This is my 2nd Max Factor mascara I’ve tried. The first is the famed 2000 Calorie mascara I bought from Hong Kong when Max Factor had not yet come in. When Max Factor returned to Malaysia, they brought in their new mascara – False Lash Effect Mascara.
The promise is a big one. It is to give you the effect of wearing false lashes by just using the mascara. Does it? Naturally, that’s what we’re here to find out! 😀
First off, the brush. Its HUGE!
Ok let me rephrase that. Its a BIG brush but the bristles are tiny! They look like little short thorns on a stick. I felt my heart sinking at this point. A big brush is fine. I can angle it so I get it to coat my lashes. But a big… err… stick and tiny bristles? It would take some doing.
The first few times I used this, I got mascara all over my lid. Irritated me to no end. In the end, I found it works best on curled lashes. Perhaps if you have long lashes, it will be able to grab onto your lashes better. For me, it was an acrobatic exercise to get the bristles to align with my lashes and for the rest of it not to get all over my lid.
Alright, so the brush was a bit of a bother. Did it give the effect of false lashes? You be the judge.
As you can see, it offers some length. I actually like the effect it gives. Its light, provided I stick to just 2 coats. More than that and it can get clumpy and spidery. But it did not give a full lush effect that wearing false lashes can give. Or maybe if you were wearing the natural looking ones, then yes, this fits the bill.
Two more gripes. Tube is too fat and is a bother to fit into a makeup pouch or even to store and the formula is a little wet so it can and does transfer to my lid. I experienced no smudging with this on the whole day so provided I’m careful with how I apply it, it works.
Pros: Adds length to my lashes, Light formula, Provided I am careful it is a nice everyday mascara
Cons: Pricey, Wet formula transfers onto lid easily, Tube is too fat and bulky, Brush head is too fat and bristles too short for my short lashes unless curled first, Not dramatic
One more problem. At RM66 a tube, I find it a little pricey. That said, its going for £10.99 in the UK too so perhaps its just a global pricing strategy. Oh and here in Malaysia, Max Factor is found in department stores. No pokey pharmacy or drugstore display – they’ve set it up as a full counter! Here’s the counter at Isetan Lot 10. Yep, they’re in Isetan 🙂
A little surprising but there you go. Most of the items aren’t too pricey. I only remember the blushes being RM36 each because I bought them 😛 I can’t remember the rest of the prices but you can expect some Max Factor reviews coming up here. I might not be that crazy over the mascara, but I do like the Miracle Touch Foundation and the Powder and Cream blushes 😀 I used to have the single eyeshadows too many many years ago and I liked them too so do check them out if you like earthy shades.
Have you tried this Max Factor False Lash Effect mascara? Max Factor ran a promotion when they launched where they had a buy one free one offer. At those sort of prices I would say its a good deal. At its retail selling price, less so. Xin of PrettyBeautiful wasn’t happy with this one too.
I know the Max Factor mascaras work for many people so perhaps you would disagree with my view 🙂 Or have you tried other items in the Max Factor line you think everyone should try?
Paris B
Max Factor False Lash Effect mascara retails at RM66 at Max Factor counters. I don’t have a full list, but you can find Max Factor counters at Isetan, Parkson, Metrojaya and Pacific Department stores.
Nay for me too. Used it only 3x and I have decided to just bin it. Maybelline or MJ can do a much better work at only 1/2 or 3/4 or the price.
I agree. And if I’m going to pay that much, I’d probably just buy a high end mascara.
Mine’s a lil dried up now so it’s actually not too bad 🙂 But in no way can this replace falsies.
You have longer lashes, so perhaps you have less problems applying this without smudging. On my shorties, its a pain 🙁
I tried 3 mascaras from MF when i was in India, and happen to like all 3 of them. They’re quite affordably priced (about RM30ish per tube) over there though. At RM60+ here, i rather stick to MAC since their mascaras work for me (and i get to B2M the empties for a lippie!)! 😀
Glad to you know you’ve had good experiences with Max Factor mascara 😀 I haven’t 🙁 But you’re right. For the cost of this mascara, it would make more sense to get something like MAC that you can recycle 😀
i’m using the estee lauder turbo lash now. i have no gripes with any mascara except maybe maybelline. for some reason i hate all their mascaras.
otherwise any mascara works fine for me.
So this one would probably be a walk in a park for you! I recall you saying you have super long lashes 😛
At RM 60++ for a supposed drugstore mascara, I’ll just get a high end one… Hmmm, Clinique or MAC mascaras cost about the same, yes?
Actually yes. Perhaps Clinique/MAC might cost a little bit more, but its not too far off the mark.
When I was in Japan, I bought their blusher, came in a long rectangle pan. The powder is fine and silky and its made in Japan. That’s the only thing I have tried frm this brand.
That’s interesting. The blush I bought came in a round pan! 😀 I wonder if the Max Factor in Japan is different from the Max Factor in Europe – as usual 😛
Yea I think may be is the wand’s problem ? I always got the mascara all over my lids too ! And bcoz of it’s waterproof and it’s very hard to remove >_<
Sigh… I guess its just not made for short Asian lashes? 🙂
Thanks for the review. I heard a lot of good things about this mascara but I haven’t tried it yet because of the wand. I hate big wands, the mascara always ends up all over the eye area when I use them lol.
Yes! You have to be very very careful when you use this because not only is the wand big, the bristles are really short too!
Heard a number of negative reviews too. I tried Empro and it works much better than this one.
I haven’t tried Empro but will take your word on it!
I used the 2000 calorie mascara years back. It was okay- nothing spectacular. I like MJ but Kiss Me is hands down my HG when it comes to mascara 🙂
Okay! So many people have said that Kiss Me mascara is good. I shall have to go and pick one up to try! 😀
This is quite familiar with the Cover Girl Lash Blast but I would say I like CG better than this esp the price. My lashes are quite short so it doesn’t gimme a false lashes effect too.
this mascara is a pain to remove it, luckily i bought it during promotion 2 for RM60, shared with my friends, and still don’t think it is worth it
I didn’t find it hard to remove with my regular cleansing oils, or eye makeup remover but I just didn’t like it very much 🙂
I have to disagree with you on this one: I luv Max Factor mascaras! Actually, I’ve just tried the 2000 Calorie Extreme and I found it very good. It is my staple mascara. Because the wand has short bristles, I think it gives more definition and volume. Then again my lashes are long. 🙂
I think this Max Factor False Lash Effect mascara is very flattering on you. But if you really want a dramatic effect, let it dry and layer another mascara on top of it. It can get a bit clumpy, but believe me: no one can see that apart from yourself! 😀
Haha… glad to know Max Factor mascaras are working for you 😀 You’re lucky to have long lashes. It probably works better for those who have long lashes. I’ve been using this mascara still. When I do it right, the effects are quite good. But otherwise, it still tends to smudge and get all over my lid. I have no idea why! 🙁
Haha, I used to have short lashes as well, but that was before I found Mavala’s and Talika’s formulae to lengthen lashes.^^ They really work! Also, my lashes are fuller now. You should try them! 😉
Oh I’ve tried both 😀 Talika worked for me too but I’m just not disciplined enough to use it all the time >.<
Hmm.. That’s odd. I think the mascara really lengthens my lashes. Not to the extent of looking like falsies but longer than my other mascaras. You can see my lashes in photos! xD
Before : http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5vMkoxtkFRM/TN1lXvIBQDI/AAAAAAAAGmU/Z37Y0g_oDDk/s1600/Max+Factor+False+Lash+Effect+Mascara+7.jpg
After : http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5vMkoxtkFRM/TN1mGPP9SVI/AAAAAAAAGmc/1zjtOEQkIBc/s1600/Max+Factor+False+Lash+Effect+Mascara+9.jpg
Quite a big difference on my right eye leh. But I still prefer Maybelline mascaras for comfort. Something about their wands which makes the mascara really nice to use o_O
So I think FLE was really worth it for me. Cos I got it for free HAHAHHA =x
Good to know it works on you 🙂
yeah i bought this mascara too.. i think in malaysia it is in fixed price as i check on the net… RM66
i really fell in love with the light weight formula.. but when applying it then need to be careful of that big tip from staining the lids…especially corners of the lids!!!
i felt lucky because my lashes are lil longer so i still can bear with the big tip when applying it from getting stain >~<
overall, the lash effect did satisfy me~ it looks way more longer and fuller
repurchasing? i think i will try on product more =D (girls maaaa~)
Terrible experience with Max Factor!! I just bought the latest collection-false lash mascara with volumising and lenghtening effect, cost rm72. The mascara is so DRY even the 1st time i use it!!! It doesn’t volumise at all! I was expecting some dramatic effect like curler and fuller lash, ended up even i brushed for few times, it is still the same. I went back for a change, the sales assistant openned up a few new tube in front of me but they are all the same. Very DRY! I would certainly go back to Loreal mascara.cheaper and better quality. Totally disppointed! Feel cheated by their advertisement!