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Like a true beauty enthusiast, I can never get enough of makeup. I first heard of Max Factor when I was traveling in the US in the early 2000s. It was my first time in Los Angeles and one of the first places I headed to for shopping was the drugstore to score makeup that wasn’t available in Singapore. Of course I picked up some lipsticks and eyeshadows from the brand and wasn’t disappointed, they were faves on heavy rotation until I used them up.
Little surprise as Max Factor is an international cosmetics brand with an impressive Hollywood heritage. It was founded in 1909 with the purpose of prepping the faces of actors and actresses for the camera. And apparently, founder Mr. Max Factor was the one who coined the term “make-up” in the 1920s. The makeup artistry background of the brand has held firm for over a hundred years now. Impressive. Makeup enthusiasts will be glad to know that you now don’t have to travel overseas to get your hands on Max Factor makeup. The brand is now in select Watsons stores in Singapore. Want to know what to get? Here are my top 7 picks that are already in my makeup bag.
1. Color Elixir Velvet Mattes Lipstick, $20.90
Rich colour that glides onto lips. The finish is modern and matte, but the sensation on lips is creamy… all day long. It also leaves an even, lasting stain on the lips, even after you eat, so you don’t look washed out if you don’t touch up. My personal favourite shades are Blush, a berry pink that’s a great alternative to classic red, and Nude, the perfect #MLBB shade.
2. Creme Puff Blush, $15.90
It is blush at first sight with this cheek colour. It has a powder format but when you sweep it on with a blusher brush, it feels so silky on the skin and leaves a wash of colour that blends well on the skin. Shades that compliment Asian skin tones are Lavish Mauve and Gorgeous Berries.
3. False Lash Epic Mascara Black, $25.90.
The mascara formula is super pigmented and the brush is revolutionary. The tip of the wand has a rounded spiked shape which is great to get at all the stubby lashes and the corners so no lash is left uncoated. It gets lashes from root to tip easily for a full on false lash effect, as its name promises.
4. Masterpiece Nude Palette, $27.90
This palette has impressive colour payoff that shows on your lids easily. And blending is a breeze too. My fave shade has to be the Rose Nudes with its gradation of wearable dusty pinks to create a sweet all-over flush or even a soft smoky eye.
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5. Face Finity All Day Flawless 3-in-1 Foundation, $29.90
Need a foundation you can count on? This liquid foundation has one of the most impressive staying powers amongst drugstore brand offerings. I use it with a foundation brush and as soon as I blend it onto my skin, my complexion looks semi-matte with a velvety finish and stays that way for at least six to eight hours, sans touch-ups.
6. Masterpiece High Precision Liquid Eyeliner Velvet Black, $18.90
One stroke cat’s eye flick at your fingertips. I love my eyeliner sharp, intense and budge-proof and this felt-tipped brush liner delivers just that.
7. Bronzer, $15.90
Never tried bronzer before? This is an easy one to start with. Use a contour brush and swipe on this bronze shade, tap off the access and have a go under your cheekbones and along your jawline to give your face some dimension. This blends easily so you won’t get harsh lines. Plus, the colour is a golden bronze with a slight shimmer, which works well with Asian skin tones giving a sunkissed glow to the complexion.
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