Enhanced By Sunshine

The Kenyan Brand Ciku has some new additions to their Makeup line. Now available from Ciku are the Hi-def foundations, concealer palettes, Hi-brow shadow (brow powder), Brow fixx (brow gel), Blushers, Blotting powder, and four eyeshadow palettes. I have spent weeks testing out these products, and I want to share my thoughts on them.

The packaging of the newer products is quite similar to that of the lipsticks which I had previously reviewed here. One difference I noticed is now the outer packaging for the blushers, concealers, brow powder, and eyeshadows, have cutouts both on top and underneath, this is such a huge improvement as you can now easily sort through different shades and palettes without having to take the product out of the outer packaging.

For the Hi-brow shadow, I have the shade black brown. This product is super pigmented, for a milder brown shade, you apply with a gentle hand, and to get a bolder brow look, you apply on more generously. In one of my recent posts, I mentioned I just started using brow powders. Why I waited this long to try them out? I have no idea. They seem to create more natural looking brows (well, the two products I have tried so far). So if you’re trying to acheive more natural looking eyebrows, powders are definitely the way to go. For a more sculpted look, clean up  below and above your brows with concealer.

In my last post, I played with the eyeshadow palettes and created bold fun looks. For this post, I wanted to create simple everyday looks more appropriate for work and office, and focus more on skin. I used the two palettes: pinch me… I’m dreaming on the lids, and plum crazy (for the crease areas) to create depth and a bit of dimension.

The Hi-def liquid foundations  are packed in 20ml bottles with pumps that makes getting the product out easy.  They are water based, and are a dream to apply, they go on really easy. They are full coverage, and easy to blend.

To set, I find that using the blotting powder gives between 4-6 hours without shine, depending on your skin type. Using an oil control or mattifying primer gives a longer lasting matte finish.

Makeup products used on Elsie-

Eyes:  Brows-Ciku Hi-brow Shadow (brown black), Ciku Brow fixx (dark brunett), Blushing girl tools eyeshadow primer, Ciku eyeshadows from the palettes ‘pinch me…. I’m dreaming’ and ‘plum crazy’,  Angel lashes.

Face:  Ciku Hi Def Foundation in Warm yellow (N95), Ciku blotting powder in transparent (01), Ciku blusher in Sultry (296).

Lips: Nouba Millebaci No. 49.

Makeup Products used on Dee:

Eyes:  Brows-Ciku Hi-brow Shadow (brown black), Ciku Brow fixx (dark brunett), Blushing girl tools eyeshadow primer, Ciku eyeshadows from the palettes ‘pinch me…. I’m dreaming’ and ‘Plum crazy’, Angel lashes.

Face:  Ciku Hi Def Foundation in cool Neutral(C11), Ciku blotting powder in transparent (01), Ciku blusher in ‘cheeky’ (300)

Lips:  L.A. girl glazed lip paint in ‘gleam’.

Makeup Products used on Ami-na:

Eyes:  Brows-Ciku Hi-brow Shadow (brown black), Ciku Brow fixx (dark brunett), Blushing girl tools eyeshadow primer, Ciku eyeshadows from the palettes ‘pinch me…. I’m dreaming’ and ‘Plum crazy’, LA girl gel eyeliner, Angel lashes.

Face:  Ciku Hi Def Foundation in Warm yellow (C95), Ciku blotting powder in transparent (01), Ciku blusher in ‘Naturally you’ (700).

Lips:  L.A. girl glazed lip paint in ‘blushing’.

Of my latest Ciku goodies, it’s difficult to pick a favourite, but the Hi-brow shadow and foundations are at the very top of my list. The foundation photographs really great (it’s HD, so that’s expected), but I find that if you have very oily skin, you may need to set it with a much heavier powder, then use the blotting powder over  your T-zones, or invest in a good face primer. The blushers are really good, not overwhelmingly red, and intensity is buildable. My favourite shade is ‘curvy’ (no, 317), because it has a bit of shimmer in it, and I can use it without having to use a bronzing highlighter too.

If you know your shade is MAC, here’s a little something to help you find your closest Ciku foundation shade-

NC44-45 – N75

NW43 – C95

NC50 – C10

NW45 – C11

 NW48 – N95

 NW50 – N10

      My models are Ami-na, Elsie, and Dee AKA Denim and Cateye,  they were all so lovely and patient during the photoshoot. Thank you loves!

      All Ciku Makeup products can be purchased from their website, by contacting them on Facebook, or visiting them at Corner House, Mezz 3 inside Markucha.

      Models Photography by Gabriel’s House of Photography, product photography by me (iPhone 6 plus).

      Thank you for stopping by. Like, comment, and share. Never want to miss a post? Subscribe. Have a super productive week! God Bless.