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

[Carol]

I love, love, love this product. I am 66 and two friends were staring at my face and one asked if I had plastic surgery!! As far as opening it, I did have the same problem other are having. I asked my engineer husband to look at it and he immediately opened it. I think the problem is that women expect a compact to open from the top. Men have no expectations so they quickly figure out that it is a jar.

[Frugal Fritzie]

OMG, thanks so much for this post. I knew how it opened, that part wasn't hard to figure out, it was just like it was stuck! I felt like such a moron because I couldn't get this darn thing to open. I have a cramp in my hand from trying so hard! I FINALLY got it to open when I used one of those grippy easy openers for jars. Whew! I sure hope this was worth all the effort! ROFL

[Deanna]

Finally was able to open it...but soooo glad a previous poster had given the instructions to bang it on the counter. After I did that it came off fine. I had tried and tried to get the top off unsuccessfully. My husband about broke his wrist twisting trying to get it off...and he's an ex-football player. Bad design flaw.

[Maggie]

Sooo glad I found this site before trying to pry it apart with a knife! Also glad I'm not the only one who had dfficulty . Mine finally did open altho not with a gentle twist. After reading all these posts with the same problem, my guess is the next time I buy it hopefully it will be packaged differently. Thanks for all the info

[Melissa]

I had trouble opening it also. I'm not weak, by any means. The banging worked. Thanks for the tip!

[Margaret]

I have Arthritis in my hands and had extreme difficulty opening it. Not user friendly for people with disabilities!

[Pam]

After I couldn't get it open, I gave it to my husband. When he couldn't open it we went on line and found this site. I am so glad it wasn't just me. My husband was ready to use a really big hammer. I hope Cover Girl is paying attention.

[me]

push down and open it! it works!

[foreveryoung]

Well, I didn't find it EASY to open, but not terrible, either.
At 72, I'm ready to try most new things, and this is a winner.
I have pretty good skin, and receive a lot of compliments on it, so I'm not
expecting a miracle transformation, but it did just what it advertised.
My coloring is quite fair, and the shade I use is #220, whatever that is.
It blends very well with my skin.
My only complaint is that there are no sample color cards or color NAMES on the
container, once it's opened.
This appears to be a product that was rushed to market before the details were worked out.
I hope they get their act together and don't put more money into advertising than into better presentation
and help for the customer. it's too good a product to waste by turning people off!
A little more product in the container would be nice, too!

[Sally]

I bought this product yesterday after hearing about it on The View. This morning I pulled it out and the was able to open the compartment with the sponge easily. Then I set about to open the other half. I searched for a hinge. I thought about unscrewing it and I tried it, but it didn't move that way either. So I came to the great god google and found your site. WHEW! I applied a lot more pressure and it did open. Yes, Cover Girl & Olay need to include a simple "twist off" note on t he clear acrylic cover. Just did a quick tryout and it does smooth out uneven patches. My skin is 68 years old.

[barb]

Ladies.....really''' Cover girls new foundation is amazing.. i didnt think that it was an issue to open at all...a screw off top with a niffty little storage place for the sponge...and i have used lots of high end cosmetics of all kinds and this foundation is genius...you can use as much or as little as you like and if you use the sponge and then a tapping motion with your fingers...it blends beautifully...thanks cover girl!!

[Cheryl]

I'm amazed that there was actually a place with the information needed when I typed "how to open a cover girl simply ageless compact" in the first place, and was even more gratified to see that there was a link to a refund form. Thanks so much! Nobody should have to resort to these measures to open a compact, and it's true: it should be all one piece. I didn't so much like the product, either -- had a paste-y look to it.

[Barbara]

I was unable to open the sponge side so had to have my husband open it for me. Also there are no instructions with this and it definitely needs instructions on how to open and how to use.

I bought the same color that I use in other foundations. This one is WAY TO LIGHT...not sure if I'll go back to buy another.

[COVERGIRL]

Thanks for the step by step on how to open it.
I too was struggling to open it.

[R, Elliott]

What on earth was Covergril production and manufactoring thinking. When after my husband and I spent the better part of one hour trying to open the product, Simply ageless blush, I jokingly said I'll just "Google" it. MUCH to my surprise there it was--HOW TO OPEN PRODUCT!!!!

[renterav@yahoo.com]

very disappointed in the makeup (covergirl & olay).
have purchased TWO differnt shades - container hard to open -
and both purchases have not proper colors. Colors listed on
cosmetic card but not anything as appear in the container.

[Kathleen]

This container was easier to open than other Olay (regenerist) products....I am 66 and hope this will help ease the lines and wrinkles a little since everything else I've used makes them stand out Color selection was difficult and had to ask the girl behind the counter who is also a hair stylist for help.

[alexa]

I'd seen this product advertised for months and thought I'd give it a try when I saw it today on my drugstore shelf. When I tried to open it, I couldn't figure it out. After looking at it more closely, I was able to open the bottom part and found the sponge. Great! All that money for a sponge. Then I examined the casing more carefully and could see evidence of a screw cap - so I tried, and tried, and tried. Nothing. I did notice on the bottom it says "lift" which obviously refers to the part that just pops open, but what about that top? No other instructions. Grrrrr Was I doing it right? I turned to Google and put in "simply ageless". The cover girl name appeared so I clicked on it, then I saw the link "Opening Instructions" and here I am. After reading about twisting off the top, I picked up the little gadget and gave it a brisk, forceful turn, and low and behold, it opened! So here it is, at least 10 months after this website was started, people are STILL struggling to open this product. You'd think CoverGirl/Olay would have done something about this by now. Thanks so much for posting the instructions. You're my hero.

[Yailen]

Thank you so much for the information! My mother got two of them, one for me and one for her. She said she spent the whole day trying to open it & no luck at all. When I got home, the first thing she said to me was "I can't get this *&%^ makeup open! Im about to break it" ...I thought she was just being crazy, but to my surprise, it really was a pain in the backside to open! What were they thinking?!? I finally got fed up and swallowed my pride and actually looked up how to open something. Its a very sad day when you have to go through so much trouble for some makeup...which is just alright.

And then, when I finally got it open, I was very disappointed to not find a mirror. Looks to me like there was definitely room to put oen in the bottom compartment at least.

Come on covergirl!!

[Eileen]

I broke a fingernail, I used a knife, I used manicure scissors in the very small groove. Finally, I thought to Google the question and found this site. This is absurd packaging and the price is high - the foundation had better be worth it!

[carol]

After reading your instructions regarding opening the makeup, I still could not get it to open.
Went out to husbands workshop and used an adjusting wrench on it. Now, that is enough
to make anyone think twice before buying this product again. We are not all 25 years old
and a lot of us do not have the strength to open such a contraption. ----get real!!!

[MJH]

I am a fairly strong 58 year old woman - I go to a gym every day - I kick box, take yoga, etc.

I have tried and tried AND CAN NOT OPEN this thing. I tried using a vice in our garage. My HUSBAND can't open it.

What yahoo designed this packaging.

[marti]

I have been entrigued with this product since seeing Ellen wiith it. When I found it at the store, there are no directions for how to open it, how to use it and what shade to use. I look at the container and can't decide which shade to use. I know that the higher the number usually the darker the shade but I am not sure just how dark to go, My skin is a medium color and I purchased the 225 but have not openned it as I am not sure if it is the right color.

[chrissie]

I found this impossible to open, so I put it in the freezer for 10 mins and it opened fairly easily after that, don't put in for longer than that though.

[sandy k]

have read the instructions to get the compact open and it stll won't come off.....just about ready to throw it up against the wall......shame on quality control for cover girl.