Max Factor’s U.S. relaunch
Max Factor is one of THE leading brands with decades of innovation and inventions, to amazing artistry and product history, and a bevy of starlet actresses he created looks for. After migrating to the US in 1914, he originally started selling eyeshadows and eyebrow pencils in Los Angeles in 1916. He is the FATHER OF MAKEUP, he actually coined the words “Make-Up”.
If you know me, you know I have been collecting vintage makeup products since 1996. I am a HUGE fan of his to say the least. Not to mention in the early 2000’s I found that Max Factor Pan Stick foundation was THE product of drag queens, with it’s amazing application and coverage, (I continued to have a few in my kit until they were expired). I also swore by their mascara, the 2000 calorie Max Factor, pre and post “X” launch. Then, in the mid 2000’s they left the U.S. market. I was devastated.
Masterpiece Max Mascara, $10.99
Masterpiece High Precision Liquid Eyeliner, $10.99
Colour Elixir Lipstick in 2 shades, Simply Nude & Maroon Dust
Above is my purchase, I BOUGHT IT. I only get gratis (which equals free product when I credit a recognized magazine for a makeup I use). This was not one of those times. I used all three products on a shoot.
The mascara I used then gave to the model, since I wanted to try out their brush. It was pretty awesome coverage, and the brush seemed to reach alot of lashes with one stroke. It stayed smudge-proof throughout the look changes. And model stated it felt really good against her lash line. I will purchase that again.
The eyeliner is a felt tipped “marker brush” which is great for at home application of a “cat eye”, and the color payoff is gorgeous. However, unless I ruin the liner, there was no sanitary way to re-use that product. So I gave that to my model as well.
The lipstick, I bought in Simply Nude. I should have read the description, it explains that it is a moisturizing lipstick, and colorful. I naively expected full color pigment. For me, the moisturizing effect left it too glossy for me to use again, and the color payoff was not impressive. It streaked over her lips. I tried to fix the streak, and it looked worse and overly glossy. So I removed and added a different product. (le sigh….. insert sad face here).
In the end, spending $33 before tax, isn’t worth my time. I was disappointed. I love you Max Factor, but as a Professional Makeup Artist, I will not be using these products. In my personal life, maybe I will by the mascara again for myself. The eyeliner, no thanks. I have products that I like better. For lipstick, nope. I am hoping to get some beautiful images from my shoot. All in all, I will watch for more product launches by Max Factor. Here is a behind the scenes peek that I look with my iphone. Enjoy!
Until next time, my pretties.
