And for a limited time shoppers can get a free mascara when they spend £14 on Max Factor at Boots
When summer arrives, makeup bags require an overhaul, switching to lighter, longer-wearing formulas that can withstand the rising temperatures. And one brand shoppers have been loving for their affordable beauty staples is Max Factor.
The high street favourite has been a makeup bag mainstay for decades, best known for iconic mascaras, reliable foundations and trend-led launches that often rival far more expensive products. This summer, a handful of its newer launches have caught my eye, and I’m not one to gatekeep.
All under £16, there’s a serum foundation that’s been hailed as ‘perfect for older skin’, as well as a lipstick loved by Sophie Habboo to achieve that coveted ‘Nana Park makeup’ look that’s dominating socials after awards season. For those who are looking to keep shine at bay, there’s a powder that’s often been tipped as an affordable alternative to my go-to Laura Mercier powder, and a blush that’s great for on-the-go.
What’s more, Boots is currently running a deal where customers who spend £14 on Max Factor can get a free Max Factor 2000 Calorie Volume Mascara 9ml. Usually £9.99, the iconic mascara has been loved by professionals for more than 30 years, and is said to deliver up to three times the volume.
Here are four of my top Max Factor picks for summer as a beauty writer:
Max Factor Miracle Pure Skin Reset Serum Foundation – £15.99
Max Factor Miracle Pure Skin Reset Serum Foundation
A 2-in-1 serum formula combined with foundation providing instant perfecting coverage and a more even skin tone.
Foundation is usually the first thing I change during summer because thick, heavy formulas can quickly start to feel like someone’s melted wax crayons on my face. Max Factor’s Miracle Pure Skin Reset Serum Foundation feels far lighter than traditional bases thanks to its serum-inspired formula, while still giving enough coverage to even out skin tone and redness.
Powered by 2% niacinamide and bisabolol, the foundation combines skincare with makeup and promises brighter-looking bare skin in 28 days. The satin matte finish also makes it ideal for summer as it gives skin a healthy glow without looking overly shiny by midday.
Shoppers have been especially impressed with how natural it looks on mature skin. One reviewer said it was “perfect for older skin as it gives good coverage but doesn’t look heavy,” while another praised: “Stays on so smooth and doesn’t sink into lines and wrinkles.”
Others loved how long-lasting it felt, with one customer writing: “I just saw the product and decided to buy it out of curiosity. Never used Max Factor before. I must say I was amazed at the noticeable finish and difference. It gave a smooth, clean finish with just a few drops. My colleagues at work have gone to buy theirs. It was simply a super finish. Nice product.”
One reviewer wasn’t keen on the dropper style applicator, commenting: “Dislike using the dropper, find foundation comes out too quickly, I seem to waste a lot of it.”
The foundation comes in 14 shades, which seems relatively small for a complexion product in 2026, however, the brand claims that the shades are ‘stretchable’, meaning they’ll naturally adapt and blend into a wide range of skin tones. Another shopper added: “Great colour match, lasts all day, does not transfer on to clothes, easy to use, not too thick.”
Max Factor 2000 Calorie Mellow Blur Lipstick – £9.99
Blurred lips have become one of this year’s biggest beauty trends, thanks in part to celebrity makeup artist Nina Park following a standout awards season. Max Factor’s new 2000 Calorie Mellow Blur Lipstick is designed to recreate that effect with minimal effort.
Launched earlier this year, the lipstick has already gained attention online, with shades including Mochi Mauve and Brown Butter reportedly selling out at Superdrug shortly after launch. Thankfully, they’re back in stock at Boots.
Reality star Sophie Habboo has also revealed it’s currently one of her favourite lip products. Back in January, she shared a series of snaps on Instagram wearing the shade Mochi Mauve , complete with the caption: “Mellow blur obsessed xxx.”
The creamy, lightweight formula creates a soft, blurred finish perfect for summer when constant touch-ups are the last thing anyone wants.
For something similar, Glossier’s Generation G is a sheer matte, fragrance-free lipstick, coming in at £20. It’s said to provide a perfectly diffused flush of colour inspired by the makeup artist trick of blotting lipstick after application. There are nine shades compared to Max Factor’s six, giving a little more variety.
Max Factor Facefinity Pro Blur Longwear Setting Powder – £10.99
A good setting powder becomes essential for keeping shine at bay in the warm weather, and Max Factor’s Facefinity Pro Blur Longwear Setting Powder does exactly that. The lightweight formula promises to bake, set and blur while controlling shine throughout the day.
Infused with Airblur Technology, it’s designed to smooth the appearance of pores and leave skin looking soft-focus rather than cakey. It’s available in two versatile shades to set, brighten, or neutralise – perfect for a variety of skin tones and undertones.
Reviewers seem especially impressed with how well it performs for the price. One shopper wrote: “This is great! Set my foundation in place all day/night, and I love the blurring effect! I’ve used more expensive versions of this, and this is just as good! I’m impressed.”
Another added: “So so impressed with this setting powder. Easy to apply and keeps my makeup in place for the whole day and night. My makeup looks flawless, and it makes the shine of the foundation nonexistent. Definitely a new staple in my makeup bag.”
Not every review was glowing, though. One customer said: “Great coverage when newly applied, but I didn’t think it was really ‘long lasting’, I found patches after only a couple of hours. The colour match was very accurate for my skin tone.”
The price could certainly tempt me to switch from my usual Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder , which costs £38.99, or £23 for the travel version. Coming in four shades, it’s an ultra, finely-milled formula that absorbs oil and controls shine for 24 hours, while creating a flawless, matte finish with no photo flashback.
Max Factor 2000 Calorie Pop Art Cheek Paint Blush – £9.99
Cream blush always comes into its own during summer because it gives skin that fresh, healthy glow without looking too powdery or heavy. Max Factor’s new Pop Art Cheek Paint Blush combines a cream texture with a matte powder finish, making it particularly appealing for warmer weather.
Coming in four shades, the buildable formula means you can keep things subtle during the day or layer it up for evenings out. Meanwhile, the compact mirror makes it ideal for touch-ups on the go.
One reviewer said: “Love this, easy to apply and colour is beautiful. It is a buildable formula, but also subtle. Love this and would use again. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a new blusher.”
Another added: “I love this blush. Comes in a cute compact packaging, is easy to take everywhere you go, and the smooth cream texture applies effortlessly to your skin. It gave my skin just the right rosy glow without looking too bold.”
One added that the packaging ‘looked a bit cheap’, but said: “The actual blush is quite nice though, easy to blend and is buildable. Would like to try a different colour so as an everyday blush this is a good one.”
