To Lipfinity...and beyond! (Max Factor Lipfinity)

Member Name: chugglebunny

Product:	Max Factor Lipfinity
Date:	21/05/09 (69 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Really can withstand eating/ drinking/ kissing for a whole day or more!

Disadvantages: Tough to remove, Moisturising stick goes quicker than the colour!

I have never been a big fan of lipsticks or lip glosses in the past. I have quite pale skin and as such, the second I put on lipstick I look really dressed up and also as a result of my pale skin I have to make sure the colour and tone of the gloss or lipstick suits me. Because of this, I used to always shy away from lipsticks etc.

Until I discovered Max Factors Lipfinity range. I cannot remember what possessed me that day in Tesco at the make-up counter to pick it up, but I just remember thinking it could be worth the £11.99 I paid for it, and I was right.

Lipfinity is a range of colourful glosses made by Max Factor and are available pretty much anywhere that sells make-up. Prices usually vary depending on offers, at around the £10 mark. The colour range has something in the region of 30 different shades, so there is something to suit everyone. I have "170 - Delicious" which is a warm bronze/brown that suits me perfectly and has completely given me a new confidence with wearing lipstick.

The actual gloss comes in a clear plastic tube which is only about an inch deep and holds just 23ml of lipfinity gloss; the applicator and lid however take up a good few more inches to make the tube long and sleek, with a lovely gold colour. It's a durable plastic and has survived many nights out in various hand bags without ever having it break or leak.

My first impressions of this unassuming little lip gloss was its size, surely with just 0.07 fluid ounces of gloss I would have to buy more in a few weeks? Wrong, I have, since the first time I purchased this only ever brought one replacement, and that was about 18 months after the first. Now obviously if you use it a lot more frequently than I do then this will change. I tend to use it on nights out when I want to dress up, or for events like weddings and such. Not on a daily basis; probably 3 or 4 times a month.

So, why is it a great lip gloss? Basically because it's good quality and gives your lips a great colour and shine that really does stay without having to top it up.

To apply, you simply do as you would with any normal lip gloss; get an even cover on your lips. The thing about lipfinity that makes it unique is that it contains permatone, which is basically an ingredient that actually attaches colour pigments to your lips. After a few seconds you will notice and feel the colour dry a little and this is where the moisturising stick comes in, the lipstick comes with another tube but this time a white companion that contains what I can only describe as a soft stick of clear Vaseline type gel. This is then applied over the colour and gives your lips a lovely shine and makes them very soft, while protecting your colour.

It's so simple to apply and takes no longer than a normal lipstick would.

The Max factor website and advertising claims this will stay on your lips for up to 12 hours even through eating and drinking, although I have to say, I think this is a little modest.

Last night I went out to the theatre with some work colleagues, as we were leaving straight from work I used my lunch break to get changed, do my hair and of course pile the make-up on, including my lipfinity. This was about 2pm. Now it's nearly mid day the day after and I still have colour on my lips, it may not be quite as strong as yesterday, but is still noticeably there. During my evening I had dinner at about 6.30 and a few drinks throughout the evening and also breakfast this morning before brushing my teeth. I make that nearer 22 hours than 12 and can imagine I will still have a little bit till this evening. I did not reapply my lipfinity at any point during the evening, only giving it a little touch up with the moisturising stick every few hours to keep it fresh. Fantastic!

Now the only negatives that I have about this product are: The simple fact it stays for so long. Should you wish to remove it completely, it takes quite a bit of persuasion. Being water proof and smudge proof does have its draw backs if you, for example changed an outfit and wanted to go with a different colour, a substantial amount of time would be needed to get it all off. My other negative being that colour does last ages, but the white moisturising gel doesn't. It gets used a lot quicker as it is used to keep your lips soft and shiny, so needs to be applied a lot more times than the actual colour. As I mentioned earlier, I have in roughly 3 years only brought 2 sets of lipfinity, the reason being that my first moisture stick had run out although I had colour left. So I purchased a new set, since you cannot buy the moisture stick separately. Which I think would be a great idea.

Overall though, I love this product. It has such a wide range of colours I can't imagine someone not finding one shade they like. It is easy to apply and gives a brilliant look leaving your lips standing out in a stylish way, while also helping to keep them looking fresh and soft with a subtle shine.

For £10 every 18 months, I'll continue to purchase this and hope they do not stop making it; I might even be a little more adventurous next time and opt for a different colour.

Thanks for reading. :)

Summary: Great product for its price!