Hey beauty friends! I’ve been testing out the COVERGIRL & Olay Simply Ageless 3-in-1 Liquid Foundation in Buff Beige for weeks now, and I’ve also looked through TONS of real customer reviews to give you the complete lowdown. Let’s get into whether this drugstore foundation is actually worth your money!
The Quick Facts
Price: About $10-17 depending where you shop
Shade: Buff Beige (medium with neutral undertones)
Coverage: Medium, buildable
Finish: Natural, slightly dewy
Size: 1 fl oz (standard foundation size)
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamins
What I LOVE About It
1. It’s AMAZING for Mature Skin
This foundation is a GAME CHANGER if you have fine lines or wrinkles! So many reviewers in their 50s, 60s, and even 80s are obsessed with how it doesn’t settle into lines like other foundations do.
One 76-year-old user said: “It looks very natural on my aging skin. I have many age spots and skin imperfections but you can barely notice them with this makeup on.”
Another reviewer who’s pushing 60 wrote: “I’ve tried so many foundations in my lifetime, and this is the winner. Not only is it a great value for the price, but it works better than products that cost 4 times as much.”
2. The Texture Is Actually Impressive
For a drugstore foundation, the texture is surprisingly luxurious. It’s:
- Creamy but not thick
- Silky smooth
- Lightweight
- Blendable
One user who switched from Lancôme (which costs 4-5x more!) said this foundation is thicker than her high-end one but still performs beautifully. Another reviewer who normally wears $100 foundations said, “It went on so smooth and I had plenty of time to work it into my face before it dried.”
3. It Acts Like Skincare While You Wear It
The “Olay” part isn’t just marketing fluff – this foundation actually makes your skin feel better over time! The hyaluronic acid and vitamins help keep skin hydrated throughout the day.
“I love the addition of Olay; it goes on so smooth and light weight. My face feels hydrated all day!” reported one happy customer.
Several people mentioned that they’ve noticed improvements in their skin texture since switching to this foundation, which is pretty awesome for a drugstore product.
4. It Gives a Natural Look (Not Cakey or Mask-Like)
Even with medium coverage, this foundation manages to look like SKIN rather than makeup. It covers imperfections without looking heavy or fake.
“I only need 3 drops for my entire face. It’s lightweight and not at all cakey,” one reviewer shared.
Another wrote: “It only takes a small amount and it spreads nicely and does not settle into creases.”
For those with specific skin concerns, it works wonders: “THIS PRODUCT SEEMS TO BE WORKING WELL… IT COVERS MY ROSACEA WHICH IS WHAT I WAS HOPING IT WOULD DO, PLUS SEEMS TO FILL IN SOME TINY SMILE LINES THAT BOTHER ME.”
5. It Has Impressive Staying Power
Many users were shocked at how well this foundation lasts throughout the day, even in challenging conditions.
“I just love this face makeup. It glides on your skin and stays in place. I found the perfect color and wear this everyday. It even stays in place when it’s hot and humid outside.”
Another reviewer mentioned, “I’ve been wearing this makeup for 8 years. It gives you a youthful glow without looking oily. It wears well all day long.”
What’s NOT Great
1. The Fragrance Is Polarizing
This foundation definitely has a scent, and it’s a deal-breaker for some people. One reviewer described it as smelling “a bit like my dog does after a bath” (yikes!).
Another complained: “It’s a great product, it could be fantastic if they would remove that stinky fragrance. It gave me a migraine on the very first time.”
If you’re sensitive to fragrances, this might not be the foundation for you.
2. Shade Matching Can Be Tricky
Buff Beige specifically gets mixed reviews on its color match. Some users find it perfect, while others say it runs too light.
“I bought this in a pinch because my Lancome Renergie Lift foundation 250 Bisque W wasn’t available… This foundation is thicker than the Lancome, but the color is fairly close. I got the buff beige and it arrived overnight!”
On the flip side: “I ordered color 225 Buff Beige but what I received was 220 Creamy Natural.”
Several users mentioned having to mix shades to get their perfect match: “Buff was Much lighter than expected so I ordered another darker shade ‘warm beige’ to go with it. Together they blend perfectly with my skin tone.”
3. The Bottle Size Feels Small to Some
A common complaint is that the bottle seems small for the price, even though it’s the standard 1 oz size for foundation.
“My only negative is, it’s such a small bottle,” one reviewer noted.
Another mentioned: “It seems like the container is smaller or it just doesn’t last long at all, like it did before.”
4. Packaging Issues When Ordering Online
Several customers reported receiving bottles without caps or with broken pumps when ordering online. This seems to be a shipping/handling issue rather than a product flaw, but it’s something to be aware of.
“Disliked coming with no cap or seal,” one reviewer wrote.
Another complained: “Makeup all broke up and looks like it’s been used before.”
5. Not Great for Very Oily Skin
While this foundation works wonders for normal, dry, and mature skin, those with very oily skin had more mixed results. Some mentioned it can feel a bit sticky or “over moist” until set with powder.
Who Should Buy This Foundation?
YOU’LL PROBABLY LOVE IT IF:
- You have mature skin with fine lines or wrinkles
- Your skin tends to be normal to dry
- You want a natural, skin-like finish that’s not too dewy or matte
- You prefer foundations with skincare benefits
- You’re looking for something that doesn’t feel heavy on your face
MAYBE SKIP IT IF:
- You have very oily skin
- You’re sensitive to fragrances
- You need extremely full coverage
- You prefer a completely matte finish
Tips for Best Results
After analyzing all these reviews, here are some pro tips for getting the most out of this foundation:
- Prep properly: Many users mentioned using Olay moisturizer first for even better results.
- Less is more: Start with just a few drops – most reviewers said a little goes a long way.
- Application method options: This foundation works well with fingers, brushes, or sponges. “I apply it with my fingertips, then give it a once-over with a damp makeup sponge,” shared one reviewer with great results.
- Setting is optional: Unlike many foundations, several users mentioned they skip powder entirely with this formula. “I don’t use powder and I don’t find I need it with this product,” one person noted.
- For extra dry skin: One clever tip from a reviewer: “I add some Olay moisturizer to make a tinted moisturizer.”
Is It Worth The Money?
At around $10-17, this foundation performs WAY better than its price point suggests. It outperforms many high-end foundations that cost 3-5 times as much, especially for mature skin.
One reviewer who previously used $100 foundations summed it up: “This is the BEST foundation I’ve ever used in my life!! It’s so smooth, sheer, and blends beautifully without highlighting my pores. I will never buy anything else!!!!!”
Another longtime user shared: “I’ve used Clinique and Este Lauder, they were ok but my skin always looked very dry. I tried Simply Ageless with the primer and it’s great.”
The Bottom Line
The COVERGIRL & Olay Simply Ageless 3-in-1 Liquid Foundation in Buff Beige is genuinely impressive for its price point. It delivers on its promises of being age-friendly, hydrating, and natural-looking.
It’s earned its cult following among women over 40 for good reason! The biggest downsides are the fragrance, which won’t bother everyone but could be a dealbreaker for some, and occasional online packaging issues.
For around $10-17, this foundation outperforms many options at twice the price or more. It’s definitely worth trying if you have mature or dry skin and want a foundation that enhances rather than masks.
My rating: 4.5/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Have you tried this foundation? I’d love to hear YOUR thoughts too!
Buy on Amazon: Here
