Max Factor Colour adapt Foundation

Having read other's reviews, I noted how different some were, which was interesting as when one buys a beauty product and finds it the best ever, it's a little puzzling to discover other's don't rate it so well!

Of course, beauty products, especially facial creams and foundation will perform differently on different age-groups and skin types.

I confess, I am a make-up-aholic! have been wearing make-up since I was 14 but If I'd known then how blessed I was to have lovely skin then, I would never have covered it up with foundation, but girls will be girls!

So, I'm 55 now and still have a good skin. Although drugs for rheumatoid arthritis and a nasty couple of years with dreadful hot flushes brought about broken capilleries over my cheeks (and no, I'm not a lush!). What to do? I couldn't afford those expensive zapper treatments to get rid of the redness.

So I started slapping on more of my usual (expensive) foundation, over the cheek area. Not much success there. I could still see the capillaries. I invested in a Vitamin K cream called Medic8, which has certainly toned them down a lot.

Then, one day, I found a sachet of Colour Adapt inside a magazine. "Oh, it'll be a load of rubbish." I thought. It was a while before I actually tried it - but I'm so glad I did! At my age, without foundation, my skin can look tired and washed out. A gentle sweep of Colour Adapt and I was absolutely amazed! I had a lovely, fresh-looking bloom to my skin and within a few seconds, the colour 'settled', adapted, and I was so pleased!

When I bought my first bottle, it cost about £11 and considering some of the foundations I've used in the passed have cost twice that and didn't do the job half as well, I reckon I got a bargain. My second bottle I got off Ebay for £7 and with postage it still only cost me £8.50!

I wear moisturiser as I have very dry skin, but I learned the trick a very long time ago to let the moisturiser sink in before attempting to apply foundation, otherwise the foundation slips and slides or blotches. I've heard women say "But I haven't got time to wait for it to sink in!" Yes, you have! Prepare your face for foundation, start getting dressed; go and brush your teeth; surprise the milkman in your alluring flannelette (and figuring out what he was doing in your alluring flannelette should fill a few moments). Whatever your "What to do for the next 1 minute" choice, let your moisturiser do its job first and you'll find this foundation will glide on beautifully.

I find the foundation stays on all day. Perhaps it's because I do use a very, very light dusting of loose powder. Even though this foundation dries to a slight powdered effect (it's the only way I can describe it!) perhaps that light dusting of loose powder, with a large powder brush, helps the make-up 'set'. I certainly don't end up with a heavy, matte look. I couldn't get away with that at my age!

A couple of days after starting to use this foundation, I visited my doctor's surgery where the receptionist said to me. "You look really, really well! What have you done? You look years younger!" Either she'd left her contacts at home or the make-up was living up to its promise i.e. "A flawless look that's perfectly beautiful."

I have to confess though, that the foundation doesn't entirely cover up the cheek veins and I have resorted to using just a teeny amount of Dermablend Reflections foundation, applied with a brush, over my cheeks. But the Colour Adapt is light, creamy and brightens the skin-tone. I wouldn't swap it for anything else! Those of you who don't suffer with facial thread veins will find this foundation has perfectly adequate coverage.

My only 'con' comment is I don't like the pump dispenser. I found with my first bottle that I probably had enough for at least another 7 applications but once that plastic pump stops sucking up up the foundation, nothing, but nothing will let you at the contents. Also, because you need so little, it's a bit of a science trying to judge the correct pressure on the pump, otherwise you load up too much and either have to waste it or put more on the skin than you actually need, which rather spoils the effect. Also, with the pump dispenser, when you get down to that last quarter inch at the bottom - do not, I repeat, do not give the pump a frustrated thump with your fist (or hammer, depending on the frustration). This will incur a surprising sudden quirt all over your freshly laundered blouse, your dressing table and your partner's suit jacket that is hanging on his wardrobe door. Even the cat who had sauntered by suddenly found himself with a beautiful complexion. I speak from a messy experience..

As to the shades, I use 70 Natural. I am fair skinned and this colour is perfect for me. However, in the summer, I like to have some 'colour' in my face and use a little fake tan so I bought the shade 75 (Golden) but it was a most unflattering colour and felt and looked like a different foundation altogether. I looked as though my liver was about to pack in.

So, if your complexion needs brightening up, and you feel you could do with a little coverage but nothing too heavy-duty, try Colour Adapt. I hope you'll be as pleased as I am!

I purchased mine at Boots
and do try Ebay