Hi friends!
Well, it’s review time. Back in December you may remember that I visited the CoverGirl flagship store in NYC, and snagged a few products for free (read the full story by clicking the first link below); I’m very lucky that the Clean Liquid Foundation was one of them. I’ve been testing this formula out since then so I’m ready to present you with my thoughts & opinions now! So let’s get into it.
(Just FYI, this is not about the matte/oil-free or the sensitive skin versions.)
Read this: I went to the new CoverGirl flagship store in NYC!
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Let your natural beauty shine through with COVERGIRL Clean Liquid Makeup! Clean Makeup’s water-based foundation noncomedogenic formula lets your skin breathe, goes on easily, and blends perfectly, so the world doesn’t see makeup, just the look of great skin. COVERGIRL Clean Liquid Makeup is also available in Sensitive Skin and Oil Control formulas.
CoverGirl website
PRODUCT BENEFITS
Water based foundation. Goes on easily and blends perfectly. Available in matte and sensitive formulas.
CoverGirl website
HOW I Apply THIS PRODUCT
I like to dab medium-sized dots of this on the areas I want coverage (generally around the T-zone), and then blend in circular motions with my fingers. I like my base products to appear and feel as skin-like as possible. I have not tried applying this with a brush. I do not set this foundation with powder (it’s winter and I already have dry skin, so that ain’t happenin’!).
MY THOUGHTS ON PACKAGING

The glass bottle is small & dainty with no pump. Definite pro’s & con’s here. I like the fact that it’s small but still holds 30 mL; the Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue holds just 5 mL more but is much bigger, for example. It’s also easy to store on your vanity at this size. However, it’s glass so you can’t really travel with it or toss it in your handbag if you wanted to. And no pump = more mess. I will always prefer a pump to control the amount of product.
Rating: 3.5 / 5 ⭐️
Read this: Review: Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue
MY THOUGHTS ON APPLICATION
This is marketed for normal skin types, but this formula applies & blends pretty effortlessly over my dry skin. The consistency is quite thin but that’s not surprising considering it’s a “water-based foundation.” I will tell you that I’ve applied this both over a moisturizing primer and over bare skin; I prefer over a primer but you can certainly apply over bare skin without much tugging or patching off. Ah, and before I forget, this foundation does have a scent that dissipates after application. I personally don’t mind it, but if you are sensitive please be aware.
Rating: 5 / 5 ⭐️
MY THOUGHTS ON COVERAGE
Overall, I’d categorize this as a light coverage product, which is A-OK with me. You can build it up ever so slightly in places where you want more coverage, but do not buy it thinking it will give you a flawless complexion. It definitely won’t.
Rating: 5 / 5 ⭐️
MY THOUGHTS ON FINISH
This has a very natural finish for sure. It’s definitely not matte, definitely not dewy; it’s completely somewhere in the middle. It just looks like skin, but slightly more perfected. As someone who doesn’t like wearing heavy coverage products, this is awesome!
Rating: 5 / 5 ⭐️
MY THOUGHTS ON SHADE SELECTION

I only see 11 shades listed on CoverGirl’s website for this foundation; not that great. Weirdly, the shade I have is 105 Ivory but that’s not even listed online. I see 110 Classic Ivory; is it the same? No idea, so not sure what’s going on there.
Rating: 2 / 5 ⭐️
MY THOUGHTS ON LONGEVITY
This foundation definitely sticks around quite a while on my skin. Usually I wear my makeup anywhere from 8 – 11 hours depending on the day, and when I go to finally remove my makeup I still see the effects of this product on my skin. However, please keep in mind that I have not worn this foundation in heat or humidity yet, so I don’t know how this would stand up in that environment.
Rating: 5 / 5 ⭐️
MY THOUGHTS ON PRICE
You can see some of the prices listed above from different retailers. It’s CoverGirl, you know the drill, it’s very affordable stuff. For me, someone who likes a lighter coverage, I think this product is totally worth the price tag(s). If you need or want fuller coverage, as cheap as this is, it would be a waste of money for you. So make sure you know what you want before you buy.
Rating: 5 / 5 ⭐️

FINAL THOUGHTS
Despite the fumbles with packaging and shade range, I do think this is a lovely foundation if you’re looking for something lightweight and natural-looking. It’s very affordable and does exactly what it says on the tin, so to speak. I will gladly continue to use it!
Have you tried the Clean Liquid Foundation? If so, what are your thoughts? I’d love to know!
Xo, Erica
PIN IT!

I love the sound of this foundation! It’s annoying that it doesn’t have a pump and that there’s not a lot of shade selection. If I can find a good match for my skin tone I would try it out, I always find that brands like Maybelline & covergirl don’t have the undertones that i need for my skin. I’m very pale but with a yellow undertone and I find that most drugstore foundation are a little to pink for me.
But I love the sound of light coverage and a skin like feel. And it’s great that it works well for dry skin because that’s me right now! Great review, I love how thorough you are!
That’s so funny, cause I’m pale with a pink undertone and everything from the drugstore always looks too yellow on me! The shade I have in this foundation leans more neutral to yellow I’d say, but I can make it work on me since the coverage is so light. Thanks so much for reading!
lol It’s the exact opposite of me! Good to know, thanks!
Sounds and looks like a very decent foundation! But, no pump…. I always have a problem with that. Love the peek of the “ smiley “ compact in your first pic…. too cute 😬
Oh thank you! 😉
I tried it a long time ago and remember liking it. It would be nice if they made a pump version.
I agree. That needs to happen!
This sounds like the perfect daily foundation, including for no-makeup makeup days! Covergirl is a brand that I have always really trusted- they were my no. 1 all throughout high school and I occasionally pick up products from them even now. I’m not sure I’m a fan of the rebranding they did last year, the packaging is so plain and sterile now in my opinion, but that has no effect on the actual products obviously! Glad you are enjoying this foundation! My skin is a little too problematic for this level of coverage but it sounds lovely!
Thanks so much for reading! I feel like a lot of people either started with CoverGirl or MAC when they began wearing makeup, it’s so funny! Yea, this foundation is definitely for someone who doesn’t mind wearing light coverage, or just like you said, no-makeup makeup. I actually like their rebranding! The design seems a lot cleaner to me than what they had going on before.
Ok good to know it worked for some people!!