Cover FX Holiday 2017 Custom Enhancer Drops Set Review, Photos, Swatches
Holiday 2017
Cover FX Holiday 2017 Custom Enhancer Drops Set ($42.00 for 0.60 fl. oz.) contains four, miniature-sized liquid highlighters. All four shades are available individually, but the set is an excellent way to enjoy the liquid highlighter formula without committing to the higher price tag for a single shade. Plus, as a liquid-based formula, they just won’t last as long as a powder one, so the smaller sizes means finishing them has a higher possibility!
I have reviewed these shades previously, when they were originally released as individual shades, and I did not find any inconsistencies in color, finish, or texture when swatching and applying these shades to my cheeks, so I did not re-test for wear time. For each shade, I’ve included a link to my original, more in-depth review, and you can also click on the tab “Formula Overview,” which provides an in-depth overview of the formula in general.
Value
Each full-sized Custom Enhancer Drops retails for $42.00 and contains 0.50 fl. oz. or $84.00/fl. oz. The set contains $50.40 worth of product.
Ingredients
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Mica, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77499).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Holiday 2017
LELimited Edition. $42.00.
Celestial
Celestial is a soft pink with warm undertones and a luminous, pearly sheen. The consistency was thin with a lot of movement, but a little went a long way whether used as a highlighter on the the skin or mixed in with base products. It had a moderate to strong pearly sheen. The product went on evenly so it didn’t need a lot of blending once it was spread over the desired area. The edges remained blendable for about 10-15 seconds after initially spreading the product across the skin, and then the product had mostly dried down and was less easily diffused. This shade wore well for nine hours on me. Read my prior in-depth review here.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Makeup Revolution Liquid Starlight (P, $9.00) is lighter, less pigmented (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Pink Lightning (P, $8.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Clionadh Slaine (P, $12.50) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Arctic Moon (P, $8.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Burberry No. 03 Pink Pearl (P, $68.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- L'Oreal Daybreak (P, $14.99) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Becca Acceptance (P, $38.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Rare Beauty Mesmerize (P, $22.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Poker Face (LE, $10.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Wicked (LE, $26.00) is lighter (95% similar).
Formula Overview
$42.00/0.5 oz. - $84.00 Per Ounce
Custom Enhancer Drops are a liquid formula that can add a “highlighting, strobing, or bronzing effect” to your favorite liquid products or used alone on top of (or underneath) your other products (including powder); two of the six shades are bronzing and four are more shimmery/metallic for highlighting. It is a buildable coverage product, so that you can use as many or as few drops as desired for the effect (and it will depend on how you use it; mixing with a moisturizer for all-over may require less product than spot application on cheeks after other makeup is applied!).
These are similar to formulas like Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer (runs a bit sheerer overall, less buildable), Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector (Liquid) (much sheerer), and NARS Illuminators (sheerer, usually contains larger shimmer/glitter particles). The major difference is the intensity of the pearl and buildability in coverage (easier to get to full coverage but still easy to retain sheer coverage).
What’s neat about these is that they are versatile as you want them to be; they really do perform well mixed with various liquid and cream products (moisturizer, foundation, tinted moisturizer, primer) while also working under and over makeup, and they really are buildable from sheer to opaque coverage. Initially, the formula might seem incredibly pigmented, but the thin, liquid consistency makes it very easy to sheer out.
They are actually sheerer than they seem upon initial swatching or application, as the consistency naturally creates a sheerer layer as soon as you work it across the skin. That being said, unless you’re mixing with a base product, one drop is likely overkill for spot application. These have a strong sheen but very fine shimmer, so it produces more of a pearly, glowing effect on the skin–lightly dewy with moderate shine and some noticeable shimmer.
They dry down within 10-15 seconds of blending out the product and feel like a powder but with better hold (I get almost no transfer, and it doesn’t noticeably lift or move), so the sheen you see is from a damp or wet product, it’s the reflective quality of the pearl. You can, however, build these up to opaque coverage, and at that level, some of the shimmery shades can emphasize the texture of the skin.
The formula also wore well on me, ranging from eight to ten hours with minimal signs of fading. I’d expect that this formula will work for someone who likes moderate highlighters with luminous, shiny, pearly finishes or likes all-over warmth (in the case of the bronzing shades) with a satin-to-matte finish.
Alone: I’ve patted them over bare skin, liquid foundation, and liquid foundation with setting powder on top. For best results, I like to tap my brush against the applicator (not even using the droplet applicator to get a drop out) and then stipple the product onto the skin. I tend to apply both my bronzers and highlighters more along the cheek areas, so I would stipple a few times along my cheeks or cheekbones and then lightly buff in small circles. It worked equally well just dabbing my fingertips against my skin and using the side of my fingertip to sweep and blend the product out. I was particularly impressed by how well it applied over powder, as the sheerer, smooth texture didn’t disrupt base products and move foundation or turn the area patchy. When testing for wear, I used its longevity on bare skin as my major measure for the rating, but I did wear the shades mixed in and layered with a multitude of products to ensure that the formula wasn’t prone to shortening the wear of other products.
Mixed with Primer: I tried it with both water and silicone-based primers, and I had no preference for one over the other with respect to these drops. I used one to two drops for all-over luminosity; I preferred one drop myself, as it gave me a dewier finish that wasn’t over-the-top for my preference. If you wear a lighter-coverage base on top of primer, mixing with primer could work for all-over glow/warmth, but if you wear light-medium or heavier coverage, I would suggest mixing with your foundation or applying on top of your foundation as it gets lost under heavier coverage.
Mixed with Foundation: I tried it with tinted moisturizer, sheer coverage foundation, medium coverage foundation, and full coverage foundation. In general, heavier coverage foundations are a bit thicker than the ultra sheer formulas. I found one to drops was sufficient with tinted to medium coverage formulas, while full coverage was less receptive–it made the foundation dewier but wasn’t as luminous as with lighter coverage foundations. If I wore full coverage foundation, I preferred this patted on top at the end, rather than mixed.
Mixed with Moisturizer: Like primer, this method works well when you skip foundation or wear lighter coverage foundation. I can imagine this combination working well for those with flatter or more matte skin naturally, as it gives noticeable luminosity and dewiness. While I didn’t personally like the level of sheen it gave my face when mixed with moisturizer, I loved it for body–particularly on shoulders and decolletage. It is also gorgeous on legs. I really liked mixing one of the highlighting shades with a bronzing shade for a little color, warmth, and sheen on legs.
Browse all of our Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops (Illuminating) swatches.
Ingredients
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Mica, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77499).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Celestial
PPermanent. $42.00.
Halo
Halo is a pale, iridescent bluish-white base with cooler blue and lavender pearl. It had more of a subtle sheen compared to a lot of the shades in the formula, and the consistency was more watery to me, so it was harder to build it up to full coverage. That being said, all of those inconsistencies compared to the other shades were the same ones I found when this shade was released individually earlier this year. It wore well for nine hours on me. Read my prior in-depth review here.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Looxi Beauty Wicked (P, $7.50) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- OFRA Space Baby (LE, $29.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Lethal Cosmetics Stellar (P, $18.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Kaleidos Moon Cruiser (P, $14.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Milk Makeup Icy Blue (LE, $30.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Dior Holographic Glow (006) (P, $50.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Becca Aquamarine (LE, $38.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Becca Icicle (LE, $38.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Anastasia Blue Ice (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Makeup Revolution Unicorn Elixir (P, $9.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$42.00/0.5 oz. - $84.00 Per Ounce
Custom Enhancer Drops are a liquid formula that can add a “highlighting, strobing, or bronzing effect” to your favorite liquid products or used alone on top of (or underneath) your other products (including powder); two of the six shades are bronzing and four are more shimmery/metallic for highlighting. It is a buildable coverage product, so that you can use as many or as few drops as desired for the effect (and it will depend on how you use it; mixing with a moisturizer for all-over may require less product than spot application on cheeks after other makeup is applied!).
These are similar to formulas like Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer (runs a bit sheerer overall, less buildable), Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector (Liquid) (much sheerer), and NARS Illuminators (sheerer, usually contains larger shimmer/glitter particles). The major difference is the intensity of the pearl and buildability in coverage (easier to get to full coverage but still easy to retain sheer coverage).
What’s neat about these is that they are versatile as you want them to be; they really do perform well mixed with various liquid and cream products (moisturizer, foundation, tinted moisturizer, primer) while also working under and over makeup, and they really are buildable from sheer to opaque coverage. Initially, the formula might seem incredibly pigmented, but the thin, liquid consistency makes it very easy to sheer out.
They are actually sheerer than they seem upon initial swatching or application, as the consistency naturally creates a sheerer layer as soon as you work it across the skin. That being said, unless you’re mixing with a base product, one drop is likely overkill for spot application. These have a strong sheen but very fine shimmer, so it produces more of a pearly, glowing effect on the skin–lightly dewy with moderate shine and some noticeable shimmer.
They dry down within 10-15 seconds of blending out the product and feel like a powder but with better hold (I get almost no transfer, and it doesn’t noticeably lift or move), so the sheen you see is from a damp or wet product, it’s the reflective quality of the pearl. You can, however, build these up to opaque coverage, and at that level, some of the shimmery shades can emphasize the texture of the skin.
The formula also wore well on me, ranging from eight to ten hours with minimal signs of fading. I’d expect that this formula will work for someone who likes moderate highlighters with luminous, shiny, pearly finishes or likes all-over warmth (in the case of the bronzing shades) with a satin-to-matte finish.
Alone: I’ve patted them over bare skin, liquid foundation, and liquid foundation with setting powder on top. For best results, I like to tap my brush against the applicator (not even using the droplet applicator to get a drop out) and then stipple the product onto the skin. I tend to apply both my bronzers and highlighters more along the cheek areas, so I would stipple a few times along my cheeks or cheekbones and then lightly buff in small circles. It worked equally well just dabbing my fingertips against my skin and using the side of my fingertip to sweep and blend the product out. I was particularly impressed by how well it applied over powder, as the sheerer, smooth texture didn’t disrupt base products and move foundation or turn the area patchy. When testing for wear, I used its longevity on bare skin as my major measure for the rating, but I did wear the shades mixed in and layered with a multitude of products to ensure that the formula wasn’t prone to shortening the wear of other products.
Mixed with Primer: I tried it with both water and silicone-based primers, and I had no preference for one over the other with respect to these drops. I used one to two drops for all-over luminosity; I preferred one drop myself, as it gave me a dewier finish that wasn’t over-the-top for my preference. If you wear a lighter-coverage base on top of primer, mixing with primer could work for all-over glow/warmth, but if you wear light-medium or heavier coverage, I would suggest mixing with your foundation or applying on top of your foundation as it gets lost under heavier coverage.
Mixed with Foundation: I tried it with tinted moisturizer, sheer coverage foundation, medium coverage foundation, and full coverage foundation. In general, heavier coverage foundations are a bit thicker than the ultra sheer formulas. I found one to drops was sufficient with tinted to medium coverage formulas, while full coverage was less receptive–it made the foundation dewier but wasn’t as luminous as with lighter coverage foundations. If I wore full coverage foundation, I preferred this patted on top at the end, rather than mixed.
Mixed with Moisturizer: Like primer, this method works well when you skip foundation or wear lighter coverage foundation. I can imagine this combination working well for those with flatter or more matte skin naturally, as it gives noticeable luminosity and dewiness. While I didn’t personally like the level of sheen it gave my face when mixed with moisturizer, I loved it for body–particularly on shoulders and decolletage. It is also gorgeous on legs. I really liked mixing one of the highlighting shades with a bronzing shade for a little color, warmth, and sheen on legs.
Browse all of our Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops (Illuminating) swatches.
Ingredients
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Mica, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77499).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Look Using this Product
Halo
PPermanent. $42.00.
Rose Gold
Rose Gold is a medium, rosy copper with warm, golden undertones and a pearly sheen. The finish was more metallic on this shade with medium, buildable coverage that was really as pigmented or as sheer as desired–it just depended on how much one applied. It wore well for ten hours on me. Read my prior in-depth review here.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Rare Beauty Flaunt (P, $25.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Butterfly Beach (P, $10.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Becca Rose Gold (P, $19.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- YSL Bronze Gold (P, $42.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Makeup Revolution Liquid Bronze Gold (P, $9.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Lancome Glowing Lights (P, $30.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Morphe Mirage (P, $14.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Tarte Candlelight (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Inglot J203 Luminous (LE, $23.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Tower 28 Sun Coast (P, $20.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$42.00/0.5 oz. - $84.00 Per Ounce
Custom Enhancer Drops are a liquid formula that can add a “highlighting, strobing, or bronzing effect” to your favorite liquid products or used alone on top of (or underneath) your other products (including powder); two of the six shades are bronzing and four are more shimmery/metallic for highlighting. It is a buildable coverage product, so that you can use as many or as few drops as desired for the effect (and it will depend on how you use it; mixing with a moisturizer for all-over may require less product than spot application on cheeks after other makeup is applied!).
These are similar to formulas like Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer (runs a bit sheerer overall, less buildable), Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector (Liquid) (much sheerer), and NARS Illuminators (sheerer, usually contains larger shimmer/glitter particles). The major difference is the intensity of the pearl and buildability in coverage (easier to get to full coverage but still easy to retain sheer coverage).
What’s neat about these is that they are versatile as you want them to be; they really do perform well mixed with various liquid and cream products (moisturizer, foundation, tinted moisturizer, primer) while also working under and over makeup, and they really are buildable from sheer to opaque coverage. Initially, the formula might seem incredibly pigmented, but the thin, liquid consistency makes it very easy to sheer out.
They are actually sheerer than they seem upon initial swatching or application, as the consistency naturally creates a sheerer layer as soon as you work it across the skin. That being said, unless you’re mixing with a base product, one drop is likely overkill for spot application. These have a strong sheen but very fine shimmer, so it produces more of a pearly, glowing effect on the skin–lightly dewy with moderate shine and some noticeable shimmer.
They dry down within 10-15 seconds of blending out the product and feel like a powder but with better hold (I get almost no transfer, and it doesn’t noticeably lift or move), so the sheen you see is from a damp or wet product, it’s the reflective quality of the pearl. You can, however, build these up to opaque coverage, and at that level, some of the shimmery shades can emphasize the texture of the skin.
The formula also wore well on me, ranging from eight to ten hours with minimal signs of fading. I’d expect that this formula will work for someone who likes moderate highlighters with luminous, shiny, pearly finishes or likes all-over warmth (in the case of the bronzing shades) with a satin-to-matte finish.
Alone: I’ve patted them over bare skin, liquid foundation, and liquid foundation with setting powder on top. For best results, I like to tap my brush against the applicator (not even using the droplet applicator to get a drop out) and then stipple the product onto the skin. I tend to apply both my bronzers and highlighters more along the cheek areas, so I would stipple a few times along my cheeks or cheekbones and then lightly buff in small circles. It worked equally well just dabbing my fingertips against my skin and using the side of my fingertip to sweep and blend the product out. I was particularly impressed by how well it applied over powder, as the sheerer, smooth texture didn’t disrupt base products and move foundation or turn the area patchy. When testing for wear, I used its longevity on bare skin as my major measure for the rating, but I did wear the shades mixed in and layered with a multitude of products to ensure that the formula wasn’t prone to shortening the wear of other products.
Mixed with Primer: I tried it with both water and silicone-based primers, and I had no preference for one over the other with respect to these drops. I used one to two drops for all-over luminosity; I preferred one drop myself, as it gave me a dewier finish that wasn’t over-the-top for my preference. If you wear a lighter-coverage base on top of primer, mixing with primer could work for all-over glow/warmth, but if you wear light-medium or heavier coverage, I would suggest mixing with your foundation or applying on top of your foundation as it gets lost under heavier coverage.
Mixed with Foundation: I tried it with tinted moisturizer, sheer coverage foundation, medium coverage foundation, and full coverage foundation. In general, heavier coverage foundations are a bit thicker than the ultra sheer formulas. I found one to drops was sufficient with tinted to medium coverage formulas, while full coverage was less receptive–it made the foundation dewier but wasn’t as luminous as with lighter coverage foundations. If I wore full coverage foundation, I preferred this patted on top at the end, rather than mixed.
Mixed with Moisturizer: Like primer, this method works well when you skip foundation or wear lighter coverage foundation. I can imagine this combination working well for those with flatter or more matte skin naturally, as it gives noticeable luminosity and dewiness. While I didn’t personally like the level of sheen it gave my face when mixed with moisturizer, I loved it for body–particularly on shoulders and decolletage. It is also gorgeous on legs. I really liked mixing one of the highlighting shades with a bronzing shade for a little color, warmth, and sheen on legs.
Browse all of our Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops (Illuminating) swatches.
Ingredients
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Mica, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77499).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Rose Gold
PPermanent. $42.00.
Moonlight
Moonlight is a dirty, medium gold with warm, brown undertones and a pearly sheen. It had a moderate to strong sheen in finish and was one of the shades just on the edge of accentuating the skin’s natural texture. The texture was thin, spreadable, and easy to work with when it was damp or drying down, and once it dried down, it tended to feel set in place, so it was harder to diffuse the edges without really buffing them out (and if you applied it over foundation, it could lift your base product due to the vigor needed to blend). It had buildable coverage that started at semi-sheer to medium, and it could be diffused to sheer or layered to opaque coverage. It stayed on well for nine hours on me. Read my prior in-depth review here.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Burberry No. 02 Nude Gold (LE, $68.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Cover FX Moonlight (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- NARS First Time (LE, $26.00) is less shimmery, lighter, less pigmented (90% similar).
- Bobbi Brown 24 Karat (P, $46.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Burberry Gold Glow No. 01 (LE, $68.00) is less shimmery, darker, more muted (90% similar).
- Anastasia Perla (P, $25.00) is less shimmery, more muted (90% similar).
- Flesh Beauty Twitch (P, $18.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Gold Ore (P, $39.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- LORAC Twilight (P, $23.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Strobe Globe (P, $7.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$42.00/0.5 oz. - $84.00 Per Ounce
Custom Enhancer Drops are a liquid formula that can add a “highlighting, strobing, or bronzing effect” to your favorite liquid products or used alone on top of (or underneath) your other products (including powder); two of the six shades are bronzing and four are more shimmery/metallic for highlighting. It is a buildable coverage product, so that you can use as many or as few drops as desired for the effect (and it will depend on how you use it; mixing with a moisturizer for all-over may require less product than spot application on cheeks after other makeup is applied!).
These are similar to formulas like Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer (runs a bit sheerer overall, less buildable), Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector (Liquid) (much sheerer), and NARS Illuminators (sheerer, usually contains larger shimmer/glitter particles). The major difference is the intensity of the pearl and buildability in coverage (easier to get to full coverage but still easy to retain sheer coverage).
What’s neat about these is that they are versatile as you want them to be; they really do perform well mixed with various liquid and cream products (moisturizer, foundation, tinted moisturizer, primer) while also working under and over makeup, and they really are buildable from sheer to opaque coverage. Initially, the formula might seem incredibly pigmented, but the thin, liquid consistency makes it very easy to sheer out.
They are actually sheerer than they seem upon initial swatching or application, as the consistency naturally creates a sheerer layer as soon as you work it across the skin. That being said, unless you’re mixing with a base product, one drop is likely overkill for spot application. These have a strong sheen but very fine shimmer, so it produces more of a pearly, glowing effect on the skin–lightly dewy with moderate shine and some noticeable shimmer.
They dry down within 10-15 seconds of blending out the product and feel like a powder but with better hold (I get almost no transfer, and it doesn’t noticeably lift or move), so the sheen you see is from a damp or wet product, it’s the reflective quality of the pearl. You can, however, build these up to opaque coverage, and at that level, some of the shimmery shades can emphasize the texture of the skin.
The formula also wore well on me, ranging from eight to ten hours with minimal signs of fading. I’d expect that this formula will work for someone who likes moderate highlighters with luminous, shiny, pearly finishes or likes all-over warmth (in the case of the bronzing shades) with a satin-to-matte finish.
Alone: I’ve patted them over bare skin, liquid foundation, and liquid foundation with setting powder on top. For best results, I like to tap my brush against the applicator (not even using the droplet applicator to get a drop out) and then stipple the product onto the skin. I tend to apply both my bronzers and highlighters more along the cheek areas, so I would stipple a few times along my cheeks or cheekbones and then lightly buff in small circles. It worked equally well just dabbing my fingertips against my skin and using the side of my fingertip to sweep and blend the product out. I was particularly impressed by how well it applied over powder, as the sheerer, smooth texture didn’t disrupt base products and move foundation or turn the area patchy. When testing for wear, I used its longevity on bare skin as my major measure for the rating, but I did wear the shades mixed in and layered with a multitude of products to ensure that the formula wasn’t prone to shortening the wear of other products.
Mixed with Primer: I tried it with both water and silicone-based primers, and I had no preference for one over the other with respect to these drops. I used one to two drops for all-over luminosity; I preferred one drop myself, as it gave me a dewier finish that wasn’t over-the-top for my preference. If you wear a lighter-coverage base on top of primer, mixing with primer could work for all-over glow/warmth, but if you wear light-medium or heavier coverage, I would suggest mixing with your foundation or applying on top of your foundation as it gets lost under heavier coverage.
Mixed with Foundation: I tried it with tinted moisturizer, sheer coverage foundation, medium coverage foundation, and full coverage foundation. In general, heavier coverage foundations are a bit thicker than the ultra sheer formulas. I found one to drops was sufficient with tinted to medium coverage formulas, while full coverage was less receptive–it made the foundation dewier but wasn’t as luminous as with lighter coverage foundations. If I wore full coverage foundation, I preferred this patted on top at the end, rather than mixed.
Mixed with Moisturizer: Like primer, this method works well when you skip foundation or wear lighter coverage foundation. I can imagine this combination working well for those with flatter or more matte skin naturally, as it gives noticeable luminosity and dewiness. While I didn’t personally like the level of sheen it gave my face when mixed with moisturizer, I loved it for body–particularly on shoulders and decolletage. It is also gorgeous on legs. I really liked mixing one of the highlighting shades with a bronzing shade for a little color, warmth, and sheen on legs.
Browse all of our Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops (Illuminating) swatches.
Ingredients
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Mica, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77499).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Damn, now I’m wishing I’d held out on buying Moonlight and got this set instead – I barely need to TOUCH the thing before I’ve got shimmer everywhere, the mini would be more than enough and I’d have a choice of colours.
ugh me too! i wanted to buy the holographic one but i knew that i would never use it enough to justify. so this holiday size is perfect for me, but i already have celestial and moonlight so i will have to pass
SAD SIGH. I WISH this was on Sephora Canada!!!! These look stunning 🙁
Are they not? CoverFX was originally a Canadian company, developed at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto. I remember when their products were available at Shopper’s Drug Mart (I don’t think they are any longer though – seems they “vanished” about a year ago, probably some sort of deal with Sephora – RATS!)
They are not on Sephora Canada so far! I love Cover FX as a Torontonian myself. So I’m really, really bummed right now!!!
Yeah still says product not available……. I’m also impatiently waiting. We have CoverFX displays in our local stores in Sephora. And Yeah they don’t even carry it at Murale (which is Shoppers trying to be Ulta stores)
Good news – it’s now available on the Sephora Canada website.
I need more highlighters like I need a hole in the head but this is hard to resist, especially with such a good review!
Same!
This is the sort of thing I love to see from companies – some decent extra value as a holiday “gift” for their customers (and, let’s face it, even on these items, they’re still making a pretty hefty profit). I just may buy this set, though I need to think about whether I actually need it.
I have been hoping for months that CoverFX would launch a holiday set, and they did! I grabbed this as soon as it launched. I have a full size of Sunlight, which I love to mix into my foundation and I agree, these smaller sizes seem to be just as good quality as the full size. The full size is ginormous, so this is a great way to try out different shades without breaking the bank or wasting product. And don’t let the small size fool you –these are really pigmented, a little goes a long way
I wish they did 2 if these sets. This seems great for lighter skin tones, I would have loved if they did one with the darker shades for darker skin tones.
It seems darker skintones get shafted with sets of minis in general – they always seem to be at least 50% shades that would turn ashy for anyone brown.
Seems like the one best way to try these out that makes sense to me! I love that Cover FX has done a mini set for this winter. It would have behooved them to do 2 sets: one darker, one lighter, though.
It would be neat if they had another set!
What a beautiful set! This would be a great way to try out the shades.
This is the best holiday set I’ve seen yet, especially for those that haven’t tried these before. I bought Candlelight a while back but it might be worth it to pick up this set ?
What does everyone think about the odds of this selling out before the Rouge sale in November? I know if I buy it now, it will still be in stock during the sale, and if I don’t, it will be long gone, and nothing like it will ever be offered again. FOMO in action.
It’s sooo hard to know since Cover FX doesn’t put out lots of kits – I think they did a set of full-sized ones and that sold out quickly but my guess is they did not make as many, you know?
LOVE these drops! They’re perfect for mixing into my moisturizer or foundation or body lotion. I’m hooked. I’ll definitely be picking these up!
Which color is your fave?
I purchased this, but I’m completely on the fence about keeping it. Moonlight and Celestial seem too stark for my skin tone, but Rose Gold and Halo are freaking gorgeous. I wish they would have added an additional shade like Sunkissed or Candlelight into the set, so it would have been more accessible to deeper skin tones.
Have you tried using a fan brush or mixing with foundation/moisturizer instead? Curious if either of those ways would work better (since you already have the set).
I might try to do that. Hopefully my warm foundation will help lessen the impact of the silvery-ness.
So sad about how pretty these are. I bought Rose Gold and had to return it because it broke me out like crazy.
This is a fun set. I’m interested in it but I often gravitate toward powder highlights. I do like you get 4 colors for the price of one and they seem to be very friendly for a wide range of skin tones. My face just eats liquid highlighter with the exception of becca. I might swatch in store to see how they play now that my skin isn’t quite as dehydrated as it once was.
Hi ? I just noticed a mistake in your review: the set contains 0.6 fl oz…(O.15 fl oz x4 items =0.6 fl oz)…which makes the set better value for money compared to the individual full size products.
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