Corallista Makeup Blog

This winter, sheer moisturizing lip colors especially glosses have been my favorites . It started with Shiseido Sheer Red lipstick when I realised for the first time how beautiful a sheer lip color can look too!

Today I’m reviewing another of my favorites (recent one!) – Maxfactor Max Effect lip gloss cube in Spicy Plum!

Price : Rs 475

Available at medplusbeauty.com for Rs 403.75 HERE.

Maxfactor Max Effect Gloss Cube Spicy Plum – Review, Swatch and FOTD

What Maxfactor says about the product :With the new Max Effect Lip Gloss Cubes your lips will never need to be bare again. The gloss will add extra spark to your make-up look, night or day. Comes with 10 sexy exciting shades to choose from, including fantastic names shades such as Hot Aubergine, Glam Rose and Vibrant Raspberry.

My take on the product

The first thing I noticed when I opened my package was how tiny this gloss is. There is no information given about the quantity but my guess would be around 3.5 ml. Its a square cross section tube which is transparent to allow the color of the gloss to show through and  comes with a black plastic cap. I love the packaging – it looks very sleek and compact and refreshingly different from the round gloss packaging. The sponge tip applicator has rounded tip which is a little less convenient to apply than the standard slanted tip, but its not a big issue. The texture of this lip gloss is like that of  a tinted lip balm.  It may be more runny in the hotter months but I’m hoping it’ll stay this way! It has a sheer pigmentation and by layering 2-3 times, one can get decent color to hide moderate pigmentation on lips. The gloss is very hydrating and has become a substitute for lip balm for me these days. The finish of this gloss is not overly glossy, it just has a healthy shine that gives a very natural effect. It contains very tiny shimmer particles but unless you’re looking at it under direct sunlight, you wouldn’t be able to see them at all. It doesn’t get uneven or patchy and the color doesn’t settle in the fine lines of the lips.

Since its a sheer product, the staying power is not very great unless you really layer it up. With mild eating, it stays for around 2.5-3 hours on me while a heavy meal can completely wipe it out. While layering up heavily (5-6 swipes), it will stay for a good 5-6 hours though the glossiness may fade but the color stays. Generally, if I don’t eat or drink for about 20-25 minutes after applying this gloss, I’ve noticed that it stays longer than when I eat/drink within few minutes of applying it.Since the lips need hydration every 2-3 hours in winters anyway, I do not mind reapplying. It gives a very uniform color to the lips, its one of the best glossesI’ve used!

Maxfactor Max Effect Gloss Cube Spicy Plum – Review, Swatch and FOTD

Maxfactor Max Effect Gloss Cube Spicy Plum – Review, Swatch and FOTD

Maxfactor Max Effect Gloss Cube Spicy Plum – Review, Swatch and FOTD

Maxfactor Max Effect Gloss Cube Spicy Plum – Review, Swatch and FOTD

The shade Spicy Plum is a sheer earthy plum shade that looks very soft and natural on the lips. It would suit all complexions though women with duskier complexions or pigmented lips would especially love it. I love wearing this alone or topping over pink/plum lipsticks especially matte ones for a boost of hydration and a healthy glossy effect. The sheerness of it makes it very wearable and I’ve been wearing this to my classes almost everyday. On my lips, it looks like an MLBB shade in one swipe, it even out the tone giving just a soft wash of color which looks a lot like my natural lip color. In 2-3 swipes, I get a nice juicy plum shade which is still very wearable and natural.

I’d highly recommend this gloss. If Spicy Plum is not your shade, you can choose from the 10 available shades – there’s a shade for every one there!

Maxfactor Max Effect Gloss Cube Spicy Plum – Review, Swatch and FOTD

Maxfactor Max Effect Gloss Cube Spicy Plum – Review, Swatch and FOTD

 The GOOD about Maxfactor Max Effect Gloss Cube Spicy Plum :

1. Sleek, attractive packaging
2. Smooth, uniform balm-like texture
3. Very hydrating
4. Sheer color that can be built up in 2-3 swipes
5. Gives a nice healthy shine without being overly glossy
6. Suitable for everyday wear
7. Does not get uneven or patchy
8. Stays for a long time when layered
9. Color doesn’t settle in the fine lines of the lips
10. Available in 10 beautiful shades
11. Will suit all skin tones

The NOT-SO-GOOD about Maxfactor Max Effect Gloss Cube Spicy Plum :

1. Quantity is less
2. Staying power is average – 2-3 hours with mild eating/drinking
3. People with heavily pigmented lips might not find the coverage sufficient.

How it looks on me : 

Maxfactor Max Effect Gloss Cube Spicy Plum : Review, Swatch and FOTD

Maxfactor Max Effect Gloss Cube Spicy Plum : Review, Swatch and FOTD

Overall Verdict

Maxfactor Max Effect Gloss Cube comes in a tiny, sleek square bottom packaging which is quite attractive as well as easy to carry. The texture of this gloss is like that of a tinted balm – its smooth and very moisturizing and 2 swipes give medium color and coverage to the lips. The formula is a treat to use in winters and its natural soft finish and color makes it perfect for every wear. The shade Spicy Plum is  a sheer earthy plum which looks lovely by itself and it perfect for topping over pink/plum tints/lipsticks. The shade would especially flatter dusky complexions while fair/medium complexions can carry it out. These glosses are excellent and the shade selection is gorgeous!

Highly recommended!

Rating : 4.6/5

Have you tried Maxfactor Max Effect Gloss cube?