‘I tested a £9 Max Factor powder better than expensive brands – I looked flawless’

The powder has been hailed as giving a ‘blurring effect’ so I put it to the test on my oily skin to see if it lived up to the hype

As a beauty writer, I’m often skeptical of hyped up products. When I read the reviews of Max Factor’s Facefinity powder and the makeup was described as giving a ‘beautifully blurred soft focus finish,’ I was keen to try it out for myself and put it through its paces.

The powder is designed to bake, set and blur, whilst also controlling shine. It boasts Airblur Technology which is also supposed to help give a poreless finish. As someone with oily skin and some visible pores around the nose area, I tend to take many beauty claims with a pinch of salt, as I know my somewhat ‘glowy’ complexion will mean it has its work cut out more than it might otherwise.

Personally I wear makeup most days, but for me a powder usually comes into its own for nights out. I decided to put it to the test on a recent festive evening out with friends, which involved me wearing my makeup for over eight hours.

If the Max Factor powder doesn’t suit, one of my other favourite buys is the budget-friendly Collection Pressed Powder which costs £2.99 at Superdrug and is available in a variety of shades, though I personally always opt for translucent. I also rate the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder which can be purchased in a handy travel size for £17.20 (normally £21.50) at LookFantastic for those wishing to try it out.

Back to the Max Factor powder, and I usually apply to my T-zone, around the eyebrow area, a dab on the nose and then a little on the forehead. I used the Spectrum A01 Domed Powder makeup brush applying with light strokes to the desired places.

As I’ve got older, I don’t tend to like a matte finish, so for me it’s a fine line between a powder setting my look and keeping excess shine at bay, whilst also keeping my makeup relatively dewy elsewhere.

I liked that on first impressions the Max Factor Facefinity powder didn’t apply cakey. It felt as if I didn’t have any product on my skin, and it sat nicely over foundation and concealer, without settling into lines and pores. For me though, the real test always comes hours later once I’ve got hot, cooled down, and had photos taken.

I find that some powders don’t photograph as well, giving flashback and draining the complexion. This wasn’t the case with the Max Factor powder, which would have been a deal breaker for me.

On my night out wearing the powder I danced, had a long dinner with friends and was in quite a hot room, so the product had its work cut out. By the end of the night my makeup was still firmly intact, with the natural glow from my skin kept only to areas I wanted it.

I didn’t reapply the powder throughout the evening as I tend to find using the original makeup brush which still has traces of the product on more effective than layering more on, as previously I’ve found doing this can look cakey and drying. In terms of the blurring effect, I’d certainly say it helped to disguise the appearance of pores around my nose, without sitting in creases at the side.

One downside I’d say is that as with all loose powders, the Max Factor option can be messy once opened and users need to be careful when applying not to add too much. I personally prefer to get a little on the brush, tap off any excess and then build up as needed, as it’s easier to add than it is to take away.

Despite this, the Max Factor powder has now graduated from a test product to my everyday makeup bag. A little goes a long way, meaning it’s a great option for its affordable £8.79 price tag (normally £10.99).

Other users also shared their highlights of the powder, with one saying it gives a ‘Great finish to make up.’ A further reviewer noted they liked the makeup’s longevity, writing: “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.”