Happy Tuesday Loves! 

This past weekend I went to the re-launch of Sephora in Natick, MA.

What is more fun than shopping at Sephora? Shopping while sipping on champagne!

At the re-launch of the Natick store, they offered mini makeovers, champagne, passed hors d'oeuvres, and free gifts! Yes please! 

Here is what I got and my review on these products. 

Kat Von D, Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Vampira

I am a huge fan of Kat Von D's Everlasting Liquid Lipstick! Not only does it last on your lips for hours, the tube will last you months. I already have Crucifix (dark brown) and Ophelia (nude).  I am a fan of mixing them together. The texture of these lipsticks are smooth and creamy. I like the matte look and the color does not feather at all. While I like Vampira, it is a lot lighter than it appears in the tube.  I am sure if I combine it with Cricifix, it will be the exact vampy color I desire.

PRO tip: always wear a chapstick or balm under matte lipsticks for more moisture without a glossy look. 

rating 4 out of  5

Benefit, Bad Gal Lash Mascara

If you are a frequent reader of S&S you know that my quest for the perfect mascara is much like the quest for the holy grail. I am a huge fan of Perversion by Urban Decay and Better than Sex by Too Faced, but I thought I would try Bad Gal Lash by Benefit. I am not a huge fan of They're Real by Benefit, but I thought I would give them another try and I was pleasantly surprised.

What do you think?

PRO tip: Combine mascaras! They all promise something different, volume, length, etc. I always use at least two, sometimes even three!

rating 4.5 out of 5  

Too Faced, Better Than Sex

Hands down my favorite mascara. To be honest nothing even comes close. Volumizing, lengthening and just brings all the drama!

PRO tip: if you use more than one mascara, let this be the last one.

rating 5 out of 5

Becca, Shimmering Skin Perfector 

Pressed Highlighter in Gold

I love to contour, and what goes hand and hand with contouring is the perfect highlighter. Up until now I have not found one that I am in love with.  Having tried both pressed high lighters and creams sometimes they are too heavy or not shimmery enough. I asked one of the Sephora associates and she took me directly to Becca.  This is a line I have never heard of, but she explained this is the only highlighter I will ever need or want. When she opened up the compact, it was reminiscent of the scene in Pulp Fiction when they open the suitcase and they stare in awe as golden light pours out. It was perfect, light gold, shimmery and light.  

PRO tip: use a powder brush to apply in order for it to be lightly distributed for a whimsical effortless highlighted look. 

rating 4.5 out of 5    

Ciate London, Dewy Stix 

Ok, ok, I know the Sephora associate said that Becca was the only highlighter I would ever need or want, but these Ciate London, Dewy Stix were on an end cap display calling my name. I love the packaging and the dewy stick is light and truth be told stunning.  In addition to highlighting, it gives a dewy fresh appearance. I love it!  The areas I like to highlight are my cheekbones, the corners of my eyes, the tip of my nose and right above my top lip.  This looks stunning on my cheeks bones, but I will stick to the pressed highlighter for the corner of my eyes and lip. The dewiness above the lip made me look like I was sweating, and that is a no no!   

PRO tip: one swipe with the stick then gentle dab with your ring finger to equi-distribute the shimmer. 

rating 4.5 out of 5

Urban Decay, Chill Cooling Hydrating Setting Spray

So, I have a love/ hate relationship with setting sprays.  A perfect setting spray is worth it's weight in gold, that being said it is really difficult to find one that works. 

As karma would have it, now that I am older I often get mascara dots underneath my eyes.  Clearly it is because my sister and I would poke fun at our aunt for this very issue.  With a really great setting spray this will not happen, with a not so great setting spray that is too wet, it is inevitable. This Urban Decay Cooling and Hydrating Setting Spray is pure perfection! It is a light mist that dries super fast, and the cooling aspect is fantastic! This prevents your makeup from melting off your face after hours of wear.

PRO tip: hold the can or bottle 8-10 inches away from your face for the perfect amount of mist. you do not want to saturate. 

rating 5 out of 5   

Moroccanoil Mending Infusion
Have you used any Moroccanoil Products?  I swear by them! While I don't always love paying
$25 for shampoo and conditioner, the results are considerably noticeable and NOTHING smells as wonderful!  Fantastic products, but worth it just for the scent!


rating 5 out of 5 

500 Point Gift

Are you a Sephora Beauty Insider?   

Like many stores they have a point system and when checking out you can pick from a few 100 point prizes or a 500 point prize. I usually save my points in order to get a larger prize.  I was told by a Sephora employee never to go for the 100 point prize.

I chose the 500 point Clinique box.
In it there was:

Almost Lipstick in Black Honey
Pop Lip Colour in Fuschia Pink
Pep-Start Eye Cream 
Pep-Start Hydro Blur Moisturizer 

 I will only be reviewing the lip products.  The need to use the moisturizer and eye cream for an extended period of time to write an honest review.  

Almost Lipstick in Black Honey

I like it. I don't love it. It feels great and I appreciate the tint of color, but I think it is slightly too deep for my skin tine. It is good to keep in your bag when you need a little moisture and a bit of color. 
I would give it a better rating if I found a more suitable color.

rating 3 out of  5

Pop Lip Colour in Fuschia Pink

This gets a big, HELL NO! The color is horrible on me. It is not moisturizing,  the colored feathered and my lips were dry and peeling.  I like when I have a plump pout and this color made my lips feel small and dry. No thank you!  The only saving grace is that I like to mix, so perhaps with a deeper liner and a gloss this could work out. 


rating 1 out of  5 

Happy November Everybody! 

Seriously though, can you believe it is already November?

I feel like we were just saying good bye to the Summer and packing away our flip flops and BAM here we are mid Fall. I actually kind of love November. While I love Christmas, Thanksgiving is my favorite. A family hang out sesh without the pressure of gifts... perfect!

Have you ever heard of  Bovinophobia or Taurophobia? Neither had I until I headed out to this local farm and my niece nearly lost her mind, scared of these sweet cows. My lovely, beautiful, soon to be 17yo, animal loving niece was absolutely petrified of these docile creatures.  To be fair, one of these cows got excited when Camille put her arm out to pet them and happily trotted closer. Camille's perception was that the cow was charging at her, it wasn't (insert crying/laughing emoji)! She was able to take a few photos before she bolted back to the car and hid! 

Anyway, the weather is beautiful and I am trying to enjoy it to it's fullest! 

xx, Elise













overalls / flannel / boots / bodysuit / sunnies   

Happy Halloween!

It is no secret that I love Halloween! Any excuse to play with hair and makeup and I'm in. 

I love, love, love to play with my makeup weeks ahead of time to figure out a perfect look. 

Looks of Halloweens past:

As much as I love it, my friend Jen and her husband live for Halloween.  They go all out every year for their annual house party, and this year was the first that my schedule allowed me to attend.  

Like I had said in my previous post I was going to go along with Jen and Chris's Tim Burton theme, and narrowed it down between Sally from A Nightmare Before Christmas, or the Corpse Bride. I decided on the latter of the two.  I knew that if I was going to be corpse like, I would need to head to Kryolan for my makeup. Kryolan have been supplying the film, theater and television industries for over 70 years, which makes us one of the world’s first professional make-up brands. They are the number one choice for make-up artists today, thanks to their extensive range of over 16,000 high-quality make-up products and accessories. Usually I love to do my own makeup, but I knew this was going to be pretty extensive, so I booked an appointment with Diane at Kryolan, and boy did she do an amazing job! She really did go above and beyond my expectations.

What do you think? 

Will you dress up? 

Have a wonderful, safe and Happy Halloween!

xx, Elise

I wish I took more photos of the party, but I guess we were just having too much fun! 

Good Morning! . 

A little background story:  My parents have been married for over 48 years. When they met, my mom was 16 and the captain of the Sacred Heart Color Guard and my dad was 19 and marched for the world champion drum and bugle corps, The Boston Crusaders.  Through the years, my brother, sister and I have heard countless tales of how they met, and nostalgic accounts of their glory days of marching.  My father now 71 serves on the Board of Trustees for the Crusaders and it is still a very big part of their lives.  Between fundraising and competitions, it seems they are frequently and happily attending Crusaders events throughout the year.     

In the late sixties when they marched it was often what city kids did in order to stay off the streets and out of trouble. Most of the corps were broken down by parts of the city, and or church parish.  

Now these drum and bugle corps and color guards have auditions and accept kids from all over. They are gone the entire summer competing across the country. Every year they try to out do the year before, and this year they chose the theme of the Salem with trials.  It was fabulous! Of course my parents followed them to many competitions as they won top ranking in most.  Along with fundraising, the corps raises money through their merch. My dad got my mom and I these adorable and completely appropriate tees, boy he knows us so well.   

In addition to the tee being perfect for the Halloween season with it's witchy saying,  the cut and fabric are just so fabulous and comfy!   I can not believe that Halloween is Tuesday! I have always loved getting dress up for Halloween, not only on the day, but being festive through out October.

I hope you all have an amazing weekend and hopefully attending a Halloween party or two!

xx, Elise

Top similar other BC tees / jeans / jacket / bag / heels / sunnies