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

[Keri]

The first time I bought this product I was about to take it back, because it was nearly impossible to open. I banged it on the counter, ran it under hot water, tried the pushing technique, almost everything except taking the jaws of life to it. I like it a lot, so I just bought more yesterday. I have yet to get it open...

[Eileen]

This is a definite design flaw. Never have I had to go to the internet to find out how to open a product. I tried banging, I tried pushing and turning, I tried banging again. Finally I used a rubber jar opener - that worked. Now to see how good the product is. It better be great for all this aggravation!

[Belle]

You should only twist the very top glass bit. I'm wondering if some people are holding onto the base and trying to twist two-thirds of the jar - rather than just the very top.

[Del]

Thank you! just bought this on my lunch hour and dinked around trying to open it before googling you. I suspected this was the way to open it, but the problem is, it does take a lot of force initially, and not knowing for sure, I was afraid of breaking to container. You just don't expect to completely separate the topfrom the bottom sponge part of the unit. It is a completely ridiculous design, but I love the product! I just hope they redesign the case(s) or provide instructions that say "do not be afraid to twist the clear plastic top to the left with all your might before you decide to stomp it into the ground"!

[Kathy]

I just bought Cover Girl and Olay Simply Ageless at my CVS store. Several of my friends had reommended it. I went to open it, and, the bottom that holds the pad to apply with worked great. The top part would not move. I even had my husband try, because he has more strength. It would not move or budge. I went back a few minutes ago, and the young lady who works in Cosmetics says she has had a few complailnts. She said the case was definitely defective, and gave me a new one. I just tried it and love it, however, someone at Cover Girl should looik into this. I always use Covr Girl products, and never came accross a situation like this!

[MARGARET HROZA]

6/23/2010
AFTER SPENDING 12.95 FOR SIMPLY AGELESS - I WAS SO FRUSTRATED INTO TRYING TO OPEN THE COMPACT. MY HUSBAND AND I TWISTED AND TURNED AND POUNDED I THINK I DID OPEN IT. I HOPE THAT I DIDN'T BREAK THE WHOLE THING. WHOEVER SENT THIS PRODUCT OUT WITHOUT OPENING INSTRUCTIONS - SOME MALE I PRESUME...
I DID NOT THINK TO GO TO THE WEBSITE, BUT I SEE IT WAS A PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS OR SO. I WOULD THINK BY NOW THE PACKAGING WOULD BE CHANGED.
I HOPE SIMPLY AGELESS IS WORTH ALL THE MONEY AND TROUBLE GETTING INTO IT.

[Jenna Moore]

Thanks for introducing me to the best foundation EVER!!! . This foundation is so cutting edge it won the prestigious Edison Award and it has the perfect amolunt of SPF to protect me from the sun !! This foundation goes on clean and looks natural.

[Thessa]

i've got the same problem and it was funny that im not the only person who googled "how to open covergirl olay foundation"! i recommended the product to my mom 'cos ive read good things about it but then we can't open the damn container! we've twisted and tried to push the top part before twisting it (just like in medicine bottles) but our hands just got tired with all the twisitng! my mom thought it was useless to buy a good product yet you can't use it because it can't be opened. she gave up and i was pained to hear that from my mom because she was quite excited to try it because of my recommendations. thankfully, i found your article! i did it! haha! im like one crazy woman when it opened-- laughing at it. another TIP for those who tried the instructions above but didn't succeed, try using your left hand because it has less pressure. i always use my right hand in twisting then i got tired and switched to my left hand. and TADA! it opened finally! :)

[bk]

Thanks! I am glad to see that I am not the only one who has had trouble. I finally got it open!!! Whew...

[Chris]

Thank goodness there is a site for this horribly constructed makeup container. . My hustand is 6''6' amd a veru strong man and we both struggled with this thing for about 1/2 hour. Finally I found this site, rapped the thing on the counter and pushed down and it opened. Hope the make-up is good........What a mess

[Denise]

Your directions to open are wrong! You have to open like a jar, but I had to bang on the sides with a butter knife & twist a couple of times & it finally opened up. This product was bought by my 80 yr. old mother & she wouldn't have even begun to get it open. This was the worst product bought as far as trying to get it open.

[KD]

I have just printed out a coupon to get my money back on this simply ageless product. Not only is it hard to open, but saying it's better than going to the department store is not quite right! There are no instructions that come with this product when buying it, and of course no makeup person to consult. So basically your on your own, and if it can't even be opened, why would you want to go further?

[Alva]

Actually this is very easy to open once you look at it. Locate the hinge for the sponge container as the back and just use the front of that to pull up to open. With the make up on the bottom just screw the bottom portion to open. I didn't realize there was two parts to this ocntainer until I read this artical. A comercial demonstration would be helpful.

[Lisa]

This was very disappointing for me as well. Fortunately I had the sense to google it. I love the product hate the packaging.

[Linda Brown]

this is the second time I bought this product, never had to check with someone before on how to open. dum construction. improve it to make it easy. this one was very difficult to open.

[sharon]

Ok I am sooooooooooooooo glad I am not the only crazy lady here....I have bought 3 or 4 compacts and could not open any of them for at least 1 week.....the last one I bought at Walgreens and had to take it back to the store manager who tapped on it twice and it opened for her.......I tried everything and had other people including big strong men try and open it to no avail......Please re design this thing before some one gets a hernia trying to open it.....I also called Cover Girl direct and told them my story.....they probably thought I was nuts but were kind enough to say they were sending me a coupon for a new one.... but I want to use the ones I bought already Please help!

[Sylyann]

I can't believe Cover Girl makes a product IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN ! I tried and tried, it looks glued, VERY FRUSTRATING. I simply can't open it. No instruction whatsoever, Very poor product concerning the package. How can you sell a package impossible to open? I'm going to return it to the store and made them open it for me. If I can't succeed myself, I will ask for a refund.
Very Sad.

[Julie]

I was thrilled to find there is actually a link dedicated to the opening of the CG & Olay Foundation. All they needed to do was put some simple instructions on the case, in particular, which direction to turn in order to open, and maybe the tip to press down and turn. I could see that the clear lid screwed on and felt sure that I should turn it counter clockwise to open, but when it did not open easily, I was concerned that forcing it would cause breakage, especially if I was turning in the wrong direction. So...now I'm looking forward to using it, and I hope I chose the right color. BTW, dept. store make-up counters should start using a color chart like the one provided by CG where you put your hand under the color and if it's a match, then that's the right color for your face. Ingenious...I hope they're right!

[grandma]

The compact is impossible to open. Sevral people have tried to open this and they did not succeed. They really need to redesign the compact. Can't wait till it actually opens.

[Brenda]

I was going to try it this morning. No matter what I tired. I could NOT get it open. I found my sales receiipt. And had planned to take it back . and buy my regular brand. But decided to on on web site. After a few times. I got it open now. Since I have other makeup on now. Guess I will try it later. There should be a better way to make this. Where its not so hard to open.

[Crystal]

Thank you so much. I could not for the life of me figure out how to open the bottom. My parents tried and I tried and nothing. I finally typed it into a search engine and this how to came up. I've opened it and can't wait to use it. Thanks again! :)

[Edie]

I like the product but am so frustrated with opening the jar that I was ready to scream. It was on so tight that even my 200 pound son had a heck of a time trying to turn it. I pity any ladies with arthritis and no strong person to help them get the darn thing open!
Surely Covergirl/Olay can come up with a better method of opening the product!

[Angela]

I cannot open it either! This is insane. I have used a jar opener on it and pounded it on the floor and everything. I will try again tomorrow!

[clara]

Simply not worth the effort to open the bloody thng. I have twisted and proded, pounded on the counster and put in a vise grip and it will not budge.

[Misty]

Thank you so much for this. I still can't get it open but I'm glad I am not the only one. I'm just going to return it. What a waste of time. Such an obvious design flaw that could easily be modified. I won't buy this again.