Max Factor Colour Elixir Giant Pen Sticks

The looooooooooong awaited review for Max Factor's Giant Pen Sticks! I'm so excited to share this post with you guys, because these are ze bomb. I really like them and I'm hoping that you will too!

To be honest, I was kind of skeptical about these lipstick/balm hybrids. I didn't think I'd like these at all. I honestly thought they'd be annoyingly slippery and sheer on the lips, but most shades from the range are pretty pigmented and are easy to build up on the lips. SO happy to report to you all that they don't slip and slide on the lips. They glide on smoothly and settle really nicely, without making the lips feel dry ^_^!

In terms of the lasting power, I feel like there's only a slight consistency across the 6 shades. Each shade has their own level of pigmentation and ultimately, that also contributes to their longevity.

Probably the most true-to-swatch shades I've ever photographed ~.~

In no particular order....

Couture Blush

Couture Blush was my first pick to trial and it's definitely one of my favourites from the range. I'm ALWAYS in for these muted/nudey pinks and fortunately, it's a shade that I can work with, without looking washed out (or lookin' like a dead fish). It's decently pigmented, but coverage could be built up in a whim! I can sport this shade without any worries for up to 3-4 hours before having to touch up.

Vibrant Pink

Vibrant Pink.. I honestly didn't think I'd like it, because it looked a bit hard to wear/pull off.. HOWEVER! When I applied this... I instantly fell in "like" (possible, yes?). I reaaaaaally like this colour and I would highly recommend it if you are in for bright pinks (*ahem* @sleepandwater). It's BEAUTIFUL and is really easy to pull off!

I felt like the texture of this shade was outstanding. Other shades aren't bad at all, but this one just applied to be amazingly smooth and pigmented. Settles, stains and sits on the lips quite nicely. Truthfully, I can't pin point the exact lasting time for this, but it lasts no lesser than Couture Blush.

Intense Plum (eeek!)

Intense Plum is an intense, dark plummy shade with teeny, tiny purple shimmers.  The purple shimmers give off a subtle (purple-y/violet), metallic sheen on the lips when worn. It leaves a tad of a stain when blotted, but is quite easy to remove. Intense Plum is a high-maintenance shade. I've worn it on the lips for up to 6 hours before removal, but I found myself touching up every 2 hours because the colour kept fading from the centre!

Passionate Red

Passionate Red is described by my sister as an "old lady" colour. It's a deeper red that I'm not too fond off, but somehow looks so nice on me in the photo above (wot?). Nothing bad about the shade, but I just personally prefer brights better. It's quite pigmented and can last for yonks too. It IS prone to bleed after a large meal so please be careful! Also needs touch up!

Designer Blossom

Designer Blossom is a sheerer and warmer-toned red. Very quick and easy to build up. At a sheerer application, it's a really cute watermelon-red! This shade is perfect for those who wants to give red lips a go, or sport red lips without looking too overdone for uni or work.

Hot Chocolate

Hot Chocolate -- the sheerest of them ALL. This shade is more like a tint than anything else. It has a bronzey-base colour with golden shimmers, but once applied, the outcome depends [wholely] on your natural lip colour. For me, it's very much of a MLBB (my lips but better) lip colour, which I don't mind. I can definitely see me wearing it on more natural days, but I still prefer pinks! I also couldn't pin down the exact lasting time for this because the colour is so sheer! However, the gloss that it offers lasted quite a while..

In all, I really like these Giant Pen Sticks (so much that I went out and bought 4 for my Instagram giveaway!). Vibrant Pink, Couture Blush and Designer Blossom are my faveees.

Please note that these Giant Pen Sticks aren't twistable, so you'll need a jumbo sharpener for them. I suggest that you throw these into the fridge before sharpening, to harden up the product. Also, when slotting on the cap, be EXTRA careful because these are so creamy and soft that you'll slide the cap RIGHT into the product... Trust me... I know.... >__<"

What are YOUR thoughts of Max Factor's Giant Pen Sticks?

Which shades are your favourite picks?

Max Factor Colour Elixir Giant Pen Sticks, 6 shades, $9.95, available at Priceline, Big W, Target and other Max Factor stockists.


Disclaimer: These products were provided for review consideration. All opinions within this post are of my own and remains uninfluenced.