Max Factor have flown under the radar for me for
quite a while now, and I have to admit that most of the time their products don’t
jump out at me for whatever reason. I have found great success with their
eyeliners though, and have been impressed with the new products they have been
rolling out this year which seems to suggest a new, fun direction for the
classic brand. When I spotted these Colour Elixir Giant Pen Sticks for
half price ($4.95 from $10!) while out shopping with Chris, he told me to pop a
couple into the basket as we made our way around the store. I chose 4 shades
that I am really happy with, and thought I would share some swatches and brief
thoughts for those who might be thinking of picking one up.
Designer Blossom is the wintery shade I’ve been
craving, and is a nice pop of red that I’ve been wearing quite often since I
brought these home. Vibrant Pink is the brightest offering in the new
range, and since I’ve been addicted to bright pinks like this I am very happy
with this shade. Couture Blush is the ‘wearable pink’ from the Giant
Pen Stick range, and because it is quite close to my natural lip colour I’ve
been using this as a base under some of my pink glosses for an au natural lip
look. Hot Chocolate is a shade that some people have questioned in blog
posts I’ve read, but it is such a nice sheer nude shimmer on the lips that I
took a gamble on, and luckily for me it turned out perfectly for me! It isn’t
pigmented enough to be one of those dreaded brown lipsticks, and the mix of
nude and golden shimmers is really flattering once it is on the lips.
These are a little bit glossy on the lips, perhaps similar
to the shine of the Revlon Balm Stains but not as glossy as the Face
of Australia lip crayons or the Clinique Chubby Sticks. Shade wise I
quite like all of the 4 I chose, but I haven’t been tempted to go back for any
of the others. Those who want a good level of pigmentation would be happy with Designer
Blossom and Vibrant Pink, but as I said I am pretty happy with the
other shades.
I find that these fade a little unevenly unlike the Clinique
crayons, but it isn’t bad enough to put me off wearing them. My lips crave balm
at night after I’ve worn these, so those with chronically dry lips may need to
steer clear or buy one to try before indulging in a few from the range. I am pleased with these especially
considering the price I picked them up for, and though I prefer the real ‘crayon’
type lip products, these lip pencil/crayon hybrids are pretty cool too.
Have you tried any of the ‘lip crayons’ that are flooding
the market?
Which of these shades would you grab first?
