Almay • Smart Shade Smart Shade Anti-aging SPF 20 • Foundations
(63 reviews)
| Average Rating. | 3.4 |
| Would buy this product again. | 55% |
| Package Quality | 3.9 |
| Price | 2.7 |
| Ingredients | |
Lettucehead on 4/21/2013 9:55:00 AM more reviews by Lettucehead
Age: 36-43 Skin: Normal, Fair Hair: Blond Eyes: Green
Nice texture.
Light to light-medium coverage.
Has SPF.
Bottle is very functional and provides an adequate amount of product with a light squeeze.
Product doesn't feel 'mask-like'
I totally would have bought this again!
BUT!
I have very fair skin with pink undertones and this product ends up orange on me. Yuck.
And I really wanted it to work too... :`(
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
BubblyWater on 4/21/2013 8:14:00 AM more reviews by BubblyWater
Age: 30-35 Skin: Other Hair: Other Eyes: Other
Amazing! MUFE F&B has been the only liquid foundation I have liked...until now!!
Light to medium coverage, doesn't emphasize flakes, crease or pool in pores. Goes on like a dream and wears well all day with a healthy dewy finish that doesn't look the least bit greasy.
Love, love, love!!
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ZenArcade on 4/10/2013 5:47:00 PM more reviews by ZenArcade
Age: 36-43 Skin: Sensitive, Fair Hair: Brown Eyes: Blue
I don't use foundation every day, and I've never had one that felt like my "go-to" product -- until now, I think! I am quite pleased I tried the anti-aging version of Almay's Smart Shade foundation. I dislike heavy foundations (and I don't actually need heavy coverage), so something like this is perfect -- it provides medium coverage but feels non-existent. I like it better than Almay's regular Smart Shade product (for whatever reason, that doesn't mimic my skintone as well) or Neutrogena Glow Sheer. This also gets points for the tube packaging -- it keeps things nice and sanitary, and takes up minimal space in my makeup drawer.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
drawntomusic on 1/20/2013 6:14:00 PM more reviews by drawntomusic
Age: 30-35 Skin: Combination, Fair Hair: Brunette Eyes: Hazel
This foundation makes my skin look amazing!! I have very fair (nc15) that is normal/dry and acne prone. I always seem to have trouble finding the right shade, coverage, and finish that looked natural and flawless. The smart shade anti aging foundation, in shade light, gives me medium coverage with a lovely neutral undertone and a healthy glow. It looks good all day and leaves my skin very soft. I will be buying this as long as Almay makes it!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Merry_Dove on 12/31/2012 12:03:00 PM more reviews by Merry_Dove
Age: 56 & Over Skin: Combination Hair: Blond Eyes: Brown
I am sure this will be discontinued since I love it so much. You do have to blend it in fast with your fingers. It goes on nicely over Neutrogena moisturizer. The light color matches my pale skin for the winter months and the light medium color works great during the summer. The best thing about it is it absolutely does NOT emphasize pores or lines or set in creases! Virtually every make-up I try will do one or the other...or all. I get compliments ALL the time on how I have no wrinkles! I do.....people just can't notice them with this make-up. It's definitely a tinted moisturizer and not a foundation. It covers fairly well but I don't have a lot of spots to cover. I will continue to buy it as long as it is on the market!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
HWL on 10/22/2012 12:10:00 PM more reviews by HWL
Age: 44-55 Skin: Very Dry, Fair Hair: Brown Eyes: Blue
Nice packaging. It, or course, doesn't match your color. I got the lightest and looked sort yellow, like I was sick or jaundiced, not like I was a little bit tan. It's really luck if you find a color that matches your skin and there are only 4. I expected it would pass better, but not have the best coverage. It's a bit confusing to put on if you are pale, as it's hard to see the white. You don't have long to blend either, as it sets fast. However, if you do a bit a time with your fingers, you will get an even spread. I'd say it gives medium to light coverage. Goes on easy and felt pretty nice. When I took it off it was orange and dark on the kleenex. I can't speak to the other shades. I think if you found a good match this, this might be cool for days you don't need a lot of coverage. It's a bit pricey at $13 for a drugstore brand, but would last a long time I think.
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jammer72 on 10/18/2012 11:15:00 AM more reviews by jammer72
Age: 56 & Over Skin: Combination Hair: Brunette Eyes: Green
Guess I was expecting alot more from this "makeup" other than some dewyness. The anti-aging thing is merely the spf sunscreen with very minimal color enhancement, thus the smart shade match. I wear a higher level sunscreen than this everyday so I was hoping for alittle more oomph in the overall finish. Seems like I could create this foundation myself by using my heavier sunscreen with alittle liquid foundation mixed in. Like I said, guess I was expecting more than this delivers. And it's pricy for what you get. Returning pronto!
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demureninja on 8/7/2012 12:31:00 PM more reviews by demureninja
Age: 30-35 Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium Eyes: Hazel
I'm so glad I listened to the positive reviews on here and gave this product a shot--this is the best tinted moisturized I've found! It was about $13 USD which seems a bit much for a drugstore brand, but after using it, I realize the product will last me a looong time--you only need a little. I love the tube packaging--super portable, closes securely, and you can squeeze out the exact amount you want. I purchased the light/medium color since my typically fair skin is a bit tan in the summer, and the color matches perfectly! I do notice a slight shimmer, but I believe this helps blend imperfections.
I like the SPF 20, and this product has not broken out or irritated my typically sensitive skin. Coverage is light, but I find I can layer the product to make it heavier where I need more. I usually use a foundation brush with foundations, but for this, blending with my fingers is easiest since the makeup seems to "set" quickly once its on my skin.
The only drawback with this product is that after a few hours my skin gets a little too "dewy" and I need to blot the shine with some powder or blotting papers. Overall, I like the natural look it imparts, the color match is great, and it's so easy to take with me and apply easily on the go! This is my go-to foundation for now!
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*TOP REVIEWER* Matillyrose on 7/19/2012 12:07:00 AM more reviews by Matillyrose
Age: 44-55 Skin: Dry, Fair Hair: Brown Eyes: Green
I purchased this in Light and Light/Medium because I wasn't sure how it would blend in with my skin tone.
It comes out an offwhite colour and quickly oxidises on your skin rather like asian BB cream does.
I am very fair and usually use the lightest shades in foundation but the Light gave me no coverage at all.
Med/Light was fine, blends in well and matches my skin tone, I find it to be a sheer foundation with not as much coverage as I would like,it did not cover the redness on my skin.
It did make my skin look healthy and left it glowing which was quite pretty but as for anti-ageing, I did not notice any minimising of lines or wrinkles.
This is an OK foundation which I will use during the day out and about because of the SPF20.
I am not impressed enough or agree with its claims to repurchase.
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rebsays on 6/7/2012 11:22:00 AM more reviews by rebsays
Age: 25-29 Skin: Acne-prone, Olive Hair: Brunette Eyes: Brown
I'm a big fan of this product. I don't need the anti-aging properties, and still love it. I normally mix it in with a moisturizer and apply it to my face like a moisturizer. It gives a nice light coverage that blends in great and is comfortable to wear. I never wear it alone, so I can't comment on what that is like. This is my everyday foundation and gives a bit of coverage while looking completely natural.
For people who don't want a natural look, this is the stuff for you :)
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starfishnet on 5/24/2012 5:01:00 AM more reviews by starfishnet
Age: 36-43 Skin: Sensitive, Medium, Warm Hair: Brown, Straight, Medium Eyes: Brown
I am horribly sensitive and unpredictably break out prone. I bought this after reading the reviews here in MUA. I liked what I read and I liked the ingredients list. It contains a physical sunscreen and several peptides. I was hoping to use this to replace my Clinique City Block Sheer SPF 25, to even out my skin tone. I only used it once so I can't say for sure if it'll contribute to acne or sensitivity. It goes on an ashy color and transforms to nude to blend with your skin. It felt light and non-greasy. Fragrance-Free. However, I realized the Light/medium shade was darker (or tan-ner) than I thought. I also noticed the micro-shimmery aspect to it. I don't understand why companies are adding shimmer to all their products. NOT EVERYBODY wants shimmer all over their face. If I don't break out, I will continue to use.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
chellelynn on 5/19/2012 11:49:00 AM more reviews by chellelynn
Age: 25-29 Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Cool Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium Eyes: Brown
I love this product! It goes on smooth and it provides light to medium coverage which is enough to even out my skin tone. I love it because it's not as heavy as a normal foundation, but it provides more coverage than the average tinted moisturizer.
This product is amazing because initially it comes out of the tube as a white/gray color, but once you apply it to your face it changes color to match your skin. It's great because the coverage adjusts to your skin tone so it looks super natural! This product takes away the work of trying to perfectly match a foundation to your skin tone. I bought the light/medium shade and I have light/beige skin with cool undertones and the color looks wonderful.
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Margie23a on 3/10/2012 5:34:00 PM more reviews by Margie23a
Age: 44-55 Skin: Dry, Fair Hair: Brown Eyes: Blue
I tried the original Smart Shade foundation when it first came out, but ended up returning it for reasons that I can't even remember now. I am a light-skinned female in my late 40's with dry skin and up until recently, I had been using the CoverGirl ageless foundation with great success. Maybe my skin has changed, but recently it just was not looking that great on me. So, I googled "best anti-aging foundations" and came upon the Almay anti-aging one. I decided to give it a try and I am very impressed. I don't really have many lines to cover up, but my skin is not an even tone and I do have a lot off freckles which I like to cover for the most part. It was very easy to apply, left a nice smooth and soft finish and, although I added a light dusting of powder, I probably won't add power tomorrow when I put it on in the morning. It was about $14 at CVS, and I had several Extra Care bucks to use, plus a coupon so it ended up costing me only about $7. I did see it at Ulta yesterday for @ $11. I love the tube that helps you control how much you use -- and you don't need much. After 6 hours of putting it on, it still looks great -- not like I just applied it, but I still look "polished" and it does not really look like I have any makeup on -- although it does not look "bare skinned." Would recommend this highly! Not giving it 5 stars, because I have not had it that long and I rarely give anything 5 stars anyway. :)
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abbeyainscal1 on 3/9/2012 7:13:00 AM more reviews by abbeyainscal1
Age: 44-55 Skin: Combination Hair: Brunette Eyes: Brown
I happen to think this stuff is great. I tried it probably when I had a coupon or it was on sale and I absolutely love it. I used light to medium and I don't find it to be at all orangey, in fact, that's what I am most thrilled about.
And, I really do think it makes my skin very smooth looking and even toned without a big foundation build up.
I'm happy with it and I will buy it again.
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sabrinalovesmakeup on 3/5/2012 8:43:00 PM more reviews by sabrinalovesmakeup
Age: 19-24 Skin: Very Dry, Fair Hair: Blond Eyes: Blue
Im very fair and I heard all the rave on YouTube about this foundation so I decided to try it because it clams that it matches your skin tone 100% but it's sure doesn't! It's a gray/white Constance and after you blend it out it starts to have a little color but it look very splotchy on the skin and it doesn't blend well and I used my hands and my sigma f80 to find which one would better apply it and both ways made me look orange and like I had some kind of facial problem from all the splotches!!I think its a very cool idea to have a foundation that could match the skin perfectly but it needs a lot more work! I wont never buy this again or recommend It to anyone!!!
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*TOP REVIEWER* incognito on 3/4/2012 9:09:00 PM more reviews by incognito
Age: 36-43 Skin: Dry, Fair, Neutral Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium Eyes: Hazel
I'm pretty hard to please when it comes to cosmetics - my typical rating on MUA is around 2 lippies LOL - so when I give something a 5, that's saying a lot! I've bought this several times now in the Light shade, which matches my NC15 skin perfectly. I love that it has non-chemical SPF20, and that it doesn't contain parabens (unlike all the other Almay Smart Shade foundations). I haven't noticed any sparkles/glitter (like other reviewers have mentioned), and I'm pretty sensitive to that since I usually wear this for my healthcare job where I don't want to look like I'm going clubbing. There is a very slight fragrance to this foundation upon 1st application, which quickly goes away. It provides medium coverage and doesn't accentuate pores. And I love the packaging!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
kparcell on 2/15/2012 9:48:00 PM more reviews by kparcell
Age: 36-43 Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown
Oh my, I love this stuff. I have been searching for a light foundation that provides coverage without emphasizing my fine lines and this stuff works. It comes out kind of whitish gray and then magically transforms to your skin tone shade. I apply with my fingertips and it blends wonderfully. I use the light/medium shade and feel like it's a little too light when I first put it on but within 5 minutes its a perfect match. I have the powder too but am not a big fan of the powder. This foundation is awesome though-kind of like a tinted moisturizer but better. Highly recommend and hope they never quit making this stuff!
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mrsfrost83 on 1/31/2012 4:58:00 PM more reviews by mrsfrost83
Age: 19-24 Skin: Sensitive, Fair Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine Eyes: Brown
I like certain things about this foundation, but the cons outweigh the pros. It turns orange even when I got the lightest shade. It has glitter in it! How does that work out for people with wrinkles? (Since it claims to be anti-aging). It's hard to apply since it just seems to get absorbed right into my skin the second I apply it. I expected the tube to last at least a month, but it will last maybe just under that. It has very good coverage I think, but I prefer a more natural look. This kind of ruins that by the orange factor and glitter. lol Overall it doesn't work great for me, and I won't be buying it again. But for someone that isn't so pale, it may be perfect. Hope this helps someone.
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*TOP REVIEWER* georgia21 on 12/29/2011 5:30:00 PM more reviews by georgia21
Age: 56 & Over Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Warm Hair: Red, Wavy, Medium Eyes: Brown
This is a more moisturizing formula than the original Smart Shade Makeup, so it's better for my dry skin. The coverage is a little too heavy.
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theanginator on 11/23/2011 7:50:00 PM more reviews by theanginator
Age: 25-29 Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool Hair: Blond, Relaxed Eyes: Blue
I have worn this twice now and I'm not a big fan. First, the the light shade (100) doesn't match my fair skin. After I'm finished applying it I look super pale with a grey tint which gives me a sort of flat ghostly appearance. Also, when I caught a glimpse of myself in bright light I noticed tiny flecks of sparkles. It's subtle but nonetheless not what I want in my makeup. On the flip side however, it is moisturizing and does contain SPF 20 which is why I bought this in the first place. I have played around with it a bit and have found it works well if I use a small amount over the top of my other foundation giving me an ultra made up look. However, having to put on foundation twice seems a little excessive to me. This will be getting returned to the store. I would like to try Revlon's version of smart shade and see if their colors are any better.