Hey beauty lovers! After 15 years as a makeup artist and product reviewer, I’ve tested EVERYTHING from $5 drugstore finds to $200 luxury splurges. Today, I’m diving DEEP into the CoverGirl & Olay Simply Ageless 3-in-1 Liquid Foundation that’s been getting so much buzz lately.
Let me tell you – I was skeptical at first. How good could a drugstore foundation with anti-aging claims REALLY be? Well, buckle up because I’ve got THOUGHTS!
First Impressions & Packaging
The foundation comes in a standard pump bottle – nothing fancy but definitely functional. Some customers have reported receiving bottles without caps or with broken pumps through online orders (yikes!), which is concerning. Mine came perfectly intact from my local store, but this seems to be a recurring issue with online purchases.
The foundation itself has a creamy texture with a slight swirl pattern visible through the bottle. There’s a subtle Olay scent – not overwhelming but definitely noticeable. If you’re super sensitive to fragrance, this might be something to consider.
Shade Range & Matching
I tried the Creamy Natural shade, which is a good match for my light-medium skin with neutral undertones. The shade range isn’t the most extensive I’ve seen, but it covers the basics from fair to deeper tones. Many reviewers with very fair skin noted that shades like Classic Ivory and Fair Ivory worked well for them – which is actually impressive since ultra-pale shades are often hard to find!
The shade names are somewhat intuitive (Creamy Natural, Buff Beige, Medium Beige, etc.), but as with ANY foundation, it’s best to try before you buy if possible. Several reviewers mentioned that the colors can run lighter than expected, so you might want to go a shade deeper than you think.
Application & Texture
This is where things get GOOD! The texture is truly impressive for a drugstore product. It has a silky, medium-weight consistency that feels WAY more expensive than it is. It’s not too thick or too runny – just right.
I tried applying it with:
- Fingers: Blends beautifully, very natural finish
- Beauty sponge: Gives a more sheer, dewy look
- Brush: Provides the most coverage
The foundation blends like a DREAM regardless of how you apply it. It doesn’t drag or pull on the skin, and it doesn’t set too quickly, giving you plenty of time to work with it.
Coverage & Finish
I’d call this a solid medium coverage that’s buildable to nearly full. It immediately evened out my skin tone and covered minor redness. For more stubborn spots or discoloration, you can easily add a second layer without it looking cakey.
The finish is what I’d describe as “natural satin” – not matte, not dewy, just like healthy skin. This makes it incredibly versatile for different skin types. It doesn’t emphasize texture, which is AMAZING for a foundation at any price point.
Performance on Different Skin Types
This is marketed for mature skin, and based on my testing and the reviews, it REALLY delivers for that demographic. Here’s how it performs on different skin types:
Mature Skin: This is where it truly shines! Numerous reviewers in their 60s, 70s, and even 80s raved about how it doesn’t settle into fine lines or wrinkles. One 80-year-old reviewer said she’d stopped wearing foundation because everything settled into her wrinkles until she tried this!
Dry Skin: The hyaluronic acid in the formula helps it glide over dry patches without clinging. I have some dryness around my nose, and it didn’t emphasize it at all. Several reviewers mentioned it feels moisturizing without being greasy.
Oily/Combination Skin: Surprisingly good! I have an oily T-zone, and while I did need to blot once during the day, the foundation didn’t break down or look patchy. Some oily-skinned reviewers noted they still needed to set it with powder.
Sensitive Skin: Mixed reviews here. Some said it didn’t irritate their sensitive skin at all, while others found the fragrance to be problematic. Patch testing would be wise!
Longevity & Wear Test
I wore this foundation for 12 hours straight, from morning meetings to dinner out. Here’s how it held up:
- 2 hours: Looks flawless, very skin-like
- 5 hours: Starting to get a bit dewy in my T-zone but still looking great
- 8 hours: Needed to blot once, but coverage remained intact
- 12 hours: Some fading around my nose and chin, but still presentable
For a drugstore foundation without claims of extreme longevity, I was VERY impressed! It didn’t oxidize (turn orange) throughout the day, which is a common issue with many foundations.
Many reviewers who live in humid climates noted that it held up well despite the challenging conditions. One reviewer mentioned wearing it in Florida summer heat with success!
Skincare Benefits
This foundation contains some impressive skincare ingredients, including:
- Hyaluronic acid for hydration
- Vitamin C and E for antioxidant protection
- Amino peptides to support skin’s natural collagen
While I wouldn’t replace your skincare routine with this foundation, the added benefits are a nice bonus. Several long-term users reported that their skin actually felt better over time when using this product consistently.
How It Compares to High-End Foundations
Let’s talk VALUE. This foundation retails for around $11-15 depending on where you buy it, which is a fraction of what you’d pay for premium brands. But how does it stack up?
Honestly, it performs better than some foundations I’ve tried that cost 3-4 times as much! The coverage, finish, and wear time rival many high-end products. What you don’t get is the luxury packaging or extensive shade range of premium brands.
Compared specifically to other anti-aging foundations:
- It outperforms many drugstore competitors in terms of not settling into fine lines
- It provides similar benefits to IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream but at less than half the price
- It lacks the SPF of some premium anti-aging foundations (though you should be wearing separate sunscreen anyway!)
Potential Drawbacks
No product is perfect, so let’s talk about the not-so-great aspects:
- Fragrance: The scent could be an issue if you’re sensitive.
- Limited shade range: While it covers the basics, it’s not as inclusive as some newer brands.
- Packaging issues: The online shipping problems are concerning.
- Transfer: Without setting powder, it can transfer onto clothes.
- Not mattifying: If you want a matte finish, you’ll need to add powder.
Who Will Love This Foundation
This foundation is PERFECT for:
- Mature women looking for a foundation that doesn’t emphasize wrinkles
- Anyone with normal to dry skin seeking medium coverage
- People on a budget who want luxury-like performance
- Those with sensitive skin who can tolerate mild fragrance
- Makeup minimalists who want an easy, foolproof application
Who Should Skip It
This might NOT be the best choice for:
- Those who need a completely matte finish
- People with very oily skin who need oil control
- Anyone who requires a perfect shade match in very deep or very fair tones
- Those who are extremely sensitive to fragrance
Application Tips from a Pro
Having applied this to clients with various skin types, here are my pro tips:
- Prep is key: Use a good moisturizer beforehand – this will make the foundation look even better.
- Less is more: Start with a small amount (one pump) and build as needed.
- Finger application: For the most natural finish, warming it between your fingers before applying gives gorgeous results.
- Setting strategy: Set only your T-zone if you’re normal/dry to maintain the beautiful satin finish elsewhere.
- Mix it up: Several reviewers mentioned mixing it with a drop of facial oil for extra glow on dry skin days.
Final Thoughts
After extensive testing and analyzing hundreds of reviews, I can confidently say that the CoverGirl & Olay Simply Ageless 3-in-1 Liquid Foundation is a STANDOUT drugstore product that performs like a high-end foundation in many ways.
Is it perfect? No. But for the price point, it’s EXCEPTIONAL, especially for mature skin. The fact that women in their 70s and 80s are raving about how it doesn’t settle into wrinkles speaks volumes about its quality.
For anyone wondering if this foundation is worth trying – YES, especially if you’ve been frustrated with how other foundations perform on aging skin. Just make sure to purchase it in-store to avoid the shipping issues that some online customers have experienced.
I’ve tested foundations at every price point, and this one has earned a permanent spot in my kit for clients who want beautiful, natural-looking coverage that treats their skin well throughout the day.
Rating Breakdown
- Coverage: 4.5/5
- Finish: 5/5
- Longevity: 4/5
- Shade Range: 3.5/5
- Skin Benefits: 4.5/5
- Value: 5/5
- Packaging: 3/5
OVERALL: 4.3/5
Have you tried this foundation? I’d LOVE to hear your experiences with it! And if there are other drugstore foundations you think perform above their price point, let me know in the comments!
This review is based on my professional experience as a makeup artist and the collective feedback from over 100 verified purchasers of the product. While individual experiences may vary depending on skin type and application methods, the consensus indicates this is one of the best drugstore foundations for mature skin currently available.
Buy on Amazon: Here
