To Opal Or Not

Last year during allergy season, I noticed puffiness under my eyes.  This is definitely orange alert for me!!  In a frenzy I went on Sephora and Amazon, bought all the top-rated eye products that claimed to reduce puffiness.  However, after applying at least 10 of these creams, gels, imitation cucumber pads on my eyes, I saw no improvement in my situation.  Not only that, my eyes started hurting or feeling itchy all the time.  In fact, on my flight to Floria last winter, I had so much pain in my eyes that I couldn’t even read a book or look at the TV screen in front of me.  I looked around me – all these other people seem to have no problems whatsoever with their eyes.  Just when I was ready to cry over how unfair life is, a thought miraculously popped into my head.  Maybe it’s the random eye products I’m using that’re giving me all this grief.  What if I DON’T use anything?!
During that whole vacation, I applied nothing to my eye area.  Only a face moisturizer on my cheeks, that’s it!  Not sure exactly at which moment my eyes stopped bothering me,  I just seemed to remember less and less about the itchiness or the tearing up problem as if they never occurred.  In the pictures that I took for myself, the puffiness was gone.

Summer Stripes From Simple to Standout

--By Kim Moshtaghi

Stripes look good on almost anything, and they are a hot item regardless of whether they run horizontal, vertical, or diagonal. Stripes appear on all types of celebrity attire from maxi dresses to even blazers. Grab one of these striped items while it’s hot:

I like Zara’s rather conservative striped dress. Its horizontal stripes and simple shape easily inspire creativity, and I enjoy being able to play with a dress. You can pair this dress with red shoes, or bold colors such as lime green or yellow, to perfectly immerse this dress in this season’s summer colors. I love the longer, loose sleeves.



→ Buy the Zara Striped Dress, $79.90, at zara.com.


I am in a major skinny jeans craze, so, naturally, I’ve become obsessed with this Bebe striped skinny jean. This will look flattering and is perfect for the gal who can wear this style. Pair it with a tank or a nice bold, flared top for the evening and you are all set.

Summer’s Best Pink Lip Color and How to Wear It

--By Kim Moshtaghi

I love all shades of pink from the subtle to the bright. When the weather gets warm, I de-prioritize my eye makeup and experiment with fun lip colors. The pink family goes well with all of the season’s bright colors such as turquoise, yellow, orange, coral, and the bold blues and greens. This summer keep some great pinks in your make-up bag to polish off your outfit with perfect kissable lips.

The CoverGirl Queen Collection Powderpuff Pink is amazing. It is a subtle pink that will not cause too much commotion and will keep you hip for the season while keeping your lips moisturized every time you apply.


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→ Buy the CoverGirl Queen Collection Lipstick in Powderpuff Pink, $5.59 (was $6.99), at drugstore.com.

Odacité Skincare Lives Up to Its Promises

--By Kim Moshtaghi

I am so excited that I was able to review the Odacité Skincare line. This amazing product line has the best raw ingredients for flawless skin.

I was not surprised when I discovered Valérie Grandury founded this skincare line in 2004. After doctors diagnosed her within breast cancer, Valérie put her heart and soul into finding the freshest ingredients for her skin because she became disappointed with the many products on her shelf that were anything but fresh. Turning her life around was important for Valérie, and instead of being selfish with her discovery she decided to share what she learned with us so we can beautify our regimen with certified organic skincare.

Her products impressed me so much that I didn’t even want to wait ten days before sharing my review with my readers. I received the ten-day starter kit to form an impression about the product line and marvel at its different organic treatments.


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Cenoire Novo Atomizer Mist Spray Makes Facial Hydration Easy

--By Kim Moshtaghi

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For those of you who travel for work, or like to refresh your skin by maintaining moisture, you may definitely be interested in the Cenoire Novo Atomizer Mist Spray.

The easiest comparison to this spray would be the Evian Mineral Water Spray. These types of sprays insure your skin stays refreshed through travels, a hike, or ordinary daily activities. But, there are two main differences between these products. First, the Cenoire atomizer spray is reusable, where the Evian is a one-time spray. Second, the Cenoire is a hardy gadget that requires only 4 AAA batteries and comes with an extra water refill bottle, while the Evian spray is a standard disposable spray bottle.

Boots No 7 Protect and Perfect Intense Beauty Serum

Boots No 7 Protect and Perfect Intense Beauty Seru

Serums are the hottest skincare trend, and with good reason: Their concentrated ingredients deliver a potent punch of moisturization, antioxidants, and other benefits, right where you want them. This bestselling, beauty editor-beloved serum is proven to minimize lines and wrinkles by up to 50% in just one month.

Cutely Cut Bucket Bag

Check “own a bucket bag” off your fashion bucket list with this cute cream number. Accented with goldtone hardware and a gold layer beneath the laser cut exterior, it’ll hold your daily must-haves with style to spare.

Love List: Beauty (July)

shop: urban decay “naked” palette | maybelline great lash big mascara | opi axxium gel lacquer | diorskin forever foundation

I always have a rotating list of favorite things. Favorite beauty products, favorite hair products, go-to accessories, even go-to meals and snacks (lately, it’s cheese quesadillas). This month I’ve been utilizing a few beauty products more than most. It’s safe to say I’ve either discovered (as is the case with OPI Axxium), or rediscovered them (like my Foreverskin foundation and Great Lash mascara)!
What are some beauty products you’ve discovered or rediscovered lately?

The Ultimates: Beauty

The Ultimates: Beauty

I think the above image says it all, but just in case you’re hankerin’ for some prose, you should know that I own and love all of the above products and have been consistently using and testing these products for at least 3 months (except the nailtiques, I’ve been using that for a few weeks). I stand by them all and could not recommend them any more highly. Here are some links for your convenience:

Spring Makeup Trends

Few things excite me more than the beauty industry’s marked favoritism when it comes to the season of spring. An explosion of colors – this year the tendency is toward two fresh but very different palettes: pale pink, and vivid coral. I love pale pink on the lips with a clean, neatly defined eye. For nights out I love a flush of dewy color on the cheek with a bright pop of coral lipstick and a very neutral, barely-made-up eye. I think you’ll find that the latest beauty trend is a very minimalistic eye – great news for those without blending and lining skills. Anyone can put on a swipe of lipstick, right?
I’m also super excited about this new limited edition of one of my favorite fragrances ever, it’s called Infusion d’Iris L’eau d’Iris. What a mouthful–but with hints of sweet mint and oleander, it adds a nice balance of fresh springlike notes to my favorite powdery floral Iris.

My Everyday Makeup Routine

When it comes to getting ready in the morning (and most days those mornings begin at 4-5:30 AM) my makeup routine has to be pretty simple. Most of the time it’s a quick blend of BB cream on the face, concealing any blemishes, setting with a matte powder, filling in the eyebrows (a must for me!), a swipe of shimmery nude eyeshadow (so it doesn’t have to be perfectly–and painstakingly–blended) and a little bit of mascara +/- eyeliner.
These are my favorite products that do the job oh so well:

My Beauty Routine

Wanna do something fun? Let’s change up the regular old “what’s in my bag” posts and jazz it up, beauty-style. If you’re a blogger and you want to participate, just post YOUR beauty routine with pics of what’s on your counter, and link back to it here (I will be waiting for you)! I’ll collect your entries and post them in a special separate roundup post. If you aren’t a blogger, just tell us in the comments below what your beauty routine consists of. Love to hear what you have to say!

Splurge or Steal: Matte Red Lipstick

If you’ve scrolled through enough of my posts or videos, you know I’m quite fond of a red lip – and the more matte and deep, the better. I always stick to blue-y toned reds, because they avoid making your teeth look yellow. Up until now, my favorite matte red lipsticks have been MAC’s Russian Red, and their limited edition Such Flare from the Glitter & Ice holiday collection in 2011, which is no longer available. In fact, I loved Such Flare so much, knowing it was limited edition, I stocked up on two tubes before it quickly sold out.

May Beauty Favorites!

It’s seriously one of my favorite times of each month – the time when I get to share with you my absolute favorite, cannot-stop-using, cult-status, can’t-live-without-it beauty products. I’ve been loving my Bioderma Créaline H2O micellar water for removing all of my makeup before cleansing with the absolutely fantastic Neutrogena Naturals cleanser. Then I’ve been spraying Caudalie Beauty Elixir into my palms, rubbing them together, and then pressing it onto my face for an invigorating glow.

Spring in My Step

Clockwise from top left: Fresh Rose Face Mask, Steven Fearless Cap Toe Pumps, Tufted spots pouf ottoman, Alice + Olivia striped top, Topshop Crochet Panel maxi, Schutz Arieli Lace Up Boots, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC in lavender

Spring is calling down here in the South, and while I know in some parts of the world you are still experiencing chilly weather, allow these daydreams of summertime fashion and beauty to lift you out of your cold, gray day.

Triple Makeup Bag Giveaway

I purchased three makeup bags for three followers, because I wanted to say thank you so much for your support! It is not lost on me that clearly this blog wouldn’t have been possible without you. NOTE: Please watch the video to know exactly how to enter–because you want to make it count, dontcha? Enter once per day, per bag. Open worldwide! I will close the giveaway June 3, 2013 at midnight CDT time!

Nivea Lip Butter Review

I recently got my hands on a much-raved-about set of Nivea Lip Butters and just had to share them with you! They are fairly new, so you won’t see them stocked in every drugstore just yet, but they’ve been in the U.K. for a while and that’s where all the hype built up. Click on to see whether or not I thought they lived up to par!

Fashion Inspiration: The Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland

Click to enlarge. | Photo Credit

Walt Disney World recently updated its beloved Magic Kingdom park with a much-anticipated expansion of Fantasyland. “New Fantasyland” opened late last year with new rides, character meet-and-greets, and restaurants featuring some of Disney’s favorite classic characters. You can now have story time with Belle, take a journey under the sea with Ariel, and catch a ride on the relocated Dumbo The Flying Elephant!
While there’s still more to come (a Seven Dwarfs mine is in the works!), there’s no doubt that Walt Disney World guests will be adding these new attractions to their favorites. If you haven’t gotten the chance to visit the new area, never fear – CF has got you covered!

Outfits Under $100: Five Designer Looks Without the Luxury Pricepoint

Photo: ELLE

While some (lucky) people can afford to have entire wardrobes filled with designer pieces, the reality is that most of us can’t – especially us college girls. Although it’s easy to get down when you see gorgeous clothes that are way out of your price range, there is a way to stop feeling bad. Instead of being upset, do like we do at CF and recreate looks inspired by your favorite designers.

Looks on Campus: Lindsey – UNC Chapel Hill

As freshmen, we all fill our closets with tons of items in our school colors. Then, once we graduate, we wonder what do with it all! Luckily for Lindsey, her school colors – blue and white – can be easily incorporated to a “non-college-campus” wardrobe. (Although she actually doesn’t have to worry about that anytime soon – ah, freshmen are so lucky!)

Lindsey 101

Name: Lindsey
School: UNC Chapel Hill
Year: Freshman
Major: Biology
Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina