MintGlaze FX Lip Treatment

It never fails. Temperatures drop, heating is cranked up and my lips dry out instantly and crack. The whole thing is painful, not to mention how bleeding lips are not my best look, Halloween or not. The cure this fall has been extremely effective, not to mention multi-functional.

MintGlaze FX from Cover FX is a lip treatment that serves a double and triple duty as a primer, plumper and moisturizer that also gives some sun protection. It has a minty tingle that had me worried for a couple of seconds, but it never irritates my already tortured lips and instead makes them look and feel better within minutes. The plumping is a result of the glaze's hydrating action and the way it locks moisture in. It's a little sticky at first so I'd recommend giving it at least 15 minutes before applying your lipstick.

MintGlaze FX comes in a little tube with a doe-foot sponge applicator. It doesn't only look like a lip gloss- the shiny coat it creates is actually nice enough if you prefer a nude lip look. I find that applying it about 3 times a day is all I need to maintain healthy lips, at least under current conditions. I'll probably apply more once winter gets here and the weather is blistering cold, but I expect similar results.

Bottom Line: a real winner.

MintGlaze FX Lip Treatment ($22) is available from Sephora.

Cover FX Natural FX Water Based Foundation SPF 15 (M40 Honey)

When I bought my emergency Cover FX Total Coverage foundation I also got the lighter product, Natural FX Water Based Foundation. This liquid foundation is a lot easier to use and can be applied on larger areas or the entire face (I've found that I prefer to use Total Coverage very sparingly and only on those spots where I have something to hide). It still gives very good coverage (medium+), but doesn't act as spackle and is far less drying.

I don't love it as much as my holy grail Chanel Vitalumiere, but that's simply because my preference for minimal coverage and a more dewy look. Then again, sometimes I do need a little more help, which is why I bought the Cover FX products in the first place, and for this purpose they don't disappoint. I've found that it works best over a silicone primer and a well-moisturized face. I'd still avoid using it on dry patches or on days the weather and skin feel parched.

It was harder to settle on a color for Natural FX than for Total Coverage. Once again I ended up with M40 (honey), but it took me longer to choose it, because before testing on my face I tried each foundation color on my wrist just to see the undertone, and M40 looked way too yellow. But while M30 (Cashew) was slightly a better fit on my arm, it was too pale with a pink hint when meeting my face. I suspect that if I want the best match ever I need to mix these colors. Something like two parts M40 and one part M30, but as it is I usually mix the Cover FX with my Chanel which gives me a similar result.

The main thing about this foundation is application. Sponges, wet or dry, lay it on too thick, and I've found that my fingers don't do an even enough job, which is important when you use anything that isn't of the minimal coverage family. I've been using it with several of the foundation brushes I already owned, but decided I need to do things right to get the most out of the products. I caved and ordered two Cover FX brushes: #160 Cream Foundation Brush and #170 Precision Foundation Brush (the one with the pointy tip). They only arrived today, so I have yet to test them, but I can tell you they look promising in density and weight.

Bottom line: An above average product and above average coverage. Gives picture-worthy results as long as you stay hydrated and moisturized.

Cover FX Natural FX Water Based Foundation ($40) and foundation brushes ($36-38) are available from Sephora. I bought the foundation in store and ordered the brushes online.

All photos by me.

Cover FX Total Coverage Cream Foundation (M40 Honey)

I'm a light coverage person. My thing is sheer,dewy foundation or tinted moisturizers that let skin breath and look natural. But a couple of months ago I decided I needed a higher performance emergency foundation. That's how I found myself at Sephora Union Square testing, swatching on my cheeks, running to the front of the store where there's more natural light, examining my skin from all direction, wiping it off and repeating the process...

Choosing a foundation is tedious, especially when you're trying a new-to-you brand. It's not glamorous, not really fun and you're always aware that the wrong shade would make your face look ridiculous. I spent nearly half an hour on this, which didn't make me happy. I regard Sephora as a necessary evil, not really a fun place. I'm more of a Bergdorf shopper, but Sephora has some exclusive brands and the option to try, test and play with products without a commission-hungry SA breathing down your neck is a huge advantage and help me tolerate the music and general atmosphere.

I settled on M40 Honey after also trying M30 and M50, to be sure I got it right. It's a great match and the color looks natural. The part that is more difficult for me and keeps the Total Coverage Cream Foundation as an emergency-only product is the texture. This is a real, grown-up, heavy duty foundation. It's very thick and if not applied carefully can go pancake-like. The compact comes with a sponge, but it's much better to use a foundation brush and stipple the cream where needed. The foundation is also quite dry. It means that it doesn't move or budge, but you also need to completely avoid the eye area (or you'd discover lines you have no idea you had) and not apply it anywhere you tend to get dry patches.

When I tried to use the Total Coverage to conceal redness around my nose, it got dry, flaky and made the situation ten times worse, even though I was using a silicone primer. But when brushed judiciously where needed, the result is as close to airbrushed as it gets. Sometimes that's exactly what one needs.

Bottom line: Not fun, but it works.

Cover FX Total Coverage Cream Foundation ($42) is available from Sephora, on line and in store.

Photos by me.