Why Do I Wear Makeup TAG

Well my beauties! I've been Tagged by the lovely Sophie at Born To Buy to do the Why Do I Wear Makeup TAG. Personally, I love participating in a good tag, so I was so excited to be Tagged by Soph.


This is only a short tag, just four questions in total, but it's pretty interesting. I really love it because it gives you a bit more of an insight in to me and, most importantly, my OBSESSION with makeup.




1. When did you begin loving make up?
It’s difficult for me to pinpoint the exact moment that my love affair with makeup began. I guess that as a teenager I was always interested in makeup… constantly swatching products when I would go shopping with my mum. I have always enjoyed putting on makeup for a special occasion, but that was kind of the extent of it. If I am to be completely honest my real ‘obsession’ with makeup began only a couple of short years ago, when I began to watch YouTube videos. I was going through a particularly challenging time in my life and watching YouTube became an escape from my life. It all began with a few How To videos for hair looks and from there I discovered the incredible and captivating would of Beauty Gurus. Now, at this time in my life, I was feeling particularly low. I had very little self confidence, I really disliked myself a LOT and I was not enjoying life. A makeup tutorial video by the lovely TiffanyD appeared in my suggestion box and that was it… I WAS HOOKED. Makeup became my obsession and once again my life had meaning again. I finally had a hobby, a passion, a creative outlook and I haven’t looked back. My obsession has led me to this whole other world of blogging and vlogging; it has bought me so much joy and happiness and I have ‘met’ some truly remarkable people. Makeup has opened my eyes to a world of beauty and for that I am eternally grateful.

2. How do you feel without make up?

Honestly, these days I actually feel completely confident and content with or without makeup. As my love of makeup has blossomed so too has my appreciation for natural beauty. That’s a big part of the reason why I started EsteemBeautyxo. I believe that beauty radiates from within, and it is through the use of makeup that one’s true beauty can be enhanced. So, my love of makeup has enabled me to develop the confidence to be comfortable in my own skin. Don’t get me wrong, I love to wear makeup… and there’s a lot to be said for the added confidence boost that the perfect red lippy can provide, but ultimately, I now feel gorgeous in my own skin. I am proud to rock a naked face… I have discovered Esteem Beauty, a certain kind of self confidence that can only exist once you have learned to truly love yourself, inside and out.

3. What do you like about make up?

I love how makeup can enhance your natural beauty and increase your self confidence. The perfect foundation, lipstick or eye shadow (Yes! I’m talking about you Cappuccino, Please!), has the power to make you feel on top of the world… and like you can achieve anything. Makeup makes you feel beautiful, and after a while you believe your beautiful, with or without that killer red lip. Makeup has transformed the way I see myself and more importantly, the way I feel about myself. I also LOVE that you can be so creative with makeup. I am an artist with a gorgeous blank canvas to create the perfect masterpiece. I can literally spend HOURS experimenting with new products and playing around with new looks. It’s the perfect way for me to escape from the reality of life in to my own private nirvana. Makeup brings me such joy and happiness… not to mention that excited-giddy feeling in your stomach when you discover that amazing new product that just might change your life!


4. List three 'Holy Grail' items
Garnier BB Cream for Oily/Combination Skin
You know I love it, I’ve harped on about it until I’m blue in the face. If you haven’t yet tried it, YOU NEED TO!! I love it, it’s my holy grail… enough said.

Essence Eye Shadow in Cappuccino, Please!
DOMMsmiles introduced me to this little pocket rocket and it has changed my life… I actually use this Every. Single. Day. No exceptions. It’s just the perfect colour… ideal for highlighting or great as a base to aid blending. It’s an exceptional product and it’s a steal at under 4 bucks!!

Essence Lip Liner in #11 In The Nude
This is the perfect Nude colour for my lips and I adore it! I reach for this too often, seriously, I’m already on my second… but at $1.99 a pop it’s a love affair I can afford to keep. The formula is so creamy, it glides over my puckers like a dream. This is a MUST for every girl, you can’t live without it. Do yourself a favour and pick on up next time your at Target or Priceline… your lips will thank you for it.


I hope you guys have enjoyed this TAG!! Sorry I have been MIA. I have started a new job and uni has gone back (third year!! OMG I can’t believe it). I am trying to get back on top of everything and get in to a bit of a routine! In the meantime, please check out my Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube… You can keep up to date with me there.. if you want to!!

Remember… Beauty shines from within…

xo Lisa xo

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My Makeup Collection & Storage

Some of you may recall my Beauty Bar Bliss blog post from late last year when I was toying with the idea of starting a blog. This new venture of mine has blossomed since then an grown beyond my wildest expectations. Thank you so much for making my dreams come true!! xxxxxx

I have just uploaded another video for you guys, this one features my Makeup Collection & Storage! My collection is not too fabulous, but it's growing and i absolutely love it!!! I hope you enjoy.....

Also, I just wanted to say that I am not intending to brag through this video. I feel very fortunate for what I have and my husband and I work very hard so that we can treat ourselves occasionally. 

If you have any questions about any part of my collection or storage, feel free to ask!!! 

xo Lisa xo 

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Essence Haul & First Impressions

The other day I did a little bit of 'Whoopsie' shopping at Priceline... But it totally wasn't my fault!! I had been seeing heaps of Aussie Gurus raving about some Essence Products and I just HAD to have them!! I am blaming this spending spree on my lovely friends DOMMsmiles, Jordy from Jordy's Beauty Spot and Sophie from Born To Buy, pop on over and check 'em out, tell them Lisa sent you <3

Here's a list of what I purchased.... 

Essence Eyeshadow in #58 Cappuccino, please! $3.25

Essence Stay All Day Long Lasting Eyeshadow in #09 For Fairies. $5.50

Essence Stay With Me Longlasting lipgloss in #08 Deep Rose $3.95

Essence Stay With Me Longlasting lipgloss in #02 My Favourite Milkshake $3.95

Essence Lip Liner in #11- In The Nude

Essence Gel Eyeliner in #01 Midnight in Paris $5.95

Essence Silky Touch Blush in #10 Adorable $4.95

Essence 50’s Girls Reloaded Eyeshadow Duo in #03 Come On Board Captain! $4.95

Essence 50’s Girls Reloaded Eyeshadow Duo in #01 I’m A Marine Girl $4.95

Essence 50’s Girls Reloaded Nail Polish in #04 Love Me Tender $3.50

Essence 50’s Girls Reloaded Eyepencil in #03 Love Me Tender $1.95

Essence 50’s Girls Reloaded Eyepencil in #01 You’re A Heartbreaker $1.95

Essence 50’s Girls Reloaded Eyepencil in #02 I’m A Marine Girl $1.95

Stay tuned for further reviews and impressions of these products!! 

I have posted a Video of my haul and my first impressions. Please check out my My Channel and I'd love it if you subscribed!! 

Until next time ...

xo Lisa xo 

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TAG: Six Products I Couldn't Live Without

Hey Guys!! Just a quick post to let you all know that I have posted a new video on My Channel.

It is my first ever TAG video!!! YAY!!! How Exciting!! I was tagged by the lovely Nikki at nikkev19. I definitely recommend checking her out! she's an absolute doll!!

I am working on a detailed blog about the Six Products I Couldn't Live without, so stay tuned for that!!!

What six products couldn't you live without???

xo Lisa xo

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The New Love of My Life... theBalm: Balm-Jovi

First of all... So sorry I haven't been around the last few days. I finally returned back home from 9 weeks aways from home. I am so happy to be back home, but there is so much to do!! But I'm back now and I am planning to be a lot more focused now that life is returning to normal. So, please stay tuned!

Anywho... Today I wanted to share with you the new love of my life... Balm-Jovi by theBalm Cosmetics. I first heard about this little pocket rocket when my Top YouTuber of 2012, Jodik76 from Goo Roo Beauty, mentioned it in one of her amazing Collective Hauls. I was intrigued by the concept; a complete face solution in one handy, compact palette. As a frequent traveller, I am always on the look out for an easy solution that I can quickly reach for as I'm packing at the last minute.

Lucky for me, I managed to pick up this palette in the after christmas sales. I was walking through David Jones in Adelaide and I noticed a Clearance Bin... obviously I stopped and to my absolute delight there it was... Balm-Jovi on sale at a steal of a price, just $31.45!! How could I say no??? I rummaged through to find one in perfect condition, and I now have a new love in my life. I absolutely adore this palette, and I thoroughly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a great, versatile, high quality, value for money and unique face palette. Keep reading and I'll tell you why...

Let me break it down for you...


Presentation

The first thing that jumps out at you with this palette is the art work. It's such a clever design. Reminiscent of a Rock Concert Poster, your mind immediately filled with images of the music industry and the sounds of your favourite rock beats. Their attention to detail is second to none, right down to the clever play-on-words used throughout the entire palette. Now, I know that presentation doesn't make a palette, but I personally love that theBalm takes the time to design a product with such detail. It shows that they have pride in what they do and, more importantly, that they love what they do. They don't just pick a few colours and chuck them in a palette; there is a very thorough process at play, right from the initial concept idea through to the design and execution of their products.

As with all of theBalm products, the Balm-Jovi palette has a slip cover. I'm kind of 'meh' about these. They don't really make a huge difference to me; honestly, I could live without it, but I don't mind living with it. The palette cover is cleverly split in to two, with the top part opening to reveal the powder products and the bottom section protecting and separating the cream products. Both covers are magnetised and snap shut, which I love. Once again that adds to the transportability of the palette, so another big plus in my book! The palette also features a decently sized mirror which is in the shape of a love heart; A-dor-a-ble I know!!!! The bottom flap gives 4 look suggestions, which, in my opinion, is a nice touch.

Overall, for presentation I give this palette 5 stars. To be honest, It's hard to fault and theBalm should be very proud of their achievements.



Products

Eye Shadows 

Heavy Metal Collection - Shimmers 

Metal-ica is a beautiful snow-white colour which has a gorgeous sheen to it and almost a silver-ish shimmer. I love it as an inner corner colour; I find it is very blend-able and easy to work with. The only negative is that it can be slightly powdery, but if I just tap off the excess it's absolutely no problem at all, so kind of a moot point.

Iron Maid-In is probably one of my favourite eye shadows in the entire palette. It is a stunning neutral, almost nude colour with gold-ish undertones and sheen. Being a gold girl, I absolutely love this colour. I find it to be very versatile; I've been able to wear it all over the lid, in the inner corner, under the eye as an eye liner or even as a highlighter on the inner corner or the brow bone, depending on the look. The shadow itself is very buttery and is a pleasure to work with.

Lead Zeppelin looks lovely in the pan; a deep moss colour with gold shimmer. While its colour payoff is not the best, I still love this colour. I find that it works well and is very wearable. It looks nice all over the lid or as a crease colour. I enjoy the gold shimmer and I find that it works well will Iron Maid-In. It's brilliant as a transition colour to take a golden-glow day time look to a more dramatic night time eye.

Alice Copper is a sensational plum-burgandy colour. I love using it with my Maybelline Color Tattoo in Pomegranate Punk. I recently used this colour in the crease to create a smokey plum coloured eye and it was absolutely gorgeous. In my opinion it is the perfect shade for those who love bright colours but are a little afraid to use them. It is a great shadow to work with and I find it blends seamlessly.

Classical Collection -  Mattes

Adagio is an amazing matte skin tone colour with a subtle pinkish undertone. It is a lovely brow bone or inner corner colour; I also enjoy using it on the inner third as, with it's buttery consistency, it blends like a dream! It's not even funny how much I've been using this colour since I got this palette.

Allegro is an impressive mid-tone matte brown which is similar to Buck by Urban Decay. I actually think I prefer Allegro as it has more of a gold undertone and therefore works nicely with gold-tone colours such as Iron Maid-In or Half Baked, which is my all time favourite and most worn eye shadow, period. I love Allegro as an all over the lid colour, in the crease or as a blending out colour. Let's be honest, you can never have too many matte browns...

Moderato is a deep purple-brown matte colour which is lovely for creating a deep brown smokey eye. It looks amazing in the outer corner or in the crease. Colour pay-off is not exceptional but it's very build-able, which I like; once again it means that I can work with it with confidence, slowly creating the deeper look I'm after.

Presto is an elegant deep reddish-brown with a similar colour payoff to Moderato. Fabulous in the outer corner, in the crease or all over if you're wanting a more dramatic look. In my opinion it's a very wearable colour; it looks more intense in the pan than it does on the lid. Love it.


Alternative Collection - Shimmers

Blink 1982 is a stunning mauve colour with the slightest gold shimmer, that is so amazingly beautiful on the lid. I have literally used this to bits already. I adore it. It looks dazzling all over the lid, in the crease, as a liner, in the inner, middle or outer third, pretty much any where you want to use it and how ever you want to use it. What a colour, what a texture, WOW, love it.. my pick of the palette.

The Stroke is a deep navy blue, almost black colour with a hint of blue shimmery glitter particles. Great for creating a smokey eye or for using as a liner; it has exceptional colour payoff and is an all round good quality shadow.

Rem is a spectacularly soft lilac colour which has the slightest sheen. I've really been enjoying this colour on the inner corner when using the purple tones in the palette to create a smokey eye. It's a great colour to work with and it's very blend-able. Watch out for fall out though; it is quite powdery. I tap it off on my hand before applying to the lid to avoid any messy situations.


Face

Disco Disco Solid Gold is my new favourite highlighter. Its a gorgeous gold tone luminizer which just gives the most sensational glow to the top of your cheek bones. It blends seamlessly and sits beautifully on the skin, not looking powdery or cakey. It is fabulous as an inner corner or brow bone highlight if you want to give those areas a glorious gold glow. It works well with my skin tone and is extremely pigmented, a definite winner and a new go-to product.

Pop! Pop! Don't You Want Me is the most pigmented blush I think I have ever used- you literally need the tiniest amount to give your cheeks a healthy, luscious glow. It blends well and easily buffs in the the skin. As with all Balm blushes it can also be used as an eye shadow, and I have really been enjoying it to add some warmth when blending out the crease.


Lips

Milly is the perfect nude lip colour. It provides just the right amount of pinkness to the lips while still maintaining the beauty of the natural lip. I have been wearing it endlessly; it has decent staying power, is extremely moisturising and give the lips a subtle glowing sheen.

Vanilly is a rock star worthy bright red; it has the same formulation as Milly, full of moisture and feels beautiful on the lips. In my opinion it looks very different swatched than in the pan, but still a great lip colour.

What I love most about these lip products is that you can layer them and create your own unique colour to perfectly match you look. Also, they are also usable as creme blushes. I am yet to try them out, but given their creamy consistency I am confident that they will blend nicely and look lovely on the cheeks.


The Final Cut

A definite winner for me! The whole palette is well thought out and executed. It is very versatile, there are so many different looks that you can create with this palette; the possibilities are endless. If you're a person who love makeup and enjoys playing around with different looks then you definitely need to check this palette out. Similarly, if you are looking for a great all-in-one solution then this baby is worth a look.  I can't recommend theBalm's Balm-Jovi Face Palette enough and I am actually thinking of grabbing a couple extra for presents for family and friends. At just over $30 at David Jones you can't go past this palette in terms of quality and value for money. 

Thanks so much for reading. If you enjoyed this blog please follow me, much more to come.. I'm just getting started!!

xo Lisa xo 

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