Hey beauty lovers! Today I’m sharing my FULL experience with Maybelline’s Instant Age Rewind Perfector in Deep. I’ve been testing this for weeks now, and wow, I have some THOUGHTS.
First Impressions & Packaging
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room – OPENING THIS THING IS A NIGHTMARE! Seriously, I almost returned it before even trying it. Based on multiple reviews I’ve seen, I’m definitely not alone here. There’s apparently something called an “enlever” that needs to be removed, but the instructions are practically microscopic. I ended up attacking it with everything from my nails to kitchen tools (not my proudest moment).
Once you actually get it open (if you have the patience), there’s another hurdle – getting the product to flow. You need to shake it A LOT, and even then, some people reported the product simply wouldn’t come out. One user mentioned “8quid is not flowing from the bottle” which suggests some bottles might have dispensing issues.
Texture & Application
When you FINALLY get the product flowing, the texture is surprisingly lightweight – so light that some users mentioned they “didn’t believe it was coming out of the bottle.” This is actually a huge plus for me. Nothing worse than cakey makeup that feels like a mask!
The formula is extremely fluid – which makes it versatile but also potentially tricky. It’s definitely not a full-coverage concealer, so don’t expect it to completely hide blemishes or dark spots. It’s more like a light veil that adds a subtle effect.
Application is best done with fingers or a damp beauty blender. I found that brushes tend to make it streak a bit. The product blends amazingly well with minimal effort.
Color & Finish
The Deep shade has a true brown tone that many users seem to love, especially as an alternative to orange-toned bronzers. Even pale-skinned users reported that it “blends out beautifully” when used as a bronzer or contour.
The finish is somewhat controversial! Some reviews mentioned a “nice matte finish,” while others described it as quite shiny. Based on the feedback, if you have oily skin, you might want to approach with caution. One user specifically mentioned, “I dislike the color, and shine! I already have oily skin so it didn’t work out for me.”
There’s also a French review that mentions the finish is quite shiny (“le finis est assez brillant”) and recommends using concealer and setting with powder to avoid highlighting skin texture issues.
Versatility & Uses
What’s really interesting about this product is how versatile people find it:
- As a foundation – Provides light coverage with a natural finish
- As a bronzer/contour – The Deep shade works amazingly for this
- As a highlighter – The glow factor makes it work as a subtle highlight
- As a primer – Some use it under other products for added luminosity
I personally LOVE it as a contour! It gives that perfect shadow without looking muddy or orange. For everyday use, I apply a tiny amount on my cheekbones, jawline, and around the temples.
Longevity
Good news on this front! Multiple reviews mentioned this product is “very long lasting.” I’ve worn it through 8-hour workdays and it still looks good by evening. It doesn’t seem to separate on the skin or oxidize much throughout the day.
However, I do find it performs better with a light dusting of setting powder, especially if you have combination or oily skin.
Value & Availability
This seems to be a product people WANT to repurchase when they like it. One reviewer mentioned being “disappointed I couldn’t reorder” but was eventually able to find it in stores. This suggests it might sometimes be hard to find, which is frustrating for a drugstore product!
Skin Sensitivity Concerns
An important note – one reviewer (in French) mentioned experiencing itchiness with this product. If you have sensitive skin, you might want to patch test first or apply it over a concealer to create a barrier.
Who Should Try This?
- People looking for a LIGHTWEIGHT makeup option
- Those wanting a versatile product for multiple uses
- Anyone seeking a natural-looking bronzer/contour
- Normal to dry skin types
Who Should Skip This?
- Very oily skin types (unless you’re willing to powder heavily)
- Those needing high coverage
- People with extremely sensitive skin
- Anyone who gets frustrated easily with packaging (seriously!)
Pro Tips Based on User Feedback
- Shake the bottle VIGOROUSLY before each use
- Use a small amount – a little goes a long way
- For oily skin, set with powder
- Try it as a contour even if you’re pale – it might surprise you!
- For sensitive skin, apply over concealer
Final Thoughts
The Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Instant Perfector 4-In-1 Glow Makeup in Deep is honestly a product I have a love/hate relationship with. The packaging and opening mechanism are INFURIATING, but the product inside? Pretty impressive for the price point.
If Maybelline would just fix the packaging issues, this would be a solid 4.5/5 product. As it stands, I’d give it a 3.5/5 simply because the struggle to open and dispense it is real!
Would I repurchase? Yes, but I’d be grumbling the whole time I’m trying to open the new one! The versatility and natural finish are worth the initial frustration for me.
Have you tried this? I’d love to hear how YOU use it and if you found any tricks to opening it without losing your mind! 😂
Summary Breakdown
PROS:
- Extremely lightweight formula
- Versatile (works as foundation, contour, highlighter)
- Natural-looking finish
- Blends effortlessly
- Long-lasting wear
- True brown tone (not orange)
- Works well even on pale skin as contour
CONS:
- NIGHTMARE to open (seriously, Maybelline, fix this!)
- Dispensing issues
- May be too shiny for oily skin
- Not enough coverage for blemishes
- May cause sensitivity for some
- Can be hard to find in stock
VERDICT: A potentially fantastic product trapped in frustrating packaging. Worth trying if you have the patience to get to the product inside!
Buy on Amazon: Here
