Max Factor is a brand that I've never really given enough attention. I'm more of a Bourjois
fan when it comes to drugstore makeup, but decided to be adventurous on
my latest trip to Boots. I instantly spotted these beauties; Max
Factor's 'Creme Puff Blushes', and of course, I indulged.
After swatching
to my heart's content, I chose two; 'Nude Mauve' and 'Lovely Pink'.
There are four other colours in the range; 'Alluring Rose', 'Gorgeous
Berries', 'Lavish Mauve' and 'Seductive Pink'. The names could be
better, but I'll brush past that as I love the formulas.
Beautifully soft, and suprisingly pigmented for a drugstore blush, these
lovelies are a treat to use - but this is not the wow factor for me
about this product. They are a wonderful dupe for the Hourglass 'Ambient
Lighting Blushes', and this is a factor not to be overlooked. As with
Hourglass, Max Factor have created a blush/highlighter hybrid, and have
done so for nearly a third of the price. They combine a beautiful flush
to the cheeks with an irridescent highlight to match, and they've done
so very well. There's also a really nice range of colours for a drugstore blush; usually we are only treated to two or three shades, so six is very reasonable.
In the picture to the above, I applied a little of 'Nude Mauve' to
the
very tops of my cheekbones. With this sort of deeper, almost brown,
pink shade it creates a contouring effect if used sparingly on the
cheekbones rather than the apples of the cheeks, which I believe to be a
much more flattering way to apply blush anyway. With the slightly
deeper, cooler toned colour to this blush, we are well and truly
bringing cheek bones my somewhat shapeless face.
'Lovely Pink' is also very beautiful, a lovely baby pink with gold
shimmer, but perhaps the assumed favourite. For me 'Nude Mauve' is the
underdog, but also the one I was most drawn to, as it's subtle, but
certainly not lacking in pigmentation.
Overall, these
blushes are scoring some serious points for the drugstore. No, the
packaging isn't quite as luxurious, but if the beautiful gold
casing Hourglass provides leaves me an extra £20 down, Max Factor wins
this round in the blush game for me.
Makeup in picture: Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum (52 Vanille); No. 7 Match
Made Concealer (Medium); Max Factor Creme Puff Blush (Nude Mauve);
Benefit Brows A-Go-Go; Barry M Bold Waterproof Eyeliner (Black); L'oreal
False Lash Telescopic Mascara (Black).
