CoverGirl and Olay Simply Ageless Foundation: Opening Instructions and Usage Tips.

I don't think I have ever received as many e-mails as I have before now, than with the questions I have been receiving about Simply Ageless, the new foundation from CoverGirl and Olay. I told you about this foundation innovation just before the Holidays and it seems as though many of you have purchased and have questions. The number one question I get is, "How do I open this?". So I went to CoverGirl and have the information for you right here. 

I have discovered not only how to open the compact itself, but found some great tips on how to use this as well.

First, to open the product. There are two parts to the compact. The top part, which contains the actual foundation, and the bottom part that contains the sponge. The bottom simply flips open to obtain the sponge, and lets you keep it there when not in use. To open the top part, you need to twist the large clear lid off of the jar. It only takes one turn and it will open. The lid might be on tight, but it will definitely open with not too much effort. Remember, righty-tighty, lefty-loosey: Turn it to the left to open, to the right to close.

To apply the foundation, simply smooth the sponge across the compact to blend the products together and apply. The white color will never ever change the color of the foundation. It is just the special process by which the products were made to work in conjunction with each other. If you want to see it in action, check out this video with CoverGirl Makeup Artist Molly Stern, as she uses a wedge sponge to apply it to a model. To get a softer more sheer finish, dampen the sponge with water before applying.

Comments

[GAYLE]

I have banged, twisted counter clockwise, pressed down -- all the suggestions listed. Finally took it back to the store and told manager if he could open it, I would keep it. He and three of his associates also followed all suggestions and could not open the one I purchased NOR FOUR MORE HE PULLED FROM HIS STOCK! If CovergIrl knows there is a problem with opening their container, a problem so bad that they have to post instructions on opening it, WHY IN THE ---- HAVEN'T THEY DONE SOMETHING ABOUT IT! Although I have used both CoverGirl and Olay for years, the level of frustration brought about by the packaging of this product means it is ONE product that I won't be using!

[AKEMI]

I had the same problem with it not opening. Just follow the advice of the other ladies. I tried to open it myself but I eventually had my hubby open it. He too, had trouble with it but he tapped the top of it a few times with the handle part of a knife and pressed down and opened it. Hopefully this helps!

[Myriam]

I literally had to hit the thing with a heavy can opener to get it open. Now, I'm good for a while. Great product though!

[Janie]

This is impossible to open, I ended up hitting it with a hammer because I was so frustrated and then got a sliver of plastic in my finger!!! WHY dont they include some instructions??

[Heather]

if you grab the purple part...where the sponge is kept and twist that it opens way easier. I had a very difficult time opening mine.

[Jeanne]

Almost broke my hand!!!.....compact in bad condition after all the banging! LOL Finally got it open. Like the make up...was worth the trouble.

[Corinne]

My mom has been having troubles opening this thing...i looked up how to open it for her but the whole twisting idea was just garbage. So she ended up banging it on her desk a few times and it popped right off...its amazing how one girl in an early post said she would talk to her friends in Cover girl about the design flaw but even a year later they never fell threw with getting a new easy to open design!

[Sue]

I think it's intentionally difficult to open to keep it from drying out before purchase. I've been using it for a week and a half and although I do like it I've noticed it's not as moist as the first application. I try to leave it open for as short a time as possible and tighten the lid after use. Although I've never used a foundation brush, I had one on hand that is dual sided-concealer brush on one end (which is why I bought it) and foundation brush on the other. I have to say, I love the application and results much better using the brush. I just have an inexpensive no-name variety from Walmart. I found that I needed to combine 2 colors for my perfect shade and I also found it takes some playing around to get the results you desire as far as finish and coverage, but I did get the extra coverage I need in areas with the brush as you can stiple then feather the edges. Also, you don't have the waste you have with sponges sucking up the product.

[Sam's mommy]

Thank goodness I wasn't the only one having issues trying to open this!! I'm not alone! Well I finally opened it and excited about using this product! :)

[Zulema Kurth]

I was disappointed with the product. I had a hard time opening it and when i did, It was just hard and not a smooth product. Is that they way it should have been?..I bought it because Ellen is a spokesperson for it but was not happy with the product. Z. Kurth

[kaa]

thank you!!! could not get the darn thing open until I banged it against something as you all suggested!

[Lisa]

I cannot open this makeup for the life of me! I want to use it so badly but I almost broke a nail trying to open it!

[Lisa]

I had to hit it against my desk all the way around the circle but I finally got it open! I can't wait to use it

[rosalie charlton]

Does Ellen Degeneris really use this? If so, I know she would be complaining about how difficult this compact is to open!
Wait! Don't tell me - a man designed this right?

[Teri Cosenzi, Editor]

It is funny, that I did see a segment with Ellen where she complained about having a hard time opening the compact. It was a cute skit, where she had to have a stage hand help her.

[Kim]

I am about to scream. This *@!#& does NOT come off. I have two grip things for hard to open jar lid and it still will not come off. *scream*

[Judy]

I bought one and couldn't open it so I took it back and got another one..I am very strong . Still can't open it without severe pain to my hands ..This is ridiculous! Why wasn't it tested before it went on the market..It looks like a nice product..I have banged it on my desk twice . Any other instructions?? I am pushing down on it .. Now what? I am not going to drive all the way back again!!!!!

[Debado61]

My blush opened easily but I finally had to get my husband to open the foundation. After using it I wondered why I'd bothered. I am blessed with great skin but am getting drier with age. I thought this would help with that but it made my skin feel drier than before and it looked like I had powder on. The blush was way too orange even applied with a light hand. I am definitely returning it. I don't usually return makeup but it way too expensive to set in the drawer and get old.

[Osteokid]

My wife was finally able to open the product after tapping the top several times with a kitchen knife ( like you would've done to help open a pickle jar or ketchup bottle in the old days) then applying downward pressure on the top as she twisted "lefty loosey".

[stephanie]

Oh wow, I thought I was the only one having trouble with this. Then I find this website through Google to look for help and I find all these comments! The foundation (which I got through BzzAgent) absolutely refused to open (although the blush, concealer, and correcter opened without any issue at all). I tried opening the foundation, then my mom, boyfriend, and brother tried opening it to no avail despite several frustrating attempts. My brother had to use a screwdriver to tap it very hard around the circumference of it and it FINALLY opened. What a horrible way to design a product package. I don't know what CG was thinking. Now I can finally try it out!

[Kiwigirl]

I am so glad to see that I am not the only one having difficulties w/ opening this product - I bought this 3 days ago and still haven't gotten it opened yet. It's bugging me, because I could see that it twists open, but I'm literally hurting my hand trying to open. I will have to try 'banging it' as described above. Can't wait to try it!! :)

[Jeanie]

After about 15 minutes of trying to unscrew the top, my husband finally got it open by putting it in his shop vise!!!! Very poor design.

[Ellie]

What a fight to get it open! Took 3 weeks of trying. OMG, never again, even if it makes me look younger I could be dead by then!

[Patti]

I was so frustrated I had it in my bag to take back then thought to go on line to see if others had had this problem. I did bang it on the table and it came right open. It was a little scary because it is plastic. One other thing the color that shows through the top is much lighter than the actual color. Usually love CG not too sure on this one though.

[Sue]

The trick is to band it on something hard a few times and the clear lid will screw right off. I've just spent the last half hour trying to open it and this is the only solution I came up with.