video: Zoya Smoke and Mirrors Collection

have you seen the Zoya Smoke and Mirrors collection yet? it's gorgeous! i can't decide which shade i am loving most-- they are all fabulous.



check out this video, featuring various runway looks that inspired each new shade.







which shade {if not all!} has caught your attention??

Total Beauty: Alexa Chung's Signature Look

if you don't know who Alexa Chung is, it's time to do your homework. not only is she a fabulous, modern style muse, but this former model also hosted a fun talk show on mtv {It's On with Alexa Chung}, and will soon be on as the host of Lifetime's 24-Hour Catwalk {there's also a rumor about a shopping show on PBS called Thrifting America, but solid details have yet to surface}.



Alexa not only has amazing style, continuing to keep the fashion world in awe, but she also happens to have a simplistic beauty look that anyone can achieve.



want to get the minimal, but still gorgeous, look for yourself? click the link below and get the step-by-step from Total Beauty's Charli Schuler so you too can recreate the Alexa Chung signature makeup look...

How to Copy Alexa Chung's Signature Makeup Look

We've figured it out. We finally nailed down the beauty products and application technique to copy the former model's gorgeous makeup look -- make it yours now

This is a TotalBeauty.com makeup tutorial article This fashion icon has been called "the most stylish woman in the world" in "Vogue" magazine, and "beautiful and clever" by designer Karl Lagerfeld. And now, as the new host of Lifetime's "24-Hour Catwalk," we can't get enough of her simple, yet flawless makeup. Want to know how she does it? Get tips

lippie du jour: Korres Cherry Full Color Gloss

who doesn't love a fabulous lip gloss?? Korres Cherry Full Color Gloss has been applied to my pout a lot these days, and i love it! this one, though named Light Purple, is a gorgeous mid-tone mauve with just the perfect amount of shimmer. i applied it just before my morning's spin class to give my lips glamified hydration before getting my sweat on-- yes the non-sticky formula lasted through the hour-long session.



you'll also be happy to know that Korres is all-natural and packed full of vitamins and antioxidants to love and nourish those gorgeous lips! the cherry oil gives it light scent and a hint of flavor.



visit korres.com for more info.

stepping out of my nail color comfort zone...

recently i've found myself craving to wear a nail color i've shied away from most of my life...

red!

don't get me wrong, i love red polish on nails. they're classic. they're uber-feminine. they can even be edgy.

truth be told, the very first nail color i ever wore was red {thanks, mom}.

but...

i've never been a red-nail-polish-wearing gal. i admit it, the color has always been a bit intimidating to me. that, and i love all shades of neutrals, pinks and purples; those are my go-to, safe colors. for fall/winter seasons, i typically go with "deeper" versions of them.

so...

i'm adding the shade that adorned my nails first into my color rotation-- especially for fall. i've gathered my small stash of red lacquers, and plan to rock them like nobody's business {and yes, the number of reds in my collection will be expanding}. Chanel Lotus Rouge {pictured, above}, a gorgeous berry-red, started me on my not-afraid-to-wear-red-nails-anymore path this past week...

and i just changed my polish to nubar's Competition Red this morning. :)

btw, i tore this Piperlime.com ad for my fall ensemble inspiration journal, then noticed a few days later: the model's nails are red!

all pics taken my me :)

Total Beauty: Fabulous Makeup Primers

i have my favorite primers-- what are yours? did they make this list?

12 Amazing Makeup Primers

Keep your makeup from melting off your face with these primers

This is a TotalBeauty.com best and worst makeup products article Makeup primers are crucial for keeping oil at bay, filling in fine lines, and providing a smooth canvas for your foundation to stick to. So, if you don't have one yet, choose from these reader-approved favorites. See the best

No. 12: Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired by Carmindy Luminizing Face Primer, $19.99

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 7.8

"I love that post-gym workout glow and I can achieve that (minus the workout on those lazy days!) with Carmindy's Luminizing Primer."

No. 11: Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer SPF 15 with Dermaxyl Complex, $42

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 7.9

"My makeup stays on all day and night. And, it also minimizes my pores, which is a plus."

No. 10: Bare Escentuals Prime Time Brightening Foundation Primer, $21

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8

"I have tried many primers and this one actually does what it says! I am a Mineral Makeup girl, and this definitely sets it for the day."

Want to see what other primers made the list? Click here!

bonjour beauties...

hope you've been enjoying your summer! it has been a fabulous one for me, i have to say...



with all the fun and busyness going on, i chose to take some time away, as you may have noticed. :)



i realize this is something i've done before-- reevaluating my purpose for blogging and allowing myself time away from it-- and i will be honest: it could quite possibly happen again.



the truth is, sitting down everyday to post isn't the easiest thing for me to do. it was my personal choice to step away and just allow myself to not worry about it. i love sharing beauty reviews, news and goodies with you, please don't get me wrong-- but priorities have to be established, you know?





that said, i am still here! in my hiatus, i've stayed connected, working with fabulous pr darlings, and plan to continue to share my thoughts on this beautiful life with you. i can't say how happy i am to see that you continue to visit here, to check in-- it makes me so happy to see!-- but i encourage you to subscribe via email or feed reader, so when i do post, you'll get it sent right to your inbox.



also, if you're not already, please follow me on twitter to go along with me through my day {i tweet everything from beauty and style to my family, food and fitness lifestyle}, and check out my tumblr {yes, i jumped on that bandwagon, lol} for fun, girly fashion, lifestyle and of course, beauty, goodness that i update very frequently {it's so easy to do from my iphone!}.



thank you for being so incredibly fabulous...stay tuned!





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