No good unless you've got perfect skin!, 9 Oct. 2009

I usually use Max Factor Lasting Performance foundation, so I was pleased to try this new Max Factor Second Skin foundation. Seeing that it is almost twice the price of my usual one, I was expecting it to be good, but I was really disappointed.

The foundation comes in a cute bottle with a plastic pump to dispense it. It smooths easily onto the skin and blends in OK. It feels very pleasant when you are applying it, soft and cool and moisturising, and it left my skin feeling in good condition rather than dry like some foundations do. It didn't cake up either.

However I found the coverage was very poor. The foundation is very thin and it doesn't provide coverage for any skin issues such as visible poors, spots, blackheads or dark circles. In fact I really think it is only of use if you already have very good, even skin. It hardly made any difference to the visibility of skin imperfections whereas my usual foundation covers them without much difficulty at all...

This review is from: Max Factor Second Skin Foundation - Ivory (Personal Care)

A photographer's viewpoint, 27 Sept. 2009

You've seen the 'Photoshopped' look on models? You may have noticed the rather better done and much less discernible touching up that happens in other commercial and portrait photography. Max Factor Second Skin Foundation gives you this look, but in real life, and without mixing stuff you rather wouldn't have there into your skin.

Essentially, you apply this to your face in a few seconds like face cream, smearing and smoothing. It immediately gives a natural, healthy, smooth and even colouration, provided that you're starting with reasonably good skin. Part of the trick is that, just like the skin it's working with, Second Skin is made up of multi-tonal particles, so that it doesn't give that caked-on, single colour look of traditional foundation. Actually, the closer you get to it, the more natural it looks. You can put more make-up on top, and most people will do, but Second Skin on its own makes a substantial difference, and it really does look indistinguishable from...

This review is from: Max Factor Second Skin Foundation - Warm Almond (Personal Care)

Average foundation, 17 Oct. 2009

This foundation was easy to apply, with a hygienic pump and nicely packaged. It gave a natural coverage but not as good as other foundations and did not provide a matt finish. This was a little disappointing as I have tried max factor foundation in the past however unlike the Colour Adapt it didn't even out my skin tone and made my face shiny. This may partly have been because the particular shade tested did not suit skin tone, made me look sallow. Second Skin may be ok for everyday make up or those who like a natural look (as long as you try out the shade first), however I wouldn't recommend it for evening / special occasion make up.

This review is from: Max Factor Second Skin Foundation - Natural (Personal Care)