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

How to Contour

Contouring can be tricky. knowing what products to use, how and where to use them. Contouring use to be for runway models, celebrities and fashion photo shoots, but these days contouring is used in many peoples daily makeup routine. So for those who are still confused about contouring let me explain briefly.

 Contouring is about creating shape to the face and enhancing your facial features. So by using a dark shade it will recede areas and make them look smaller (nose, forehead, double chin) and by using lighter shades it enhances them (cheekbones, centre of nose, under the eye) The whole reason makeup artists contour their clients is to achieve the "perfect" oval face.

Here is my guide to contouring

I start with a fresh cleansed face. Apply primer all over and then my chosen foundation.
The highlighting and contouring part is different for everyone there is no correct product to use. All I can suggest is use a product a few shades lighter for highlighting and a product a few shades darker for contouring.

I personally like to use Maybelline Fit Me concealers. They are easy to use and the colours are great for me.

I start with applying light concealer (I use shade 15 Fair) and I apply this under my eyes, on my cheekbones, down the centre of my nose, on my cupids bow and on the centre of my forehead and chin and blend.

Next I apply the darker concealer (30 Cafe) to the hollows of my cheeks, the sides of my chin, temples and my hairline and the side of my nose. Blend

For some people this is enough but I like to do more.

I apply Physicians Formula Mineral Glow Pearls in Translucent pearl over my cheekbones and under my eyes.

Then I apply Revlon Matte Bronzer 035 Sun on the hollows of my cheeks. By doing this it adds shimmer to my cheekbones and highlights them more, especially when the light hits my face. The reason I like using a matte bronzer is because I am wanting my contouring to look natural.

Following the bronzer I then set my foundation and contouring with Face of Australia translucent loose powder and lightly dust my whole face with it. For my end look I kept it simple and went for a bronzed eye and bold lip as I wanted my base to be the focus.

Same makeup but lighting was different... sorry

hope you found this helpful. 

Until 

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

Makeup on a budget

So recently I had a few friends ask about what products I could recommend them buying without spending a fortune. Which got me thinking, why not share my recommendations with you all. I know everyone loves a bargain and its always a bonus of getting decent makeup on a budget.

So I have put together a collection of makeup for a full face of makeup with each product costing less than $20 each. I own all of these products I have listed and wear them all :)
All products mentioned are available from Priceline.

Primer: Rimmel Stay Matte Primer RRP: $13.95
I own a lot of primers but have found I have been using this one quiet a bit lately. It comes out as a white cream without being too thick. Once applied onto my skin I can't see it.
It definitely makes my face look matte, fills in my pores and my foundation does last all day. I may have to powder my nose after 5-6 hours but that's not the end of the world.

Foundation: Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation RRP: $17.95
When I look for a new foundation my two concerns are
a) The coverage: I have freckles and like to cover them without my foundation looking heavy and cakey.
b) How long the foundation will last: I apply two light coats and buff into my skin.

So this foundation ticks both boxes. I have combination skin and find that I have to set it with powder  for a matte finish. Its a little runnier than other liquid foundations, but it blends flawlessly and felt lightweight but gave great coverage.

Concealer: Rimmel Wake Me Up RRP: $14.95
 Full coverage liquid concealer, perfect for under the eyes. Covers dark spots nicely as well as brightening up under the eye with an anti-fatigue effect. Has a wand which is easy to get the product out of the tube and apply to the face

Powder: Face Of Australia Loose Translucent Powder RRP: $11.95
After reading about this product on a lot of other blogs and seeing it being used on various youtube makeup videos I was keen to try it. At first look the powder looks quiet yellow but once applied it has very little colour. It leaves a very soft finish because it has little pigment. The fine powder reduces shine and sets foundation. The only down side about using it is the fact that loose powder can be a little messy at times.

Bronzer and Highlighter: Face Of Australia Contour and Highlight Kit RRP: $9.95
This Product has been so popular its sold out almost everywhere. I don't know of many other contour palettes under $10 that offer a matte bronzer and a shimmer highlighter together. The pigment in both are lovely and leave your cheekbones looking perfectly sculptured.

Brows: Models Prefer Essential Brow Kit RRP: $12.99
A brow kit with the lot. Powder, wax, brush and tweezers. I use the light to medium palette. My brows are quite light but I like them to be dark and filled it. I use the wax to define and shape them then fill them in with the powder.

Eye Primer: Face Of Australia Matte Eye Primer RRP: $7.95
One product most people don't know about. I always get asked about long lasting eye shadows or ones that don't crease. When I ask if they use an eye primer 95% off the time the answer is NO.
The benefits of an eye primer:
a) Smooths the surface of the eyelid
b) Gives the eye shadow something to stick to
c) Makes the eye shadow last a lot longer
d) Intensifys the colour of the eye shadow

as its a white cream. You only need the tiniest amount to apply over the eyelid. Set with a powder.

Eye shadow: L'Oreal Paris Color Riche Eye Crayon RRP: $16.95 or
 Rimmel Scandaleyes Eye Shadow Stick RRP: $12.95
This was the hardest category to pick products to recommend under $20. But then I remembered I have used both of these crayons/shadow sticks and they were really good. Lasted all day didnt fade or crease and were really easy to use and blend. I mix them together and wear the lighter brown, beige from L'Oreal and smoke it up with the Rimmel darker brown and black.

Eyeliner: Maybelline Hyper Glossy Liquid Eyeliner RRP: $9.95
I have always personally preferred a liquid pen or gel liner for eyeliner, but I thought I would try this as was on special. I found it super easy to use and the very fine brush makes it easy to get close to the lash line to apply it. Smudge proof also.

Mascara: Essence Lash Mania Reloaded False Lashes RRP: $4.95
I have talked about this mascara before, Its basically my holy grail mascara. I still haven't found a mascara under $20 that even comes close to me. Makes my lashes look so much longer, I have cried and it hasn't left me with panda eyes and its sooooooo cheap.

Lipstick: Revlon Colorburst Lip Crayons RRP: $17.95
This was the easiest product to recommend I LOVE these lipsticks for so many reasons...... I own every colour, that's how much I love them.
a) The colours are vibrant and there is something for everyone (I have sold one at the store I work at to       a 70 year old lady)
b) Options, matte really glossy or balmy
c) Moisturising. I hate matte colours that dry out my lips. These dont!!!!
d) Long lasting. Food proof.
e) The way the crayon is designed you just need to wind it up and you get value for money.
f) Peppermint tingle helps plump up your lip.
I could go on but i wont.

And there you go. Great makeup products that wont cost you a fortune. I have added a before, during and after look of wearing all the products

Until next time xox
Claudia

Basic Makeup Base Application

I have written this in the steps I do to apply my base for my makeup. I have explained what I use and why. I have included some of the products I use also. All drugstore products and all affordable..... Hope you enjoy x

1. Primer: This is my absolute MUST have when applying makeup. Without it my pores look bigger, my foundation doesn't stay on and it just doesn't give me a flawless finish.

A lot of people will skip this step and I have heard all the excuses. It takes about 20 seconds to apply and I would rather take 20 seconds in the morning to apply a primer than spend time later in the day reapplying my foundation. 

2. Foundation: I prefer a full coverage foundation or one that has a buildable coverage. I have freckles (a lot of people don't know because I cover them) I apply with a foundation brush and blend,blend blend. Don't forget to blend down your neck. No one wants to see a line around your jawline

3. Concealer: I use a liquid base concealer with a yellow tone to it. I find this to help with covering dark spots and brightens under my eyes. I apply using my ring finger to dab the product over the area this way you will have control over the concealer and be able to use little product and get the benefits from it as apposed to rubbing it over the area. Rubbing moves the product around and doesn't let it focus on the the exact area.

Powders: I like to use 2 powders. I use a coloured pressed powder and a loose translucent powder because I get an oily T zone. Setting a liquid foundation with a pressed powder all over will add a bit of colour to my face, take away any shine and help get maximum wear from my foundation. I then apply a small amount of loose powder over my T zone. This helps with keeping the shine away.

hope you have found this to be helpful. I will be posting my basic highlighting/contouring routine in a few days 

Until next time xox