When BlogHer asked me to review Max Factor’s newest mascara and lipstick, I was more than happy to oblige. I’m perpetually seeking the Mascara of My Dreams. My most recent purchase, by Yves San Laurent, was expensive but not quite fitting the bill. If you read my blog with any regularity, you surely know that I am more than willing to spend a small fortune on cosmetics. With that willingness comes something of a bias against drugstore brands. Most of the time, I find expensive cosmetics are worth the money. For that reason, I rarely purchase drugstore brands. So I am always excited to get a chance to try a drugstore cosmetic for free!
First, BlogHer asked me to review Max Factor 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper . When it comes to mascara, my purchase decisions are based primarily on the style of the wand. The Max Factor wand is unlike any other I’ve used. The wand has hard plastic bristles, and not the soft flexible fiber ones I am used to. One of the benefits of this style of wand is that the mascara is virtually clump free. It also makes application easy- mascara goes on in one long, clean stroke.
My other big mascara concern is flaking. Lately, I’ve been having issues with the mid-day mascara undereye circles. With this Max Factor formula, the problem did not go away entirely, but it was significantly reduced. The flaking was limited primarily to the area immediately underneath my lower lashes, whereas before the flaking and streaking was going on all around my eyes. And when I applied this formula to my lower lashes, there were no clumps. I often have issues with clumping on the lower lashes, as they are finer and shorter than my upper lashes. I was very impressed.
This mascara is primarily marketed as a thickening mascara. When I compared it to the Yves San Laurent formula I had been using, I definitely agree that it thickened my lashes. However, the YSL did outperform on lengthening. But if thin lashes is your issue, this is the perfect formula for you. Personally, I like to use two different mascaras to achive the effect of both thickening and lenghthening, and I would gladly add Max Factor 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper to my eyelash repertoire.
I was also asked to review Max Factor Vivid Impact Lip Color in “Pin Up Pink.” I have to admit, when I saw this lipstick in the tube, I was a little bit afraid. When it comes to lip color, I tend to stick to colors close to the natural color of my lips. In fact, I very rarely use lipstick at all. I’m a gloss girl. When I initially applied this lip color, I was a bit taken aback by the brightness. But after a few minutes of wearing it, I actually started to really like the color. But for those of you not interested in bright pinks, this product is available in twenty different shades.
As I stated previously, I prefer lip gloss. Why? I tend to shy away from matte colors. I don’t like the heavy application, the thick feeling of lipstick. This lip color definitely changed my opinion on that matter. It went on smooth, with a light feeling. I didn’t feel as though I had some heavy coating on my lips.
On the first day I tried this Max Factor product, I managed to put on my lip color before brushing my teeth. I was incredibly impressed with how well this product stayed on my lips, even through the tooth brushing. It actually lasted into the morning, which is something lip gloss never does. I would definitely purchase this product in another color in the future.
Overall, I was quite impressed with both of these Max Factor products, and I have to admit that perhaps my department store cosmetic preferences aren’t always the best choice. I would definitely purchase these products again, and have started using them regularly in my cosmetic routine.
And now for the fun part....I'm having a giveaway!
This fabulous prize:
A gift bag from Max Factor!To enter, leave me a comment below about your favorite drugstore beauty product, or you may leave a link to your post on your own blog in the comments below. The contest will begin at begins 9:00 p.m. (PT) 05/15/09 and will end at 5:00 p.m. (PT) 06/16/09. Make sure that the e-mail address you leave is correct.
Rules:
- No duplicate comments.
- You may receive an additional entry by linking on twitter and leaving a link in the comments.
- You may receive an additional entry by blogging about this contest and leaving a link in the comments.
- This giveaway is open to US residents, age 18 and over
- Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
- You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
- Please see the official rules here.
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