Last week I read Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being A Wallflower. I honestly expected a light, jaunty read. All the promo materials led me to believe that it's a story about love, what with that "I swear we were infinite" and "We accept the love we think we deserve" crap getting quoted on Facebook all the time. But it's not about love at all. It's about making choices - real ones, not the kind where you figure out if you should eat two eggs today - and accepting the consequences of a past you can't change.

Suffice it to say, I started reading it at 10 PM and ended up crying so much by 3 AM. Read it if you haven't yet!

Anyway segue. Today I want to review a mascara I've been using rather often lately - the Max Factor 2000 Calorie Dramatic Volume Mascara (P595). I've had a great experience with the brand's False Lash Effect Mascara before so I had high expectations for something as popular as 2000 Calorie. I wasn't disappointed. ;) Here's why!

What I love about the product 

• Volumizes and lengthens nicely. You can build it up for really dramatic lashes, but two coats should be enough for a day-to-day look.
• Doesn't smudge or flake with normal sweating and oil around the eyes. It's not waterproof though, so this isn't something you can cry with.

We were waiting for lunch when my Mom asked me, "Did you get eyelash extensions?" I was surprised by the question, since it was the first time she ever asked me anything like it. My mom knows (quite better than anyone else) how much I love makeup. She knows that I always wear makeup whenever I'm out of the house so it's odd - and flattering - of her to ask!

The culprit in question is the Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara (P750). It made my lashes look longer at the tips and thicker at the base, while still appearing thin and natural. That's not new I know. But it pulls off the effect so flawlessly that it fooled my mom into thinking I had work done on my lashes. :D

I admit that it's already desensitizing for you, me raving about mascaras all the time, but I think there's something really special with this one!

What I love about the product 

• Makes my lashes look thick and long without looking completely fake. It also forms my lashes into this even, triangular shape.
• It doesn't smudge or budge with daily wear and tear, although expect some mess when you cry or sweat too much.

Adding skincare elements into makeup is not a new concept, but you'll be hard-pressed to find such products at affordable price points. Maybe the ingredients that go into it are pricey or maybe by virtue of the added skincare, the makeup is already branded as a premium product. But that's not the case with Max Factor's newest foundation: the Max Factor Ageless Elixir Foundation + Serum (P895).

The foundation feels like a thick, heavily tinted serum. It's very moisturizing and has a velvety, mousse-like texture that's easy to spread and work with. Another distinctive feature is the floral scent - some people might be turned off by it, but since this is specifically marketed towards more mature women, the scent seems to be a preference for them.

The coverage is pretty good - medium to heavy - and goes on very smoothly without emphasizing fine lines and creases.