MaxFactor Cosmetics have been to known for their high-quality makeup without high end price tag. And now that Gisele Bundchen is the new face of MaxFactor, I was even more anxious to try out these MaxFactor products that I received from BzzAgent. This past week, I’ve been testing out MaxFactor’s ColorGenius Mineral blush in Roses and their bronzer/blush brush.

Let’s see if MaxFactor lives up to their hype…

Retail Price: ColorGenius Mineral Blush $7-$10

Where to Buy? Mass Merchandise/Drug Stores

Product Details: MAX Factor’s ColorGenius Mineral blush in Roses has a three color compact to create a customized shade of color to work with your natural skin tone. Shine control formula, fragrance free and Oil Free.

The Bottom Line: This sucker is at a retail price close to $10, so I was expecting a lot from this product. Sadly, this product did not live up to my expectations. First off, I could be a little bias due to the fact that the shade of Roses was too light for my NC35-40 skin tone. This shade might be better for those with fairer or lighter skin tones. Secondly, the blush was chalky and no color payoff. I literally had to dig into this blush to get some color. And lastly, even though this is mineral makeup…it contains talc and cornstarch! (big No No’s for acne-prone skin!) Sadly, I will not be using or purchasing this blush in the near future.

Product Details: This MaxFactor professional bronzer/blush brush contains natural hair to give you the ability to blend and control your achieved look.

The Bottom Line: Again, another failed MaxFactor product. This brush reminds me of the free brushes that you get with the free gift set from department stores. I do give credit to this brush that it’s compact and great for traveling or throwing it in your purse. And on the plus side, it does not shed! However, the bristles of this brush is far too harsh for even the toughest skin. The bristles were very firm making it difficult to blend. There are far better drugstore brushes out there that are cheaper and of higher quality…ex. Essence of Beauty.

Overall, I was disappointed that these products did not work out for me. I still have MaxFactor Lipfinity Longear Lipcolor and Lash Perfection Volume Couture Mascara to review. I’m hoping *crosses fingers* that these products will be better than the ones I just reviewed.

I’ve heard rave reviews about Missha Cosmetics - an affordable Korean cosmetics/skincare line from friends and beauty forums. They are known for their BB cream and false lashes. So this past weekend, I went with a friend to check out Missha Cosmetics.

The Missha Cosmetics store that I visited is a little boutique located in an Asian strip mall. This beauty boutique reminds me of a mini-Sephora selling beauty products of cosmetics, cosmetic tools, skincare and other beauty products. The regular price of their cosmetics and brushes is pretty reasonable…everything is under $10. Skincare products are pricer, but they always have sales. Luckily, the weekend that we went, they have almost all of their cosmetics on sale for $1! Yes…$1. $1 for full sized glosses, lipglosses, eye shadows, concealers, and even their foundations! Unfortunately, they ran out of falsies. The sales associate mentioned that this $1 sale will end on Halloween.

What I snagged for $1 each:

Missha Moist Foundation in Warm 20

MISSHA GLOSSY LIPSTICK in PK401 - Vegetable oil and vitamin E substance help to maintain soft and elastic lips. The fragrant scents of flowers are emitted from your lips.

Honestly, for $1, you can’t go wrong. For those in the Los Angeles area, Missha Cosmetics can be found at San Gabriel and Rowland Heights.

San Gabriel Store
220 W Valley Blvd #102
San Gabriel, CA 91776
(626) 282-9600

Rowland Heights Store - “Plaza Walk” in Diamond Plaza
1388 S Fullerton Rd
Rowland Heights, CA, 91748
(626) 282-9600

I do not know other actual stores where else they sell Missha Cosmetics other than online.

Has anyone else tried Missha?

Okay, I admit that I’m not even within the target demographic for Seventeen Magazine, but who can say no to Free stuff?

Here how it works:

Bring in a the cover of the October issue of Seventeen Magazine, or a print out of the Seventeen.com homepage to your nearest ULTA and receive 1 Free Bourjois Mini Lipstick!

OFFICIAL GIVEAWAYS RULES (Direct from website)

HOW TO ENTER THE BOURJOIS MINI LIPSTICK GIVEAWAY (October Issue): Starting September 16, bring the October 2008 cover of Seventeen or a printout of the seventeen.com home page to any ULTA store to receive one (1) Bourjois mini lipstick (approximate retail value: $9). Ten thousand (10,000) will be given away. One per person. Giveaway ends October 21, 2008. While supplies last.

Seventeen Magazine had a similar promo like this a couple months ago with their FREE Nic’s Sticks.

Yay for my first “Is it worth it?” high end product review!

Chanel’s newest mascara - Exceptionnel de Chanel Intense Volume and Curl Mascara has an exceptional innovative six-sided brush “Sculptvolume”(3 brush rows and 3 lash comb rows) to create a clump-free and dramatic, high glam lashes. As an Allure Expert, I was fortunate to receive a deluxe sample of this in Smoky Noir (Black). I was elated to give this a test drive, because I’ve never tried or purchased Chanel products.

Price: $28
Where to Buy? Chanel.com, Department stores

“Sculptvolume” Brush

After one coat of Exceptionnel de Chanel Mascara applied on bare lids and curled lashes with an eyelash curler

• Clump and smudge free! The innovative mascara wand, lifted, seperated and de-clumped my lashes!

• Left my lashes looking voluminous, dramatic and lengthened
• Great staying power! The mascara did not budge or smudge, even in warmer weather.

CONS:

• A hefty price tag! $28 is a little too much for 3 months worth of product.
• Application can be a little tricky, because you’re suppose to rotate the brush as you apply the mascara from the lash roots to tips.

Is it worth it? I gave this product of a rating of 4.5, due to the price. Exceptionnel de Chanel Mascara is definitely worth it, if you can afford to fork over the $28. The mascara might be a little too dramatic for an everyday look, but it will definitely turn up the heat for a night out in the town or special event. Given that the shelf life of mascara is three months and the fact that I hardly go out to special events, it would not be economically for me to purchase this product. But for those that go out a lot and love that high glam look…this would be perfect!