Chi Chi Fabulous and Flawless Foundation

If you follow me on Instagram you would have seen countless photos of me wearing/using Chi Chi's Fabulous and Flawless Foundation quite a few times a week. I have featured this foundation in other posts "Picking the right foundation for you" and in "July favourites"

But I felt like it deserved its very own post so I could go further into detail for you.

I have been using this foundation since July, not every day but I think at least every second day and I have finished my first bottle. Which I haven't done in such a long time, so I am a little excited about it

I was attracted to this foundation by the description on the packaging:

Flawless Face:
Oil free, ultra lightweight formula
Medium, yet buildable coverage
Long wearing, smudge proof, staying power
Easy glide on application
Skin looks and feels soft, fresh and natural
colour true, even looking shades.

Fabulous Formula:
Super moisturising
Super Hydrating
Antioxidant Vitamin enriched (A E and B5)
With continual use helps reduce the appearance of fine lines
Paraben free

After reading all this I had to try it and I loved it. I think it would be my favourite foundation to date. I have never found a foundation that does what it says it will do. I love the coverage as I can cover my freckles and when I tell people I have freckles they don't believe me, because my foundation looks so natural and flawless and doesn't go cakey as I build on the coverage and once it's on my face it stays there all day. It doesn't rub onto my clothes or my hands if I touch my face.

From the outset everything appealed to me. The packaging is simple but very eye appealing and with easy explanations of colour descriptions it makes it easy to select a shade. The bottle itself is lovely and looks like its worth more than its retail price of $29.95. It is a matte glass bottle with a pump which makes it easy to use. You can also unscrew the pump so you scrape every last little bit out (which I have been doing, so I don't waste it)

The formula is very easy to blend. It's not runny or thick, it's a nice consistency and doesn't feel heavy on at all and has a satin sort of finish. It's not matte but not dewy. It has a nice fragrant smell of flowers as well when you first pump it out of the bottle but once its applied and set with a powder I never smell it.

I have an oily T zone and struggle to find a foundation that stays on all day, especially on my nose and chin. I find myself having to touch up my makeup during the day with other brands, but Chi Chi Fabulous and Flawless I can wear this for at least 8 hours and it will still look ok when I get home from work, by then though I am a little shiny on my nose but for at least a solid 6 hours my freckles are covered and I look matte down the centre of my face. It also doesn't smudge off if you wipe it against clothes or touch your hand against your face.

I own two shades of this now. One for my normal skin tone and one for when I fake tan.

As you can see I am a fan and love this foundation and will recommend it to others, but I am aware everybody is different and different products suit everyone but for me this is amazing and I LOVE it and for the price I think it such great value. It is available from Myer and Target in Australia who have discounts on Chi Chi quite often.

Until next time
xox

PS to keep up to date with products I'm loving, wearing or different makeup looks

 you can find me on Instagram: @claudaciousmakeup
Facebook: www.facebook.com/claudaciousmakeup

July Favourites

Wow........ July was a month of so many new and exciting products hitting the shelves  I had to try a few and the products I am loving this month are.......

1. Face of Australia HD primer
2. Chi Chi Fabulous and Flawless foundation
3 Chi Chi Real mineral finishing powder
4 L'Oréal Infallible foundation
5 Suvana Organic Paw Paw balm

Sooooo the Chi Chi foundation isn't a new product but I had seen so many good things about it, I had to try it and after a month of using it I still think its one of my best purchases to date. I haven't been able to find a foundation that does what it says says it will do, lasts for sufficient hours without needing to be reapplied or re powdered.

The colour match was perfect and the way Chi Chi sets out the descriptions on the packaging makes it so easy to find the right shade.

The first day I actually wore this foundation I was in the sun for 5 hours at the beach which included a 3km walk. After all that my face looked flawless. I was with my Bestie and were both impressed I wasn't shiny or my foundation wasn't wearing off. Since that day I have pretty much been wearing everyday. I am constantly getting complimented on my foundation and how good and flawless I look.

A few weeks later I came across the Chi Chi Real mineral translucent finishing powder at Myer. A week later I had to get it and wearing these 2 together is a match made in heaven.
The powder is loose and white, you don't need to use a lot. Over applied and it could leave you looking a little white.

Face of Australia HD primer
I tried this in store at Priceline the day it hit the shelf and instantly loved how it felt on my hand. I had to have it. I personally prefer silicone based primers (which this one is) it's also oil free so it won't clog your pores :)
When applied to my face it felt smoother all over any fine lines and pores were filled in. I have worn a few different foundations with this primer all have lasted and look good at the end of the day

L'Oréal Infallible Foundation
I never tried the old formula but I do love and wear L'Oréal true match. Infallible is a nice thick liquid. Two coats applied to my face and it covers perfectly. The only downside is the colour range.  With only 7 shades it was hard to match to my skin tone. I got #140 Golden beige. It's yellow based and darker than my skin colour but it's perfect when I tan. It doesn't look thick and cakey and it lasts all day

Suvana Organic Paw Paw and Honey Balm
A very good friend of mine Shenae Gillespie is the face of this amazing product. Once she told me about it I had to try it out. I have used other paw paw products in the past, but I have now tossed them since using this one.

 The taste is so much nicer because of the honey. It doesn't feel thick (as I do use it mainly on my lips) the best thing is it doesn't contain any harmful chemicals and is sulphate and paraben free. I have a terrible cold this week so my nose and lips have been dry but using Suvana Paw Paw my lips are back to normally and the dry skin on my nose has healed.

Until  next time xox

Picking the right foundation for YOU!!!!

As I work in a retail makeup store I have a lot of customers (and foundafriends) wanting new foundations but are unsure of what they want. So I have put together a list of foundations to suit everyone. From light coverage to full coverage. Keep reading to find the right foundation for you

LIGHT COVERAGE:

BB Cream: BB means Beauty Balm, a makeup product that's all in one. To put it simple its a tinted moisturiser with extra benefits.
I have a couple of BB creams and loved them when they became popular last year. But I  prefer to wear a full coverage foundation, but my top two would be:

Rimmel Matte BB Cream. I love wearing the Rimmel one as I love the finish. It is matte. Feels nice on without being sticky

In this picture I have used a sample size as I couldn't find my actual product.

Revlon's BB cream has the highest SPF in all drugstore BB's. So this is my go to product when I head to the beach.

BB is great if you want a light coverage, it will be perfect for weekends, school or the beach

LIGHT/MEDIUM COVERAGE:

Revlon Nearly Naked: A light weight foundation that looks natural on  and melts into your skin with a build able coverage. If you have freckles, pimples you will still see them. Your skin will look fresh and flawless without looking like you are wearing makeup. Its an oil free formula so its perfect for all skin types.

Maybelline Fit Me shine-Free Stick Foundation: Most stick foundations offer full coverage until this one. Its a gel stick foundation with the centre offering an anti shine formula. It's easy to apply and blend. The Fit me stick provides a light to medium build able coverage oil free and sets matte.

Both of these are great foundations for everyday use.


MEDIUM COVERAGE:

L'Oreal True Match: One of my top 5 foundations. I love the coverage it gives. Its medium yet build able. I can apply two light layers over my face and it will cover my freckles. It looks flawless on and doesn't crease and wears well all day. It has a low SPF aswell which makes it a perfect foundation to wear to avoid that "ghost" look while using a flash on cameras.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation: I think I wear this every Monday or the day after a late night. It reawakens my skin with an anti-fatigue glow. It gives a flawless yet natural finish and leaves a radiant glow.
This is a great product for tired fatigued skin.

MEDIUM/FULL COVERAGE:

Chi Chi Fabulous and Flawless: OMG I am loving this foundation at the moment. I bought this about two weeks ago and have pretty much been using it everyday. I love a foundation to cover my freckles and stay matte all day without having to powder my face several times a day. This foundation does both. I can wear this for over eight hours and it will stay on my face and I will be shine free. I am so glad I have found this foundation.

Revlon Colorstay Foundation: I use to wear this foundation for years before I became a MUA and before i started working in retail makeup store and branched out and tried others. Its still an old favourite of mine but I love others more these days. The formula has changed and I prefer the new formula. Colorstay is available in Normal/Dry and Combination/Oily. I wear the combination foundation. It wears all day with a lightweight feel and doesn't come off. I have worn it to the beach wasn't expecting to go swimming, but I did and it was still on in most parts of my face at the end of the day. Colorstay is oil free so it doesn't clog my pores

I hope you guys find this helpful when looking for new foundations
If you have any questionnd if you have any looks or products you want to know about feel free to contact me.

Instagram: @claudaciousmakeup
Facebook: Claudacious Makeup

Chi Chi New Smokey Eye Palette

So it was my birthday during the week and I got the new Chi Chi Smokeys palette. I have used it quiet a few times already so I thought I would share the looks I did with you all, how to recreate them and my impressions on the palette.

When I first saw this palette I wasn't sure how much I would use these colours and if they would suit me (I tend to wear more golds, bronze and browns)

I have played around with three different smokey eye looks and was really surprised with how pretty they looked. Like all the Chi Chi palettes the colours are highly pigmented, they are creamy so there is no fall out. I love that the palette contains matte and shimmery colours

LOOK 1: BLUE SMOKEY EYE

1. Apply the blue shade into the crease and blend onto the eyelid.

2. Build up the blue by applying more of the colour over the top in the crease. And blend.

3. Add the matte black to the outer corner and into the crease. Blending the colour out. 

4. Lightly place some of the black shimmer onto the eyelid and blend over the area (except for the inner corner)

5. On the inner corner and on the brow bone place the silver shade to use as a highlighter against the darker colours.

6. Apply a little blue and black on the bottom lashline and blend lightly.

7.  Line the top lash line with liquid eyeliner.

8. Coat top and bottom lashes with mascara and then add some fake lashes.

LOOK 2: PLUM BROWN EYE

1. Start with applying the plum shade I to the creaseof the eye and then blend. Repeat until you have a nice deep colour and blend any harsh lines.

2. Add the matte brown shade on the outer corner in a C shape, into the crease and on the eyelid. Blend all over.

3. Apply some of the light gold colour into the inner corner of the eye.

4. Line bottom lash line with the matte brown eyeshdow and lighlty blend 

5. Apply liquid eyeliner along top lashline

6. Coat lashes with mascara and finish with a full bar of false lashes 

LOOK 3: SOFT BROWN EYE LOOK

1. Apply the soft light brown all over the eyelid and blend into crease. 

2. On the outer corner apply the matte shade and build up the colour. Blend into crease.

3. Using liquid eyeliner apply it along the top lashline and use a black eye pencil and lightly apply on bottom lash line

4. Coat lashes with mascara. 

Hope you all liked these looks 

Until next time xoxo

Winter makeup trends 2014

Well winter is finally here so I thought I would share with you the latest looks for winter inspired from the runaways across the globe

Biggest winter trends will be:

Metallic eyeshadows: lots of gold, bronze, copper, browns and chocolates

Smokey eye makeup

Deep wine and plum lipsticks

Blue eyemakeup

Cat eyeliner

Also I thought I would show these looks since MAC has released its deep purple lipstick 'Pure Heroine' from the limited edition MAC Lorde range this week just in time for winter


I hope you like these looks

Smokey eye and small winged eyeliner.....

I am wearing Loreal infallible eyeshadow in 'Endless Chocolate'

All over eye lid and blended up into the crease worn with gel eyeliner and flicked out at the corners

                   
 

Plum and wine lipsticks 

I am loving the colours from Rimmel and Loreal for this seasons colour of lipstick my 2 favourites are Loreals #374 Intense plum

and Rimmels #09

Some other great ones are #330 Sloane's Plum, #120 Cutting Edge,  #500 Diva Red, all by Rimmel

Blue eye makeup

Really happy with how this look turned out.

I applied the Models Prefer infinite coloured eyeliner in 'Blue Lagoon' along my lash line and flicked out on the corner. To intensify the look I applied Savvy liquid eyeliner in 'Starling' over the top. I then coated both my top and bottom lashes  with Australis mascara 'Electric Blue' and applied blue fake lashes.

Metallic eyeshadow

I wear this look alot I love dark brown eyemakeup and bronze and gold shimmers on top.

I used Chi Chi 'Bronzes' eyeshadow palette as my base. I used one of the darker shades in the middle of the palette and applied it into my crease until I had built up the colour. I then applied Napoleon loose eye dust 'Star Dust' in the inner corner of my eye and blended outwards. Next I used Loreal infallible eyeshadow 'Endless Chocolate' on the outer corner and blended into my crease then in the middle of my eyelid I used 'Copper Element' loose eye dust by Napoleon. Gel eyeliner along my lashline 2 coats of mascara and fake lashes to complete the look.

Basic eye makeup for everyday

I have 2 looks for basic eye makeup for everyday. Depending on time and where I am going.

Look a) Maybelline eye tattoo in "bad to the bronze". This is the best cream eyeshadow I have ever come across. Its Smudge proof, water resistant, doesn't crease and I love this colour for daily wear. Plus it makes my blue eyes pop.

To apply just dab onto eye lid and lightly blend into crease. Thats it eyeshadow is done.

Look b) I use 2 matte eyeshadows from Chi Chi "To the moon and back" and "Enough is enough"
Apply "To the moon and back" all over lid and blend up into crease. On the outer corner and into the crease apply "Enough is enough". Once blended it will look like a soft smokey eye on the outer corner and blended from darkest shade on the outer corner to the lightest on the inner corner.

On both looks I will use the Revlon liquid pen eyeliner (gel liner if I have more time) I like that its easy to use. I feel more comfortable using it and get a better finish. It dries quickly on my eyes and it lasts all day.
On my lower lash line I will wear a black pencil eyeliner

Next is mascara. My current favourite is Lash Mania by Essence. It makes my lashes look so good, I really wasn't expecting much from a $4.95 mascara (I shouldn't judge a book by its cover)  it is clump free and I have worn it and cried and it hasn't given me panda eyes yet its not waterproof.

Last but not least.......(well I do mine before my eye makeup)  most important step BROWS
Brows work wonder. I never use to do mine and cringe  when I see old photos. But these days I love dark defined brows. I use the Essence brow stylist kit. This is perfect for beginners it comes with stencils so you can get perfect brows.

And thats my basic eye look for everyday hope you have enjoyed

Until next time xox

Claudia