Cover FX Review & Giveaway

Anti-Aging Series

Cover FX:  The Icing On The Cake!

Have you ever noticed that often times reviews can sound like some sort of confessional?

This is one of those types of reviews:  “Hi, my name is Dawn and I have been using the same make-up for the past 20 years.”  Sounds kind of crazy right?  My friends have told me for years that I needed to venture out, try something new… but once I had found Clinique I stuck with it.

When I was offered the chance to review Cover FX, I admit I had never heard of it.  I checked out the website and decided that this was my chance to try something new, be adventurous, take a risk.  Sounds kind of dramatic I know, but we are talking make-up here…  the thing that everyone sees!

During this Anti-Aging Series I have found some incredible products.  So now that the skin is looking younger than it has in years, it’s time to take it one step further and see if a new foundation could give me a new, fresh look.  Who better to experiment with than The Foundation Authority?

The Story Behind Cover FX:

“From small beginnings as a little clinic in Toronto to becoming a trusted international makeup brand, Cover FX is the foundation authority

For over 20 years, Lee Graff has worked as a corrective makeup specialist at the CosMedic Clinic at Toronto’s Sunnybrook & Women’s College Health Sciences Centre, where she taught men and women with various skin conditions how to improve their appearance using corrective makeup and special application techniques.

Her clients, whose skin conditions included rosacea, acne psoriasis, and eczema, couldn’t tolerate existing products, and the shade ranges weren’t extensive enough. Graff found herself mixing products together to achieve the right color and most natural-looking finish. Exhausted and frustrated with searching for the right products, Graff took matters in to her own hands—literally. In 2000, she decided to develop a product line that would offer her clients a natural, radiant look without irritating their skin. And it would be available in a range of shades to suit any skintone.

She collaborated with her colleague Dr. Neil Shear, chief of dermatology at Sunnybrook and a renowned clinical pharmacologist who established the CosMedic Clinic in 1985. Jenny Frankel, a chemical engineer with over 15 years of cosmetic formulation experience, also joined the team. In a small lab within the dermatology clinic, the trio started to formulate. This is how the Cover FX story began.

Initially, Cover FX was only available in hospital pharmacies. But with international patients coming to the CosMedic Clinic, there became a need to make Cover FX available through professional beauty retailers. From the little lab in Sunnybrook to retail outlets across Canada and the U.S., Cover FX has grown into a line of color cosmeceuticals that offers those with or without a skin condition the ability to achieve a beautiful complexion. While Cover FX was initially developed to help mask skin disorders, these superior-quality cosmetics can help everyone achieve a smooth, even skintone and look their absolute best.

“My dream was to help men and women with skin conditions face the world with confidence by offering them makeup products with therapeutic benefits that would perfectly match their skintone, be affordable, be well tolerated by even the most sensitive skins, and achieve a perfectly natural, flawless effect,” says Graff. “And, after receiving feedback from thousands of people who use Cover FX products every day, I’m proud to say we’ve done it!”“*

*PRIMERS*

Primers: I was sent both the Skin Prep FX and the Brite Prep FX for review.  I have only recently learned about the benefits of using a primer.  A makeup primer is designed for smoothing fine the lines on the face.  By smoothing fine lines around the mouth eyes and forehead, it essentially prepares the face for cosmetics, kind of like making a blank canvas.  The primer allows the foundation, blush, eyeshadow etc… to go on more smoothly and evenly.  The primer then binds with the makeup allowing it to stay in place and last longer.

Skin Prep FX(from www.coverfx.com):  NOURISHING FOUNDATION PRIMER AND ANTI-AGING SERUM

This is an anti-aging primer that works to hydrate and smooth the skin, blurring the appearance of lines and pores.  It facilitates blending and extends wear.

Made for all skin types especially Normal to Dry and is great for sensitive skin. (SRV $45)

My Thoughts: This primer is amazing!  I tried the foundation both with and without the primer, so that I could see the difference.  This particular primer includes the anti aging serum which really does help to temporarily smooth out fine lines and really assists the spreading of the foundation.  My makeup stayed in place and looked fresh all day!  Usually after a couple of hours of wear, you could no longer tell I was wearing any makeup – a primer will always be part of my makeup routine from now on!

Brite Prep FX (from www.coverfx.com):  BRIGHTENING FOUNDATION PRIMER & PHOTO-AGING DEFENSE, SPF 50

Brite Prep FX is an “anti-UV” primer that works to protect the kkin against signs of photo-aging.  The instant skin brightening effects blur the appearance of lines and pores.  It facilitates foundation blending and extends wear.

Great for all skin types with sun spots, hyperpigmentation, and sallow/dull tone.  Also great for sensitive skin.  (SRV $45)

My Thoughts: This is also a really great primer!  I love that this product has an SPF of 50!  That is one of the highest SPFs I have ever seen in a facial product.  It looks like it has a bit of reflective properties, so when you apply it to your face it really does brighten it, even before you apply your makeup.  I will definitely use this one when I am going to be outside in the strong southern sun and for times when I just want a little bit more glow to my face.  As with the Skin Prep FX, this primer also worked really well to help the foundation go on smooth and even.

*CONCEALER*

Conceal FX Camouflage Concealer: I was also sent the Cover FX Concealer for review.  This one was not in my shade, but I wanted to show you the amazing coverage that can be achieved by using the Camouflage Concealer, so I used a very eager model.

First about the Cover FX Complexion Perfecting Concealer (from www.coverfx.com):

Instantly erases undereye circles, redness, dark spots, sun damage, blemishes, moles, tattoos, birthmarks, fatigue and trauma. It also lightens dark areas, erases red or brown spots, evens out skin tones.

The built-in primer and emollients soften delicate skin to ease blendability.  Free of oil, fragrance, and parabens to works to provide opaque, long lasting, water resistant and stay put coverage.

Available in six shades and ideal for all skin types.  (SRV $25)

My Thoughts: This concealer is amazing!  I applied it to the back of my hand and it had such great solid color that it completely changed the color of my skin and you in no way could tell what color my skin was underneath the concealer.  So in order to show you what you can do with the Complexion Perfecting Concealer I asked my daughter to help us out.  She was completely THRILLED with the fact that mommy was letting her have makeup on!  My daughter has a couple of facial scars that you can see, even with the bad lighting.  So here she is without the concealer in the first picture and with it in the second:

The concealer was even a little dark for her skin (would be absolutely perfect in the summer), but after I applied it, the concealer blended to her skin tone because it contains unique self adjusting pigments that offer custom color correcting tone.  AMAZING!!

*FOUNDATIONS*

Foundations: I have always worn foundation (when I apply make up that is) to protect my skin from the sun as well as even out my skin tone.  I have never had much luck with applying cream foundations effectively, so I have stuck with liquid foundation for pretty much my entire make-up life (you know the one that had my friends telling me I was in a makeup rut…).  So when I was offered a chance to review the Cover FX foundations, I requested the Natural FX Water Based Liquid Foundation (SPF15).  I was very surprised when I received my package to find not only the liquid foundation but also the Total Coverage Cream Foundation (SPF30)!  Oh yikes!!!  I was going to have to try a cream foundation.  I had visions of that makeup line you see on some women that runs along their jaw line and completely commands all of your attention and that of everyone around you…  but lets start with the liquid…

NATURAL FX WATER BASED LIQUID FOUNDATION SPF 15

This is a 2-in-1 Concealer + Foundation that is the 1st choice of Dermatologist for flawless looking skin and is available in 20 different shades.

Provides moderate coverage of skin imperfections such as acne, redness, under eye circles, uneven skin tones, post-surgical bruising, vitiligo, and tattoos.

Creates a hydrated, natural, dewy looking finish for all skin types.  Also great for sensitive skin. (SRV$40)

My Thoughts: Since it has been so very long since I used a different foundation than my usual one, I had really no idea how I would feel about this one.  I thought I would love it and I do… I tried this with and without the primer and it definitely goes on and blends easier when you use the primer.  It provides excellent coverage, amazing coverage really – much more than I am used to!

As you can see from my photo (I had to take this myself and really debated about using it… but I wanted you to see how flawless this foundation makes my skin look!) it provides a natural looking coverage with a bit of a dewy finish.  It matches my skin tone perfectly too!

Now for the Total Coverage Cream Foundation SPF30.

This one qualifies as a concealer and foundation and is dermatologist 1st choice for flawless looking skin and is available in over 30 different shades.

Provides optimum coverage of skin imperfections and creates a natural slightly dewy looking finish.

Great for all skin types and especially wonderful for sensitive skin (non-comedogenic – zero irritancy score). (SRV$42)

My Thoughts: I saved the best for last!  This is the hidden treasure that was inside the box and to think that I almost missed out on it!  Total Coverage Cream Foundation is the best make up product that I have ever used!  It took a little practice in application to get it just right, but oh how I love this foundation!  People are staring at me, commenting that something is different or saying how great I look!  I feel fabulous with it on too!  Even my daughter stopped in her tracks one day and said “Mom, I don’t know why, but you look prettier than usual! I mean you are always pretty, but today you just look really, really pretty!”  It’s entirely possible that it was at that time when I fell in love with this foundation!

I was always afraid of the creams thinking they would be thick and heavy, unnatural looking and that they would make my face break out!  I am so happy to say that none of these things happened AND absolutely no “jaw line”!  This is so light on, you don’t even feel that it’s there.  It looks as good several hours later, as it does when you first apply it!  I even put it to the ultimate test and wore it during a workout to see if it really did have staying power – it does.  I honestly can not say enough good things about it and just so you know – I will NOT be going back to my previous foundation!  If you are looking for a perfectly natural, flawless complexion – Cover FX will give that to you!

Where to Buy: You can purchase all of the Cover FX products that I have reviewed here right on their site at www.coverfx.com.  You will also find them available at Sephora and Nordstrom.

Win It: I am thrilled to tell you that three (3) lucky MommyPR readers will win their choice of foundation!  You will choose between the Total Coverage Cream Foundation and the Natural FX Water Based Liquid Foundation!

Win it!!

Mandatory Entry (must be done for any other entries to count):  Visit Cover FX and come back here and tell me which foundation you would like and what shade you need (scroll down to find the Match FX to help pick your shade).  Choose carefully because this is the one you will receive if you win!

Follow Cover FX on Twitter.

Become a fan of the Cover FX Facebook Page.

Join the Cover FX Inner Circle.

See Contest Rules for even more Entries!

Open to USA and Canada!

Contest ends 11:59 pm Central Time on 3/18

*information taken from www.coverfx.com

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