When it comes to Max Factor, it’s a brand name I have used back in my teens and one of the first makeup brands I was interested in because of it’s line of fun and funky eye shadow colors.  It’s funny to think that a brand I hadn’t seen in my local stores in about 10 years holds such a place in my memories… but I remember seeing gorgeous eye shadows in the displays as a teenager and it was an impression I hadn’t easily forgotten.  I’m excited to say however, that Max Factor is returning to the United States, offering their Max Factor USA Capsule Collection and for a limited time, you can get your hands on some of these gorgeous beauties.

Working with Pat McGrath, Global Makeup Artist and Design Director, Max Factor released a limited edition capsule collection that includes four fabulous products:  The Masterpiece Max Mascara, Masterpiece High Precision Liquid Eye Liner and two Colour Elixir Lipsticks in Simply Nude 725 and Maroon Dust 735.  This gorgeous collection of treats was released in August (yes, I’m aware that I’m a bit late to the game) and are available to purchase at select Target, Walmart and Walgreens locations (you can also purchase online on Amazon and Drugstore.com for a limited time).  I have just recently started seeing this collection in my local stores as of the end of September, so hopefully it will stick around for my makeup lovers to get their hands on them.

Now, if you are a part of the younger generation of makeup addicts, you may not be familiar with Max Factor or the brand itself.  Let me clear that all up for you…  Max Factor was the original inventor of modern makeup and the very first artist to start his own brand.  The capsule collection that you see here was specifically created to be a limited edition collection to the United States, featuring a select edit of glamour essentials for all beauty lovers.  Since Max Factor didn’t just invent new ways for women to explore and express their glamour, he changed the beauty industry and paved the way for all artists, creators and makers you love and follow today.

Let’s start with the Max Factor Masterpiece Max Mascara ($9.99).  A high volume, high definition mascara that offers high impact volume in one swipe.  The brush for this mascara delivers volume and definition to offer bold and thick lashes.  It’s smudge proof and touch proof and I love that it leaves my lashes feeling soft and feathery.  If you are like me and have very sensitive eyes, I think you’ll enjoy this mascara because it is a great one for that purpose.

“Max Factor, Academy Award Winner and Visionary Make-Up Artist, comes a line of make-up that created the most glamorous looks of Hollywood’s Golden Era.”

Now, I have oober sensitive eyes and my lashes are pretty much hiding from the real world.  Because of this, I tend to wear false lashes as much as I possibly can and I’m very particular with my choice of favorite mascara.  The Masterpiece Max Mascara definitely helped to coat my lashes to add length and I like that the wand is small enough to still grab on to my teenie tiny lash hairs.   I do need to wear it layered with another mascara that offers more volume, but nonetheless, it gets the job done and like I mentioned previously, it works great on my sensitive eyes.

The Masterpiece Precision Liquid Eye Liner ($9.99) is a high precision liquid eye liner.  This liner is said to transform your look with a bold, intense liquid liner that will offer the precision of a pencil.  With Black Velvet formula, this liner glides on smoothly and dries quickly.  This liner was created to allow you to create two glamorous looks from one versatile and unique paddle shaped tip.

“You are not born glamorous, Glamour is created!” – Max Factor

Now, I’ve tried a liquid liner from another Drugstore brand similar to this one before and in all honesty, it’s a liner I consistently have used over the last year or so.  So, I wouldn’t call this “unique” since another brand has similar on the market.  I do however, enjoy the formulation of this liner.  If you are looking for bold and black color, you’ll definitely have that here.  The liquid dries really fast, which is always a great thing.  And, I love that you have the option of going thick or thin just by the flick of the wrist to create the look you desire.

Since I’ve used another eye liner like this one before, I’m quite familiar with how to manipulate the liner to create the looks I want, but I can totally tell you that if you haven’t used anything like this, it may take a bit of getting used to, to get this to work in your favor… unless you are just a pro at getting things down.  If you are looking for a liner that can offer you bold and deep color, I think you’ll enjoy this a lot.  Start with a thin line and carve out your wing or your liner and then turn the liner on the side to color in the gaps… that’s the best way I can explain it to work for you if you are struggling.

While this is a pen liner, it has a very liquid like consistency, so a light hand is best when applying it.  It dries quickly, but that also means you will need to work pretty fast.  The bold color can give you all day wear, which is great, but that also means that if it does start to move on you, it will be so noticeable because the color is so bold.  While I didn’t notice much smudging or running of the product on my eyes – I can say that if you tear up – it will move on you… so I reserve this liner for days that my allergies are not crazy on me.

The Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipsticks ($13.99 retail – prices vary at different locations) in Maroon Dust and Simply Nude are probably my favorite in this collection of treats from Max Factor.  Let’s face it, I have more lipsticks than any one person should own, but it’s one of my favorite makeup products to have.  These lippies are said to have the same formulation as their original ones but have slightly different packaging from what we had seen from Max Factor before. I actually like the gold packaging, it gives the product a luxe feel.  These lipsticks are said to have “active moisturizing ingredients” to help transform your lips into looking luscious and full as well as giving you that look of smooth, plump and soft lips.  These colors are said to be complimentary, which I actually like since I know I can get use out of each shade.  Maroon Dust reminds me of a nude Terracotta like shade that is perfect for Fall (or year round) and Simply Nude is a gorgeous nude shade you can use daily or year round.  Each of these lippies are quite comfortable on the lips and have a pretty decent wear time.  With eating or drinking, I definitely need to touch up – but considering these are creamy, I still get about 3-4 hours of wear time.  If you tend to have drier lips, I highly suggest exfoliating (sugar scrub or a toothbrush) because these are so creamy they can really exaggerate the lip lines.

I also think these are quite expensive, even for a roll out of new products – they are still pretty up there in the Drugstore cost range.  If these are too much for you – I would go for Milani Color Statement lipsticks (nude cream being one of old school favorites and a similar shade to Simply Nude).  I’m sure if I look through my vast Milani lipstick collection I’ll find a dupe for Maroon Dust.  Don’t get me wrong, these are gorgeous lippies, but at the cost point, I’m not sure I would gravitate towards purchasing them if I hadn’t tried the formulation out first.  I have however, been getting a lot of use out of both of these shades and I think they look great with Spice Lip liner from Milani.

I’m absolutely ecstatic that I had the opportunity to try this capsule collection.  Let’s be honest here for a moment, there are some brands that I will always remember and will have a place in my heart as those that I have loved at first look.  Max Factor is definitely one of those brands.  I would love to see the entire line make a come back to the United States, but I’m definitely happy that I was able to reminisce of my teenage years with a brand I enjoyed.  Who knows, we may see this brand pop up more in the coming years.

Have you tried anything from this collection?  If so, what was  your favorite?  If not, do you remember Max Factor and seeing it in your local stores?

Disclaimer:  The products featured in this post were sent for review consideration and/or feature.  All opinions are my own, 100% honest & unbiased.  Affiliate links are posted through out.