July 14, 2009

Cover FX Total Coverage Cream Foundation Review Cover FX Clear Prep Review

My quest for flawless skin recently led me to Cover FX. Has anyone played about with Cover FX at all? Do share your stories in the comment box, curious minds what you think!

Cover FX can only be classified as a tricky little foundation that when applied correctly will give you hours of long wearing flawless skin but when applied incorrectly will have you sobbing on your bathroom floor shouting to the heavens, “Why, Jebus, Why!?


Click ahead for my raves and rants!

Available in a ridiculous amount of shades you’re guaranteed to find at least one shade out of over 30 that suits your tone. On top of an incredible selection of colors Cover FX Total Coverage Cream Foundation also has an SPF 30. SPF 30? You’re kidding? That’s a super serious amount of SPF in a foundation that can be purchased in the US. If you laid out any Asian brand that had that much SPF in it I’d fail to be shocked but anything within the US with that much SPF, whoa, seriously cool. Already I’m impressed.

What it is?

Cover FX Total Coverage Cream Foundation is a maximum coverage cream foundation for covering minor to major problems. Ok, you can’t think this is going to cover tattoos or anything crazy like that because it has maximum in the details but I do think it’s quite pigmented and you can get medium to full coverage (I wouldn’t recommend too full a coverage as the product will look a tad bit over done by caking it on) using it.

It’s oil free and fragrance free which makes it a good choice for oily, acne prone skin types, in fact it’s suggested for such a skin type. The foundation has a certain amount of tack and stick somewhat like the texture of Stila Convertible Color that allows for the product to have an extensive wear throughout the day without it oxidizing, fading, or just disappearing.


Although I was expecting a moisturizing cream, it is in face a very densely packed cream which makes blending a bit of a problem. This is where my rant comes into play….You need to take serious care and consideration when applying. Much like Urban Decay Surreal Skin Cream to Powder Foundation which I just reviewed for you, you’ll need proper prepping and priming to get the cream onto your face and blended to a flawless finish. You may find yourself at first frustrated and disappointed at the results but with proper application you’ll be delighted at how well it looks, feels, and wears. My rant is minor in the fact that I tend to rush things and this needs a little TLC to get it properly applied.

The foundation is best applied with a sponge applicator (slightly damp if you like) and smoothed on in a very thin layer. After application smooth your clean finger tips over it to create an even coverage. One thin layer should give you decent coverage but you can ever so slowly build up for better coverage.

As I mentioned prepping is key. Do not to moisturizer your face too much if you’re skin is dry. Instead use a moisturizing mist, let dry slightly so your skin is dewy and follow up with Cover FX Clear Prep FX Primer or the primer of your choice. I do recommend using Clear Prep FX Primer as it made by the same company who is keeping in mind that this will be used with it’s foundation. This is a particularly good primer as it’s made to mattify the skin and treat acne. If you’re oily I’d skip the mist and just head straight for the primer as it’ll treat both your acne and oily spots. The primer is silicon based so it does have that slightly strange feeling on the face but it absorbs nicely and leaves behind a powdery finish which makes applying the foundation a breeze as the product is left to sit on top of the primer rather than directly on your skin. This is an important point as it allows for a longer wear.


The results…

When prepped, primed, applied, and finally blended correctly you’re left with very nice coverage that evens out the skin tone, hides redness (I think it’ll be a particularly great item for hiding redness), and creates a good, flawless working canvas for makeup.

When applied in correctly…

Expect a mask like, muddy look if you aren’t careful so just go slowly…don’t be like the Muse and rush it or you’ll end up on the bathroom like I mentioned above!

I didn’t set the cream with powder after but just proceed to leave the house with it on. It lasted from around 8 in the morning to about 5 in the evening. Please keep in mind I wasn’t outside in the heat for most of that time so I can’t say how it performs out side but indoors it doesn’t need much of a touch up. It simply stays on.

Overall, I wouldn’t say it’s my HG foundation simply because I prefer a bit more of a moisturizing foundation but those with skin woes or lots to cover this could prove a life saver.

Who might like it?

  • Anyone with oily, acne prone skin!
  • Those who want to hide minor acne scarring, redness, freckles, or minor skin perfection.
  • Those who desire an oil free foundation.
  • Anyone who wants a long wearing foundation that doesn’t fade.

Cover FX is worthy of a look at for sure. I do recommend heading into Sephora for a swatch and a play as ordering online could prove difficult when presented with that many shade options.

Anyone a Cover FX lover?

Change your life?

Do share!

20 Comments

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Ronnie

    CoverFX liquid foundation IS my HG foundation. After trying almost every foundation in Sephora, it was the perfect shade PLUS it didnt make my skin all wonky. Prior to FX I tried a brand that was the perfect shade, unfortunately I ended up with cystic acne which was a major bummer. I tried CoverFX without much expectation. The liquid foundation didn’t take alot of finessing, but you should treat it like HD foundation and apply it in one direction so it doesn’t pick up the fine hairs on your face.

    • the Muse

      fantastic Ronnie! Glad this worked so incredibly for you hun! I really liked it as well 😀 It’s not my HG but definitely good stuff!

  • Bella

    I must be honest when I say that this is the most amazing foundation EVER. Besides the fact that I’m acne prone. If you apply this with the Sephora Professionnel Platinum Air Brush then it really works. I mean, sometimes I’d forget to wash my brush and would need to use a sponge applicator, but using the sponge was no where near as amazing as the brush.

    I used this for the summer(I can’t during the school year since I’m a dancer and attend a performing arts school) I literally got non stop compliments on my skin. I wore it everywhere in the heat and it never failed me. Though maybe it’s not that way for everyone, but it was for me. -sigh- I’ll miss this foundation till the Summer comes back.

    • the Muse

      yay bella so great to hear you like it so much! I must say it really works quite good on me too! It’s not my HG but it is a love 😀 so happy to hear how well it performed for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Jessica

    I am very much in love with this foundation! I think I have found my hg everyday foundation! I have combination/acne-prone skin and recently started using a new skincare line that has helped me very much but has left me with the horrible scarring. But when I use this cream foundation I hardly need concealer! It is that amzing! and just with a few swipes! so pigmented and easy to blend. I also really love the primer! together I didn’t have to touch up for a long time! and since i have combination skin this didn’t dry out my face at parts! the only thing i can complain about is the heavy price. but hey beauty isn’t cheap! i would gladly pay this amount for something that is good for my skin and makes it look even better 🙂 i think both these products are hg for me! thanks for this amazing review or i would have never discovered it1 i am going to be doing a review on my blog soon!

    • the Muse

      Hey Jessica! Good to see you dear! SO glad you’re loving this, it’s truly a great line! A little really does good a long way doesn’t it!? I love how flawless it makes my face. It sounds like you’re having good results.

      Awww good makeup never comes cheap damn! that’s the worst part 😀 Aw I’m so flattered you read here as I adore your blog. Can’t wait to hear your review! give me a shout when it’s live!

      • Jessica

        Yes I am truly in love with it! I definitely want to go buy the full sized primer and their special brush as soon as I come up with the funds. Although it works great as a concealer I still bought one so I won’t use up as much foundation. I will truly be sad the day I use up the last of it lol

        I can’t believe you’ve even heard of my blog! I literally was in shock when I read that! I was like what one of my favorite bloggers knows of my little old blog! lol thanks so much! I’ll definitely let you know when it becomes live! now it’s just a little old draft while I still 100% make up my mind 🙂

  • jasmin

    So I was told that this would be ideal for covering my tattoo on my shoulder and I am disappointed. It covered AMAZINGLY don’t get me wrong, however it rubbed off no matter what i did. I set with powder foundation, MUFE’s HD powder, hair sprayed, used ben nye’s setting spray, and combo of all of the above and it still rubbed off making the half hour of effort useless.

    • the Muse

      aw sorry to hear it jasmin that stinks! try dermablend that stuff will conceal your eyes, nose, and mouth! really pigmented!

  • Morgan

    I, unluckily, have oily-acne prone skin that is very pale and has a strong yellow pigment to it. so to my dismay, almost every brand of makeup i have used leaves my skin orange! after reading some good reviews i decided to take the plunge and try out this brand. I first used the water based clear FX (it worked well to even out skin tone and matched my skin color perfectly without leaving it orange and cakey) but it did nothing to cover up my breakouts. I went to my dermatologist and he suggested using the full coverage cream to use as a spot treatment. I followed his suggestions, using water based clear FX to cover my whole face and then I apply just a bit of the cream to (my many) trouble spots. and, thank goodness, it makes my skin look almost flawless! It was annoying at first but After figuring out how to apply it properly to my face, i am so impressed with their products. I will definitely be buying again.

    • the Muse

      that’s great news morgan so glad to hear you’re loving on coverfx 😀 they really do make some great stuff but def hear you, learning to apply correctly takes a sec!

  • Christine

    Just found your blog & am enjoying the honest reviews.

    I’ve been using Cover FX Total Coverage Cream Foundation for over a year. I agree you shouldn’t apply this over a greasy face lotion. I usually apply an oil-free moisturizer & then their Skinprep FX Treatment and Priming Serum. I haven’t tried the matte formula yet.

    I’ve found I don’t need a separate spot concealer. After applying foundation, I just use a lip brush (dedicated to the purpose) to apply a small amount across offending blemishes, then lightly blend in with a finger. They usually disappear like magic.

    I found the foundation fairly easy to apply with a sponge wedge. Application was easiest & fastest with slightly denser (better quality?) wedges. It does come with a round applicator sponge that stores in the bottom compartment of the compact. A little product goes a long way. I usually dab off a bit of foundation from my cheeks with a tissue to let natural colour through (I apply powder blush after applying translucent powder).

    I use a CoverGirl translucent powder over top, but I’ll be looking at reviews to see if it’s worth getting a different brand to help set the foundation & control oil & shine.

    • the Muse

      thanks christine, so glad you are enjoying my babble 😀 Thanks so much for your mini review and results using cover fx! Always so great to hear how someone is liking a product and their view, thoughts on it 😀 I find the setting powder it comes with is prob the best one as it’s light and adheres well to the cream foundation 😀

  • LeAnn

    I’m new to your blog, but looking through so far I’m in love already!
    However, I’m also a Sephora color consultant who happens to wear Cover FX powder foundation. It also has a buildable, medium- to full- coverage, and is great for oily, acne prone skin. Having used both their powder and cream (during my hormonal acne days), I can safely say that this foundation is phenomenal. Not only did it give me great coverage when my acne was horrible, it slowly helped to clear it almost completely with a good skincare routine.

    • the Muse

      aw thanks leann ;-D so glad you’re enjoying the babblings! so glad to hear you’re such a fan of cover fx, it really is a fab brand!

  • lexi

    you’re NC20, right, Musey? I’m wondering which color worked for you in the Cover FX Cream fdtn?

    • the Muse

      um lexi I’m not sure to be honest I don’t use mac. I think I’m NC30? the cover FX cream was in the E series…I believe 20, don’t quote me there ;D

  • Sara

    I’m glad to read this review. I had the Cover FX applied for me at Sephora and was AMAZED at the coverage. However, I haven’t been able to get results like that at home, and for the price I paid, I’m annoyed that it takes some coaxing for the amazingness to come out. I was about to give up and return it to Sephora, thinking that my skin was just too dry for it. I’ll give it another shot using a damp sponge. 🙂

  • Louise

    I have quite a lot of freckles on my nose and the area under my eyes ( about 2 inches of freckles ) and whenever I try to cover my freckles with make up, I don’t want to cake it on but I feel as if I have to if I want to fully cover them, so it looks odd compared to the rest of my face. Would I have to cake cover FX total cover on to cover my freckles? And how much on a scale from 1 to 10 would it cover them?

  • Brandi

    My daughter is wanting to become a teacher but she has a tattoo on her for arm and where we live that’s a very big no no. I would like to know if this world work but I know that she is not going to but a lot of work into it every morning. She 21. Enough said. How much does it cost? I might be able to get it for Christmas if it’s not to much. I really want to help her and I want her to understand she needs to do what has to be done , but pasting for school and everything else I don’t know if I can dish out $200-300 for this. Please let me know. Thanks. Brandi Crawford