I love old Hollywood, so when I heard about the legendary status of Max Factor, I was immediately intrigued.
Six decades old, The Max Factor Crème Puff was a favourite with vintage Hollywood actresses like Ava Gardner, Vivien Leigh, and Jean Harlow.
Max Factor Creme Puff Pressed Powder has been a staple makeup product of many generations simply because of its no-frills approach. It’s still sold and reviewed today on major beauty shopping platforms.
Let’s see how this classic product holds up in modern times, in my own personal experience.
Contents
About the product
The Max Factor Crème Puff is a pressed powder that doubles as a light foundation. It provides medium coverage with a soft matte finish while absorbing excess oil. The formula is infused with light-reflecting particles to give the skin a subtle glow and claims to suit all skin types.
Price of Max Factor Creme Puff Pressed Powder
From INR 1000 to 3500 | Amazon | Nykaa
Ingredients
Talc, Calcium Carbonate, Zinc Stearate, Paraffinum Liquidum, BHA, BHT, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Lanolin Oil, Polysorbate 60, Stearic Acid, Aqua, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Parfum, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool, Citronellol, Eugenol, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Amyl Cinnamal, Coumarin, Evernia Prunastri Extract, Benzyl Salicylate, Geraniol, [+/- CI 77891, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499, CI 77007]
My Experience with Max Factor Creme Puff Pressed Powder
I rarely use foundation, but whenever I have, the greasy and shiny look that follows it really puts me off.
A friend recommended I follow up foundation with a good pressed powder to give a more even look. Since I’d heard a lot about this iconic Creme Puff, I chose to test it out.
Packaging and first impressions
The compact has a basic, slightly old-school look with its metallic gold lid and black base. It’s small and travel-friendly, so I like it—I can easily pop it into a sling bag for quick touch-ups during the day.
One big flaw for me was the lack of a mirror inside the compact, which most modern ones have. There’s a sponge puff inside for easy application, though. It’s soft but a bit thin—a thicker one would’ve been better.
Note: newer editions no longer come with a puff, likely because most users apply this with a brush.
The compact has a fresh, powdery scent that reminds me of classic baby powder. Personally, I find it quite pleasant and nostalgic.
But if you’re sensitive to fragrance, it might be a bit strong. Though thankfully, the scent doesn’t linger or transfer once applied.
Texture, coverage and finish
I tried the shade Natural (50). It’s a light, slightly warm-toned with a slight orange hue. It works beautifully on fair to medium skin tones, especially those with yellow undertones or olive complexion.
Unfortunately, the range doesn’t carry shades for deeper skin tones, which reduces the inclusivity factor.
The powder is incredibly finely milled and lightweight, which I really like about this compact. Even though it’s powder, it gives a surprisingly creamy, skin-like finish without settling into fine lines or looking chalky.
How it performs on my skin
I have oily skin with extra oily T-zone, and this powder is perfect when I want to fix an oily nose quickly or powder my forehead on a humid day. For those with dry skin, though, it might feel drying without a moisturizer or foundation base.
It mattifies without feeling heavy and helps keep shine under control for a few hours. If your skin is very oily, though, you might need a refresh every 3–4 hours.
The thing I love most? It doesn’t clog my pores or cake up, even after a second layer.
The coverage is medium and natural-looking, something I’d prefer for everyday wear. In fact, it’s my go-to on days I’m feeling a little under the weather, as it gives me a soft, fresh glow.
It also works well to cover up blemishes, fine lines, and light scars, especially when layered over a moisturizer. This powder worked well in my under-eye area, prone to dryness and darkness, without looking patchy.
With 21g of product, the Max Factor Crème Puff gives more than most modern compacts. It’s long-lasting even with regular use, making it a good investment if the shade works for you.
Pros
- Nice, fine-milled texture that blends smoothly
- Gives a subtle matte, non-cakey finish
- Lightweight and good for those on the go
- Good quantity for the price
- Great for touch-ups and oily areas
Cons
- Doesn’t include a mirror
- The scent might not be for everyone
- Limited shade range, especially for deeper skin tones
- Can feel drying on very dry skin without a base
Max Factor Creme Puff Pressed Powder (50, Natural)
-
Rating
Final Word
For me, this pressed powder really took me back to an era of old glamour and beauty.
From the subtle no-fuss packaging to the light, simple formula that has remained unchanged for decades, this compact powder really wins because it provides a natural, fresh finish
I like that it’s multipurpose and I can use it to boost my foundation or concealer’s coverage, to quickly blot away oil, as well as light blemish cover-up.
All while being easy to carry around, it’s one of those classic, low-maintenance products that just works.
Overall, I genuinely enjoyed using this pressed powder and would happily recommend it for everyday, no-makeup-makeup looks and quick on-the-go touch-ups.
