It's been my Must Have for years.

Max Factor mascara. 

Over the years, I have strayed, I have spent more, I have spent less.  But I always, always come back.

Why?  They're infinitely better than cheaper alternatives and they're as good, actually I think they're better than much more expensive competitors.

They also last.  There's nothing more frustrating than having spent a significant amount on a mascara, only to have it go gloopy (not the technical term, I fear) before the darn thing has been used up.   This was one of the issues that people said they had from the feedback last time - and it was always with the more expensive mascaras (I'm sure cheaper ones do it too but you would expect a better product if it's a higher price point).

I've never had this happen with a Max Factor mascara.  So why else do I like them?  At this juncture, I should point out, as I always do, that this is not written from an expert's viewpoint.   I have teamed up with Max Factor to look at their new products from OUR perspective.  This is from me - as a consumer like the majority of you - and is my personal, not professional (as I have zero qualifications for that) opinion.

Max Factor mascaras work.  I'm not a subscriber to the "natural" looking eyelash brigade.  I like to look as if I have LASHES.  However I appreciate that the Ru Paul look isn't perhaps for your every day (albeit my go to look for nights out) and I've always found the Max Factor mascaras offer that option.  You simply apply more to get a different sort of look. 

I think I have pretty much tried them all.  Which is my favourite? 

Well that will be the Masterpiece Max £9.99 from Boots





And.. the newest version which I've started using recently and LOVE - Max Factor Lash Crown Lash Defining Mascara £10.99 from Boots.





I find that I am more comfortable using a thinner brush with a longer wand.  The formula for both mascaras is the same - as I've said, it's the perfect viscosity which stays the same and doesn't ever get thicker or stickier. 

But it's the crown end of the brush that I love.  This is perfect for adding extra length and texture to those usually hard to reach lashes at the outer end of your eye.  So whilst for YEARS I have been a Masterpiece Max fan, I have recently been persuaded by the Lash Crown Mascara.




I have also tried False Lash Effect (how could I not with a title like that) but for me - the brush is slightly too bushy for my liking.  It's more of a hairbrush (my phrasing here...) whereas I prefer the thinner version of the MM - let's say it's a comb... clear as mud?  However the formula of the product does give the thickest and most luxurious lashes out of all the Max Factor mascaras I have used in the past.  

But now there is a new player in their fold.  Dark Magic Mascara £11.99 from Boots.




Now one thing I hadn't clocked that made a difference is the actual shape of the packaging. 

This was something that I've noticed makes a difference with the new Dark Magic, which I have been using for a couple of weeks now.  For me - it combines the best of all my favourite Max Factor mascaras - the perfect wand, the ideal brush with extra detailing on the tip and a simply luscious and luxurious formula.

I have honestly never noticed how much a difference the shape of the packaging makes.  I KNOW - what sort of muppet am I?  But with the new casing of the Black Magic being so unusual - it is ergonomically designed dontcha know - the first thing you notice when you go to use it is how comfortable and easy it is to hold (that'll be the ergonomic thing. Boom!).


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The second element that makes it a dream to use is the brush, which is a wave brush (you can actually see from the pic above!).  Truly the Goldilocks of brushes.  Not too thick and not too thin. Like THE perfect hairbrush (usually the one you have for years and then leave in the back of a taxi or on holiday...)  

Now.  You apparently can create an awesome looking set of lashes with just one stroke of the wand with the Dark Magic, but I'm going to fess up and say, I am not pro enough to be able to do that.  

However, it certainly was exceptionally easy and quick to get incredible looking lashes with very little effort.  Definitely all down to the ease of application thanks to the shape of the wand, the "wave action" brush and the formula of the product which is the perfect texture for adding volume without turning your plethora of lashes into just 5 really thick ones. 

And here we are.. ta dah! 


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Other products that I used for this look.

Brow Shaper Pencil £7.99 in brown




Max Factor Masterpiece Nude Palette Contouring Eyeshadows 01 Cappuccino Nudes £14.99 

Max Factor Kohl Eye Liner Pencil £4.99





Max Factor Miracle Touch Creamy Blusher £6.99 in soft copper 







There will be more on the rest of our make up next month and LOADS of the questions that you raised last month will be answered.  In the meantime, if you have any more, do holler. 

With regards to mascara, the only other point (apart from gloopiness) that was raised, was an issue some people have with their mascara "shedding" (small black marks/smudges on your face during the day).  I have had this with others that I've tried (which I won't name) but genuinely, it's never been a problem with any of the Max Factor ones I've used  And yes, I do try a new one every time it comes out and have pretty much used them religiously since I graduated from Collection 2000 in the mid 90s.  I will say that the Dark Magic is definitely as good as the Masterpiece Max and the Lash Crown Mascara but is in fact, easier and quicker to apply to get the same results.   

Would love to know what your thoughts are on mascara?   Are you already a fan of Max Factor and if so, which one and why?  Do you have any mascara issues?  I will happily take them back to the team at Max Factor and come back with answers!

This blog was written as part of my paid partnership with Max Factor.  All opinions are my own, unedited.

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CONVERSATION

25 comentarios:

  1. I've used so many over the years and had settled on a Clinique one as my fav but I then blind tested the new Benefit Badgal Bang - was so pleased to be told what it was and that it didn't cost a trillion pounts! I loved it and will be buying it one my test one runs out. Really does do what is says on the tin.

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    1. Now interestingly I have found Benefit mascara really difficult to remove! My 13yr old swears by it (BLESS her, she wears it twice a year..but she wanted one of them for her birthday and it was an easy win!). Each to their own though - it's great when you can get to try it in a tester..

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  2. I'm a complete mascara slut. I have a drawer full of unopened ones as I'm always sure a better one is around the corner. My ultimate fav is a Christian Dior one but it only lasts about 5 minutes and at that price... I settled for a while on the Eyeko one but they changed it and it's nowhere near as good, in my mind. I'm back slightly more expensive but not top range ones at the minute but find some of the "drugstore" ones really good. Problem is I can never remember which ones I like best because there are far too many in each brand. Unlike you, I'm a fan of an old school mascara brush. I can't manage anything new fangled. Used to be a Max Factor mascara fan so if I ever get out of the house again I'll give one a whirl! xx

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    1. I personally definitely rate the Mascara ones over the Eyeko ones (they definitely gave me panda eyes) but i don't recall every trying a Christian Dior one...

      I do think that one's man mean is another man's poison!!!

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  3. I've been using max masterpiece for YEARS! I love it! I'm very excited about the new Dark Magic so I'm off to Boots today! Xx

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    1. Definitely definitely worth a try if you love the masterpiece!

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  4. Do they do this mascara in other colours....(not blue, been there done that, back in the day!) but a nice plum/aubergine colour. I'm always on the hunt for that!

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    1. Me too! They do one marketed for green eyes, it is a very dark plum though.

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    2. They also do it in a black brown... but not an aubergine... x

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  5. I am queen of the mascara sluts as I actually bought the Victoria Beckham for Estee Lauder at a sqillion pounds. However I must say that it is amazing and although I won't get it again it was worth every penny. I'll try the new MF one though and maybe the Benefit BadGal as well. Am I the only one who has a daytime mazzy and a going out one? My daytime one is Clinique with that dial thing which is a complete waste of time for me as mine is always on black black and blacker......

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    1. No I have club level eyes all the time!!!!!!

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  6. @philippamcnamaraSaturday, 03 March, 2018

    No7 Stay Perfect Mascara is life-proof. Great looking lashes (I’m blonde with invisible lashes) and the genius thing is that it never runs, never goes panda and wipes off with cotton wool soaked in HOT WATER! Yes. Believe it. Little tubes of black slide off the lashes and voila! Brilliant for sleepovers when you forget your eye makeup remover. I cannot ever face going back to the days of waterproof or smudgeproof.

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    1. That's so interesting - I've never heard of it!!! And yes - waterproof mascara I simply can't do. I find it's like tar on my lashes and I can almost feel them all coming off together when I take my mascara off. Am scared to look in the mirror in case I have absolutely none left!

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  7. I love a plum colour mascara, as it instances my green eyes. Max Factor do one, in a very dark plum, which does the job fine, but my favourite at the moment is A Clinique chubby stick, it's not quite as dark a colour and I can control the look (one coat - daytime, two coats - dressy).
    This sort of colour is hard to come by, it's usually a seasonal thing, but the Max Factor one seems to be available all the time. I love the fact that is aimed at the green eyed girl, and no it's not obviously plum when you've got it on!

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    1. That should have read "inhances my green eyes"!

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    2. Which sort is the Max Factor plum one I must try it!!

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  8. I've always loved a bit of 2000 calorie... Having recently used others I've just come back to that one and I've wondered why I ever went elsewhere!

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  9. Nope. Never got on with Max Factor. Maybelline is the best! Bar none! (sorry x)

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    1. It's definitely a personal thing with mascara!

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  10. I like Max Factor Mascara too...but what I REALLY want from my make up is less plastic packaging. The mascara might last all day...the plastic tube literally lasts forever.

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    1. This is a really interesting point - I'm not sure how they get around that... all the cosmetic companies are the same I believe - I will ask the question xx

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  11. I'm with PhilippaMcNamara, the No 7 Stay Perfect is the only one which doesn't run or smudge and you can just wash off with warm water without ANY panda eyes. Other mascaras cause panda eyes for days. However, have just had lash extensions so I don't need anything at the moment!

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    1. I have to say - we were having this discussion over on Instagram - I have never found any problems at all with the Max Factor mascaras. Others yes, I definitely get a good old panda eye (although I like to think of it as a smokey eye as I am LAZY!) but I never get this issue with any of the Max Factor ones I've used over all the years x

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  12. I discovered Benefit They're Real mascara a few years ago and haven't worn anything else since. It makes your lashes thicker, longer & curls but without the crispiness of some mascaras and no panda eyes or 'bits' that drop off onto your cheeks during the day. It is difficult to remove though - Clarins Instant Eye Make Up remover or Nivea (the one you have to shake to mix it up) are the only things I've found to effectively shift it. x

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