The least I can say is that the Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops were probably the most wanted highlighters on the planet during the summer! Everyone and their daughters were raving about them (and of course, they were completely out of stock everywhere).
When I was within reach of the American and Canadian Sephora last September, these Custom Enhancer Drops were part of the long list of products that I absolutely wanted to find! (On top of the list was the famous Tarte Shape Tape concealer which was, and is still impossible to find) (this stuff has been out of stock for months on the brand website, it would be nice that the people of Tarte do something about that instead of organizing endless tacky press trips to paradisiac islands or to come out with the same boring nude eyeshadow palettes all the time) (OK, rant over :P)
Cover FX is a brand that I’ve wanted to try for a long time but the idea of buying a foundation online without being totally certain of the shade always scares me a bit. Because this Canadian brand was first known for its Custom Cover Drops, some kind of super-concentrated foundation drops that can be mixed with your day cream, primer, sunscreen or even your foundation to change its color or its coverage. The idea here is to obtain a real customized product.
Personally, I don’t like the idea of mixing my skincare products with make-up, so I wasn’t too sure of the concept for this use, but I like the idea of adapting the color of my foundation if I tan a little for example.
And that’s one of the reasons that made me wanted to try the Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops, which has a similar principle, but with a glowy twist. And because glow is life, I really wanted to try them! wink
Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops, presentation:
What the brand says about them:
“Ultra-concentrated illuminating and bronzing drops that allow you to customize your ideal glow with a liquid metal or sunkissed finish.
Available in six universal shades, including four illuminators and two matte bronzers, these customizable drops can be used to create a buildable highlight or sunkissed tint. Use them alone for a light reflective strobing or bronzing effect even on top of powder, or add them to your favorite liquid foundation or skincare product for an all-over glow. Formulated with a high concentration of ultra-refined pearls, the two bronzing drops (Sunkissed and Sunset) offer a natural matte finish and the four illuminating drops produce a liquid metal finish. The more drops you use, the more luminosity or bronze you’ll get, allowing you to customize your glow. “
The Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops are a range of 6 products: 4 highlighters and 2 bronzers, all liquid. They can be mixed with your foundation/ daily moisturizer / makeup primer etc. but can also be used on their own, on bare skin for a super natural illuminating effect, or directly on top of your make-up (even after the powder) for a more intense highlighting or bronzing effect. The highlighters can also be used as eyeshadows, on top of your lipstick … and even mixed with your body lotion! In short, the possibilities of use are almost endless! smile
They are also very buildable. For example, with the liquid highlighters, you can have a super discrete and natural illuminating effect but also, if you want, a real strobing/ highlighter that you can see from outer space/ liquid metal like Terminator effect… wink
Same for the 2 bronzers, you can intensify them according to the quantity used.
I chose Moonlight, a highlighter and also Sunkissed, a bronzer, to try the 2 effects! ;
They come in a 15 ml bottle and their price is $42.
Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops, my test and thoughts:
– Formula and texture:
The formula is suitable for sensitive skin. It’s also paraben, mineral oil, gluten, talc, formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde resin and camphor free.
The texture is liquid but, be aware, it dries very quickly. It’s better to avoid leaving your bottle open too long: don’t forget to close it tight after use!
– Packaging:
A pretty metallic glass bottle, with a dropper.
– Finish:
The finish of the Moonlight highlighter is very metallic, like liquid metal. But used in small amounts, it becomes a much more subtle effect, with a very pretty and subtle shimmery effect without any chunky glitter, more a pearlescent finish. It’s really pretty!
The Sunkissed bronzer finish is a satin finish and it gives a luminous bronzing effect. No glitter here, just a beautiful glow.
– Colors:
The 4 highlighting shades are:
– Celestial: a white pink silver, intended rather for light skin tones or those who want a super intense effect,
– Moonlight: a beige silvery champagne, perfect for light to medium skin tones,
– Sunlight: a soft gold, ideal for medium skin tones,
– and Candlelight: a golden bronze, perfect for darker complexions.
And the 2 bronzers:
– Sunkissed: a light golden bronzing effect, for light skin tones,
– et Sunset: a more intense bronzing effect, for medium to dark complexions.
– Application:
First things first: you need to shake the bottle to mix the nacres and pigments.
Personally, I didn’t use them mixed with my skincare products but I tried to put some in my foundation!
Verdict for Moonlight: a little goes a very, very long way if you don’t want to look like you’re trying to take part in the “Full face highlighter challenge”. Also, for me, with my oily skin, I’m not really convinced that it’s ideal… I put a micro drop and it gives a very nice luminous glow without noticeable glitter effect. I use it this way only if I want a very dewy makeup (maybe for an evening look).
However, I really enjoy mixing my foundation with Sunkissed! It gives a soft tanning effect to any foundation, which saves me from buying a new shade of foundation if I get a tan after a few hours at the beach. (winter is finally here in Dubai and we can finally enjoy being outside) Same thing, I mix 1 to 2 drops max with my foundation to give it a more “bronzed” and luminous effect.
I prefer to use Moonlight like a classic highlighter, applied to the areas of my face where I want to catch the light (the top of my cheekbones, cupid’s bow, the inner corner of the eye… ) And usually I apply it with my fingertips with dabbing motions and I blend it with a small round synthetic brush or a Beauty Blender. Just don’t wait too much (it dries quickly) and apply a small amount (it’s better to add some more little by little). I apply it after I’ve set my face with powder and it’s perfect!
With Sunkissed, I am less comfortable applying it above my makeup, it dries too fast, and I systematically end up with blotches of product (you’ll see in my photo below -_-) … I think I will stick to mix it with my foundation, it’s simpler that way.
– Pigmentation:
The pigmentation is insane. You really need the smallest amount!
– Lasting power:
Quite good: once on the skin, it doesn’t move anywhere! They last at least 8h on me.
– Value for money:
They’re not cheap ($42) and the bottle seems tiny (15ml) but honestly, considering the amount of product you need, I think I would have enough product for all my life at least! And the effect is really pretty so in my opinion, it is worth the price. smile
Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops, the swatches:
And on me:
On the first photo (on the left), I mixed the two products with a little of my foundation and applied them before setting my face with powder for a more natural and blended effect.
On the second photo, I applied them after powdering my foundation. I love the effect with Moonlight, it leaves a nice pearlescent finish (I love it). But for Sunkissed, I struggled to blend it and I found it blotchy, there’s a demarcation at the root of my hair, I still need practice… sad
In summary:
[wprs-pros][wprs-cons]
It took me a little bit of practice to find the best way to use these 2 products, but now that I am more comfortable with them, I find them really good and I particularly love the stunning pearlescent effect of Moonlight! If you’re like me, a highlighter addict, you will love them too! wink
The Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops are available on the brand website and on Sephora for $42.
And you, did you know Cover FX and the Custom Enhancer Drops? Are you a highlighter addict or not at all?
Photo credits: bonnie-garner.com