Maxi Makeover? (Avon Maximum Body Makeover)

Member Name: ButterBear

Product:	Avon Maximum Body Makeover
Date:	21/10/07 (169 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Softens skin

Disadvantages: didn't effect stretch marks

It’s an undeniable fact that pregnancy causes certain changes to a woman’s body, a woman with no baby bump is either very lucky or carrying a teeny tiny baby. I wasn’t one of the lucky few and was huge during my 2nd pregnancy (despite actually gaining little weight, there was a lot of water!) the strain on my skin caused me to develop some stretch marks and naturally, of course, post delivery there was some loose skin. I wasn’t happy with my appearance at the time, I knew the skin would improve eventually but wanted to try and help the process along a bit, alongside all the recommended exercises I decided to use Maximum Body Makeover cream, hopefully it would give my skin and my confidence the boost it needed.

Avon Maximum Body makeover is designed to improve the look of stretch marks and cellulite whilst reshaping, firming and moisturizing the skin. It can be used all over the body, depending on where you think needs the work.


The Cream-
MBM (as I shall now call it) is part of the Avon solutions range and comes in a lilac bottle, very similar in appearance to a shampoo or shower gel bottle. It has both a flat cap as well as flat base so can be stood either way, standing on the cap end though ensures that all the cream is at the nearest end to the nozzle meaning you can get those last tricky bits of cream out. The opaque purple flip lid can be removed, making it easy to clean the nozzle should it get clogged. The cream itself is of a medium thickness, almost like a sun cream, it’s cream in colour and has a slight citrussy smell to it.

How to-
Avon recommend that you massage the cream into problem areas twice daily for best results. The amount you will need varies depending on the area of application, obviously you’d need less cream for your arm then you would your thigh.

My experience-
I started using the cream just after I had my daughter who is now 1, applying it only to my stomach as I was already using the Cellu-sculpt cream on my legs. I’ve found the cream takes a little while to absorb and also leaves a greasy feel to my hands after applying it, I hate having greasy or sticky hands so always have to wash them after using MBM.

There has been little change, if any, to my stretch marks, they are however of the silver variety rather than the red variety and so the cream may have more effect on red marks.
I have definitely noticed more firmness to the skin and while I can attribute the tightening to exercise and time, the firmness and improved tone seem to have been assisted by MBM. The cream also works as a lovely moisturizer leaving my skin lovely and soft after use.

Unfortunately I am unable to accurately tell you at what stage I saw results, moisturizing was an immediate success, however because my body was going through the natural post-pregnancy recovery process and I was exercising etc it is difficult to say at what point I saw the change in firmness and tone.
Because I was only using MBM on my stomach it has lasted me quite well, I’ve only used 1 ½ bottles in the year I’ve been using the cream but obviously this will vary from woman to woman, after all we’re all different shapes and sizes!

I have found the smell quite pleasant but it doesn’t last long which means you can use the product and not worry it would clash with your other perfumes or sprays. It is a very fresh light smell, not over powering or heavy at all.

Sadly like all these products it requires continued use for best results (I’m sure we’re being sucked into a marketing con here) and while I faltered early with my Cellu-sculpt cream I have been more diligent with MBM and have carried on using it. Of course a major downside to this need for constant use is the expense, if you get through the bottle quickly you could end up paying out quite a bit of money. Avon do say a bottle will have a shelf life of 12 months, so even if you can make it last by using it sparingly you would have to get a new one after 12 months anyway.


Price & availability-
As part of the Avon range MBM is only available via a doorstep representative, from Avonshop.co.uk or if you’re lucky it’ll pop up on Ebay. It’s rrp is £12 for a 200ml bottle. Avon regularly have special offers and deals such as 2 for 1, money off etc etc…………so it’s always best to see what offers are going at the time.


Overall-
Despite the lack of effect on my stretch marks I’m really happy with this product, my skin is softer and firmer and I feel happier with myself. I know a lot of that will probably be down to the amount of time that has passed since my pregnancy and the subsequent rebuilding of my confidence, I’m not even that bothered about the stretch marks I have now thanks to the right words and support from my other half. Still there is definite change and considering the time I’ve been using MBM I can only assume that it’s had a hand in the improvement.

I would recommend MBM to people hoping to firm up their skin although not if they want to improve their stretch marks, equally I cannot recommend it for cellulite treatment as I didn’t use it for that reason and as such am unable to say what effects it may or may not have. Different products will effect different people in different ways and I am only able to comment on my experience with MBM, I hope anyone trying it has success too.

Summary: A nice moisturising product but had little "makeover" effect