Bit By the Beauty Bug » Max Factor

The Beauty Bug Presents “The Office” – New Max Factor ColorGenius Blush

The Beauty Bug — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 21:22:13 +0000

MAX Factor ColorGenius Blush is the newest product to hit the cubicles in The Office. Since the weather has been warmer, and there’s not that brisk winter wind to give Bostonians a natural blush, The Office welcomed the chance to try this new product. ColorGenius Blush is a mineral, tri-colored contouring blush that made its debut at the Spring/Summer 2008 New York Fashion Week. ColorGenius Blush is available in three shades for coverage ranging from a light-sheen to a vivid shot of color that pops. Shades include Roses, Peach and Spices. Each compact includes three complementary shades for blendable, customizable coverage.

The Office speaks…

L: I LOVE this blush! i tried the Roses trio and it goes on so smoothly, the three shades blending to look way more natural than i would have thought. i would definitely buy this and want to try the other colors!

B: I’m mixed on this product. The multiple colors/tones don’t really make much of a difference, when I tried to layer them they all looked the same on me. I also didn’t feel that the blush went onto a brush very easily. Also, when applied over a light foundation, I thought that the blush looked a little heavy and had an orange tint even though I think the (peaches) colors should have been right for my skin tone. Overall, I’m pretty mixed. I’ll continue to use it, but probably won’t go out of my way to buy it again.

J: Blush is something I don’t wear all that often, so I was interested to try it out. I like the blend of the three colors and I felt that it gave a very natural and subtle hit of color to my cheeks. The only criticism I have is that I wish it had a mirror and applicator so that I could stick it in my purse and use it on the go!

M: I really liked the color of the Spice Genius Blush when applied. I thought the color was long lasting and had a great shade combination. Although, I found that it takes a long time for the color to absorb onto the brush.

P: Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to achieve the glow that I wanted with this blush. The color didn’t adhere to my brush well.

MAX Factor ColorGenius Blush is available now with an average retail price of $8.49.

To read previous “Office” posts, click here.

To have your product reviews in “The Office” email The Beauty Bug.

The Beauty Bug Presents The Office: Maxalicious Glitz and Glaze Lip Gloss

The Beauty Bug — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 04:08:41 +0000

What do you get when you put 8 beauty crazed women in a room with 12 tubes of Maxalicious Glitz and Glaze lip gloss? One chaotic scene of grabbing, yelling and that raw excitement that lip gloss always generates among women. Which would be lucky enough to try 2, and which would be unlucky and have to settle for just one shade? It was just another day in The Beauty Bug’s Office…

Maxalicious Glitz and Glaze lip glosses are a collection of 25 shimmery glosses (13 Glitz shades and 12 Glaze shades) full of shine and flavor. The collection is broke down even further into “naughty” and “nice” shades; the naughty glosses are a bit darker, more intense, deep colors, and the nice glosses are a bit more natural and neutral. As I’m sure you can guess The Beauty Bug chose 2 naughty shades, and one nice…for a good balance. Here’s what the rest of the office chose:

L: I had a “naughty” shade — Too Much Wine. I love this gloss! As someone who prefers gloss to lipstick any day, this has the perfect amount of color to wear day or night. It also has a great texture and tastes delicious! I want to try other shades.

B: My color was the NICE #130 (Spring Fling). Overall I really, really like this lip gloss a lot and would definitely buy it in additional colors. I think that the shade has just the right amount of color, not too dark but not too pale. I like that it has a very natural look but is shiny enough to make an impact. As far as the texture and overall feeling of it, I would almost consider it like a balm – after several uses it has kept my lips feeling moist and really soft. It also has a pleasant smell and taste, almost fruity. Definitely 2 thumbs up on this one!

P: I tried the naughty shade Girls Night Out. I really like this lip gloss… I love the consistency, taste and the shine. It’s one of those glosses that you can keep applying all day and it won’t cake up. Another huge plus was that the taste never annoyed me. Just one little note, I wish it had a tinge more color to it. I found it to be almost colorless and I like a little bit more of a tint to my gloss. However, if you’re just looking for shiny lips, it’s fabulous.

A: I really liked the way the lip gloss gave a hint of shine but still felt and looked very natural. The taste was also pleasant, not overpowering like many of the lip products on the market. At such a good price, too, I’d definitely buy it!

L: I tried the naughty shade “Stood Him Up”. The color is sheer, yet very sexy, and it’s the perfect pink to pair with an all black outfit. It smells great, it super shiny, and makes my lips feel smooth.

J: I tried out the Maxalicious Nice gloss. Although it wasn’t the most moisturizing gloss to help combat this cold New England weather, the color was great. I don’t like to wear a lot of color on my lips, so the fact that it was sheer and subtle was excellent! I also really appreciated how the lip gloss wasn’t at all sticky. No one likes their hair sticking to their lips as they battle the wind of Boston!

M: I tried both a naughty and a nice gloss, and preferred the naughty shade, a clear sparkly gloss with a lemon scent. This naughty gloss also seemed to have a thicker, stickier consistency, which I like!

To have your product reviewed in The Office, email The Beauty Bug.

To read previous “The Office” posts, click here.

The Beauty Bug Presents “The Office” – New Max Factor Vivid Impact Highlighting Mascara

The Beauty Bug — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 01:16:38 +0000

This week on The Beauty Bug Presents “The Office”, The Beauty Bug and her co-workers test a product that has yet to hit the shelves – Max Factor’s Vivid Impact Highlighting Mascara, a double-ended mascara that highlights the lashes and draws closer attention to a woman’s eyes. The defining basecoat, a regular mascara, lengthens lashes and adds volume, while the iridescent highlighting topcoat adds depth and a hint of color.

The application is as follows:

Apply the basecoat mascara
Wait for the basecoat to dry to be sure colors don’t mix
Apply the highlighting topcoat on the tips of the top lashes, and bottom if desired, to create an eye-popping highlights

Wearability:

For green or hazel eyes – try Burning Bordeux shade to make the color of eyes pop
For blue eyes – Try 24 Karat Brown to make Blue eyes pop and add a light, gold tint to lashes (need to emphasizes gold lightens lashes)
For brown eyes – All shades work, especially the black and pink combo to make eyes pop
For all – The most versatile is the black/silver combination when applied correctly above

Let’s it from the girls:

A: “Max Factor Vivid Impact mascara is not for the girl who appreciates a subtle look. The darker, base color is okay and if used alone could even bring out the green in hazel eyes but the brighter pinkish top coat was very unflattering. My advice is to save it for a holiday.”

M: “I was very excited to try the mascara but unfortunately, I was disappointed with it. I tried the 24 Karat Brown (brown base/gold topcoat)and thought it was going to have a subtle shimmer but instead it made my eye lashes blonde. I also didn’t think enough mascara was able to get on the bristles to coat my lashes. I wouldn’t purchase it.”

L: “The idea of a topcoat of vivid color on my lashes sounded fun so I tried the blue mascara with pink highlights. I was disappointed to find that both the mascara and particularly the highlighting end took many coats to take any noticeable effect. The pink actually seemed to detract from the impact of the lashes, almost making them seem blond or transparent in the light rather than colored. With the boldness of the colors, this product would need more staying power for me to want to use it when dressing up or going out.”

J: “I really didn’t like the mascara. When my eyelashes caught the light, I didn’t like the pinkish coloring, and thought that the blue/pink combo was a weird color pairing.”

L:“I like the blue mascara, not a fan of the pink. I put my regular black on first and then I use the blue and it opens and thickens my eyes and eyelashes. Big fan of the blue!”

BB: The Beauty Bug never thought She would have anything negative to say about a Max Factor mascara, but sadly, the day has come. Long-time readers know that The Beauty Bug is a big fan of Max Factor’s Lash Couture and that will always be Her stand-by. She really wanted to like the Vivid Impact because the idea is new, and what girl doesn’t want to draw more attention to her eyes, but unfortunately, She can not recommend this product. It should, however, be noted that most who tried the mascara only disliked the color pairings, not the mascara itself. The Beauty Bug agrees – the color combinations just aren’t compatible. The Beauty Bug wonders if her thoughts would have been different had She had tried the black/silver combination.

To read the last “Office” post, click here. To have your product reviewed in “The Office” email The Beauty Bug.

Lash out with Max Factor’s Volume Couture Mascara

The Beauty Bug — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 02:37:41 +0000

No matter what your style is, there are two staples that every fashion-forward woman can not leave home without – a fabulous mascara and the perfect pair pumps (Richard Tyler pumps, of course). Since this is a beauty site, let’s talk about the mascara first – Max Factor’s new Volume Couture Mascara.

Even though this Mascara doesn’t hit stores until January, The Beauty Bug got to test it out early, and you heard it here first, it without-a-doubt lives up to its name. Most mornings She is running late, and the last thing that She does before She leaves the house is put on makeup. Running late or not, The Beauty Bug won’t sacrifice her look, and She don’t have to with this mascara. The Beauty Bug applies as many coats as She wants, and it still doesn’t clump – it creates high-impact lashes while separating and defining. Trust The Beauty Bug when She predicts that this will end up on InStyle’s Best Beauty Buys.

After the new year, go to your local drug store, pick up one, and let The Beauty Bug know what you think!

Max Factor’s Glamour Cab

The Beauty Bug — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 17:16:31 +0000

Before I go on in detail what this is all about, first let me tell you – don’t get all excited because sadly, this promotion is only taking place in London. However, the concept is fabulous, and Max Factor should consider executing in here in the States next year.

Here’s the deal: Basically we all know how busy this time of year is, and it’s always hard to get that “party look” when you’re coming straight from the office. So, Max Factor has created this Glamour Cab to transform you from your work look to your party look on the way to the party. Inside the cab is Ellen Bradley, a Max Factor makeup artist. Ellen will be roaming the city, and any lucky lady she picks up will get an instant makeover. The cab has been decked out to the nines, complete with pink cushions and champagne.

“Nowadays we’re always in a hurry,” said Ms Bradley. “People are working later, have no time to go home and don’t want to carry around the clutter of a full make-up kit.

“This is an ideal way to turn a day look into a night one in the quickest possible time, and with a minimal amount of fuss.”

Pssst, Max Factor – bring this to the US next year!

Special Max Factor Offer for Beauty Bug Readers

The Beauty Bug — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 17:47:35 +0000

The Beauty Bug has been anxiously awaiting the release of MaxFactor’s new Volume Couture Mascara, because she is a Lashionista. And now, the wait it over. Because you are faithful readers and fellow beauty junkies, The Beauty Bug is pleased to offer this exclusive Max Factor Complete Couture Collection Kit . This 4 piece kit features products you can use to achieve Carmen Electra’s runway-ready look as seen in the Volume Couture ads. Products included are the MAXwear Lipcolor & Gloss Duo, MAXeye liner and brand new Volume Couture Mascara. As you know, this mascara isn’t even in stores until January so you will be one of the first to get your hands on it.

So, that was good news, here’s even better news. Not only can you get this before it hits the stores, but you can get it at the special “Beauty Bug” price of $18.45, which is 30% off the regular price.

This promotion will expire on December 31st, and there are only a limited amount of kits available, so order it so you can glam it up on New Year’s Eve just like Carmen.

Are you A Lashionista?

The Beauty Bug — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 21:43:46 +0000

Max Factor wants to know, are you a Lashionista? That giraffe certainly is. Lashionistas, according to them, are “fashion conscious women who desire full, high-impact lashes that can be achieved without sacrificing separation and definition.” Well, very soon all you Lashionistas will be able to throw away your fake eye lashes (if you were able to apply them – I NEVER could) because in January Max Factor is introducing Volume Couture Mascara. This new mascara “features the iFX brush that is technologically designed to deliver superb volume and lash definition for a look that is big and bold yet sleek and smooth. ” I’ve been waiting for this mascara for some time now, and if you remember, I recently metioned it as one of my top new products for the new year.

Volume Couture Mascara was named “Official Mascara of Milan Fashion Week” and it was also used the famous Pat McGrath in all of the Spring/Summer 2007 fashion shows.

Need I say more? Make it one of your first purchases of the New Year.

New January Products to Look Forward to

The Beauty Bug — Sun, 19 Nov 2006 16:11:55 +0000

Other than theNew Years, the Beauty Bug is looking forward to a few other things this coming January. These 2 new products are on my list to check out:

Max Factor Volume Couture Mascara – Max Factor does mascara like nobody’s business so it’s only natural that I’m excited to get my hands on one of these. I don’t have much info yet – only know that the brush is covered in narrow bristles packed closely together, so they can put more mascara on each lash. I have a feeling this is going to be a must-have for the New Year.

Murad Intense Wrinkle Reducer – All you need to hear is this – it contains collagen-boosting marine extracts and glycolic acid with clarifying cinnamon extract. Just say glycolic acid and the Beauty Bug is all over it – yes, please!

January can’t come soon enough.

Max Factor Lash Perfection Mascara

The Beauty Bug — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 20:52:02 +0000

There’s not much more I can say about this mascara that hasn’t been said already. It’s garnered tons of buzz and was of course named a Best Beauty Buy of 2006 by InStyle Magazine. Prior to using this Mascara, I hadn’t tried anything similar to the iFX brush and it really makes a difference when it comes to separating your lashes. You can actually feel the little fibers getting in between your lashes. With makeup becoming more and more expensive these days, it’s nice to know you can get a top quality mascara for a reasonable price. Now, I just read about this other Max Factor Masterpiece Mascara, but it looks like it’s only available in the UK. I wonder if there’s much difference between the two.

Speaking of Max Factor, they really hit it out of the park with their new MAX line (MAXeye Shadows, MAXeye liners, and my favorite – MAXwear Lip Colors). They completely rebranded themselves and have become a top drug store brand. Golf claps!

Look-A-Likes

The Beauty Bug — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 20:35:24 +0000

I love look-a-likes (especially trying to find people in everyday life that look like celebs) – but they often don’t live up to the real thing (there are some exceptions though). FABSUGAR.com just posted a brilliant article that discusses makeup look-a-likes. They compare the new line of E.L.F. cosmetics to Stila Lip Glaze (E.L.F has recently been connected to Bloomingdales, but that has proved to be false) among others. Of all the items compared, I think the best value is the new Max Factor MAX Wear Lip Colors. The colors are sparkling and brilliant.

Another look-a-like which FABSUGAR.com left off their list is the Chanel Glossimer and the Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss. Both are solid products, but you can’t deny that they are look-a-likes. I love the Chanel Glossier in Black Tie (great for any skin tone) and the Revlon Super Lustrous gloss in Shine City.