Cover FX Makeup Review: The Ultimate Guide to Flawless, Customizable Coverage
Hey there, beauty lovers! If you‘re like me, you‘re always on the hunt for the perfect foundation. You know, the one that covers imperfections without looking cakey, matches your skin tone seamlessly, and doesn‘t irritate or break you out. Well, I‘m excited to share my ultimate guide to Cover FX makeup – a brand that has totally revolutionized my complexion game.
In this in-depth review, I‘ll be sharing my personal experience with Cover FX‘s bestselling products, as well as expert insights and tips on finding your perfect shades and formulas. I‘ve also done some serious research on how Cover FX stacks up against other popular makeup brands in terms of shade range, ingredients, and performance. So whether you‘re a Cover FX newbie or a die-hard fan, I promise you‘ll learn something new!
Why Cover FX?
First, let me tell you why I‘m so obsessed with Cover FX. As someone with sensitive, acne-prone skin, I‘ve always struggled to find makeup that doesn‘t clog my pores or cause irritation. But when I discovered Cover FX‘s clean, skin-centric formulas, it was a total game-changer.
Founded in 2000 by veteran makeup artist Victor Casale and dermatologist Dr. Neil Sadick, Cover FX is all about creating makeup that not only looks amazing, but actually improves the health of your skin. Their products are free of potentially irritating ingredients like parabens, fragrance, gluten, mineral oil and talc. Instead, they‘re loaded with skin-loving ingredients like antioxidants, vitamins and natural extracts.
But Cover FX isn‘t just about clean ingredients – they‘re also known for their incredible shade range and customizable formulas. Their complexion products come in a whopping 40 shades to match a wide range of skin tones and undertones. And with innovative products like the Custom Cover Drops and Custom Enhancer Drops, you can tailor your coverage and finish to your exact preferences.
The Products
Now, let‘s dive into the good stuff – the products! I‘ve tried a ton of Cover FX‘s offerings, but these are my absolute holy grail, can‘t-live-without-them picks.
Power Play Foundation
If you‘re looking for a full-coverage, long-wearing foundation that still looks like skin, the Power Play Foundation is your girl. This liquid-to-powder formula is packed with oil-absorbing powders that blur imperfections and keep shine at bay, without feeling heavy or cakey.
I wear the shade N35, which is described as a "light medium with neutral undertones." It matches my skin tone perfectly and blends like a dream. I love that I can build up the coverage where I need it (hello, hormonal breakouts) without looking like I‘m wearing a mask.
The Power Play Foundation also has some serious staying power. I can apply it in the morning and still look fresh-faced by the end of the day – even through sweat and humidity. Plus, it has skin-caring ingredients like fermented algae extract to protect against environmental stressors.
Custom Enhancer Drops
Another one of my ride-or-die Cover FX products is the Custom Enhancer Drops. These liquid highlighters come in seven shimmery shades that can be used on their own or mixed into your foundation or moisturizer for a customizable glow.
My favorite shade is Moonlight, a gorgeous champagne with pink undertones. I love mixing a drop or two into my foundation for a subtle, lit-from-within radiance. But when I‘m feeling extra, I‘ll dab it straight onto my cheekbones, brow bone and Cupid‘s bow for a blinding highlight.
The Custom Enhancer Drops are insanely pigmented, so a little goes a long way. They also blend beautifully and never emphasize texture or pores. Plus, they‘re infused with vitamin C and E to nourish and brighten skin.
Mattifying Primer with Anti-Acne Treatment
If you struggle with oily, breakout-prone skin like I do, the Mattifying Primer with Anti-Acne Treatment is a must-try. This oil-free primer uses 1% salicylic acid to gently exfoliate and clear congested pores, while vitamin E and green tea extract soothe and protect.
I love using this primer on days when my skin is feeling particularly greasy or prone to breakouts. It creates a smooth, matte base for my foundation and helps keep excess oil and shine at bay throughout the day. And because it has salicylic acid, it actually helps treat and prevent breakouts over time.
The Shade Range
One of the things I admire most about Cover FX is their commitment to inclusivity and diversity. Their foundations and concealers come in an impressive 40 shades, which is more than many other prestige brands.
To put that into perspective, let‘s compare Cover FX‘s shade range to some other popular foundation brands:
| Brand | Number of Shades |
|---|---|
| Cover FX Power Play Foundation | 40 |
| Fenty Beauty Pro Filt‘r Foundation | 50 |
| Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation | 40 |
| Nars Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation | 34 |
| Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation | 32 |
As you can see, Cover FX is right up there with brands like Fenty Beauty and Make Up For Ever in terms of shade range. And while Hourglass and Nars offer slightly fewer shades, Cover FX still has a more extensive range than many other prestige brands.
But it‘s not just about the number of shades – it‘s also about the depth and undertone range. Cover FX foundations come in a wide range of shades for fair, light, medium, tan and deep skin tones, with cool, neutral and warm undertones. This makes it easier for people of all skin tones to find their perfect match.
The Clean Ingredients
Another thing I love about Cover FX is their commitment to clean, skin-friendly ingredients. All of their products are vegan, cruelty-free and free of parabens, fragrance, gluten, mineral oil and talc.
But they don‘t just avoid potentially harmful ingredients – they also actively include good-for-skin ingredients in their formulas. For example, the Power Play Foundation contains fermented algae extract to protect against free radicals and environmental stressors. The Custom Enhancer Drops are infused with vitamin C and E to brighten and nourish skin.
Let‘s compare the ingredients in Cover FX‘s Power Play Foundation to some other popular full-coverage foundations:
| Brand | Potential Irritants | Skin-Friendly Ingredients |
|---|---|---|
| Cover FX Power Play Foundation | None | Fermented algae extract, vitamins C and E |
| Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation | Fragrance | Titanium dioxide (sun protection) |
| Kat Von D Lock-It Foundation | Silicones | None |
| Tarte Shape Tape Foundation | Fragrance, silicones | Vitamin E |
As you can see, Cover FX is the only brand on this list that doesn‘t contain any potential irritants like fragrance or silicones. And while some of the other foundations contain skin-friendly ingredients like vitamin E or titanium dioxide, Cover FX has the most robust blend of antioxidants and nutrients.
The Brand Story
Finally, I want to touch on Cover FX‘s brand story and mission, because I think it‘s really admirable. As I mentioned before, the brand was founded by a makeup artist and a dermatologist who wanted to create makeup that was not only high-performance, but also good for your skin.
But Cover FX‘s commitment to inclusivity and diversity goes beyond just offering a wide shade range. They‘ve also partnered with various organizations to give back to underrepresented communities.
For example, in 2018, Cover FX launched the Nude is Not Beige campaign to celebrate the diversity of nude shades and challenge the idea that "nude" only means one color. As part of the campaign, they donated $10,000 to the Women‘s March.
Cover FX has also partnered with The Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ youth. For Pride Month in 2019, they donated 100% of the proceeds from their limited-edition Pride Custom Enhancer Drops to The Trevor Project.
I love supporting brands that not only create great products, but also use their platform to make a positive impact on the world. And Cover FX is definitely one of those brands.
The Bottom Line
So, is Cover FX worth the hype? In my opinion, absolutely. Their products are high-performance, skin-friendly and inclusive, with a wide range of shades and customizable formulas.
Of course, everyone‘s skin is different, so what works for me might not work for you. But with Cover FX‘s generous return policy (60 days for a full refund), it‘s easy to try out products and find your perfect match.
If you‘re new to the brand, I recommend starting with the Power Play Foundation and Custom Enhancer Drops. They‘re two of Cover FX‘s bestsellers for a reason – they‘re versatile, high-performing and suitable for a wide range of skin types and tones.
And if you‘re a Cover FX veteran like me, I hope this guide has given you some new insights and tips on how to get the most out of your products. Remember to experiment with mixing and layering to create your own custom formulas!
At the end of the day, makeup should be fun and empowering – not stressful or intimidating. And I truly believe that Cover FX embodies that philosophy. Their products are designed to enhance your natural beauty and help you feel like the best version of yourself.
So go ahead, give Cover FX a try and let me know what you think! I‘m always here to chat about all things beauty and skincare.
Happy blending, beauty lovers!
