Blog Posts by The chicks at TotalBeauty.com

This just in from the "when the hell are we going to stop jeopardizing our lives to look better?" department: This morning, the New York Daily News ran an extremely depressing story about a 27-year-old Brazilian model who died while having liposuction performed in a Sao Paulo hospital.

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The News jumped on the story because the hospital neglected to report the death for more than a week. But what caught MY eye and raised MY ire is the fact that there was a beautiful -- and by all accounts, intelligent and successful -- woman who was so compelled to look "better" that she risked her life for it.

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Stories like this make me want to scream, "Stop the Insanity!" When will we realize that risking our lives for vanity is idiotic? Am I alone in this thinking? Or would you gamble your existence on this planet for smaller thighs or bigger boobs?

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Some may while away their hours playing Words with Friends or surfing Facebook, but my favorite Internet time-suck is Pinterest. It's my fantasyland where I get to pretend that the fabulous chaise lounge I pinned on my "home sweet home" board really is in my living room or that the breathtaking Fijian bure on my "vacation homes" board is truly my weekend getaway. And, while dreaming is fun, not everything on Pinterest is strictly aspirational. There are some things on my boards that I can make mine: the beauty trends.

Winged tips, braided headbands, and shockingly bright makeup are all possible to DIY. Don't believe me? Our Total Beauty editors Cinya Burton and Sharon Yi took their favorite Pinterest looks for a spin. See how they did.

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Calling all couch potatoes: This is the moment you've been waiting for. It turns out that sitting on your bum isn't necessarily as unhealthy as scientists have led us to believe -- as long as what you're watching scares the (too tight) pants off of you.

Related: The Ultimate Weight Loss Myths -- And Facts

A new study commissioned by a video rental company has found that participants burned an average of 113 calories while viewing a 90-minute horror flick. That's the same calorie expenditure as a 30-minute walk! And, some movies (like "The Shining") are so scary that they'll burn up as much as 184 calories in one viewing.

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What gives? "As the pulse quickens and blood pumps around the body faster, the body experiences a surge in adrenalin," explains Dr. Richard Mackenzie, a specialist in cell metabolism. "It is this release of fast-acting adrenalin, produced during short bursts of intense stress (or in

Just when I thought I'd found the perfect pair in my new Gap skinny jeans, comes word that there's a new crop of denim winding its way to market that could very well have me shedding my skinnies in no time. Sure, their slimming effect is great but these new jeans have upped the ante -- they promise to forever cure me of my dry, itchy winter skin.

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No, your brain did not miscompute that last phrase, these new jeans from both Wrangler and Mohicano pack a beauty bonus called "denim therapies," which claims to moisturize your skin and help improve cell turnover while you wear them.

As with most mind-blowing concepts, I was skeptical. Yet the "how it works" turns out to be pretty simple. The secret ingredient is none other than the skin-healing miracle worker aloe vera. By infusing nanoparticles of the wonder plant into the cotton fibers of the denim, the jeans moisturize your legs with essential nutrients like vitamin E, amino acids,

I'll admit the moment I read the buzz that Robert Pattinson could be named Dior's new fragrance spokesperson, I immediately thought: Here's hoping for a Brad Pitt repeat.

Related: 11 Celebrity Fragrances We're Ashamed to Admit We Love

If you haven't had the chance to see Pitt's Chanel No. 5 commercial, in which the actor bizarrely waxes on about life and love (I think, it's hard to tell) -- no need. All you really need to see is the hilarious spoof Saturday Night Live did, or perhaps the dog interpretation video, which went viral.

My point is that when a celebrity endorses a product, they've got to walk a fine line of cheesy and classy. And when the celeb takes himself too seriously, it's pop culture gold (thank you, Mr. Pitt).

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Look, Pattinson has had a tough year, what with the whole girlfriend (Kristen Stewart) cheating on him and all. So if anyone needs some positive buzz, it's him. But is it just

There was a time when several of my favorite cosmetics came under fire for containing some random chemicals that "studies" revealed were killing me. Still, I clung dearly to my Urban Decay nude palette and slathered on my Stila lip gloss. My thinking? We're all going to die anyway, might as well look good in the meantime. Maybe not the most mature tack to take but lo and behold, I'm still kicking, shiny lips and all.

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But now, there's a new study that may just convince me to loosen my grip on my makeup bag once and for all. I mean, chemical poisoning is one thing, but early menopause? Count me out. Here's the scoop: New research from Washington University's School of Medicine found that phthalates -- chemicals that are common in cosmetics, plastics, and household cleaners -- could be affecting ovarian function and human reproduction.

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The study examined phthalate levels in the blood and urine of 5,700

Fact: I love shoes.

I'd never dream of dropping $200 on a new leather jacket or an anti-aging face serum. But when it comes to Stuart Weitzman's new thigh-highs or an incredibly cute pair of bowed leather Oxfords, I hand over the plastic. Which means I've got far too many shoes -- too-trendy cutout platforms to work-appropriate pumps and flats.

But, it turns out I've overlooked one important category: workout shoes.

Fitness experts say that you shouldn't take a one-size-fits-all approach when buying workout shoes. What you're supposed to do is choose a pair that's built for your specific exercise. Are you heading to the gym in the shoes that are best for your go-to workouts? See the best shoes for your workout now.

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Is It Time to Ditch Your Workout Gear?
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San Francisco ChronicleThe search for the next, best wrinkle-zapping treatment is always on. But it turns out the fountain of youth has been in our hands all along. Or actually, in Tata's hands, the first Thai masseuse to bring the ancient beauty art of face-slapping to the U.S.

Related: The Weirdest Beauty "Tips" You've Heard -- Ever

Yes, face-slapping.

For a mere $350, Tata will hit you with "targeted smacks" across your cheeks, chin, and forehead to "move the muscle and fat around" so that you see a noticeable difference (and not just in the shape of a red hand print). Mawan Sombuntham, Tata's husband and co-owner of the salon, says Tata can smack your face so hard it'll "help with wrinkles, make your face slimmer, and make your pores smaller."

Related: Is Face Yoga Totally Bogus?

We've got one disclaimer for you, though: This treatment is also 100 percent void of any scientific support. (And, you know, basic reasoning and common sense.)

And it gets better. Tata is returning to