Hey beauty lovers! Today I’m diving into the COVERGIRL+OLAY Simply Ageless 3-in-1 Liquid Foundation. I’ve spent weeks testing this drugstore gem, and I’ve also analyzed TONS of customer feedback to give you the most comprehensive review possible. Let’s get into it!
Quick Take
Price: Around $10-17 (varies by retailer)
Coverage: Medium, buildable
Finish: Natural, slightly dewy
Best for: Mature, dry to combination skin
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamins
The Good Stuff
1. It’s AMAZING for Mature Skin
Let me start with what makes this foundation stand out – it’s INCREDIBLE for aging skin! So many reviewers in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and even 80s(!) are absolutely loving this. One 80-year-old reviewer who had stopped wearing foundation because of wrinkles was blown away: “No caking, no settling into wrinkles. It was amazing!!”
Another 63-year-old with sensitive combination skin raved: “It feels like I’m not wearing anything on my face, and does not settle into my pores or wrinkles.” This seems to be the consensus among mature users – it doesn’t emphasize fine lines the way most foundations do.
2. The Texture Is Divine
The texture of this foundation is seriously impressive for the price point. Users describe it as:
- “Very silky”
- “Super light”
- “Smooth without being cakey”
- “Creamy but not thick”
It has a lovely lightweight feel that many compared favorably to high-end brands. One reviewer who’s tried expensive department store products said this foundation “does not even compare” – in a good way!
3. Excellent Blendability
This foundation blends EFFORTLESSLY into the skin. Multiple reviewers mentioned how easy it is to apply, whether with fingers, a sponge, or a brush. One particularly happy customer noted: “It blends effortlessly (I pat it on with fingertips, then give it a once-over with a damp makeup sponge).”
The formula gives you enough playtime before setting, making it very forgiving for application. It doesn’t dry down immediately, so you have time to work with it.
4. Genuinely Beneficial Skincare Ingredients
The “3-in-1” claim isn’t just marketing fluff! The Olay influence brings actual skincare benefits with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamins. Many users reported that their skin felt better over time:
“Whenever I wear this foundation, not only does it actually stay on my face but my skin actually gets smoother and softer! I’ve noticed the more I wear it, the better my skin looks without makeup at all!”
Several reviewers mentioned that their skin felt hydrated throughout the day – a huge win for a foundation at this price point.
5. Good Coverage Without Heaviness
This foundation manages to provide solid medium coverage while still feeling lightweight on the skin. It evens out redness and minor imperfections without feeling like a mask.
“It only takes a small amount, and the finished product still looks like skin, only more even,” one reviewer shared. Another with rosacea was thrilled: “Just a little bit hides my rosacea and that makes me happy.”
6. Impressive Staying Power
Many reviewers were pleasantly surprised by how well this foundation lasts throughout the day. It seems to maintain its finish without breaking apart or fading significantly, even during long wear (12+ hours for some users).
“Lasts throughout the day. Much better than far more expensive foundations,” was a common sentiment.
The Not-So-Great Stuff
1. Packaging Issues Are FRUSTRATING
This was BY FAR the biggest complaint. Many customers received bottles:
- Without caps
- Without security seals
- With broken pumps
- With foundation leaking
The number of people reporting missing caps or compromised packaging was concerning. One upset customer wrote: “I am SO annoyed I received this product with NO cover! How sanitary can this product possibly be after being in countless warehouses prior to arriving at my door?”
This seems to be particularly common with online purchases, suggesting a handling/shipping issue rather than a manufacturer problem.
2. Shade Selection Can Be Tricky
Several users reported difficulty finding their perfect shade match, especially when ordering online. The shade descriptions and online swatches don’t always translate well to real life.
One reviewer who tried multiple shades noted: “Warm beige: too orange, Creamy beige: too light, Classic tan: too dark, Soft honey: way too dark. I feel like the descriptions and tones on the ads are off.”
Even the Medium Beige shade reviewed here received mixed feedback on its accuracy.
3. The Fragrance Is Polarizing
While some users enjoy the light scent (described as similar to Olay products), others found it too strong or simply unnecessary in a facial product.
“The first thing I noticed about this foundation was its fragrance. Why so strong??!! I don’t need perfume on my face, and my skin doesn’t like it,” wrote one sensitive-skinned reviewer.
For those with fragrance sensitivities, this could definitely be a dealbreaker.
4. Inconsistent Experiences for Different Skin Types
While this foundation is a HERO for dry and mature skin, those with very oily skin or significant acne reported more mixed results. A few mentioned it felt sticky or transferred easily if not set with powder.
The formula seems to work best for normal to dry skin types, with combination skin being a bit hit-or-miss depending on individual skin chemistry.
5. Size vs. Price Concerns
A few reviewers were disappointed by the bottle size, feeling they didn’t get much product for the price: “I was expecting a full size bottle hence why I bought from Amazon because it was a little cheaper than Walgreens but Walgreens has full size bottles for $17! I’m disappointed.”
It’s worth noting that the standard size is 1 fl oz (30ml), which is typical for foundation, but the bottle design might make it appear smaller than it is.
Tips for Best Results
After analyzing all the feedback, here are some pro tips for getting the most out of this foundation:
- Prep properly: This foundation works BEAUTIFULLY on well-moisturized skin.
- Less is more: Start with a small amount – many reviewers noted you only need a few dabs to cover the entire face.
- Application method matters: A damp beauty sponge seems to give the most natural finish, though fingers work well too.
- Setting is optional: Unlike many foundations, reviewers found this doesn’t always need to be set with powder, especially for dry skin.
- Custom mixing: Some users had success mixing it with moisturizer for even lighter coverage, or with another foundation to adjust the shade.
- For mature skin: One clever 80+ reviewer shared, “Some days when my skin seems dryer than other days I’ll put a little foundation on the back of my hand & a tiny pump of face lotion or face cream & mix them together w/a q’tip & apply to my face w/a makeup sponge.”
Who Should Buy This Foundation?
DEFINITELY TRY IT IF:
- You’re over 40 and struggling to find foundation that doesn’t settle into fine lines
- You have dry or normal skin that needs hydration
- You want a natural-looking, medium coverage foundation
- You’re looking for a drugstore foundation that performs like high-end
- You prefer foundations with skincare benefits
MAYBE SKIP IT IF:
- You have very oily skin or significant acne
- You’re sensitive to fragrance
- You need extremely full coverage for severe discoloration
- You prefer a matte finish
The Bottom Line
The COVERGIRL+OLAY Simply Ageless 3-in-1 Liquid Foundation is genuinely impressive for its price point, especially for mature or dry skin. It delivers on its promises of a hydrating, skin-improving formula that doesn’t settle into fine lines.
The foundation feels lightweight while still providing good coverage, and the skincare benefits are a major bonus. It’s earned its cult following among women over 40 for good reason!
The biggest downsides are the packaging issues (which seem to be primarily an online shopping problem) and the fragrance, which won’t bother everyone but could be a dealbreaker for some.
For around $10-17, this foundation outperforms many options at twice the price or more. It’s a fantastic option if you’re looking for a foundation that enhances your skin rather than just covering it up.
My final rating: 4.5/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Have you tried this foundation? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments!
Buy On Amazon: Here
