Almay • Smart Shade Makeup SPF 15 • Liquid

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Baaamx32 on 12/26/2010 1:08:00 AM more reviews by Baaamx32

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

After switching foundations on and off for the past few years, I always end up coming back to Almay Smart Shade. It doesn't have good coverage, but it's more of a tinted moisturizer than an actual foundation.

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Cinthia7068 on 11/24/2010 11:09:00 PM more reviews by Cinthia7068

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Normal, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

Did not like this product! Was so disappointed because I always buy Almay eyeshadows
this had no coverage what so ever for me

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Melrose1985 on 11/2/2010 10:04:00 AM more reviews by Melrose1985

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

I am using Rimmel's face primmer with this product but I think that the color matches well for being "light" colored. I'm pretty fair skinned and it seems to match better then any other brand I've used. Most look to orange on me. It's not making my skin greasy, stays looking nice all day.

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Lovemily on 10/26/2010 3:56:00 PM more reviews by Lovemily

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Hazel    

I was surprised that I liked this after reading the reviews below. It is a very subtle color and does not cover acne. It does, however, minimize red skin tone and give a non orange glow. Definitely not for full coverage, but a good one for your minimal makeup days.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

orchestrated19 on 10/15/2010 2:45:00 PM more reviews by orchestrated19

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

I like using this liquid makeup when I'm trying to keep my regimen lightweight (say, if I'm having major acne problems). The only issue I have with it, however, is that it doesn't cover up acne well AT ALL. Think about it: it blends into whatever color it touches, so naturally, if it touches a red zit it's going to stay red. It's not very good for covering up blemishes or anything, but it's a good choice for if you want minimal coverage and, of course, if you're sick of having to experiment with different colors before finding the right one.

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kookoobird on 10/14/2010 10:48:00 AM more reviews by kookoobird

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

Bought the Fair version-was too dark for my skin-looked orange and very greasy.

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kperr073 on 10/12/2010 11:40:00 AM more reviews by kperr073

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

Did not like this product! Was so disappointed because I always buy Almay eye products, and they're great!

This provided no coverage whatsoever, and I'm fair skinned + sensitive skin.

I have no problem paying 40-50$ for something I know works for me!

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*TOP REVIEWER* KatieRoxx on 9/28/2010 5:08:00 PM more reviews by KatieRoxx

Age: 36-43   Skin: Normal, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Purchased the formula for fair skin. Color starts to change as soon as it hits your fingertips. It's extremely sheer as far as coverage goes, even when applied straight to skin with no moisturizer or primer on it. I have normal to dry skin and do feel like my face is a bit greasy when this is on, so I don't see how it would work well for anyone who has combination normal/oily or straight up oily skin. This is good enough if you want a foundation that is very sheer for an almost "no makeup" type look, but I definitely prefer better coverage for minor imperfections like sun spots and this foundation makes me have to use a lot of concealor to hide those imperfections. Definitely need to blend it very well around the jaw line and temples. I've noticed some streaks and it can turn a funky shade quickly if you don't work fast and let it sit on your skin (almost like a Fake & Bake). Would not buy again.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* donnahsueh on 9/26/2010 8:35:00 PM more reviews by donnahsueh

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

I was REALLY REALLY disappointed with this foundation. I absolutely LOVED it the first few times I used it. The color matched my skin well and it blended nicely. After that, every time i used it, it turned into this dark ugly orange color. I have no idea why it did that. I didn't have a choice but to throw it away. I probably used it max. of 5 times.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

tiffanyglasser on 9/15/2010 4:43:00 PM more reviews by tiffanyglasser

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

This foundation is okay. Not amazing but it does work pretty well. I purchased the foundation in light/medium shade and it blends really easily. The color does adjust, as it says it does. The only I noticed is, there is an orange-ish undertone of this color, so I think i'm going to try the lighter shade next time I buy it. It gives light to medium coverage. Definitely not full coverage foundation. I apply a powder foundation over this for better coverage. All in all, it's decent for the price and easy to use. It pretty much blends itself and i'll buy it again.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

ladyluella on 9/5/2010 11:35:00 PM more reviews by ladyluella

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Black   Eyes: Green    

absolutely complete waste of money. this is one, if not the worst, foundations i have ever tried. it's sheer and feels oily. it made my face feel dirty. i will never recommend this foundation to anyone and i will probably never buy another almay product because of this. i also paid $13 for it.. i could have splurged a few more dollars and bought something from a department store for that price. i am highly disappointed in my purchase.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

amski09 on 8/13/2010 6:04:00 PM more reviews by amski09

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

Ok. I've experimented a lot with this product since I've used it for so long. A lot of people on here wrote that there is no coverage. I agree IF you wear a moisturizer or something under it. When I put it on over bare skin I got a nice color match, and light coverage. As soon as I put something under it (moisturizer, acne medication, etc) it seems like the color disappears and turns out MUCH lighter than it is supposed to. I have a love hate relationship with this foundation. I didn't like the fact that it was the only thing I could put on my skin in order for the color/coverage to come out ok, but I really did like how light it felt and how natural it looked. Sometimes when it's running low and I'm about to run out of the foundation, it seems that all the color particles clump together and you get streaks of really dark color. I probably won't buy this again, there are better products out there.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* TiffanieJean on 8/9/2010 3:49:00 PM more reviews by TiffanieJean

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Cool   Hair: Red, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Grey    

This was one of (if not the) worst liquid foundation I have ever owned...


I have vary fair skin, and even the lightest shade looked too dark and orange on me. It was very disappointing, because as I would work the product onto my face it would slowly get worse.


The other major problem I have with this stuff is that it made my face very shiny and oily. If I tried to put a little powder on top it would instantly cake... Not a good look.


I used this foundation maybe 5 times and now it just sits in my overflow makeup basket.. Total waste of money.

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ImaJedi on 8/7/2010 10:27:00 PM more reviews by ImaJedi

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I did NOT mind this at all. Actually - I kind of like it. I mix it with my Revlon Colorstay Active foundation for some extra staying power and feel it's okay!
It didn't oil me up, and it stayed put on my skin.

Alone, I'm not sure I would like it as much, but it works.

A lot of people hate the fact that the "smart shade technology" doesn't work for them, but I'm one of the lucky few where the actual color you end up with does match my VERY warm toned skin.

It's alright. I like it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

LCMakeup on 8/4/2010 2:08:00 AM more reviews by LCMakeup

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Black, Kinky, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

This stuff is junk! Firstly, I don't care what kind of 'technology' it has in it, it looks like someone spilt dirt in a face cream before you apply it. When you do apply it, it turns into a streaky orange mess. It's horrible and doesn't even have good coverage. Never ever re-purchasing.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

mylalaland1o on 8/4/2010 1:10:00 AM more reviews by mylalaland1o

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Oily, Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Black    

Let me start off by saying W O W ! ! ! So many people dislike this with a passion it surprised me. I understand that it isn't one of the best foundations out there but it also is not the worst. I like it. As far as the coverage it is light to medium and somewhat build able. It also has SPF so that is a plus for me. Yes it has the tendency to turn pinkish sometimes for me but that has also happened to me with other VERY liked foundations (Revlon Colorstay for example). BUT the staying power for this is minimal for me. My skin gets oily during the summer so this foundation can look pretty unattractive after four to five hours even with a primer. It would probably work better during the winter or fall. Because of the minimal staying power I have to say I would not repurchase again.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

doipreston on 8/1/2010 11:58:00 AM more reviews by doipreston

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Red   Eyes: Blue    

I really wanted to like this foundation but there were just waaaay too many problems with it. First of all, the coverage is so sheer it's more like a tinted moisturiser than a foundation. Secondly, it really highlighted dry patches. Also, and perhaps this is the most important point of all, it doesn't match my skin tone! I have it in the lightest shade and it still goes on slightly orange! There's no way I'll even use this up, nevermind buy it again.

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tuttbag on 7/29/2010 8:02:00 PM more reviews by tuttbag

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Other    

it does blend into the your shade but its not good for cover up. definitely not the best foundation ive tried

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nurseypills on 7/28/2010 10:12:00 PM more reviews by nurseypills

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brown, Straight, Coarse   Eyes: Hazel    

I bought this stuff because I have an in-between skin tone that is hard to match- it is very fair, but still nowhere NEAR as light as the pale-white "ivory" tones in the lightest colors. I saw this product that claimed to match the wearer's "true shade"; plus, they actually carried it in the light/medium combo that sometimes works with me & sometimes doesn't. I thought that I had finally found the one brand of liquid foundation that did not either leave me school-glue white or pumpkin-orange. Guess what happened, though?

You guessed it. Pumpkin-orange- and oilier than a clown in greasepaint. It would not even come off with soap & hot water. Disgusting.

Full-priced to boot. I am through with cheap drugstore foundations. This is the last straw.

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HannahxMakeup on 7/22/2010 4:50:00 PM more reviews by HannahxMakeup

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I bought this in shade light/medium 200. Luckily, I bought it in a value set at Big Lots along with the smart shade concealer for 6.00

So thankfully, I didn't pay full price because this stuff is ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE. The concealer, on the other hand is great but the foundation is just horrible! It starts off a white, opaque color with tiny black beads and as you blend it in, it just turns ORANGE. I've never had a problem with foundation being orange one me but I just happened to wear this to school and didn't notice until I was almost there. I do know it just washed off with water but I will NOT rebuy or retry this product (only used it once).

I do like the packaging though, super easy and sanitary to just disperse what you need but the actual product is absolutely horrible. BEWARE OF BUYING.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No