Max Factor • Volume Couture Waterproof • Mascara

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wearsunscreen on 7/14/2011 10:10:00 PM more reviews by wearsunscreen

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

This is my current favorite Mascara. I buy brown black and it is the most natural looking Mascara I have found. It holds the curl, doesn't clump even with a ton of coats, and doesn't flake.
The two drawbacks are that it smudges a little by the end of the day, and I don't like the tube.

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*TOP REVIEWER* donnahsueh on 5/3/2011 4:03:00 AM more reviews by donnahsueh

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

I LOVE the skinny wand. It made applying in the inner corners and lower lashes super easy and didn't get all over my skin. It also holds my lashes pretty well which is a huge deal for me. It held the curl pretty much throughout the day. Also, it had pretty good lengthening as well.

However, the only thing that was a downslide was that it didn't have much volume. It's not THAT big of a deal to me but it would've been nice if it was a bit more volumnizing. This being said, this mascara gives me the "natural" eyelashes look. I ended up pairing this with another mascara that had good volume to get the volume I desired .. which worked out pretty well.

Overall, I do love this mascara and it's a shame that it's discontinued. If I saw this in a store, I'd probably repurchase it again but I wouldn't go out of my way and order it online since there's better mascaras I can easily get my hands on at stores.

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*TOP REVIEWER* angelixia07 on 7/12/2010 4:22:00 AM more reviews by angelixia07

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

When I first got this I found the plastic brush difficult, stiff and pokey and the formula thin and watery. I didn't use it for a month, just letting it sit and picked it up again recently and the formula must have dried a little and now it works perfectly. It gets me good volume and a little length with minimal clumping unlike some other volume building mascaras. However, I still want something that gives me a bit more length.

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ChiHuaHuaHua on 1/17/2010 6:41:00 PM more reviews by ChiHuaHuaHua

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

PROs:
- Didn't leave major clumps
- Slightly lengthened lashes
- Affordably priced
CONs:
- Not really waterproof. At the end of the day, the mascara had left raccoon marks.
- Hard to get off. You need an oil-based makeup remover to get this off.
- Some clumping.

For a mascara so high on the MUA Top Picks list, I was pretty unimpressed. Because I was so underwhelmed, I purchased it 3 times thinking that I was missing out on that special something. However, I finally realized that this mascara definitely wasn't stellar, though it did its job adequately. In conclusion, "meh."

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taharrell on 1/10/2010 10:31:00 AM more reviews by taharrell

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

Love this mascara. Never clumps, never flakes and never leaves me with raccoon eyes - my test for a holy grail! Too bad Max Factor is no longer being sold in the US. *sigh*

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*TOP REVIEWER* atbmeg on 10/22/2009 7:21:00 PM more reviews by atbmeg

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Dark   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I think this mascara does give you some length, but not as much as I was hoping for. I would never buy it again though because it is to hard to get off my eyes. I have never had such a hard time getting mascara off my eyes as I have with this one. By the time I am finished wiping my eyes, they burn no matter if I use oil free eyemakeup remover, or ponds makeup remover which has oil it

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*TOP REVIEWER* Hothead on 10/18/2009 9:41:00 AM more reviews by Hothead

Age: 44-55   Skin: Normal, Fair, Warm   Hair: Red, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

I USE THIS ON MY EYEBROWS -- in the Brown color.

There are many Eyebrow gels and I have probably tried all of them... but trust me, for thin eyebrows, or someone needing a boost of color, this is THE product.

It is waterproof. It does not smudge or move once applied. It is not wet and gloppy (which many gels for eyebrows are)... granted some of the colors may not suit all hair colors i.e. Anastasia, Bobbi Brown, Lancome have sophisticated colors-- but the quality of the product warrants the use of this mascara as a thickener/builder for brows.

Since my eyebrows are thin I pencil them in, use a powder eyebrow powder on top of this vs. wax, and then I comb them out with one, sometimes two coats of mascara (the first one is always MF), after that I lightly brush with my spoolie and after powdering my whole face, re-apply a brow mascara such as BB or Anastasia or Lancome. It does not look heavy or overdone.

This is the only way I have found to make my brows look thicker, color tuned to my hair and suitable to my face.

love this and already have a few backups in my stash. The price is unbeatable.

p.s. the Auburn color is fantastic for anyone with Strawberry, Auburn, or Red hair... I sometimes use the two instead of the BB et. al. .. this product works!

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*TOP REVIEWER* bubblysteph on 9/28/2009 10:23:00 AM more reviews by bubblysteph

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Black    

This can be my HG if it can give me thicker lashes - my lashes don't seem to look as dense when I'm using Lancome Hypnose WP. But then, I can't deny that this is a good and cheaper alternative that will give me length and some volume. Great for everyday use or if you're afetr a polished look and don't want anything dramatic. I'm not sure about the not-enough-lash-thickening issue is because of the formula or the shade I have - mine is in black brown from a swap.

It's such a pain that I can't find it here in Asia. Otherwise, I will surely buy the one in black to compare.

Although this claimed to be waterproof, it isn't that waterproof when compared to Majolica Majorca's mascaras - those are a pain to remove completely even with cleansing oil without losing my poor lashes. Well, at least, I won't get racoon eyes with this even it's hot and humid here. Not too bad and well-worth the price.

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allieballie9 on 9/20/2009 9:30:00 PM more reviews by allieballie9

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I honestly love this mascara. I use it daily just for some definition to my lashes since I'm asain. It holds a curl very well, it doesn't smudge on me, and it doesn't flake either. Even after taking a nap with it on, it still won't move! I agree with some of the previous reviews saying how it doesn't really give a lot of volume, but it does lengthen and separate pretty well. Plus, it's pretty buildable so it's not that big of a problem. I highly recommend this product :)

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tawniethetiger on 9/15/2009 5:23:00 AM more reviews by tawniethetiger

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

i was using max factor 2000 calories forever but then they changed the brush and now its all big and clumsy so i bought the volume couture thinking it would be comparable with a more precise brush but NOOOOOOOOPE!! dude it is no bueno. it did the exact opposite of what it was supposed to do...GIVE ME VOLUME!! it made me look like i had about 5 lashes on each eye...it was horrible. i wish that the brush from volume couture fit inside the new 2000 calorie (but it doesnt, i tried) so i dont know what to do. ooh well...if you want actual volume...dont buy this mascara...if you want definition...im assuming it would work well for that. for me...YUCK!!

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*TOP REVIEWER* macismycrack627 on 9/6/2009 10:50:00 PM more reviews by macismycrack627

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Medium, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

This is a fantastic mascara! I have tried many, from low to high-end, and I think this is pretty much HG material for me! It is the only mascara I have found that will hold my curl, and not weigh my lashes down! It gives great length and separation. I wish it gave me a little more volume, due to the name of the product, but other than that, I love it!
I am sad that they are discontinuing the MAXX Factor line in the U.S.. I am going to stock up on this mascara while I can!

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girl1der on 8/22/2009 3:53:00 PM more reviews by girl1der

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

Max Factor mascaras (specifically waterproof) are the only ones I have found that don't end up under my eyes by midday. I used to use Covergirl Marathon mascara (green tube) and it lasted all day, but had trouble finding it lately in my local stores (discontinued?). Max Factor VC Waterproof does everything I was hoping for: No clumps, nice separation of lashes and provides decent length. Most of all it has fabulous wearability yet comes off easily with my Neutrogena oil free makeup remover or jojoba oil.


I'm so sad to hear that Max Factor is no longer going to be carried in the U.S. However, I read that Proctor & Gamble (the company that owns Max Factor and Covergirl) released Max Factor False Lash Effect in Europe as Covergirl Last Blast here in the states. So, I compared the ingredients in MF Volume Couture Waterproof to those in CG Lash Blast and they are identical. Even though the brush on Lash Blast is a bit larger than I normally like, if it stays on all day -- I'll take it. So for those of you looking for a sub for your Max Factor Waterproof mascaras, this might be it.


Here are the ingredients for MF Volume Couture and CG Lash Blast (I added them above to the product ingredients tab as well): Petroleum Distillates, Polyethylene, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Copernicia Cerifera Wax (Carnauba), Trihydroxystearin, Propylene Carbonate, Pentaerythrityl Hydrogenated Rosinate, Tall Oil Glycerides, Panthenol, Propylparaben, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, May Contain (+/-): Iron Oxides, Ultramarines, Titanium Dioxide


Edited to add: I also found that Covergirl Lash Exact waterproof has the idential ingredients and a smaller brush than Lash Blast (very similar in size to Max Factor VC).

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csong12 on 8/20/2009 10:34:00 AM more reviews by csong12

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Olive   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

I love the wand on this mascara. It never collects too much product, and it leaves no room for clumping. It's also not HUGE which I really appreciate since I am asian and have smaller eyes. I also love the formula of this product because it's not one of those wet and goopy mascaras.

As for performance, this mascara is okay. I think it does a decent job lengthening and volumizing. I already have black eye lashes, but this mascara (in black obviously) does make my eyelashes pop a little more. I probably would've just thrown this mascara aside and not thought twice about it, but it's curling power is what really makes me think twice about it. It can REALLY hold a curl all day long. I watched the Time Traveler's Wife wearing this, and seriously cried my eyes out the whole movie. I went to the bathroom expecting my eyes to look a mess, but my curled lashes were still curled, and there was no streaking or smudging at all! I was so shocked. I guess this means that the waterproof formula really does work too.

Definitely try out this mascara if you're looking for some major curl holding power.

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*TOP REVIEWER* raynie on 8/9/2009 3:16:00 AM more reviews by raynie

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

i am really disappointed by this mascara. it does volumize my lash but it does smudges on me also! which i cannot bear at all for any mascara. and i found out that if i apply this mascara as a second coat right after mabeylline's full n soft mascara, it falls my lashes down, which i hate for a macara also. dont know how to use this mascara in a proper way.

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Heebz on 8/1/2009 1:36:00 PM more reviews by Heebz

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

one word....AMAZING. I love the plastic brush macaras. They seem to not clump and leave with spider lashes. This mascara delivers. I am a mascara junkie and this is the best mascara I have ever tried. I have tried high-end (Diorshow, Smashbox, Too Faced) and drugstore (Covergirl, Maybelline, Almay). I use to think that the Covergirl lash blast was my HG. But the brush is so huge that it left mascara on my lids..not pretty. Lash Blast made my lashes look face on my right eye..but it did nothing for my left eye (weird yea) but THIS MASCARA.....BAM! amazing. I got this in the brown and wow! it makes my light brown eyes amazing. And waterproof (contact leneses wearer). It makes both eyes look like falsh eyelashes. This is a great amazing mascara. I highly recommend!

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*TOP REVIEWER* xloveee on 7/16/2009 12:22:00 PM more reviews by xloveee

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This mascara really does what it claims, it volumizes my lashes making them appear more fuller. Lengthening is pretty decent, and the best part is that it holds my curl! I guess the only down side of this mascara is that it smudges a lot when I apply it, for example if I apply some on my bottom lashes. The top lashes would smudge under my eye when I look down. Other than that this is great! I heard that Max Factor is being discontinued so I'm planning to stock up on this before it's gone.

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*TOP REVIEWER* BrittyG on 6/29/2009 1:37:00 PM more reviews by BrittyG

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Brown    

I am really sad that I will not be able to buy this mascara anymore. Max Factor mascaras are the only mascaras I could consider to be a "HG" status. I think I am gonna stock up before they are gone!

I got this mascara in waterproof and I love it! It really makes my lashes thick but not clumpy. It doesn't flake at all which I LOVE. One day my husband and I randomly took a 3 mile walk in the rain. POURING rain. And when I got home I expected to see at least some mascara smudges. But no, it still looked perfect. Also, for a WP mascara it isn't too hard to take off. I can get it all off with m/u remover and little rubbing.

I love this mascara so much and will really miss it!

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L0v3xoLost on 6/27/2009 1:06:00 AM more reviews by L0v3xoLost

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Dry, Olive, Warm   Hair: Black, Wavy   Eyes: Brown    

I love this mascara! It lasts all day, holds my curl, volumizes my lashes...everything I want! I have stick straight lashes...and wow! I recommend this to anyone =] I'm really sad that Max Factor isn't going to sell in the US anymore; I might just email them saying it's a bad move.

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stellar4217 on 6/25/2009 3:31:00 PM more reviews by stellar4217

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

This is a great mascara. I had heard great things about it so I went out to get it & I love it. this is a great mascara for giving dramatic lashes. I put about 2 sometimes 3 coats & my lashes are super long & full. It has taken me forever to find a great volumising mascara & doesn't kill my curl. I have long, super-straight lashes & not much volume. this mascara meets my criteria & it doesn't budge. I've gone out dancing in this, took a roll in the hay w/my bf in this (sorry to be graphic but it makes my point) & I had no racoon eyes by the end of it. truly does not budge. I'm very bummed Max Factor will be discontinued in the U.S since I only recently discovered this mascara. I will definitely buy backups before its gone.

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*TOP REVIEWER* MsAzNqTpRiNcEsS on 6/21/2009 4:08:00 PM more reviews by MsAzNqTpRiNcEsS

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Green    

MF is the only brand i like regarding mascaras!!! popular ones like voluminous or full n soft do not work for my non existent asian lashes....i use abt 2-3 coats and it just gives me gorgeous separated lashes, kinda like a wide doll eyed look....and like every1 else, im sooo mad they r phasing it out in the US!!!!!!!!!!! why oh why!!!!!!!

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