A few days ago I had a chance to meet the incredibly beautiful and talented Jenny Frankel, vice president and co-creator of Cover FX and chat a little bit about the overall importance of primers and why exactly we should use them.
The brains behind 3 fantastic primers, you know Jenny was the right person to ask. Here’s what she had to say.
Q: Cover FX takes primers very seriously. Why is that?
Jenny: Our objective is to ensure all women and men have a positive experience with the world of coverage and foundation. We know that to the novice foundation wearer, they need help to blend out their foundation so that it looks natural, but yet also still provides ideal all day coverage. If I could give 1 must have tip to the foundation wearer, especially if they are choosing a medium to full coverage foundation liquid or cream texture, is to prep your skin with a foundation primer. A close up of the skin will show peaks and valleys, which are fine lines, rough texture, dry skin and pores…richly pigmented foundation may drag over these peaks and valleys, making blending a challenge. When foundation blending is a challenge, the ultimate result may not be as natural, smooth and youthful looking as desired – the solution is always preparing your skin with a primer. Also, you don’t want pigment to settle into and accentuate fine lines and pores. By choosing a primer, you are smoothing out fine lines, dry skin and pores so that you easily blend to achieve natural looking coverage that wears all day. Many times a foundation wearer may say ‘the foundation makes my skin look dry’, when really, the skin is dry, and a moisturizing primer will perfectly hydrate the skin so the foundation looks flawless.
Q: What is the one ingredient often found in other primers that makes you cringe the most?
Jenny: Try to avoid primers with parabens used as the preservative.
Q: Why?
Jenny: Some of the questions being asked: Is the rising incidence of breast cancer linked in part to the fact that parabens, which have a weak ability to mimic estrogen, have been found in breast cancer tumours and can be isolated from other body tissues? Are declining sperm counts and increasing rates of male breast cancer and testicular cancer related to the fact that these chemicals can be absorbed into our skin, potentially disrupting our endocrine systems? There are no conclusive reports, however, COVER FX believes more research is necessary, and has decided to NOT use parabens in our formulations.
Q: Cover FX has 3 different primers, each addressing different conditions. What should be the most important aspect of choosing a primer that is right for you?
Jenny: Choose a primer that is made for your skin type and skin concern. Choose a multi-tasking cosmeceutical primer that is good for your skin, for instance if your main concern is acne/oily skin…choose a matte foundation primer with anti-acne benefits. If your main concern is skin aging, choose a primer rich in emollients with ingredients such as peptides and anti-oxidants to repair signs of skin aging such as wrinkles. If your concern is hyperpigmentation, choose a primer that evens out brown spots with high SPF to prevent further brown patches.
Q: Financially, things are tough for many people. If you could only afford to buy a really good primer OR a really good foundation, which should you choose?
Jenny: It depends on what your primary concern is. If you want to look flawless instantly, then choose a foundation. Evening out skin tone will provide an instant flawless effect, making your skin look youthful and picture perfect. You may need to have more patience in application to ensure proper blending. If you have dry skin, you should at least try to moisturize first. If you are a novice, choose a liquid or powder formulation that will be easier to blend for a natural looking finish.
Have a specific primer concern? Need a recommendation? Leave your question for Jenny!
In the meanwhile, Cover FX has partnered with The Product Pasha to offer a lucky reader the chance to win The Big Cover Up 3 Step Essentials ($135 value) – a kit including five must-have Cover FX products:
- Skinprep FX Nourishing Foundation Primer and Anti-Aging Serum – 15 ml/0.5 fl.oz
- Cover FX Total Coverage Cream Foundation (3 shades total 12g/ 0.43oz)
- Setting FX Translucent Setting Powder – 6.5g / 0.22oz.
- Foundation Brush with pointed tip
- How-to Instructional DVD featuring Lee Graff
To enter, follow me on Twitter (@ProductPasha) and RT the following: “Follow & RT to win a @CoverFX Big Cover Up Kit from @ProductPasha http://bit.ly/98psOd.” Not a Twitter user? No problem! Just leave a comment below. A winner will be randomly selected on Sunday, May 2nd.
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
I am following you on twitter. I tweeted the contest. Im @kammikoza
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i am also following coverfx on twitter as well.
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Follow & Tweeted
@ShannaEAnderson
http://twitter.com/ShannaEAnderson/status/12819982049
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Would love to try these products-have always been curious about foundation primer.
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After reading this information, I would really love to try these products. They sound amazing!
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What a wonderful prize! I’d love to win…
I’m following & tweeting on twitter!
@debralu
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http://twitter.com/Redlizzy1/status/12824531132
Follow and Tweeted!
)
Thanks for the contest!
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Not a Twitter user, but these sound like some excellent products and I’d love a chance to try them.
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The tweet content didn’t include your twitter ID, so I’m not sure how you are able to see it. Here’s the link to my tweet, just in case
http://twitter.com/Sparkled_Beauty/status/12826485099
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I don’t use Twitter, though I’m thinking about getting an account. I would absolutely love to win though!
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products sound great. Would love them for me & the wife.
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PPasha Reply:
April 25th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Michael,
These products are great for men, too! Good luck!
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I need coverage and this looks great! Thank you so much for having this giveaway.
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When I look in the mirror there is an old woman with blotchy skin looking at me. I would love to find a younger, blotch free version looking back at me.
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PPasha Reply:
April 25th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Carol,
I know what you mean! What do you use currently to even out your skin tone? I might be able to recommend some products… Good luck with the contest!
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I found you on twitter and am excited to learn about your product.
I’m tweeting about your giveaway and hoping to win!! @clulisa
Thanks!
Congrats – 1 year old!!
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PPasha Reply:
April 25th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
Thanks, Lisa!! Good luck!
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tweet!~ wow! thanks for the info and chance to win!! @clulisa :0
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http://twitter.com/mamavalveeta03/status/12835649213
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Oooh this looks like such a fun contest! I bought the powder foundation a while back from Sephora but I think it’s the wrong shade (again). I also have a question for Jenny: I need full coverage and was wondering what combination of CoverFX products would be good for combination full coverage skin?
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Jenny Frankel Reply:
April 26th, 2010 at 6:43 pm
For best results I would recommend you start with Clear Prep FX. It creates a smooth surface for your makeup and it’s also a treatment so it will absorb excess oil and help heal any blemishes. Next apply Cover FX Total Coverage Cream Foundation. It provides full coverage with very little product. Apply it with our #160 brush for best results. Finally set with Setting FX. This translucent powder ensures all day wear and color transference. It’s also a good idea to use Matte FX throughout the day to keep skin feeling fresh and clean throughout the day. I hope this is helpful.
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tweet
http://twitter.com/MeandBells/status/12843791176
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Not a Twitter-er =(
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I really could use this.
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Satisfied user of PowderFX would love to try the other products!
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PPasha Reply:
April 26th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
I LOVE PowderFX – such natural coverage!!! Good luck!
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Would love to try this
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Following you on Twitter (amt946) and Tweeted.
http://twitter.com/amt946/status/12865231609
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http://twitter.com/GotSpawn/status/12875807805
following and tweeting @GotSpawn…I would love to try these products….I can really see my age in my uneven complexion.
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I follow you on twitter (verygoodgrains) and I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/verygoodgrains/status/12880059023
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I’m not a Twitter user, but would LOVE the opportunity to try this product line. As I age I’m having more issues with hyperpigmentation.
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Tweeted. http://twitter.com/theladya/status/12886159982
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I’m following you on Twitter, and I just tweeted about the contest. I also have a question about primers – do they contain SPF or is it better to use a separate sun block?
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Jenny Frankel Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 10:20 am
Hi PrincessPinkCat,
We have one primer with SPF, called Briteprep FX that we launched summer 2009. Even though all of our foundations contain a SPF value ranging from SPF 10 – SPF 30, we recognized that dermatologists are recommending higher and higher SPF values. You could imagine how challenging it would be to reformulate foundation products based on evolving dermatologist SPF recommendations, and the formulation challenges of foundation products with high SPF. Therefore we decided to expand our primer category to included Briteprep FX anti-UV brightening foundation primer with SPF50 photo-aging defense. This smart, multi-tasking skincare product is your SPF50, skin brightener (contains 10% bearberry extract to lighten uneven hyperpigmentation), and foundation primer all in one. This will save you time and money every morning and works with every foundation texture or on its own! There is no need to have a seperate sunscreen!
Hope this helps!!!
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I love this site, find out amazing tweets, and learn a lot!!! Would love to get these products, have used your products in the past and they really work!! Follow your tweets everyday!
[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ’0 which is not a hashcash value.
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I would love to win!!
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net
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i follow you both @DolphinV27 and tweeted http://twitter.com/DolphinV27/status/12894885641
thanks!
DolphinV27@aol.com
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this looks great, I’d love to have it
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Would love to finally try some coverFX!
My question:
My concealing issue is with tattoos. I have some rather large ones i may need to cover in the near future… even though they aren’t on my face, should i still prime? which primer would work best?
<3
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Jenny Frankel Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 10:33 am
Hi Erica K,
Tattoos always conceal best without primer. You want the highly pigmented foundation/concealer to stick to skin so apply it directly. You want to stipple/pat the foundation (Cover FX total coverage cream is recommended) or concealer (try Conceal FX) in the lightest shade (E0/X-light) to lift the tattoo colour, then set with Setting FX, then repeat to cover with a foundation/concealer in your skintone to make it match naturally, then set again to maximize wear and minimize transfer. If the foundation looks like a different texture than your skin, dust bronzer to blend skin textures. Hope this helps!!!
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I’m following both @productpasha and @coverfx on twitter!
I’ve already RT’d this contest 
Thanks for the opportunity to try and win such fab prizes!
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Great info here! Thank you.
I’m following you & CoverFX on Twitter via @xriyah & RT’d:
http://twitter.com/xriyah/statuses/12902045284
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I am starting to see fine lines and I hate it!! I need some help!~
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net
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PPasha Reply:
April 26th, 2010 at 5:29 pm
I know! Those pesky little lines!! Good luck!
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A primer is a must at my age, I would love to try the anti-aging one!
retweeted & following @primebeauty50
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i’d love to try this! fx products seem so cool!
bellabelle27@gmail.com
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Would love these, need so badly!
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follow and tweeted
@lefty22
Thanks,
Darlene
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I already use the CoverFX primer! I love their makeup line! Always perfect makeup and lasting coverage.
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Hello! great giveaway! thanks for the oppoutunity.
tweeted from @shopgurl
http://twitter.com/shopgurl/status/12928834946
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Would love to try!
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I’ve always used just a little foundation on a regular basis, mainly to blend in with my under eye concealer. (Except when I need to really put on the make-up.)
Now that my under eye wrinkles are getting more pronounced – sigh- age… it’s trickier to get away with this and not look worse than I started.
Am I left doing a full face foundation over a primer along with my under eye concealer every day now? What are the alternatives?
Thanks.
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I’d really like to try these products.
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follow and tweeted
http://twitter.com/Missybeez80/status/1297241103
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thanks for the chance ! awesome products
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I follow you on twitter, and tweeted http://twitter.com/karenar25/status/12989871650
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This is a great giveaway. Would love to try Cover FX. Random number generator please pick me.
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