Cover FX Power Play Foundation Review + Swatches

The Cover FX Power Play Foundation recently launched in 40 shades with an impressive color range! These run at $44 each for 1.18 oz/35 ml. I’ve always been really impressed with the color range and options that Cover FX has but most of their base formulas have been a little too opaque for my preference. The new Cover FX Power Play Foundation is what I wanted the Marc Jacobs Shameless formula to be (the Marc Jacobs was too difficult for me to work with). This new formula has buildable full coverage, a matte finish and is great for combination to oily skin. It is very opaque and a little will go a long way – since it is opaque I found it best to apply with a damp beauty blender in a dabbing and blending motion.

These come in square shaped squeeze bottles. It’s easy to dispense although I find I do need to give the bottle a very thorough shake upside down. Application and coverage is full but you can blend it out with a sponge. Lasting power is pretty impressive but you absolutely need to set with a powder. (I like their Perfect Setting Powder in Light Medium or the Laura Mercier Loose Translucent Powder.) In terms of application I do think you need to wear a good primer with it. “Good” in the sense that you find a formula that is compatible with this base. I’ll have a post on primers soon. I usually don’t write about them because finding the right one really depends on your skincare and foundation. Some formulas like oil-based vs. oil-free vs. ones with silicone vs. silicone-free don’t mix well together. Finding the right combination depends on so much like your skin type, skin care and foundation formulas. For the Cover FX Power Play I’ve found their Illuminating Primer or the Tatcha Silk Canvas work the best for me.

Color range is very wide with options for a lot of skin tones. I’m in between shades but since moving to Florida I’ve found I’m almost always in between shades. I tan very easily and my skin tone can change or shift on a weekly basis. I try to stay covered and always wear sunscreen but living in South Florida there is no avoiding the sun. I received G10, G20, G30, G40 and G+40 as press samples. G40 was the closest match but a tiny bit too light. I went to my local Sephora and tried G50, G+50 and N50. I opted for G50 which you’ll see in the swatches below is kind of a bit jump from the 40s. I mix G40 and G50 (the ones with the G+ are more olive while the G is more golden).

For those who aren’t my skin tone, they have a pretty good guide online Sephora and their website. I have found in their other formulas I’ve usually been in the 30-40 range. It has been a while since I last checked their foundations but the Power Play seems to run a tiny bit lighter.

First, find your undertone (underlying skin tone):
– P = Pink (a rosy, cooler hue)
– N = Neutral (equal parts of pink and golden)
– G = Golden (a yellow, warmer hue)
– G+ = Golden Olive (warmer and more olive than G shades)

Next, find your shade range (Light to Deep)
– 0-20: Fair
– 25-40: Light
– 50-60: Medium
– 70-85: Medium Deep
– 90-100: Deep
– 110-125: Extra Deep

Swatches:

Bare skin on the left vs. G40 and G50 mixed and applied on the right (just the foundation, no concealer or powder added), on the right also wearing Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Liquified Lip in Whip. As you can see below the foundation by itself has no flashback and it has a modern-matte finish. It’s matte but not flat looking, yay! Coverage is pretty full – you can still see some of my freckles and sun spots show through but the base by itself covers them really well. Skin is evened out and redness is covered with the Power Play.

Swatch comparisons to the Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation in Natural 4, Natural 4.25, Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation in 3W1 Tawny, MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation in NC25, NC30, NC35 and NC37. I would say my closest MAC matches right now are NC25 and NC37 mixed (see, I’m always mixing!). On me the MAC liquid foundation in this particular formula oxidizes on my skin. I’m not sure what color I am in the Studio Fix powder foundation but I know the shades run slightly different among formulas. It’s been at least 5-6 years since I tried it (original powder-foundation formula gave me a severe allergic reaction). The Bobbi Brown is one of the few formulas that does not oxidize on me at all. My best match is Natural Tan 4.25 (review soon).

Bottom line: a great base for combination to oily skin. It has a matte finish but definitely not a flat matte. Finish is very opaque but you can blend it easily. For me application looks best if I apply with a damp beauty blender and blend/apply quickly. Lasting power is good on my skin type and I have high hopes it’s going to be one that holds up in Florida humidity. I didn’t see any flashback and there was no irritation on my skin. Full ingredient listed online at Sephora. But I’ve copied/pasted them below:

Water, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Triethylhexanoin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Propanediol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Isododecane, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Nylon-12, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Hull Powder, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Triolein, Ammonium C6-16 Perfluoroalkylethyl Phosphate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Chloride, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Glyceryl Dioleate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Alcohol, Methicone, Dimethiconol, Alteromonas Ferment Extract. May Contain (+/-): Iron Oxides (Ci 77492, Ci 77499, Ci 77491), Chromium Oxide Greens (Ci 77288), Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891).

You can find the Cover FX Power Play foundation out now. Available at Sephora and Cover FX.

Press samples featured include the Cover FX Power Play G10 through G+40 and the Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Foundation.