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| Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipstick - Burnt Caramel |
Earlier this month I attended an event to introduce the new Max Factor Colour Elixir lipsticks. The lovely makeup artist Caroline Barnes created two gorgeous looks with the new Elixir range and was at hand to impart her wise makeup knowledge!
The new Colour Elixir lipsticks bring together the elements expected from a great lipstick along with the 'Elixir' treatment that includes ingredients such as shea, avocado and aloe butters to improve the condition of the lips.
These definitely feel like a step up from what I am used to seeing from other drugstore lipsticks as the pigmentation is impressive and is rather consistent across the shades. The texture, while moisturising is a lighter, creamy silky texture that feels much higher-end. The packaging is also lovely and as others have noted very Estee Lauder-esque.
Now onto the fun part - Caroline Barnes set us the challenge of trying out the seven different shades we were given. Some of the colours were not naturally what I would gravitate towards, but I was interested to see how they would look, and I some of them I was pleasantly surprised with.
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| Bewitching Coral |
Bewitching Coral is a bright coral shade. It is a natural matte finish that leans a bit more pinker on the lips. I wasn't sure about this one but I like it much better on the lips although it is a bit out of my natural comfort zone with it being so bright.
On eyes I have used MAC Blacktrack Fluidline and Max Factor False Lash Effect Fusion mascara.
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| Burnt Caramel |
Burnt Caramel. Now this is more my type of colour! A lovely warm neutral shade that is easily one of my favourites. Again nicely pigmented, smooth and one I have been reaching for a lot since I received it.
Eyes: MAC Sable all over, MAC Sorcery on outer corner, and Max Factor False Lash Effect Fusion mascara. Blush is Beauty UK Baked Peach.
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| English Rose |
English Rose. One of the frosty ones - it doesn't look so bad in my pic but out of all the colours this was my least favourite and I didn't feel comfortable wearing it so I hastily changed it to Burnt Caramel instead! This is a mid pink that looks a little deeper on the lips then in the tube. If this had been a matte shade I think I would have liked it much more.
Eyes: Buck from UD Naked palette, RBR Anthracite Essence Eyeliner, and Max Factor False Lash Effect Fusion mascara.
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| Angel Pink |
Angel Pink. A pale, cooler toned pink shade with that frosty finish again. This type of shade does unfortunately emphasise dryness in my lips as it is much paler then my natural lip colour. I think maybe blended over a natural toned lipliner might take the edge off a little.
Eyes: Benefit Skinny Jeans all over lid, Chanel Illusion D'Ombre -Mirifique, MAC Feline liner, and lashings of Max Factor False Lash Effect Fusion mascara.
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| Mulberry |
Mulberry. A beautiful, pink wine/berry shade that has more of sheen/tiny frost finish with a gorgeous depth that feels more wearable then I had imagined making it another one of my favourites.
Eyes: Bloom Eye Paint Chocolate all over lid, RBR Anthracite Essence Eyeliner, and Max Factor False Lash Effect Fusion mascara.
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| Pink Brandy |
Pink Brandy. A warm pinky/peachy shade that feels very summery. I like this shade and I don't think I have anything quite like it as it's a bit more opaque then other colours in my collection.
Eyes: MAC Paint Pot - Perky all over lid, MAC Hot Hot Hot in outer corner, RBR Anthracite Essence Eyeliner, and Max Factor False Lash Effect Fusion mascara. Blush is MAC Ripe Peach.
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| Ruby Tuesday |
Last but definitely not least is Ruby Tuesday, a beautiful classic red. I think this would be quite universally flattering as it's not warm or too cool. If you've read my previous posts I am a bit red lippie shy and it's not a colour I often wear but this I found to be quite a friendly colour. Because of the super-pigmentation yet light texture, I can apply it, then blot and still be left with a bright red lip that doesn't move. Often with bright colours I hate the thought of them migrating off my lips and the high-maintenance aspect but this makes it so much easier for me to wear.
Many of the shades, including this one leave a bit of a stain on the lips so that the colour doesn't seem to fade completely and therefore I found them to be more long lasting then even many of my higher end lipsticks. Also with the unique texture, I didn't find them to be drying on my lips either.
Here I have swatched 8 of the colours:
L-R: Burnt Caramel, Angel Pink, English Rose, Pink Brandy, Bewitching Coral, Ruby Tuesday, Mulberry, Sunbronze
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| Natural Light L-R: Sunbronze, Mulberry, Ruby Tuesday, Bewitching Coral, Pink Brandy, English Rose, Angel Pink, Burnt Caramel |
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| Flash L-R: Sunbronze, Mulberry, Ruby Tuesday, Bewitching Coral, Pink Brandy, English Rose, Angel Pink, Burnt Caramel |
Overall I am impressed with these and there are a few more 'me' colours like Firefly and Rosewood that I have my eye on next.
All the Colour Elixir lipsticks apart from Sunbronze (which I bought myself) were provided without charge at the event. The Max Factor False Lash Effect Fusion mascara is also a PR sample.
