Hey there, beauty lovers! So I’ve been testing out the Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Instant Perfector 4-In-1 Glow Makeup in Medium for a few weeks now, and I’ve got THOUGHTS. If you’re considering buying this, grab a coffee and let’s chat about whether this product is worth your hard-earned cash.
First Impressions & Packaging
The Instant Perfector comes in Maybelline’s signature Age Rewind packaging – that sponge-tipped applicator we’re all familiar with from their concealer. It’s definitely travel-friendly, which is a huge plus for me since I’m always doing my makeup on the go.
BUT… right off the bat, I noticed some issues with the applicator. Several other users mentioned this too – the sponge is pretty thin, and some people complained about getting poked by the tube inside. Not exactly what you want when you’re trying to do a quick makeup application!
One user mentioned: “From the outside, it looked like a product I could like but it was difficult to open… and once opened the applicator is a joke.” Yeah, I feel that frustration.
Some people even received products that looked previously opened or damaged. One review said: “Zero stars. Absolutely disgusted. How does a product come used? A very obvious peeled off sticker on the bottle. No seal on it.” That’s just unacceptable and honestly pretty gross.
The Formula – Light but… Shimmery?
Okay, let’s talk about what’s inside. This product markets itself as a 4-in-1, supposedly acting as a primer, concealer, foundation, and highlighter all at once. That’s a BIG claim!
The coverage is definitely on the lighter side. If you’re looking for something to completely cover blemishes or dark spots, this isn’t it. One reviewer put it perfectly: “It offers me no coverage and I did not like the feel of it on my skin.”
What NOBODY warned me about was the shimmer. This product has a definite glow/sparkle effect that isn’t mentioned prominently in the marketing. Some reviews were pretty blunt about this:
- “No coverage at all… it looks like you just put body glitters on your skin”
- “Bought this in hope to find Charlotte Tilbury dupe. This is not it… Will only give glitters to your skin.”
- “I didn’t know this had glow/sparkle to it. I wanted the normal foundation, not this.”
- “Basically a highlighter, that is all.”
If you’re into the dewy, glowy look, you might actually love this. One happy customer shared: “It’s a gorgeous all over face filtering glow… It looks natural. I’m obsessed!” Another said: “I am pleasantly surprised with this product… I loved how this included highlighter stuff in the foundation. It has my skin looking dewy and youthful.”
But if you prefer a more matte finish? Run away NOW!
Consistency Issues
The consistency seems to be really hit or miss. Many reviewers complained about it being too watery:
- “This makeup should be thick full coverage. It is watery & messy.”
- “Yellow liquidly, runny, no coverage, I had to keep shaking it to blend all the products.”
- “The consistency is like water, even if you shake the bottle.”
- “All the time some water kind of stuff comes out and it’s not doing anything to my face except adding glitters.”
One reviewer had a particularly bad experience: “Before applying, I tried shaking it to mix, but it’s still watery and separated and was dripping down my face when trying to apply. It got on my clothes as I was dabbing it on my face under my eyes.” Yikes!
Color Match Problems
The shade range is VERY limited, and many people found that the Medium shade runs darker than expected:
- “I ordered this and was skeptical about the color adjustment to each person… this was darker than I expected.”
- “It says Medium but trust me it is way darker than medium.”
- “First of all, it is not the same color it is much too dark.”
- “The color was way darker then I thought it would be.”
- “Pay attention to the color you pick. I got one for a very dark skin color.”
One user who loves the product even mentioned: “I ordered the shade medium and it was way darker in person but it’s not super pigmented so still works great for me.”
A common complaint was that the foundation oxidizes quickly: “This formula oxidizes very quickly and makes it evident you are wearing what looks like heavy foundation.”
Application Experience
For the people who liked this product, the ease of application was a big selling point:
- “I love this as it goes on smoothly and really fast!”
- “This is a great foundation! Light moisturizing easy to apply.”
- “I seem to always wait until the last bleeding moment to apply my makeup for an occasion. Thank goodness for this foundation from Maybelline with a built in sponge… It applies very easily and is very forgiving.”
But getting the product out of the applicator seems problematic for many:
- “The dispenser does not work, it turns and it does not work, there is no way to remove the product.”
- “I’m not happy with my purchase. The liquid doesn’t flow well to the sponge area and I can’t even try this product on my face.”
- “Difficult to get product out of the sponge on top!”
Some people did find a workaround: “You only need a little bit at a time, you turn the bottom and more product will come out of the sponge on top.” But this seems inconsistent.
Wearability & Lasting Power
For those who found their perfect match and application method, the wear experience seems decent:
- “This is my staple makeup product!! It goes on so well and lasts all day, doesn’t feel heavy or oily!”
- “Natural finish formula provides a flawless finish, covering blemishes and uneven skin tone effortlessly. My skin looks perfect all day without feeling heavy.”
But others had issues with how long it lasts:
- “The color didn’t last like the matte version, I like the dewey glow but it fades fast.”
One review mentioned a burning sensation: “The moment I applied it on my face I could feel it started burning all over. Took 5 minutes to settle down. Despite having applied it over moisturizer.” That’s concerning and definitely something to be aware of if you have sensitive skin.
Value for Money
At its price point, some users felt it was a good deal compared to high-end alternatives:
- “I think everyone knows Maybelline brand as they have very good quality makeup products with very affordable and reasonable prices. This Instant Perfector 4-In-1 Glow without any doubts is one of their best products ever and it’s even better than some high end brands.”
- “Love the product and price. Definitely better than the store.”
But others felt cheated:
- “No coverage at all… Waste of money. Wish I can put no stars for this product!”
- “Bought this in hope to find Charlotte Tilbury dupe. This is not it. Terrible application… Asked for refund.”
Who This Product Is ACTUALLY For
After sifting through all these reviews, it’s clear this product has a very specific audience:
- Makeup beginners: “If you are new to makeup then go ahead and buy it. Gives clear and clean finish to skin.” and “I really like the 4 in 1 foundation. It’s good product if you makeup beginners.”
- People who want very light coverage: “It’s light coverage, but does more than a tinted serum or moisturizer.”
- Those who love a dewy, glowy look: “This is really great for no makeup makeup look. So light weight shimmery and gives a very smooth finish.”
- Mature skin that doesn’t want heaviness: “Getting older and I don’t want to look all Cakey, this is my everyday now and it gives you a glowing light finish.”
One reviewer summed it up well: “I really love this product. I am not apply too much makeup because I don’t know much about it. These product is game changer for me. Give natural look and easy to use.”
The Final Verdict
Look, this is NOT a one-size-fits-all product. If you’re expecting full coverage or a matte finish, you’ll be disappointed. If you hate shimmer, stay away!
But if you want something quick and easy for a natural, glowy look, and don’t mind the limited shade range, this might be worth trying. Just be prepared for potential issues with the applicator and formula consistency.
For me personally? It’s a 3/5 stars product. It does what it claims for the most part (gives a glow!) but falls short on being a true 4-in-1 product. The coverage is minimal, the shade range is problematic, and the applicator design needs serious improvement.
Would I recommend it to a friend? Only if they specifically wanted a glowy tint with minimal coverage and didn’t mind some sparkle. Otherwise, there are better options out there!
Have you tried this? I’d love to hear your experience in the comments below! 💄✨
Buy on Amazon: Here
