Covergirl Simply Ageless Skin Perfector Essence Review & Swatches

Covergirl Simply Ageless Skin Perfector Essence Hydro Fresh Tint ($21.49) is a new lightweight hybrid foundation formula that acts as a skin tint and skincare all-in-one. This is a lightweight, gel-serum formula that contains 71% water to provide hydrating coverage as well as skincare benefits in the form of 0.5% Bakuchiol and Tranexamic Acid. What are Bakuchiol and Tranexamic Acid? Tranexamic Acid acts to fade dark spots, discolorations, and melasma. It’s also may aid in treating acne and improving the skin barrier. The real star of the show is the Bakuchiol. Bakuchiol is a retinol-like alternative that helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while firming skin and evening out skin tone.

I normally scoff at foundations that claim to act as skincare (or even an SPF). But I can see this formula potentially have some good skincare benefits due to the consistency of the formula. It does feel like I’m applying a serum on my face. Unfortunately, I haven’t used it long enough to speak for those benefits but I’ll update this post if something major happens to my skin after using it for a few months.

Let’s get on with the review and swatches of the Covergirl Simply Ageless Skin Perfector Essence!

Covergirl Simply Ageless Skin Perfector Essence is available in eight shades and it’s pretty damn expensive. It’s $21.49 for 1 oz of foundation. But this is the way of the drugstore world right now! In 2014, nearly ten years ago, I wrote an article titled Drugstores Makeup at Premium Prices Are You Paying Too Much? That was a long time ago and I was ranting about the cost of drugstore makeup. I feel like I had no right to write that article back then because fast forward ten years and prices have nearly doubled now. Now is the time to rant. I do understand why this may be priced at a bit more considering it’s marketed as a “skincare” but I’m honestly shocked it’s over $20 bucks. Personally, I think it would have been a nicer value at $11-$12. It’s a tint, not a foundation. That over $20 price point is a bit tough to swallow for drugstore makeup. True, I have paid more for products like Skin Enhance Non-Comedogenic Skin Tint Serum Foundation from Rose Inc ($49 1 oz) which I adore, and Chanel LES BEIGES Water-Fresh Tint ($70) but paying mid-range prices for drugstore makeup just doesn’t quite sit with me well. That being said there are SO many discounts and sales that you’re likely never going to pay $21.49 for a bottle of this. I did because 1. I was excited to try it and 2. I wanted to review it for the blog. But if you wait a bit you know the price will be right at some point to indulge. I will say, having tested this and loving it I didn’t mind dishing out the $21.49.

This is not a formula for everyone. I repeat, this is not a formula for everyone. That means not everyone is going to like it. This is a formula for dry skin, a formula for aging skin, a formula for anyone who wants my skin but better coverage! This is a formula for anyone that lights, fresh, lightweight coverage. It’s not for anyone who loves full coverage, it’s not for oily skin (you might not like how “wet” it feels), it’s not for anyone who wants to conceal skin issues like major redness, blemishes, darkness, etc…. Also, don’t buy this in the hopes it will be a dupe for Chanel or Rose Inc. It really isn’t. The textures are quite different and I do think Rose Inc and Chanel have the better texture and consistency compared to the Covergirl Simply Ageless Skin Perfector Essence. I’ll explain why shortly.

I think Gen Z (and perhaps Alphas) are growing up around more natural makeup looks and I couldn’t be more happy about that. Around 2015 when the youTube makeup generation rose I never quite related to the full glam and pounds of foundation that was being applied. I can’t say I’ve ever gone to work in false eyelashes, heavy eyeliner, and layers of foundation. I love makeup but I’ve just never fully understood applying layer upon layer upon layer of foundation. No hate at all because I realize that a lot of women and men really like and even need heavier foundation and find confidence using it since it can easily hide blemishes, acne scarring, etc, and create a more flawless look. What I never understood is why women and men with perfectly great skin were laying pounds of it on. I’ve always been rather light with foundation usage! I realize I’m blessed in the fact I can use less because my skin is poreless without major issues to hide. As I’ve gotten older I notice my skin is a bit redder but aside from that I don’t have any major issues I wish to hide aside from dullness. This fits the bill for my skin type and wants.

Simply Ageless Skin Perfector Essence comes housed in a 1 oz plastic pump jar which is pretty much identical to Covergirl’s + Olay Simply Ageless 3-in-1 Liquid Foundation. As per Covergirl, it’s created with 71% water, and 98% natural ingredients, and hydrates skin for up to 24 hours with a cruelty-free, leaping bunny-approved formula. It’s available in eight shades two of which I purchased to feature in this review. Those shades are Light Medium and Medium. Light Medium was the best shade for me but Medium will be a great shade in the Summer as my skin tans easily and gets a little darker in the Summer even when I’m running from the sun like a vampire.

This formula is a gel base with pigment suspended within the gel. I hesitate to say these are pigment beads because they aren’t once you pump a bit out. It’s more like pieces of pigment just suspended in the gel as it breaks down quickly once you pump it out. It’s lightly hydrating on the skin and feels a bit wet going on. I never apply foundation without a good hydrating primer. Even hydrating foundations I still prime before application. In this case, I would say skip your normal primer especially if you use a hydrating one like Milk Makeup Hydro Grip or ELF Power Grip. I feel like having to hydrating of a surface makes it difficult to apply this since it’s already fairly wet and hydrating all by itself.

Covergirl Simply Ageless Skin Perfector Essence Swatches (Light Medium and Medium)

Covergirl Simply Ageless Skin Perfector Essence unblended Hydro Fresh Tint Swatches (Light Medium and Medium)

Covergirl Simply Ageless Skin Perfector Essence unblended Hydro Fresh Tint Swatches (Light Medium and Medium)

I had issues getting the gel and the pigment to mix (see my swatches below for a reference of how it looks before blending and how it looks after). I also had issues where I got more gel than pigment on a single pump and had to go in with a second pump to get a good ratio of both. I think the Chanel and Rose Inc formulas are superior in the fact they mix well as soon as they hit your face. Covergirl it takes a bit more work to get the two formulas mixed. Otherwise, it goes on sort of streaky and patchy and just weird. I found the best way to apply this is with fingers and before you even put it on your face pump it into the back of your hand, mix it with your finger, and dab it on. If you try applying a pump right on your face mixing it proves a bit challenging. It does have a very wet but not dewy finish however, it dries down quick enough and leaves skin smooth but not dewy nor tacky. You might even want to use a little handheld fan (I keep one handy when using setting spray or even when using dewy products) if you have one and use it to dry your face before applying any other makeup. It does look glowy in my swatches but it doesn’t have any glow or luminosity once I apply it. I just think the flash from my camera made it look like a luminous finish.

I love the way it looks. It brightens, doesn’t adhere to drier areas, looks completely natural yet fresh, and eases redness while giving my complexion an overall, brighter appearance. It doesn’t have a ton of pigment but the pigment it does have is enough to give you my skin but better appearance. Don’t expect super coverage as it’s quite sheer. It wears for about four hours on me which honestly, that’s a lot for a tint. I imagine if you set it with powder it will wear a bit longer but I prefer not to use powder as a dry skin girl. This is exactly the type of coverage I love not to mention it’s perfect for really warm days. It didn’t create any grease or shine on my face and my skin felt light hydrated and very smooth application application not to mention my products applied all beautifully on top of it.

Covergirl Simply Ageless Skin Perfector Essence isn’t going to be a love for everyone. I can see it getting a good deal of hate but I like it a lot. If you don’t wear a ton of foundation, prefer a more natural look, and don’t have problem skin that needs extra coverage you might adore this!

Covergirl Simply Ageless Skin Perfector Essence is available now.

Where to buy

Amazon Ulta