When I bought this product, I didn't really need a new foundation but this particular product was too unusual and eye catching to ignore. So on my most recent visit to Boots I found myself purchasing the Instant Anti Age Foundation by Maybelline.

What does the product do?
The foundation claims to serve a multitude of purposes. Its first job is to conceal imperfections and to make the complexion looks flawless and healthy. Its second job is to help disguise the signs of tiredness and aging by filling in wrinkles and fine lines which should make you look more youthful. Its third purpose is to stop the skin from aging further prematurely and to protect it from any more damage.

How does the product work?
The product helps to fill in wrinkles and fine line using a special applicator which is attached to the bottle. The foundation protects the skin because it contains SPF 18 so if worn daily, the face will be constantly protected from the sun at all times which will help stop premature aging. Collagen is also included which will plump up the skin and reduce the appearance of any wrinkles or fine lines. The superfood Goji Berry is included which is packed full of antioxidants so it helps to remove skin aging toxins from the face. They also nourish and strengthen the skin leaving it healthier and in a better condition.

Available Shades
There aren't many shades available which is a bug bear of mine because I don't see how all the women who want to use this product can fit into about six shades. The shades have been given self explanatory names including Nude, Sun Beige and Fawn. My skin is very pale so I chose Ivory just to be on the safe side.

How do you use the product?
The product is to be used in the same way as a normal foundation in that it needs to be applied to skin that has been cleansed, moisturised and primed. In order to get the product working on the very first application, you need to twist the top of the bottle a fair few times before the foundation is released. After that, a three or four twists is enough for each area of the face. You need to use the sponge at the top of the bottle to apply the product to the face and then blend the foundation in with your fingers. If you don't like to shine, then you'll need to follow up with a mattifying powder.

Packaging and Price
The product comes in a see through bottle so you can see the foundation inside. On the bottle there is some extra information about the product which tells you what you can expect from it. The top of the bottle is a pearly burgundy colour and this is the part of the bottle that you twist in order to release the foundation. At the very top of the bottle is a rounded sponge applicator through which the foundation is released. The sponge is protected by a clear lid.

The product costs around £8 and it can sometimes be found on offer. You can buy the product from department stores such as Boots and Superdrug, large supermarkets and you can also buy it from a variety of online websites.

Application
The product is easy to apply to the face using the sponge although some of the foundation will be wasted and I'm not sure how hygienic it is to keep rubbing something on my face which can't be washed. You also need to make sure the lid is on securely so that you don't get dried up foundation stuck in the sponge. The foundation quite thick and creamy but it does glide onto the face quite well. It is easy to blend in but you do have to do use your fingers as the sponge doesn't work for this purpose.

Performance
The foundation gives a good coverage and is thick enough to cover imperfections and dark circles beneath the eyes. It has quite a silky consistency that gives you time to blend and it has a fairly shiny finish so for people who like a matte complexion, this may not be up your street. The colour matches my skin quite well. As for the filling in of the wrinkles and fine lines claim, I'm not so sure. It doesn't have much work to do on my face as I only have some faint laughter lines coming but it doesn't really make a difference to them and they are just as pronounced by the end of the day.

My skin doesn't seem any more plumped up due to the collagen or any healthier thanks to the Goji Berries. One of my favourite things about this product is the high sunscreen. I haven't had change to find out whether it would stop me burning but it's brilliant to know that my skin is protected daily and also that I can use this instead of a heavy, greasy sunscreen which would cause me to have spots.

Conclusion
All in all, this is a good foundation in that it gives good coverage that is long lasting and it hides imperfections and dark circles under the eyes. As for the other claims, I'm not sure this actually makes any difference at all to fine line and wrinkles, and doesn't plump my skin. I don't think it's ideal for those with oily skin like mine either unless you intend to use the product with a mattifying powder. That being said, this works well as a foundation with the added benefit of having sun protection. Just don't expect it to make you look any younger.