Max Factor Skin Luminizer Foundation, €17.99, is weird. It’s an illuminating foundation, but not in the traditional sense.
The main body of the foundation creates a velvety, almost matte finish with medium-to-full coverage. There’s no glow, sheen or dewy texture, BUT, big write a rap about it but, it’s not flat. It reflects light, creating subtle radiance.
The brightness seems to be coming from little flecks of golden glitter. That’s why Max Factor Skin Luminizer Foundation felt so weird at first. It doesn’t feel like the oil-rich, serum-infused foundations that are good at creating a glow, but it performs almost exactly like one.
The difference is in the comfort. The rich texture of my other glowing bases feels and looks good on dry skin. This looked grand but, after a few hours, my skin would start to feel tight and in need of some more moisture. From my weeks of wear, I’m not sure this is a contender for those with dry skin.
PLOT TWIST. I don’t think it’s for very oily skin either. Excess oil often comes with enlarged pores, and I’m wary that the glitter flecks might highlight them.
With everything weighed up, this alternative route to a radiant finish is more geared towards skins that aren’t at the extreme ends of the dry/oily spectrum.
That might sound limiting, but I think the grand-skinned, coverage-craving pale folks will eat this up. There are six shades, going from light to medium. In the pale foundation series, this (40, Light Ivory) is one of the slightly darker, more yellow shades.
Fancy a fix? €17.99 is the damage, and you’ll spot it in chemists or at Boots now.


Sharon L
I really like Max Factor foundations but considering my skin is drier than a nun’s foo, this is most definitely out for me. Boo!
YourBeauty.ie
Your face is perfection! x
Lorraine Haigney
Ahhhhh, now! Thanks, Andrea x