Give your lips the red hot look with the one million lipsticks giveaway

So while Special K's initial 'surprise' for me (which I later found out from other beauty bloggers to be a red nail varnish) never arrived courtesy of the combined crappiness of La Poste and the Royal Fail, their next promotion did: this time a red lipstick created in association with Max Factor. They're giving away one million Colour Elixir lipsticks in this classic shade (named Ruby Tuesday, which I like thanks to the perhaps unintentional allusion to the Jane Yardley book entitled Painting Ruby Tuesday) via their website. All you have to do is buy a box of Special K cereal, hotfoot it to the link, fill in your details (along with the unique code found inside your pack of cereal), and cross your fingers in hope that you'll be one of the lucky million winners. If my experience of the quality of other Max Factor products is anything to go by, you'll be getting a great value product that's long-lasting, and refined in its concept and ingredients.

Max Factor Mastertouch Concealer

RRP: £6.99

no. of shades available: 3

--What does the promo say?--
"Ever wondered how top models keep their skin looking flawless at all times? Tried backstage by professional make-up artists at the hottest catwalk shows, new Mastertouch Concealer is a miracle product to give you the expert touch of a professional make-up artist. With an easy-to-apply texture it hides blemishes. It’s all down to a special skin smoothing applicator and light-diffusing creamy formula that makes precise coverage a breeze!"

--Packaging--
Slender black and clear plastic pen-type packaging, with the Max Factor logo on the black parts of the packaging in white, and a clear lid showing the brush end clearly. The other end of the pen has a twist mechanism and the clear parts of the packaging show the where the concealer is stored, which is always useful for seeing how much you have left. The pen end is made of sponge rather than being a brush or made of plastic - this is something of a downside as any excess tends to be soaked into the sponge and thus wasted. Nice to look at and the packaging is a good match to the new Max Factor foundation, Miracle Touch, which was released at about the same time and uses the same black-and-clear theme.

--Application--
Twist the end of the pen that DOESN'T have the nib of the pen attached. You luckily don't have to twist for too long for the concealer to appear at the end of the pen, and it doesn't all shoot out at once sending concealer everywhere. Apply to blemishes on your face directly with the nib of the pen and then use your fingers or a separate brush or sponge to blend (using the nib of the pen to blend is unsuccessful as it just adds more concealer/spreads the concealer around your face).

--Texture/consistency--
Perfect - not too runny or thick, and not too heavy. Lovely, light, creamy consistency.

--Appearance--
Sadly the results were not all I'd hoped for. Despite choosing the lightest shade available, it still seemed rather orange on my pale skin, and it seemed patchy rather than helping to create a perfectly smooth base. A lot of work therefore had to be done with my foundation and powder to make up for this.

--Longevity--
Good, but not good enough - it certainly doesn't last all day.

--Coverage--
Good initially, but as implied above, will need topping up.

--Value for money--
I got mine free with said Max Factor foundation, so I don't really feel I've lost anything. However, I'd recommend spending the same money on L'Oreal's Touche Magique, particularly since there are far more shades available on that product than on this. Overall, something of a disappointment.

Max Factor Miracle Touch

RRP: £11.99 for 11.5g
no. of shades available: 9

--What does the promo say?--
"Max Factor’s newest and most innovative foundation will revolutionise the way you apply your base. With a unique lightweight solid to liquid formula it removes the need for the traditional concealer, foundation and powder combination and instead creates the perfect base in just one easy application. The result is a flawless, fresh and incredibly smooth complexion that glows with radiance."

--Packaging--
Nice and compact and slightly different to similar compact foundations on the market. The main compartment is black, and the 'lid' is clear, showing the foundation clearly. When you open it, you find that the 'lid' is actually the main compartment, meaning that the foundation is stored there and because the lid is clear, you can see exactly how much you have left at any given moment. Good job. The black part opens up to reveal the makeup sponge. The only thing it lacks is a mirror - shame, as there's plenty of room for one and L'Oreal manages to include one with its powder, which comes in an even smaller container. The container is slightly bulky, but not too bad, and the black-and-clear colour scheme is really nice to look at, with all product information written clearly on the lid. The lid unscrews easily and is easy to put back on (and of course the main advantage of this being a compact foundation is that there's no spillage). The black bit clicks open using a simple grab and pull mechanism. On the inside of the black part, there are little raised dots. I still have no idea why. On the whole, a good-looking piece of makeup.

--Application--
Just open the black part, remove the sponge, and then unscrew the lid, rub the sponge gently into the solid foundation and then rub onto your face. You could also use a brush if you don't like the sponge provided. It's definitely true to say that this foundation fulfils the product brief: it feels solid in the packaging, but reacts like a liquid foundation on the face, without all soaking into the sponge before it has a chance to get there. As with any foundation, just be careful that you don't have any tide marks around the eyes, nose, lips and hairline, and check for streaks before doing the rest of your makeup. I find that compact foundations do (for some reason unbeknown to me) seem to streak more easily on application compared to normal liquid foundations, so be careful and check your face well before moving on.

--Texture--
As I said, this definitely does what it says on the tin: solid in the pot, liquid on the face. However, this doesn't mean it turns runny; on the face it feels creamy and yet light.

--Appearance--
Pretty good - it gives a really natural appearance (provided, of course, you've checked for giveaway tide marks beforehand!). However, while you could easily skip powder after applying this, I wouldn't recommend skipping concealer. Sadly, if your skin isn't perfect, no foundation will allow you to do this, and this one is no exception.

--Longevity--
Again, I would say it's no better and no worse than any equivalent foundation on the market. No miracles here. It slides off about as quickly as any other foundation too - don't expect it to last all day.

--Coverage--
It just falls short of the quality given by my usual choice of No7; however, it puts on a pretty good show and I wouldn't say this is its biggest shortcoming. It just didn't really light my fire.

--Value for money--
This is a high quality product that is excellent for travelling - probably the best product I've found in that respect and it'll definitely be coming with me on all my trips. However, it is perhaps a little too light if you have less than perfect skin and thus won't fulfil its claims of covering all imperfections. The number of shades available is commendable and I've found so far that more than one shade suits me. It is just about worth the RRP, but I would still recommend trying to get it on promotion if possible: I got a free concealer with mine that was worth £6.99.

perfect partner
Max Factor Mastertouch Concealer, £6.99

Max Factor Silk Gloss

RRP: £6.99 for 8ml
no. of shades available: 7

--What does the promo say?--
"Love the high-shine of lip gloss but need the moisturising boost of a balm? Now for the first time ever from Max Factor you can have both with new Silk Gloss - a high-beam, lasting shine combined with the smooth feel of a lip conditioning balm. Gorgeous lips often need a little tender loving care. New Silk Gloss by Max Factor not only gives luscious lasting shine but also delivers moisture and lip protection - meaning now you can enjoy the benefits of beautifully glossy and well-conditioned lips at the same time."

--Packaging--
Pretty standard stuff to be honest. I bought this on the internet as part of a job lot so I can't really comment about how it stands out on the shelf, but I really can't imagine how it would. Clear plastic tube, gold lid, gold writing. Nice logo for the product itself though - a nice clean sweep under the product name with a little flick at the end. The top unscrews to reveal a wand with a foam tip. As I said, all pretty usual. It just looks like Max Factor have put no effort into their packaging design at all; a shame, since their packaging is usually so distinctive.

--Application--
As with the packaging, really pretty normal. Unscrew lid. Apply gloss to lips using wand. The wand, incidentally, seems to pick up rather less gloss than most. However, this doesn't seem to matter - you don't need to dip the wand back into the tube to pick up more gloss. Appearances can be deceptive...

--Appearance--
Contrary to how the shade appears in the tube (quite bright and brash), it appears far more natural when actually on the lips. Always a good sign. It surprisingly seems to hide dry skin quite well, despite not being one of its advertised qualities; plus, there is also a slight shimmer to it, which is equally pleasing :)

--Scent--
One description I read on t'internet said it was reminiscent of violets. I disagree. My first thought was that it smelt of Playdoh. Nostalgia factor good, but slightly surprising! Thankfully, the smell wears off in minutes.

--Texture/consistency--
Much smoother than a lot of lip glosses that I've tested. It makes the brand's claims about this product basically being a lip balm in the guise of a gloss to be really quite believable.

--Longevity--
Not bad, but not as miraculous as some reviews online would have you believe.

--Value for money--
This is a tricky question to answer as I don't think I've really come across that many lip glosses which also claim to moisturise (Clinique's Glosswear being the only example that comes to mind). I would probably say that it equals Clinique in terms of moisturisation, and is definitely better value in terms of £/ml for what is a very high-quality gloss. However, Clinique definitely wins in terms of shades available, and Max Factor needs to sort out its packaging for this product to give it even more of a wow-factor.

Max Factor Flawless Perfection

RRP: £12.99
no. of shades available: 6

*Please note I tried this on a sample basis, so while I'll try and comment on packaging etc as best I can, I have not yet tried the full size standard version.

--What does the promo say?--
"Flawless Perfection introduces a revolutionary new approach to foundation - a unique patented two-step system incorporating separate skin perfecting and colour finish formulas designed to work together to deliver a freshly applied, flawless look which lasts throughout the day. The secret, a lightweight first step that creates a smooth canvas, so the liquid colour doesn't fade or settle into fine lines. Two steps to perfection!"

--Packaging--
A two-part plastic bottle containing a primer in one side and a foundation in the other side. The bottle stands on its navy flip-top lid. Convenient and easy to use.

--Application--
Rub a small amount of the primer all over your face (though as usual I'd recommend staying away from the eye area). Judging from my sample, you need slightly more of this primer than you need from other primers, such as the No 7 primer. Once it's fully absorbed, add the foundation using your usual technique.

--Texture--
The primer is very smooth and light, and not as thick as the No 7 primer. I didn't notice any textural difference between this foundation and other foundations.

--Appearance--
Honestly? I wasn't all that impressed by the effects. There was no difference between the overall finish of this foundation + primer combo and other foundation + primer combos I've used before. So all it tells you is that you get better effects if you use a primer, which we knew anyway...

--Longevity--
Excellent, but then again any foundation/primer combination will be, unless either of the two elements is shockingly bad.

--Coverage--
No better than other products I've used previously.

--Value for money--
£12.99 seems a bit on the expensive side. I don't think I'd pay more than £10 for this. While conceptually it is brilliant (I don't think I've seen any other foundation that comes with its own primer) and technically it should be excellent value for money (you almost pay this price for a primer by itself in many cases), the amount of primer you have to use from this Max Factor product betrays the illusion. Drop by drop, the No 7 is probably better. Plus, while the partnership of the primer and foundation is ingenious for travelling, I find it slightly irritating that you have to use so little of the foundation in comparison to the primer, meaning that one side will probably run out before the other, rendering the concept useless.
The option of a mere 6 shades also seems a little disappointing - this foundation will probably accommodate pale through to olive skins, but not much beyond that.
My advice? Choose something else.

Max Factor Colour Adapt

RRP: £11.95 for 30ml (ish)

# of shades available: 9, ranging from 'creamy ivory' to 'soft sable'.

I actually got my Max Factor Colour Adapt as part of a special promotion at Boots, so mine is only a sample size. I'll therefore comment on the full-size product as best I can, though please bear in mind that I have not yet tested the full-size product. My sample came in shade #70, Natural; there was no choice of colours.

--Packaging--

The product comes in packaging that has a similar colour scheme to other lines that are similarly priced (Olay comes to mind), with a tri-tone colour scheme of navy blue, white/cream/transparent and silver. The name of the product is written on the front of the pump-action bottle in a clear, delicate font in navy blue, as well as the Max Factor logo. The colours of the packaging are reminiscent of a working woman's twinset and pearls, suggesting that this product is perhaps not aimed at the younger woman.

--What does the promo say?--

" Don’t Mask Your True Colours. Match them.
Your skin isn’t the same colour all over so why use a foundation that is? Colour Adapt flatters and works with every shade of your face to create the most natural looking base ever. The secret? Clever colour adapting particles pick up and reflect the different pigments in your complexion to give a totally sheer look without masking your skin’s true radiance."

--Application--

Come on, we've all seen a pump-action bottle before. We all know how it works. Push the top of the pump down until enough of the product appears at its end. Apply to face using your desired method (fingers, brush, sponge...).

--Appearance--

While the product appears quite smooth and runny, like most other liquid foundations, when you look at it through the transparent parts of the packaging, when it comes out of the bottle it seems more mousse-like. While light, it doesn't slide off your finger when you're trying to apply it or off your face when it's on. When the product has been applied, it blends quite seamlessly into the skin, and if you have a shade that's a couple of shades above your usual choice (as I do), it has a sort of bronzer effect. (NB - please do not take this to read that when I, normally an English-rose type, wear this, I look like I've been Tangoed, as while I worried about this, my sister told me it made me look healthier and definitely NOT like I'd deliberately painted myself orange.)

--Texture--

Gorgeous. Light, fluffy (I'm aware that this is starting to sound like I'm applying cake to my face - as delicious a prospect as that would be, I hasten to remind you that this is a foundation and not in fact a cake of any description. Shame...) and blends fabulously well. This also works well with non-Max Factor concealers and powders.

--Coverage--

Not bad. No better or worse than any other foundation I've used in the past.

--How does it make your skin feel?--

Very smooth. I'm not sure if it has some kind of moisturising agent in it, but it feels like it does. There is no skin irritation.

--Longevity--

Again, not bad - there's no need to reapply throughout the day. However, I 'set' all of my makeup with powder, so there's no way to tell how it would react without powder.

--Removal--

Easy to remove.

--Value for money--

On the basis of how long my sample has lasted so far, I'd say it's pretty good. A little of this stuff goes quite a long way, which is always good - not only are you not pouring your money down the drain, you're also not going to look like you've caked it on with a trowel.

--Other comments--

While this foundation has a different texture to other foundations I've tried and can apparently also double up as a bronzer, I would need to try a shade that is closer to my skin tone before making any judgements on whether or not I would buy it again.