealer as I don't like throwing away stuff which can still be usable even if they are not that good. 

The BAD ...

... that none of those lovely monthly gift boxes services send to Malta. Le sigh.

I have always wished to subscribe to a monthly gift box service whether they consist of makeup, food or anything else which I might fancy.  Here is a list of those monthly gift boxes which I really wish to subscribe to (in no particular order of preference), but as cruel faith having me live in Malta, I cannot;

1. Conscious Box - Who wants to pamper themselves with food and makeup goodies and at the same time save the planet? I do.  According to their site, they hand pick their products from small and large businesses, which is a good thing as normally I wouldn't dare to try a product from an unknown company.  This box can be yours at just $12 (+$7 shipping) per month.  However, for those of us who live outside the US we cannot get this as of yet, but soon they will extend their services to other countries as well including Europe (hopefully they don't forget about Malta, as funnily enough even though we are part of Europe we are usually not included)

 

As you all know I love my makeup and unfortunately I cannot find some very popular brands like Benefit or Mac in Malta and I wouldn't risk buying off the internet as I usually would want to test shades to see if they match my skin colour (as in my opinion I think I have a very weird skin tone colour), but through such beauty boxes I would be happy to try such brands and taking very small risks since you don't pay a lot.  

2. Birch Box - For $10 a month you get a 4/5 deluxe sample products from well-known brands like Stila and Smashbox.  Unfortunately this only ships to the US and also people have been complaining that they are sending repeats from previous boxes, which isn't a good thing if you have been a long-time subscriber.

3. BeautyArmy - The great thing about this box is that you get to choose the samples you want to be sent to you, which is great in my opinion, especially since you are paying for such products.  You get to choose six samples every month for just $12 a month. The downside, only availabe in the US. 

4. Glossybox - This is a UK box and they send up to five mini-beauty products for just £10.00 per month.  Again unfortunately for me this only ships to the UK and a number of countries, such as Germany, South Korea and Italy.

Hope you enjoyed this post, if you know of any good monthly boxes which ship to Malta let me know ;D

Rimmel SpecialEyes Duo Eye Shadow - 383 Budding Star Review

Hey everyone,

So I apologise if it has been quiet a long time since I posted something on my blog but unlike other bloggers out there I test products over a period of time and do not base my views on just a first impression.  

Today's review is on a Rimmel Eyeshadow.  This eyeshadow has been out for quiet some time, but it is still available for purchase online.  I had the eyeshadow for a while and I decided to throw it away, but before I did I have decided to write this review.

As you know I usually write my reviews by comparing the product to what is advertised by the company, but for this one I couldn't find what Rimmel claims that this product achieves, so will base it on what one normally looks for in an eyeshadow.

Packaging:  It comes in a small compact, with two decent sized eyeshadows and an eyeshadow applicator.    The compact is easy to carry around in a handbag, but the applicator is rubbish in my opinion, so either buy a new good applicator if you are on the go or use a brush if you are using at home.  

Colours: From a quick google search, this product does come in a variety of colours, but I will only comment on the one I have - 383 Budding Star.  Budding Star comes in a white shade on the left side and a pale minty green on the right side.  

Pigmentation:  Pigmentation is the absolute worse I have seen, it is very poor and the pale minty green looks white when applied, which kind of defeats the purpose of having a duo compact as the colours look too similar.  Also when I went to apply it on my eyelid, barely any eyeshadow was transferred on my eyelid, I thought it might be the applicator the eyeshadow comes with as it seems it absorbs the powder, but when I tried with my fingers still very very little product showed up.  In order to achieve a decent colour on my eyelid I had to reapply for several times!  Also the eyeshadow didn't last for 8 hours as the packaging claims at the back.  The eyeshadow didn't crease, but how would you expect an eyeshadow with barely any pigmentation to crease!?

However, I would like to point out that the product can also be applied wet, which I did not try so maybe pigmentation pay-off is better when applied wet.  

Would I buy it again?

Definitely NOT!  I personally prefer to apply my eyeshadows dry and was really disappointed with the pigmentation on this one.  I wouldn't recommend this eyeshadow. Maybe the other shades in the range have better pigmentation but after the bad experience with this one, I wouldn't even bother test the shades at the beauty store, let alone buying it.

I hope you have enjoyed this product review, feel free to share your views on this eyeshadow or any other eyeshadows and don't forget to subscribe ;D

Max Factor Miracle Touch Liquid Illusion Foundation Review

Recently I won a mixed makeup lot on e-bay and got this foundation for a fraction of the original price and lucky me it came in a tone very similar to my natural skin colour.  

Max Factor advertises this foundation as the following; 

"Max Factor’s newest and most innovative foundation will revolutionise the way you apply your base. With a unique lightweight solid to liquid formula it removes the need for the traditional concealer, foundation and powder combination and instead creates the perfect base in just one easy application. The result is a flawless, fresh and incredibly smooth complexion that glows with radiance."

About the Product in General. 

The product comes in a plastic circular container.  It has two separate compartments, the black compartment contains a sponge which is to be used to apply the foundation and the transparent compartment contains the foundation which comes in a solid but creamy form.  According to the British Max Factor site, it comes in 6 colours and from the colours available I don't think this foundation comes in colours for those with a darker complexion. 

So does this live up to Max Factor's claims?

Max Factor claims that this new foundation offers a revolutionary way how to apply foundation.  To be honest it is nothing out of this world, it is a normal foundation in solid form which is applied with a normal sponge.  However, what I consider as 'revolutionary' is the packaging itself as it keeps the foundation separate from the sponge, which not many products out there offer this.  Also unlike many sponges and applicators which come with makeup products, the sponge that comes with this foundation is really good, but it is a pity that it is quiet small and that it doesn't seem possible to just buy the sponge.

The formula is very creamy, but I wouldn't consider it 'lightweight' compared to my previous Maybelline foundation I find this foundation to be thicker.  It is of medium coverage, as due to it's thick consistency if you applied more one would look too made up and unnatural and so it doesn't cover everything and I still needed to use my concealer to cover a few red spots and my under-eye area.  However, it did help in applying less concealer but didn't remove the need completely to apply concealer as Max Factor claims.  

To get the best result it requires some blending, which the sponge helps a lot in achieving this.  The sponge helped in making application easier and less messy, however it does seem that the sponge absorbs a lot of the product which results in some of the product being wasted.  This is a real big disadvantage, since the foundation is quiet pricey and there is little product!

My complexion did look more glowy and radiant.  However, this didn't last long!  In fact, after an hour of applying and I needed to blow my nose and a huge amount of the product ended up on my tissue!  Also the formula is very drying.  I have combination skin (i.e. both dry and oily skin). and after 3 consecutive days of using the foundation my oily parts dried up and ended up with small dried flakey patches on my skin, which obviously this is not my desired result when using such product.  I started using moisturiser before I applied this foundation but it still had a drying effect on my skin and so I went back to my old Maybelline foundation.  

Would I buy this again?

It costs I think around 12 Euros, which for just 11.5 grams of product it is very expensive.  Also considering that a lot of the product gets absorbed by the sponge and also it dried up my skin - I will not ever buy it again.

The product had a lot of potential; the packaging is great  and is ideal to carry around with you when you are on the go and the foundation blends nicely.  However, there are way too many cons.  I would only reconsider to buy this product if the price was cheaper and the foundation was moisturising but not too greasy and too drying and had better lasting power.

Max Factor Miracle Touch Liquid Illusion Foundation in Natural 70

Max Factor Miracle Touch Liquid Illusion Foundation in Natural 70 blended

I hope you have enjoyed this review, feel free to share your opinions on this foundation or other foundations ;D

Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipstick Review

After seeing the amount of views my post on the Max Factor Liquid Effect Pencil Eyeliner got (unfortunately no comments :( ), I have decided to write another makeup review, this time on the Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipstick.  

So Max Factor advertises the Lipstick  as; 

"For instant fabulous colour and smoother, softer* lips over time look no further than Max Factor’s new Colour Elixir Lipstick. The Elixir formula contains a 60% blend of skin emollients, conditioners and antioxidants including vitamin E, for a visible transformation in the look and feel of your lips. As you apply the Colour Elixir Lipstick, it actively moisturises and smoothes lips. Enjoy rich and gorgeous looking colour on smooth, beautiful lips!
*vs bare lips "

About the Product in General;

It is in a normal squared gold lipstick tube, which gives it a very classic look.  The lipstick inside comes in the normal lipstick shape, i.e. the teardrop shape.  At the bottom of the tube it indicates the shade of the lipstick, however do not trust that when it comes to buying these lipsticks; always test it as colour varies and sometimes even its finish varies from one lipstick shade to another, such as it may be more shimmery or is matte.  The product comes in various shades, which vary from country to country as one can note in for example the British Max Factor site and the Australian Max Factor Site.  

So does it live up to what Max Factor claims? 

The lipsticks do offer an 'instant fabulous colour' and come in a great variety of colours at that.  Not all are of the same consistency, some are more shimmery/frosty than others (e.g. Secret Cerise) while others do not have any shimmer at all (e.g. Pink Brandy).  When I use these lipsticks the shades really light up my face and give me a more fresher look.  It is important to point out that the colour of these lipsticks is very intense and not as transparent/sheer as the Revlon Lip Butters I have seen (although to be honest I haven't tried them yet, but I saw loads of pictures and videos on other blogs), even though they have a moisturising formula.

According to Max Factor, the lipsticks have a particular moisturising formula and yes it is true.  The instant I tried on one of these lipsticks my lips felt really moisturised and in my opinion I found them even more moisturising then my normal lip balms.  I have tried other lipsticks which didn't have such an instant moisturising effect as this one.  Usually after a couple of hours wearing my old lipsticks my lips would crack, which ended up ruining my whole look.  Luckily, these Max Factor Lipsticks do not chap my lips at all, which is why I have thrown away my old lipsticks and bought 4 of these babies.  

Max Factor also claims that this lipstick smoothes lips, which from personal experience I also agree with this statement as it isn't the first time that I didn't exfoliate my lips and went straight to putting on this lipstick even when I had a slight crack - the result my lips still looked smooth and not icky like when you would apply lipstick on slightly chapped lips with other brands.  

However, I would like to point out that these lipsticks do not have such a moisturising effect when one dabs a little on the lips for a very very slight pop of colour.  So to get the full moisturising effect you have to apply it as you would normally do with a lipstick.  

Now as one can note, Max Factor doesn't advertise these as long-lasting and in fact they aren't, they are pretty average when it comes to lasting power.  The colour doesn't last long, but if one applies a lip liner base before applying this lipstick then it will definitely last. 

Would I buy this again?

Of course, I have bought four in total - Secret Cerise, Pink Brandy, Chili & Sunbronze.  I always loved lipsticks, but my lips always chapped after 2-hours or so but with these my lips never get chapped and the colours are just amazing.  Also after a day wearing one of these lipsticks, the next day my lips would still feel moisturised even when the product has come off completely!

They are a bit pricey here in Malta as they are about 12Euros, but in my opinion I think they are worth every cent.  

Now below you will find a picture of me trying Secret Cerise, as I noticed it is not a very common colour to come-by.  As one can note it is a plum-pinkish colour and has a sort of frosty finish, which makes the lipstick very fun to wear.  (Note I am not wearing any lip liner)

Natural Lips

Wearing Secret Cerise

I hope you enjoyed this review and if you want me to provide you with more swatches of the shades I have I would be glad to oblige, just leave a comment ;D

Max Factor Liquid Effect Pencil Eyeliner Review

Apart from fashion I also have a love for makeup.  I am not a makeup artist, I am just your average 20 year old girl who loves makeup ;D

So I decided to review the Max Factor Liquid Effect Pencil Eyeliner.  Max Factor claims that the product does the following;

"For liquid-like intensity and long lasting colour try Liquid Effect Pencil Eyeliner and get expert precision in an easy to apply pencil. The intense finish and depth of colour of this new eye pencil gives the dramatic framing and definition you would expect from a liquid liner. Use the smart smudging tip on the end of the pencil to blend the liner slightly and take your look from day to night in one simple stroke! "

About the Product in General;

It is a pencil eyeliner and so it requires an eye-pencil sharpener.  It comes with a smudging tip on one end and can be found in 6 shades; Black Fire, Brown Blaze, Silver Spark, Lilac Flame, Violet Voltage & Green Glow.

So does it live up to Max Factor's claims?

The product doesn't offer as much intensity when applied on the eyelid.  Like many eyeliners, when testing it on your hand a lot of colour comes out, but when it is applied on the eye area it is much more difficult to get the same colour intensity as when applied on the hand.  However, decent product amount is transferred on the eye which makes it satisfactory to a certain extent, but it is not as intense as it is advertised.

Max Factor claims that it is long-lasting.  Unfortunately this isn't the case.  After 3 hours or so the colour fades and it is barely visible anymore. Probably using eye-primer will help in its longevity.

However, Max Factor is right on something it is very easy to apply unlike other eyeliners on the market.  I, who is always in a rush and not the best person out there when it comes to applying eyeliner in general, found this extremely easy to use and apply.  With a quick flick I get decent colour amount (but not as intense as claimed) and I am ready to go.  It's consistency is very soft, which makes it more fun to use unlike other eyeliners out there which I find them not so creamy to apply and sometimes I even find them too hard to be used as eye-pencils to begin with.  And although it is creamy, it doesn't smudge easily either, it just doesn't last so long.

Does it compare to a liquid eyeliner?  Well, I cannot comment on that as I haven't used liquid eyeliners for ages, but from what I recall and from what I have seen on other people, a liquid eyeliner is still better for definition rather than these pencils.

The smudging tip is quiet good, as I have tried other eyeliner smudging tips which ended up removing the eyeliner rather than smudging it.  This does the job nicely, but requires patience and very soft strokes to get the desired effect.

Would I buy this again? 

Although it isn't long-lasting and very intense; it is very easy to use, which makes me like the product and for the problem of the product it can easily be solved by reapplying.  However, I hate the price.  For lacking staying power and colour intensity and it cost me 7.80 Euros; I found it to be very pricey. 

Since I haven't come across another pencil eyeliner which offers such ease of application and also such a lovely purple colour, I would still buy it again.  I bought the Violet Voltage and I love the colour so much, that regardless of the cons I would still buy it again as I haven't found such a lovely purple shade from other brands.

Finally, here is a picture of how the product looks when applied;

Max Factor Liquid Effect Pencil Eyeliner in Violet Voltage

I hope you have enjoyed this review and feel free to comment and share your preferred eyeliners ;D  I'd love to know more about other products.  Also note I wasn't offered any money or products to do this review, so this is my honest opinion ;D