A Little History
Founded in 1999 by Lee Graf, medical and beauty strategist, Toronto-based Cover FX started as a clinic for sensitive skin and other skincare issues. A while later, it expanded and began selling its own makeup line.
I knew Cover FX as a manufacturer of innovative drops that could be used to treat skin issues, as a skin tint, to add or change the color of liquid foundations. Cover FX was sold at Sephora for a number of years, but the brand disappeared from Sephora over the past couple of years.
In February 2022, Cover FX was acquired by AS Beauty, the beauty brand development company that began in 2019 by the original founders of E.L.F. As of 2022, AS Beauty was the owner of Julep Beauty, Laura Geller, and Mally Beauty in addition to the new acquisition, Cover FX.
Cover FX Total Coverage Cream Foundation
Cover FX fell off of my radar screen once it disappeared from Sephora, but a couple of months ago, Cover FX and their revised formula Total Coverage Cream Foundation started to appear constantly on my Facebook feed. I was not familiar with their original Cream Foundation, so to me it was new.
For several weeks, I resisted my interest in Total Coverage Cream Foundation. But although I have about a half dozen bottles of liquid foundation, many of which I liked in the past, I wasn’t loving them quite as much as I had. I succumbed to the siren song of Cover FX once they lowered the price of Total Coverage Cream Foundation by 50%.
Here’s how Cover FX describes their innovative foundation:
“Where foundation meets concealer. Our highest-coverage foundation blends to conceal darkness and redness with a natural-looking skin-like finish. Mineral oil-free and enriched with moisturizers, so it feels as good as it looks. Suitable for all skin types, including oily and dry. Ideal for blemish-prone skin, discoloration, dry skin, sensitive skin, redness-prone skin, and dull skin. Natural finish.”
What appealed to me about Total Coverage Cream Foundation was, not surprisingly, the dual benefits of foundation and concealer as well as the fact that the Cover FX claimed it is their “highest-coverage foundation”. Plus they said it has a “natural-looking skin-like finish”.
Although it sounded almost too good to be true, I worried that it could look like a mask. But because they had free shipping and returns, I figured I didn’t have a lot to lose especially at 50% off (around $22).
Total Coverage Cream Foundation comes in 20 shades ranging from Fair/Light to Deep/Rich. If you have very fair skin, there may not be a shade for you. I chose F2 described as Fair/Light with Neutral Undertones.
F1 is described exactly the same way, but looking at the shades online, F1 looked a bit lighter and a little more yellow. Right now, before I get a slight tan, shade F2 is a very good match for my fair/light skin, though I would have chosen pink undertones if that had been offered. It’s possible that I might need L2, Light to Medium with Pink Undertones in the summer.
Applying Total Coverage Cream is a snap. I start out with primer, as usual. I apply Total Coverage Cream with an Artis brush or an Artis-style brush, my favorite foundation brushes. Total Coverage Cream comes in a compact with a large sponge, and I tried using that for application but I missed my brushes.
It literally takes minutes to apply this foundation. I dab a little extra on my dark spots. And that’s it.
It matches very well. I have wrinkles at this stage of life, but this foundation doesn’t really settle into lines like my liquid foundations do (nor does it disguise my wrinkles!). It is literally light as a feather on my skin, and no way does this look like or feel like a mask! It lasts till I take it off, although after several hours, I need to tap a little more onto my dark spots.
After using Cover FX Total Coverage Cream Foundation for almost a month, I love it! If you’re looking for a full coverage foundation that covers very well yet feels like nothing on your skin, take a look at Total Coverage Cream Foundation. For me, it’s amazing.
The formula is not drying at all. It contains sunflower oil (non-comedogenic) for hydration. It also contains antioxidants for protection.
Below are the ingredients for 7 of the shades. The ingredients for the other shades are slightly different to produce the shades.
F1,F2,L1,M1,M2,M3,T4 Ingredients: Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isoamyl Laurate, Octyldodecanol, Squalane, Synthetic Wax, Cellulose, Kaolin, Calcium Carbonate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil / Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer, Tribehenin, Magnesium Carbonate, Silica Silylate, Rhus Verniciflua Peel Cera / Rhus Verniciflua Peel Wax, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables. May Contain / Peut Contenir (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090).
Each compact contains 0.29 oz. / 8.50 g. Although it seems like a small amount, I use so little with each application. I expect it will last me quite some time. Currently priced at $30.80 (30% off) on the Cover FX website.
Ooh, this might be worth a try for me. My tried-and-true Bare Minerals loose powder foundation is getting to be a little too drying these days…. would you say this product is less so?
I had to give up on Bare Minerals decades ago because it was way to drying for me. I’ve been mostly using liquid for 20 years with some stick foundations. But the Cover FX Total Coverage Cream Foundation is so lightweight and hydrating enough, plus for me, no need for concealer. I wish it was sold in stores so you could check it out
I bought L2..I have fair to light skin with a pink undertone. It looks dark orange on me! Very disappointing. I emailed the company and they told me to buy a lighter neutral shade! Will give it to a friend ad it was too late to return it.