Max Factor Second Skin Foundation

The latest drugstore foundation on the block is this offering from Max Factor. As a foundation junkie, I often purchase these new drugstore foundies, and then one use later I've remembered why I like high end foundation - the drugstore versions don't usually last well, and I can rarely get a decent colour match. I'd all but given up on drugstore foundation, but seeing raves on BritishBeautyBlogger, as well as HollyYMBB's you tube video made me want to try a slice of the action.

I hot-footed it down to Superdrug where this is on offer at the moment for £9.99 - similar offers are on in Boots and Tesco's at the moment, it normally costs about £14 I believe, and you get 30mls in a bottle

Max Factor claim this is "virtually undetectable even to the professionals. Now Second Skin uses clever multi-tonal pigment technology to smooth over and blend flawlessly into your own natural complexion in seconds. No lines, no traces and perfect in any light; so no-one will ever know it's not all you..."

Packaging wise, this comes in a glass bottle with a hygenic pump (Question - if Drugstore brands can do this, why can't NARS et al?), and looks like this - sorry for the google images, I forgot to take a shot of the product and my batteies are flat now...


So far so good, but the problem is that the foundation only comes in five shades - and definitely won't work, colour wise, on dark or black skin. I was lucky enough to find a decent match - lightest shade (surprise surprise), shade 40, Creamy Ivory, is a really good match for me, it adds a very slight touch of warmth, but this is good - stops me looking corpse like.

I've been applying it with my fingers which is my current favourite method of applying liquid foundation (mainly because washing foundation brushes is a pain, but also because it usually gives streak-free results). I use about two or three pumps for the whole face. which works well for me. It results in a very natural looking low to medium coverage...

Left - skin without foundation; Right - skin with foundation applied.

The foundation gives really really natural looking results - a "my skin but better" type of look, feels very light on the skin and evens out the skin-tone really well. It's easy to work with - I personally think the finger method works really really well with this foundation, and helps it to blend in with the skin.

Obviously coverage wise, its not going to work if you have a lot of blemishes or very uneven pigmentation, so bear that in mind when deciding if its for you. I have combination/dry skin, and this feels comfortable on my skin - not too drying and not too oil provoking. I'm not sure how well this would work on oily or very dry skin, so check other reviews too if that applies to you.

It lasts well too for a drugstore foundation - I set it in the t-zone with a light dusting of loose powder and it lasts around 8 hours on me - I have to touch up with powder in the t-zone every 3-4 hours, but this is fairly standard for me.

The Max Factor website is currently offering free samples to try, which is well worth a looksie!
Have you tried this? How did you get on with it?

hope this helps!

MizzWorthy xxx