Max Factor Smooth Effect Foundation REVIEW

Max Factor Smooth Effect Foundation in:
'Natural 50' and Creme Puff in:
'81 truly fair'

So if you've read my posts before, you'll know that I have combination skin that can be oily, dry and is prone to blemishes. I was just browsing for a new foundation, and a powder that might stop my skin from becoming oily throughout the day. My friend (who has oily skin) swears by Max Factor 'Creme Puff' powder to keep her skin matte all day, so I thought I'd give it a try! I also picked up Max Factor 'Smooth effect foundation' I was intrigued to see the 'smooth' effect that it would apparently give me!

The first thing to say is that I LOVE the creme puff. It sets any foundation really well, and gives some coverage which other powders don't. It's good enough to use with BB cream alone, which is great for  days where I don't want full coverage. It keeps my foundation from sliding off the face, which I've been having trouble with recently, especially at work! I love it, I really can't recommend it enough and will definitely be re-purchasing! 

The foundation is good for my 'normal' areas, it really does smooth out any imperfections. It's not so good on dry areas such as my chin.... it really exaggerates the dry skin/blemishes. The only way around it is to make sure I exfoliate & use a heavy moisturiser on these areas, but I love to use my Clinique Moisturizing Gel under make up to keep the oil at bay. The creme puff and foundation are a pretty good price for max factor products, as I'd usually expect to pay anything over £10 for a foundation. I'll probably give the foundation a miss next time as it's not amazing.... but the creme puff is great!!!

Max Factor 'smooth effect' foundation available at  £7.99

Max Factor 'creme puff' £5.99

Available at Boots & Superdrug 

(click the links to go straight to the Max Factor pages!) :)

Thanks for reading! Feel free to follow my blog to keep up to date with my posts :)

Lucy xx

Maybelline dream satin liquid *review*

'Air whipped foundation, air-brush finish'

I love this foundation! If you've read some of my other foundation posts then you'll know that I go for a medium/full coverage most of the time as I have blemishes and scarring from previous acne. I've had this foundation before and it's great! I tend to use a more 'matte' foundation for work, as I want my skin to stay shine free for most of the day, so I use Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse or 24hr Superstay. This one however, is great for general use like going out with friends in the day time and stuff like that. I feel it gives a natural look, doesn't look cakey and gives my skin coverage and really makes my skin have an overall 'fresh' look. 


This product retails at around £8 and I feel that this product is worth it!

Features of this product: 


I have this one in Ivory 010 and feel it's a pretty good match for my skin, it doesn't look orangey which most foundations look on me (even the lightest ones!) I have the 24h Superstay in 021 Nude and this definitely looks orangey unless I blend it really well! 
- good packaging, like the pump which makes it easy to dispense right amount
- good consistency, not too thick, glides on and easy to blend
- like the colour match of Ivory... I usually stay away from the very lightest shades, but this has worked well! 


Here's a picture of all the foundations I'm currently in the midst of trying.... I'm overall impressed with all of my Maybelline foundations for different reasons. I reckon I have one for every occasion! The Rimmel one is far too thick and greasy... so I might get rid of that one. Max Factor second skin I'm finding to be too thin at the moment, it's not enough coverage and tends to feel like it's sliding off my face an hour or so in to wearing it, so I don't find myself reaching for this one much. Dream Matte Mousse.... kind of a love hate thing going on with this one at the moment. I love the finish it gives to my skin, but it definitely grabs on to any patches of dry skin I might have, and any blemishes that I'm trying to 'dry up'. Still love it though..... and then one I've not really tried enough to make a fair comment on is the Pure Mineral Foundation by Maybelline in 04 Vanilla Rose. I've used this foundation once, and the result I thought was pretty good. It definitely made my skin look flawless, but it takes quite a long time to apply (I guess I'd get used to it and speed up the process...) I definitely need to try this one a bit more and I'll write a review on that :)
From left:
Maybelline 24h Superstay in 021 Nude
Max Factor Second Skin in 070 Natural
Maybelline Pure Mineral in 04 Vanilla Rose
Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse in 021 Nude
Rimmel Lasting Finish 25h in 100 Ivory


That's it for now.... I have a little stash of foundations, so I really do have a few to pick and choose from. I usually wear a few different ones each week, depending on the state of my skin and where I'm going that day.


Hope this has been somewhat useful to you.... and if you've got any comments I'd love to hear from you 
Lucyx