I've been on a search lately for a new foundation. When I have breakouts or need extra-heavy coverage, I always use a Clinique foundation that is extra-heavy. But, most of the time lately, I want a light, natural-looking makeup. I was getting to be unhappy with my current foundation (Max Factor's Pan-Stik) - every time I looked in a mirror, my foundation looked uneven, unnatural, and wore TERRIBLY around my mouth and on my nose. It was time for something new.

I was browsing in a local non-chain drugstore, where I found "try me" sizes of AquaSmooth. Because it as only $1.35, I decided to try one. That small sample contained two different shades, both of which I liked and seemed well-suited to my coloring. I stopped using my Max Factor Pan-Stik in order to use the sample sizes of AquaSmooth.

When the sample sizes were gone, I didn't want to go back to Pan-Stik..and when I did, I realized just how masky and uneven my Pan-Stik actually looked!

I have tried other foundations lately - and will review them as I get time. So far, though, AquaSmooth is my favorite!


AquaSmooth Details:

AquaSmooth comes in a dark blue, plastic compact that measures 4.75" in length and just over 2.5" in width. It is .75" deep. This compact is blister-packaged onto a white, dark blue, navy blue, yellow and peach cardboard card. The front of the card lists the name of the product, the color name, the weight of the product (.4 oz.) and the fact that it is oil-free and hypoallergenic. The back of the card lists the ingredients, directions for use, warnings and Procter & Gamble's address.

The compact opens up to reveal a convenient, small mirror in the lid of the compact that measures 1-7/8" wide and 1-3/8" tall. The makeup is in a round well that measures 2" in diameter. The included sponge is thin, white, square and measures 1-7/8" wide and 1-3/8" tall (same size as the mirror!). The bottom of the compact has "vent holes" in order to let air get to the sponge. The bottom of the compact has a white sticker on it, which lists the name of the product, the color name, the weight, expiration date for the makeup, the active ingredient, warnings, and Procter & Gamble's address.

AquaSmooth is available in 15 shades, all of which can be seen on Cover Girl's website, along with a "demo" of how AquaSmooth works.


Ingredients:

Titanium dioxide 9%, cyclopentasiloxane, water, butylene glycol, silica, ozokerite, tridecyl isononanoate, sorbitan isostearate, niacinamide, talc, tocopheryl acetate, sodium acetate, stearic acid, dimethicone copolyol, dimethicone, panthenol, euphorbia cerifera (candeulla) wax, propylparaben, disodium EDTA, methicone, methylparaben, aluminum hydroxide, mica, iron oxides.


Cover Girl Has This To Say About This Product (from their website):

A moisturizing formula with a technological advantage. This solid make-up actually transforms into a liquid during application—then dries to an even, powder-light finish. It travels in an airtight, keep-fresh compact, glides on and covers imperfections evenly.

AquaSmooth's breakthrough formula contains an advanced vitamin complex and glides on to help smooth away the appearance of fine lines and imperfections to give you noticeably better-looking, beautiful skin whenever you use it.


My Experience:

The Up Side:

I love the way this makeup smooths on. I'm also not used to using a sponge to apply foundation. I use my fingers! When makeup sponges first came out, I thought they were strange and never wanted to use them. Imagine how pleased I was (years later!) when I first used a sponge to apply makeup, and even then only because it was included with the makeup!

Besides the fact that I love no longer having to wash my hands after I apply my foundation, this makeup goes on very easily. It blends very well. AquaSmooth transforms into a liquid as soon as you put the sponge into it. This is not a big deal; I like either liquid or solid foundations, so this is not a remarkable trait in my opinion.

A little goes a long way with AquaSmooth. The "try me" sizes lasted me 5 days, WITH touch-ups at least once a day. (Note: I'm a constant toucher-upper, wether I need it or not!) I am about 2 weeks into my full-size AquaSmooth, and it's about 1/4 gone.

I LOVE the finish that AquaSmooth gives me. Several times lately, when getting home from work, I was going to touch up my foundation...but when I looked in the mirror, I was surprised at how good my facial skin looked. It looked very natural and radiant. And no touch-up was necessary. Cover Girl does not claim this to be a long-wearing foundation. And it's not. It just simply doesn't wear off as fast as other foundations I've tried, including my Max Factor Pan-Stik.

My facial skin felt smooth when I touched it. This was definitely noticeable. It also felt like it had no foundation on at all.

The Down Side:

I have one oily spot on my face: my nose! The rest of my face is not oily - I don't even have a real T-Zone. AquaSmooth, despite being oil-free, seems to make my nose oilier FASTER. Is this a problem for me? No...because I'm constantly touching up my makeup anyway! This could be a problem for the average woman who doesn't have time to touch up her makeup.

This foundation is supposed to dry to a powder finish. It doesn't! I still use a loose, translucent powder over it. This is also not a problem for me..however, if a product CLAIMS to do something, it SHOULD! I would brush on a loose powder over ANY foundation no matter what, but that doesn't excuse this product's lack of a powder finish!


How Does AquaSmooth Stack Up To Other Foundations?

The coverage of AquaSmooth is light and semi-sheer, in my opinion. I have also recently tried Cover Girl's Ultimate Finish, a similar product that offers medium coverage, but I prefer the coverage and finish of AquaSmooth much more. I also have the occasional patch of psoriasis on my face, which can be very red and somewhat raised. I like how AquaSmooth tends to blend these spots away naturally. It does not conceal them completely, however, but does seem to smooth them out somehow.

Compared to my Max Factor Pan-Stik, AquaSmooth is definitely much more advanced and translucent. Pan-Stik is a foundation I might keep around to use in the winter, but for now, I'm going to stick with AquaSmooth while I continue to test other foundations.


What Else?

Cover Girl recommends washing your makeup application sponge every two weeks with hot water and anti-bacterial soap and letting it dry thoroughly afterward. You can also buy replacement sponges separately (which average $2.50 for a 3-pack in drugstores).

Speaking of the sponge, Cover Girl also recommends NOT using your fingers to apply this foundation. They claim that the sponge helps the foundation to go on much more smoothly. I love the sponge application, so I'm not even going to try applying it with my fingers! :)

All in all, I think AquaSmooth is a great product. It would be a perfect product, though, if it didn't make my nose so oily so fast and if it actually DID have a powder finish.


Where Can I Find It?

You can find the "try me" sizes of several Cover Girl products in larger drugstores. The cost is about $1.39 for a supply that will last you at least 2 or 3 days.

The full-size AquaSmooth can be found at any drugstore, Wal*Mart, K-Mart and Target. The price averages around $7, but I've seen it for as much as $8.

Recommended: Yes