Lacks the usual Max Factor (Max Factor Minerals Foundation)

Member Name: snow_white_forev

Product:	Max Factor Minerals Foundation
Date:	13/09/09 (109 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Perfect colours to suit natural skin tones

Disadvantages: Messy to use and results don't last for long

A while ago there was a lot of fuss made about powder based foundations and there were two main reasons I decided join the craze. The first being the promise that it is more gentle on skin, as it allows the skin to breath more freely and prevents pores from becoming clogged, thus making it more suited to oily skin, though if your skin is very oily I will warn that it can become attached to the oil, making the skin appear thicker. My skin type is normal to dry but I still get the occasional spot and thus was enticed by this promise. The second reason I decided to experiment with powder foundation was its longer shelf life of 24 months, which is double the average liquid based foundation.

Once I decided to give it a go for me there was no question of which brand to choose, it had to be MaxFactor. With most make-up products I usually use a diverse range of brands but for years I have always chosen MaxFactor foundation as their Creamy Ivory shade matches perfectly with my pale skin tone and I have always found their foundations to be spot on perfection. More recently, however, I am begin to slowly loose my faith in the brand, since using both this foundation and their 'Seamless' foundation (£6.31 at Boots). These foundations are in no way disastrous but they have definitely not lived up to my high expectations.

MaxFactor Natural Minerals Foundation is £12.71 at Boots (varying prices elsewhere) and comes in a rounded plastic container. The tube is split into two sections: the bottom containing the powder and the top the brush to apply it with. It is available in 5 shade: Creamy Ivory, Warm Almond, Natural, Golden and Bronze. I chose the lightest shade, Ivory, and I'm once again entirely satisfied with how it matches my skin tone and it looks completely natural on me.

The biggest fault with the product is that its not the easiest to apply. To use, the idea is that you first shake the Natural Minerals Foundation into the sifter (top section), then lightly dip the brush in and sweep across the face in a gentle stroking motion. Sounds simple enough, and it is very quick to use but unfortunately it is also very, very messy. I am yet to use this product without getting covered in flecks of the powder, so I would highly recommend applying before you get dressed. With practice, however, it does get better but still remains quite messy foundation.

MaxFactor promises that this foundation 'goes beyond the call of duty by combining build-easy coverage' and that due to its 'unique concave dispenser and 100% natural brush you can achieve your most natural results.'

Whilst I'm not a fan of my pale skin I am lucky that my skin tone is very even and it doesn't take much help for my skin to look fresh and healthy. In my opinion the foundation is very effective in creating 'natural results' as its light and the shading is very natural, my skin looks fresh, young and with a little colour to it. However, the results are quite shimmery and illuminating and whilst I'm a fan of this I know that many feel the matte look is more natural. I still feel it is a foundation more suited to summer as the coverage is quite light and fresh looking.

With this product it is also easy to build up the desired coverage and to place more emphasis on certain areas, so in many respects it does live up to the MaxFactor promise. However, the results don't last very long and by the end of the day I feel I look the same as I would with no foundation and for the price tag I would quite like a longer lasting look.

I have since played around with the product and find that I achieve the best results when using it to even skin tone on top of a liquid based foundation. Whilst I am happy to use the remainder this way and I'm pleased with the results, I don't think I shall be buying this product again, as at £12.71 I'd quite like to just need one foundation.

Summary: Not terrible but nothing special either