Editorial Review

Encyclopedia of the Exquisite is a lifestyle guide for the Francophile and the Anglomaniac, the gourmet and the style maven, the armchair traveler and the art lover. It’s an homage to the esoteric world of glamour that doesn’t require much spending but makes us feel rich.

Taking a cue from the exotic encyclopedias of the sixteenth century, which brimmed with mysterious artifacts, Jessica Kerwin Jenkins’s Encyclopedia of the Exquisite focuses on the elegant, the rare, the commonplace, and the delightful. A com­pendium of style, it merges whimsy and practicality, traipsing through the fine arts and the worlds of fashion, food, travel, home, garden, and beauty.

Each entry features several engaging anecdotes, illuminating the curious past of each enduring source of beauty. Subjects covered include the explosive history of champagne; the art of lounging on a divan; the emergence of “frillies,” the first lacy, racy lingerie; the ancient uses of sweet-smelling saffron; the wild riot incited by the appearance of London’s first top hat; Julia Child’s tip for cooking the perfect omelet; the polarizing practice of wearing red lipstick during World War II; Louis XIV’s fondness for the luscious Bartlett pear; the Indian origin of badminton; Parliament’s 1650 attempt to suppress Europe’s beauty mark fad; the evolution of the Japanese kimono; the pil­grimage of Central Park’s Egyptian obelisk; and the fanciful thrill of dining alfresco.

Cleverly illustrated, Encyclopedia of the Exquisite is an ode to life’s plenty, from the extravagant to the eccentric. It is a cele­bration of luxury that doesn’t necessarily require money. ... Read more

Reviews

Lives up to it's name, November 12, 2010
Encyclopedia of the Exquisite is a fantastically delightful read. It was clear when I read the introduction that the author and I are kindred spirits. This book engages the little girl in me who thought the glass doorknobs on our old house were made of diamonds and clearly had magical powers. Each entry is it's own adventure, like a peephole into a bygone era. The author writes clearly and beautifully, making each bit come to life on the page and the illustrations are gorgeous!
I'm having to force myself to read only a little at a time to make it last longer, like I'd do with a fancy bar of chocolate. I'm already wondering if she'll consider a second volume, as I am now noticing exquisite things all around me that I'd love to know the story of. I know I'll be giving copies to friends for years to come, beginning with this Christmas!

earthly delights, December 6, 2010
From Nectar and Ambrosia to Sequins, from Omelets to Frilly Lingerie, Jessica Kerwin Jenkins has compiled a handbook of pleasures, a guide to refinements, both exotic and humble. Readable and whimsical, it's a book to savor, like a big box of chocolate Truffles, which sublime fungus, of course, merits an entry--and a recipe. This is not a frivolous compendium; Jenkins has done serious research, so readers learn the Venetian origins of the Umbrella, and how it was used by Thai acrobats in performance. She also understands that the exquisite is not limited to the material world, and there are entries on Twilight, Wanderers, Far Niente, and the elusive Quintessence. There is an extensive bibliography, too, for those whose curiosity has been inflamed. And as an object, the book itself is exquisite, with deckle-edged pages, and a binding stamped with gold.

a total delight, December 11, 2010
A delicious book. Kerwin-Jenkins has done meticulous research to bring us bits of way-off-the-wall history. Each entry is more fascinating than the preceding one. Did you know about the Elephantine Colossus at Coney Island, one of three huge buildings shaped like the animal that were all the rage at the turn of the century. A big blue one at the Paris World's Fair in 1899. Only one remains, the 65-foot Lucy at the Jersey Shore. And that is just the "E's!
This is a jewel of a book to be savored very slowly.

awesome writer!!, December 2, 2010
Each entry not only enlightening, but exquisitely written. This book is like a sequence of prose poems inspired by Joseph Cornell. I hope it's only the first of many volumes!

deightful book, November 12, 2010
So engaging and well written is the Encyclopedia of the Exquisite. the illustrations are beautiful as is the general design of the book. it has been a surprisingly fun and educational read. can't wait to give it as a gift...
( make sure to read the introduction!)

Get a copy for every room!, November 15, 2010
The title says it all - wonderful vignettes about well known as well as obscure treasures. I want a copy for every room of the house - I am delighted every time I pick it up.

A wonderful find!, November 10, 2010
This is one of those great treasuries that you and your friends can revisit time and time again. Entertaining, amusing, and extremely interesting, this timeless catalog of the extraordinary makes a great holiday/birthday/housewarming gift. More sophisticated than your average "coffee table" book but not so high-brow that it can't be enjoyed by one and all. Each entry is a gem and the book surpasses the sum of the parts. I stumbled onto this and I'm glad I did!

I'm buying more to give as gifts this year, November 7, 2010
I absolutely do not regret this purchase. Encyclopedia of the Exquisite is exquisite itself. It's a beautiful book filled with charming illustrations, anecdotes and facts about historical figures and phenomena of all kinds. Kerwin is an excellent writer who has clearly done serious research with an impressively wide reach, but she delivers is with wit and levity. Every entry is a short, concise piece so I have been picking it up and putting it down for days, skipping all around the book. I wish I had one in every room in the house. And it really is a beautiful book in itself. I am definitely buying a copy of this for everyone I know for Christmas. It's perfect.

Oops!, December 2, 2010
I was interested in the book and clicked on the illustrated champange entry shown above. The very first sentence had a typo! These kinds of things are becoming routine and hardly elegant.

Lack of Creativity in subjects - nothing new to report, November 22, 2010
While the book was well researched and I learned a few new things, I found the book extremely dull and boring. For example, the color black along with crickets, are labeled as "elegant delights." I like crickets and the color black is elegant but they are both predictable and nothing enlightening. I really wanted to like this book but in the end was bored and would not recommend it. ... Read more

Editorial Review

From best-selling author and famed makeup artist Bobbi Brown comes this definitive beauty book empowering teens and twenty-somethings with age-appropriate makeup tips, style secrets, and self-esteem boosters. Emphasizing natural beauty, Bobbi advises on the best products and tools for keeping skin of every type flawless, and shares step-by-step techniques for getting the prettiest hair, eyes, lips, and nails. Stunning makeovers inspire looks for school, parties, interviews, and beyond. With hundreds of photographs of real girls, shots of celebrity role models, and Bobbi's best tricks from her remarkable career in the cosmetics industry, Beauty Rules is the new go-to guide for all girls. ... Read more

Reviews

Great book for Teen/Tweens, November 18, 2010

Shows a girls' beauty from the inside out, and how less is more, September 26, 2010

Be sure to read the subtitle!, October 5, 2010

Beauty Rules Rules!, December 16, 2010

Editorial Review

In Making Faces, Kevyn Aucoin, North Americas preeminent makeup artist, shares his secrets, explaining not only the basics of makeup application and technique but also how to use those fundamentals (sometimes in unconventional ways) to create a wide range of different looks. Making Faces features step-by-step directions, instructional full-colour sketches, and a gallery of noncelebrity transformations, as well as fabulous images of stars and supermodels as youve never seen them before.Lush and enticing, Making Faces satisfies on many levels: extraordinary photography, surprising makeup looks on A-list celebrities (Julia Roberts, Demi Moore, Courtney Love), and recipes for doing it yourself. ~ Mirabella Kevyn Aucoins new beauty bible is the Genesis, Chronicles, and Revelations of makeup. ~ Allure Kevie isnt a makeup man, hes a magician. He creates an atmosphere of beauty mixed with magic. ~ Cher Kevyns progression of work over the years has elevated makeup to an art form. ~ Tina Turner Kevyn enables each and every one of us to play the character we want to play, be the person we want to be, and most important, feel the best that we can feel about ourselves. ~ Drew Barrymore ... Read more

Reviews

It's a MUST HAVE for anyone who loves the art of makeup!, October 18, 1999
I bought this book skeptically after hearing from a friend how helpful it was in describing techniques. The georgeous photos would have sold it for me anyhow, but Aucoin's 'Making Faces' actually taught me how to do makeup. I've always done the same thing...which was basically go natural or play with makeup till I looked like a clown then scrub it all off. It's a simple approach that is easily accessible. The book makes doing eyebrow shaping look easy...and it not only looks easy- by following a few steps it turns out it IS easy. If you want to learn the basics- buy this book. If you want to do a home makeover- go glamorous, sensual, then fun later on - buy this book. If you want to tune your look a bit- get it! I guess I don't have to go on, but if you are like me and need a bit of instruction and cant afford a makeup artist to be at your beckon call- buy this book. At least borrow it from a friend. It's one of the books you'll consistently turn to for tips and tricks. It's an excellent resource and a whole lot of fun. The photos and styles cover all ages, from young and cute teenage to mature sophisticated and sexy women to a really hot guy in drag (double take is an understatement). Aucoin not only uses "Stars" but also 'real' people (meaning their looks aren't a direct part of their job) in showing the techniques and how they cause such transformations.

Not just a makeup tip recipe book, ITS A GLAMOUR BIBLE!!!, July 5, 1999
Kevin Acoin's book Making Faces is exquisite! As a makeup artist familiar with Kevin's work, I thought this book was going to be just a book filled with trade secrets and inside tips.Once I opened to the 3rd or 4th page, I realised how wrong I was.Not only did I find information that was useful beyond anything I learned in Beauty school, it was full of probably the most beautiful collection of photographs I have ever seen.It really takes a true genious to transform so many gorgeous women into other gorgeous women who look nothing like them.I really liked how he chose to use traditional movie roles as inspiration for some of the pictures.I think this allows the reader to recreate the role of the inginue or heroine!! There is also a really wonderful lesson on facial bone structure that really helps to understand how contouring and highlighting certain areas is really important to bring out a womans (or in a few cases..a mans)features.I photocopied it and stuck it to my bathroom mirror as a guide for applying eyeshadow. The only thing that I didnt like about the book is that he didn't mention the products used.Some women will find it a little difficult to find liquid eyeshadow and gold fleck dust!! I think had he given the brand names it would be a lot easier to find the products. This book is definitely a must for any makeup artist, cosmetic consumer, and any woman who wants to feel beautiful!

Practical, beautifully illustrated and photographed., December 22, 2003
I love playing with new looks and colors and this book is the perfect tool on how to make it easy and fun while getting professional looking results. It will help you discover exciting new looks you never dreamed of and the full potential of every makeup tool you own. The instructions on how to accomplish every look in the book are clearly illustrated step-by-step, making them extremely easy to follow. The advice given by the author comes alive with his own funny anecdotes on discovering and experimenting with makeup.
This book is extremely well organized into three sections. The first one covers the basics of what you need to know about each part of your face, how to apply makeup to each, which tools to use and how to enhance and get the most benefit from your strongest features. The second one shows you makeovers done on ordinary people that look like you and me. It includes before and after pictures that show the impact of well-applied makeup on every kind of skin and color combination. The third section is the most impressive part of the book. It shows known celebrities made up like other celebrities that have established iconic looks over the years. (Look for Lisa Marie-Presley as Marilyn Monroe and Isabella Rosellini as Barbra Streisand).
This book also includes a few male makeup techniques, from the conservative (using concealer and powder) to the adventurous (using eyeliner and eyeshadow) to the extremist (using everything from powder and blush to lipstick and a wig).
Although there are three or four extreme looks in this book that I don't think I will ever try, all of the rest can be applied just as they are or with slight modifications. The great advice, easy to follow instructions, funny anecdotes, if not the great photographs alone, make this book a must buy for anyone who uses makeup regularly or sporadically. It's so rewarding that you won't be disappointed.
I recommend buying Beauty: The New Basics by Rona Berg along with this book to complement the makeup knowledge with the best advice on skin care, hair care and beauty products that's available on a printed format.
--Reviewed by M. E. Volmar

Look beautiful no matter your age, size or heritage, August 28, 1998
If you're serious about applying makeup, this book is for you. Aucoin gives detailed instructions on how to achieve any makeup look from natural to extremely dramatic. He also lets the reader in on the secrets of the stars: you too can look like Audrey Hepburn or Marilyn Monroe, if you follow his instructions.

I was especially pleased to see Aucoin's techniques demonstrated not just on glamorous stars but also on normal people of all ages and sizes and both sexes. He's got a lot of common sense, too; he puts only minimal makeup on his teenage models (they still look like teenagers after he's done -- what a concept!) and he doesn't think much of child beauty pageants.

The book isn't perfect, though. Aucoin advocates putting eyeliner inside the lash line. Most eye doctors will tell you that's a bad idea, and so will most of us who lived through the first time this idea became popular. Pinkeye, anyone?

He also doesn't put much emphasis on choosing the right colours for the reader's complexion. He advocates complete freedom, which of course is fine for someone experienced with choosing their makeup colours but doesn't help the neophyte who needs advice.

But those are pretty minor complaints. This book is a fantastic tool for the person with some experience in applying cosmetics. I recommend it highly.

Good for the beginner, not so much for the budding expert, July 22, 2004
This book was incredibly frustrating for me. Yes, the makeovers are beautiful. But a lot of the photographs are completely worthless -- they're in profile, or they're black and white, or they're soft-focus. There's almost no advice on how to choose a quality makeup product or tool. Most frustrating for me was the fact that the breakdowns on the photographs are egregiously incomplete -- in the Lisa Marie Presley ponytail photo, for example, she's obviously wearing a dark eyeshadow in the crease but there's no crease color mentioned, and in the Trish Goff colored eyeshadow photo she's wearing multiple shades of shadow even though it only says she's wearing one.

The other thing that drove me nuts about this book is that almost every single eye shadow look is achieved exclusively with black, white, grey, or brown eyeshadow. I hate basic neutrals and I don't feel they flatter me. I wanted to be shown how to do interesting looks with some colors -- plums, blues, olives? -- and there are literally only three photos in the whole book that have colored eyeshadow. It's really a bizarre juxtaposition of basic, neutral looks with looks that are way too dramatic for anyone but a drag queen or a movie star; nothing in between. Also, it really aggravated me that everyone has flawless skin despite the claims that minimal or no foundation is used.

What I do like about this book is the application techniques (instead of just products) and the stellar contouring photo. I also really appreciate the obvious effort made to include women of color. Conclusion: good for the makeup novice or the average woman, or someone who just likes watching transformations. For the person who already has a good grasp on makeup techniques, though, this book is an exercise in frustration.

Extremely talented, not for everyone, June 30, 2006
Kevyn Aucoin is definitely everything his reputation says he is. This book is excellent, informative, and extremely well put together.

The only down side of it is he does not address Asian beauty. He address caucasian, black, and latin, but not asian... so Asians, this will be good if you want to learn about how to work on all the mentioned faces, but your own...not so much. For those asians whose eyes do not pleat (hooded eyes, or non-creased eyes) this book will not help you dress those and rare style of eyes.

His technique is fantastic and I like his commentaries, very down to earth, though his work is outta-this-world amazing.

Beautiful as an art book, but boils down to little substance, July 28, 1999
The pictures in 'Making Faces' are gorgeous and the book is brimming over with glamour. However, as a 'beauty guide' I found it to be very lacking in hard information. The explanations of different forms of makeup (liquid versus cream foundation, matte lipstick versus gloss) were mostly self-evident and the application tips could have been contained in a small pamphlet. The reason the book is so large is to include pictures of beautiful women (and men) If you would normally buy an art or photograph book then I would strongly recommend buying this book. However, for 'make-up tips' I would recommend saving your money and flipping through it at the local Barnes and Nobles for ideas. I really don't think anyone is going to become that much better at applying make-up just because they use this book. Just as I don't think anyone would look that much better just because they wore a swimsuit modeled by Cindy Crawford in this month's edition of Vogue. Kevyn Aucoin is a star even in the world of professional make-up artists and from the biographical information in 'Making Faces' he seems to have been destined to be a great make-up artist. Whereas the rest of us women have a love/hate relationship with make-up and are almost desperately hungry for a make-up fix/miracle. I think there are great make-up ideas in this book that could help people get over make-up phobias and become more comfortable with themselves and make-up. Aucoin's attitude is friendly and encouragin. I'm also impressed that the book has such a people-positive attitude and addresses looks for a wide range of people. But I cannot understand why the other reviewers of 'Making Faces' make such a big fuss over it as if it took on Messianic proportions. I guess if you are obsessed with make-up and being beautiful this is a book to add to your collection. Personally, I don't think glamour equates with 'make-up advice' and you are not going to absorb beauty by rubbing this book over you or being near it or buying it.

Makeup bible, ultimate how-to--BEST book on this topic!, May 17, 2007
Makeup bible, ultimate how-to, this book remains the Best book I have seen on the subject of working with color, proportion, shading, and highlighting to create a beautiful, symmetrical, gorgeous face. It is thorough and leaves no question unanswered.

The book begins with the basics: anatomy of the face, foundational ingredients (moisturizer, simple tools, foundation types, powders, concealers) and moves on to techniques. There is an Amazing diagram on shading and highlighting on pg 24 that shows an exaggerated version of what goes on beneath the makeup to create the illusion of symmetry and highlight (or fake) high cheekbones, a lovely chinline, and beautiful eyes. It also discusses brows, eyes, lashes, lips, and then moves onto overall styles and looks. The way he explains with the text and shows with a combination of drawings and pictures makes it clear for anyone, whether a professional or beginner. Excellent resource!

The looks themselves are extremely varied from subtle, minimal, and fresh, to smoky, sexy, and very dramatic. He begins with simple ideas on everyday people, but finishes off with celebrities looking like you have never seen them--you seriously have to find their names to figure out who they are, they look so different. These are examples of what different makeup can do, and for the theatre and fashion folks out there, this section provides you with so much inspiration and ideas--it is priceless!

There is something here for every person and every occasion, so even those who don't like looking overly made up can look great. His pictures of friends, family, and of course, celebrities give this book both warmth and glamour, and his clear way of breaking down various techniques make this the most accessible, user-friendly, useful book I have read on this topic. I recommend it to anyone at all.

Not for beginners, May 23, 2006
I bought this book because I don't have a lot of prowess with makeup at all, and I wanted to develop some skills using basic tools. This book, filled with beautiful pictures of beautiful people, assumes a basic knowledge of makeup and a steady hand for application. Maybe eventually I'll make more use of it, when I master the simple steps from other sources of information.

Making Faces, November 29, 1999
I found this book extremely helpful in teaching you techniques for applying makeup and yet, not teaching you to rely on any certain "rules" as many other makeup books will have you learn. I enjoyed the variety of makeup styles and the large full-color pictures in the book. It is nice to learn a little about Kevyn as I read the book, as well as many helpful tips. It is a very good book, becuase it helps you develope a makeup style all your own. It is about looking the best you can, and being who you are, not trying to look like the latest super model. I like that he places emphasis on being the best you are, not trying to look like something you are not. After all, isn't that why we are all different? ... Read more

Editorial Review

This is the book that Bobbi Brown's fans have been waiting for: her 25-plus years of makeup styling experience distilled into one complete, gorgeous book.Bobbi looks at everything from skincare basics to every aspect of facial makeup--from how to find the right color and type of foundation for any skin tone to how to apply every detail of eye makeup (Brows, Eye Liner, Eye Shadow, and Eye Lashes) no matter your eye color and shape.Of course there are never-before-seen tips on blush, bronzer, lip liners, lipstick, etc.And Bobbi looks beyond the face with informative chapters on "Hands and Feet" and "Body Skin Care."Each chapter has thorough step-by-step basic directions for makeup application and easy-to-follow photographs and line drawings, along with Bobbi's expert, yet assuring, advice.Plus, there's a groundbreaking section of the book that will be of special interest to women who've wanted to know how makeup stylists do what they do: the top beauty secrets only these artists know, essential equipment to keep on hand, how to break into the business, and how to work with photographers and celebrities.

Breathtaking photos of the finished faces-from everyday looks to exotic runway style-along with advice on putting it all together for every woman, make this a book like no other.

BOBBI BROWN'S MAKEUP MANUAL will be the only book any woman will need to look absolutely fabulous. ... Read more

Reviews

Beautiful and useful book., November 30, 2008
Bobbi Brown isn't about makeup trickery and techniques designed to alter the shape of a feature or make an average woman look like a drag Marilyn Monroe. If you are looking for this kind of book--as I suspect some of the other reviewers were--look elsewhere. What she is about is teaching a woman to look and feel her best, and this book does an excellent job of showing each and every step, in a way that a novice can understand and a pro can appreciate. Not everyone may feel they need this kind of instruction...but then why read a book called "Makeup Manual" if you already know it all?

Unlike her other books, which focus quite a bit on how health and lifestyle affect beauty, Bobbi's Makeup Manual really is dedicated to makeup artistry. A beginning makeup artist will find the detailed instructions on dramatic smoky eyes, false eyelash application, and how to work on a photo shoot especially useful. Bobbi also delves into extreme color, editorial looks, makeup as art, and tribal and geisha looks, all of which are territory uncovered in her previous books.

To summarize, if you appreciate Bobbi Brown's aesthetic, you will enjoy this book. If you want to know how to create basic and dramatic looks in a way that is pretty and modern, you will love this book. If you are a new makeup artist, you need this book. If you want to know how to transform Andy Rooney into Audrey Hepburn with lipstick, glitter, and seventeen concealers, you will hate this book. If you already know it all...write your own book. I'll look forward to reading it.

Cheers!

A GUIDEBOOK TO MAKEUP AND MORE, December 7, 2008
Leafing through Bobbi Brown's Makeup Manual is almost like sitting down and having a cup of latte with the makeup whiz herself. Her book answers every question I'd ask, and subjects are arranged in an easy to locate format along with step-by-step instructions so the reader can take as much or as little time as she wishes. Dramatic for a special evening? Understated for the office? Picture perfect for a photography session? The choice is ours. While some tend to make applying cosmetics a difficult task one of the reasons I like Bobbi Brown so much is that she makes it easy.

Never one to overlook the necessity of good health via nutrition, exercise, and sleep Bobbi begins with some practical reminders along those lines. Then, it's on to skin care basics. I thought I knew all I needed to to know about cleansing, moisturizing, etc. Wrong! Bobbi said that dry lips are a sign that one should drink more water, and she's right - it worked for me. Also, she suggested applying moisturizer by "gently pressing the product into the skin until it is completely absorbed." Also works for me!

There are tons of these tips that really do make a difference - all the way from choosing the right foundation shade (swatch a few shades on your face, check the colors in natural light - the one that disappears is for you) to shaping eyebrows to applying lip gloss that stays, yes, glossy.

The photographs are gorgeous and especially useful when the reader is shown the application of blush or eye shadow from start to finish. If you're a budding makeup artist Bobbi shares a wealth of information and advice.

Also included are makeup tips for teens, brides, and special occasions. There's something helpful for everyone in Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual!

- Gail Cooke

Outstanding and Painfully Truthful, December 26, 2008
If you are looking for makeup from waking up to waking up the Boardroom this book is filled with great advice. Typically, I have found that many women just DON'T want to COMMIT to looking good. They want great results with no effort. If you want to get rid of those dark circles, TRUST ME, it really may take 2 or 3 colors, powdered down and maintained during the day. As to the profession, Bobbi Brown does the best thing by exposing her kit and listing ALL the items that must be carried to every appt.,plus cleaned up and maintained for the next time. Again the wise message is there are no shortcuts to looking great or being in the beauty business. But the rewards of fun, meeting interesting people and escaping 9to5 if you wear makeup or use it as a profession are worth it!

Comprehensive and Beautiful Photographs, December 17, 2008
Rating: 4.5 stars


Bobbi Brown's latest book is said to be the book that her fans have been waiting years for and I can see why. This book is incredibly comprehensive not to mention aesthetically pleasing, with its vivid, colorful and sometimes artistic photographs.

The chapters start off very basic by outlining the fundamental makeup tools and their maintenance, as well as helpful shopping tips. I liked how everything is laid out very clearly and explained in great detail. Even someone who is quite familiar with makeup and its equipment can benefit from this section. There are also sections on skin analysis which teach skincare basics and even discuss healthy lifestyle and nutrition.

The next sections feature step-by-step makeup applications for the face, lips and eyes, which take great care to educate readers about the right shades, right application and troubleshooting recommendations.

The sections start becoming more advanced which I would recommend reading after the basics are mastered or at least familiar. Bobbi Brown also includes advice for those seeking a professional career as a makeup artist which was interesting, although I imagine not incredibly relevant for the average consumer.

Above all, my favorite section of the book is on makeup for magazines, television and film because it offers a rare glimpse into the ideas behind makeup choices and really highlights the power of makeup. At the end of the book there are some more interesting sections that rarely get included into a makeup manual, such as a history of makeup and a guide to the big names in the makeup industry.

This book is a fun, beautiful and informative makeup guide, which as the title states, is "for everyone from beginner to pro".

http://bookopolis.blogspot.com

Basic Makeup, December 22, 2008
I was so excited to buy this book and leafed through it to make sure I wanted it. I was disappointed however when I was done reading the whole book. Although Bobbi Brown does give awesome information about skin, I felt that there was a lot of makeup techniques were missing. The book is mostly basic makeup. If you're looking for new techniques, like I was, you should find another book. Great pictures and information for a beginner, just not for me.

Clear and Concise, Great Advice and Information, July 28, 2009
The subtitle of BOBBI BROWN MAKEUP MANUAL indicates it is for the beginner to pro and I'm in the beginner category. All I'm interested in is doing my own makeup well. As a user of Bobbi Brown makeup for over ten years, I wanted to read this book to see what I could improve as formerly I was just applying the makeup as instructed by the BB counter saleswoman instructed me. I didn't know why I was doing what I was doing until I read this book.

The bulk of the book (the first 138 pages) is designed to be used by both individual women for their own makeup and can also be used by professionals. After giving some brief opinions and recommendations on which products or product types to use on various skin types or for different purposes (such as when to use cr�me blush versus powder blush for example), clear directions for applying the makeup properly are given in brief text along with full step by step directions. Important to note is that all skin colors and different ethnicities are included. Special techniques for Asians are given such as handling eye makeup. I was happily surprised to see special advice given for women with freckles, the advice is to not cover them up completely but to use special makeup effects that allow them to show through. Also covered is how to handle makeup with skin conditions such as rosacea and others.

A section at the beginning gives information about brush selection, the importance of proper brush maintenance, and the reasons to use high quality brushes. Advice on compiling makeup kits is included, specifically, what items to buy and how to organize them for different purposes (travel, everyday use, and so forth).

I was impressed also with the section about eyebrows and eyelashes. Included is information about the benefits of and best ways to shape the eyebrows and when eyebrow makeup should be used. Directions for penciling in eyebrows for women with sparse eyebrows or who are currently undergoing chemotherapy is useful too. The proper way to apply mascara, how to use an eyelash curler and even how to apply false eyelashes correctly is included.

What struck me the most about this book is that it gives just enough information to be thorough but not too much so as to bog down or intimidate the reader. The photographed stepped out directions are done well. It is easy to find the makeup technique or effect you want to achieve to use the book's directions when needed. When to use various effects is explained, such as daytime makeup and then touching it up for evening. Makeup for weddings and other formal events is also covered.

The last 80 pages are dedicated to professional makeup artists or those striving to become professional makeup artists. Those pages cover a range of topics from special makeup procedures to use on models in dramatic photo shoots to job basics such as career options, marketing oneself and booking work.

A short resources section is included at the end.


I read the book cover to cover and learned some things about makeup and makeup application that I never knew. I finally know how to pick the right shade of lipstick and foundation, and how to bring up the various levels of makeup for a more dramatic effect if desired. Now I will use the book as a reference guide for applying makeup. The book can easily be referenced for step by step directions.

Again from the perspective of an amateur, I loved this book. It breaks down a lot of information into easy to understand manner. I like the makeup style used by Bobbi Brown, of how natural her everyday makeup look is and the fact that Brown seeks to enhance a woman's unique features rather than putting the makeup first and the women second. Unlike other makeup companies, Brown does not just churn out trendy colors each season and expect women to buy and use them as they are `in style' at the moment. Brown wants women to look their best, to look natural but an "enhanced" natural. Brown's makeup recommendations for evening and special occasions is elegant and beautiful, the makeup is not overpowering.

Everyday to Film Makeup, November 21, 2008
This is one of those yummy books with glossy color pages that smell good! Everything you need to know about makeup is included in this volume from equipment to the "Ten-Step Guide to Perfect Makeup." Tips for advanced makeup care for fashion shows, television, and photography have a chapter all to themselves. The history of makeup in chronological order and "Who's Who in Makeup" are two delightful surprises at the end.

Late Bloomer, August 22, 2010
Most women learn how to apply makeup in their early teens and then continue learning new things as they mature. By the time they are fifty-seven (like I am) they pretty well know their faces, their coloring and what works and what doesn't. But suppose you started life at age fifty-seven, where would all of your experience be? This happened to me. I transitioned from male to female, and there I was with, pardon this, my face hanging out and nothing to put on it! For someone in my position, Bobbi Brown's Makeup Manual has been nothing less than a Godsend! I have learned more in the past few months from this book than I ever dreamed possible and instead of looking foolish with bad makeup and no knowledge of how to use it, I have not only learned how to apply it properly and what works for me, but have also gained a great deal of confidence just because I know what to do now. Thank You Bobbi, from the bottom of my heart. This book is just THAT GOOD!

shouldve listened to previous reviewer, August 8, 2009
This book is probably best for a preteen or for someone who has absolutely positively no makeup experience/knowledge. I thought this book would provide insight into some more advanced makeup techniques, more graphs and how to looks. But only consisted of a few basic tutorials, which I didnt find very informative or well explained. I also didnt like that she only provided HER makeup line products, particularly colors that go well with a skin/hair/eye color.

anyway, this book was nothing what I expected, and it is certainly NOT for an advanced pro. It contained nothing that I couldnt/wouldnt be able to learn from beauty sites, blogs or forums.

I am returning this book.

A real disappointment, February 24, 2010
I decided to purchase this after the rave reviews I read here but I found this book to be a real disappointment. The instruction is extremely generic and too basic: there are no insider tips or in-depth analysis of any kind despite the 221 pages! Some of the featured looks are great, but a lot of the makeup looks somewhat slapdash and gaudy. For example many of the model's eye concealer is too light, so much so that they appear too have white rings underneath their eyes. Some of the eye makeup is seriously questionable as well, with very visible lines of demarcation and very little blending. I was really shocked and I plan to return this item.

... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

This book changed my life, July 11, 2010
This book is a must-read for anyone who cares about health, beauty and the environment. I was shocked to learn about the cosmetic industry from up close and how little they are protecting my health. This book gave me all the info on the cosmetics I was using that were bad for me and then I got a bunch of ideas about how to change my attitude and my products. I have been using clean and natural beauty products since and my skin feels amazing and I feel better about the industry I am supporting. Great read, I'm giving it to all my loved ones.

Read This for Truth about Beauty Products, November 30, 2010
No More Dirty Looks The Truth about Your Beauty Products--and the Ultimate Guide to Safe and Clean Cosmetics will be a real eye-opener for many readers unfamiliar with the dangers lurking in so-called beauty products.

The journey for the authors starts when they go to get a Brazilian Blow-Out and discover that formaldehyde is an active ingredient in the product. (Formaldehyde is used to embalm dead people, FYI and is considered a carcinogen.) From there, the authors begin research into all kinds of health and beauty products.

They discover that the FDA doesn't do a very good job in protecting the health of people. One of the most disturbing truths discovered is that endocrine disruptive chemicals are found in baby products and products pregnant women use.

What many people do not realize is that the skin is the largest organ and that it is porous. when you apply a products, it goes through the skin and into the bloodstream. All those chemicals found in makeup and perfume and inside your body! And there are literally 1000's of them.

The best art of the book is that safe and effective alternative beauty products are suggested. Ones that are also not tested on animals.

I have been using safe, chemical beauty products (and safe stuff for home, etc) for years now. I am familiar with many of the products suggested and YES they are effective! (Like anything else, you have to test and see for yourself.) Once you get used to these products, you will not miss the chemical-laden ones with their fake smells!

The reason for 4 stars? I was not pleased with the way this book was written at times, with way too casual words--as if these were two girls writing about some silly subject instead of the very serious subject matter that it is. It only serves to make one question their credibility....that said, I have done enough research to know they are on to the facts.

I also recommend IN DEFENSE OF FOOD by Michael Pollen to learn about healthy food( or any of his books,)HARMONIOUS ENVIRONMENT: BEAUTIFY, DETOXIFY & ENERGIZE YOUR LIFE, YOUR HOME & YOUR PLANET to discover how to detoxify all products you use AND find great, healthy alternatives, and HOW TO GROW FRESH AIR to clean your home of toxins.

Highly recommend!

Essential Reading, July 16, 2010
I've read this book twice already and consider it essential reading for anyone who wants to take more control over what they're putting on and into their bodies. We blindly assume that cosmetics must be safe if they've made it onto the shelf of our local drugstores, and as O'Connor and Spunt make clear, nothing could be further from the truth. I've been gradually switching my products over to clean ones, but this book helped me complete the transition with concrete tips and amazing suggestions. If you care about your health, the environment, and your looks, then carry this book in your purse whenever you go shopping for products until you've memorized which chemicals to avoid! And make it a gift for any moms (and dads) you know so they can be better informed when they shop for sunscreens and soaps for their babies and children. Thanks to the authors for putting together such a groundbreaking and fun read!! (They also host a fab blog with daily posts and recommendations that will help you stay on top of your health and beauty regimes: [...])

The Wool is Off My Eyes, November 26, 2010
I am a Sephora addict. I love makeup, and love perfume - over 180 bottles...you could say I have a problem. I first started seeing tags such as "No parabens" "PABA free" on certain brands of makeup. This got me looking into the makeup I own and all the chemicals that go in them. Reading this book was like removing the wool from my eyes, I now know what propylene glycol is and why phthalates are bad for you. So much of what goes into our cosmetics is completely unregulated by the FDA - which leaves the consumer to understand ingredients on their own. That is no simple task, but it can be with No More Dirty Looks. My sister lent me her copy, and I plan on getting a copy for myself, and spreading the word to my fellow females.

If you want to know:
what ingredients are in your makeup,
why those ingredients are bad for you,
what makeup you can replace it with,

then this is the book for you!

Great foundation for natural beauty!, October 11, 2010
No More Dirty Looks is a great introduction to the ever-growing, and exciting, world of natural beauty. I was fortunate enough to meet the authors at their NYC book party, and I was so impressed that I bought a copy on the spot -- which they signed with a hilarious message: "Brian, I hope you like the organic mascara." For the record, I don't wear mascara, but I appreciate their humor in person and in the book.

There's a pretty scary amount of toxic junk in conventional cosmetics that I wouldn't want to put on my body, so it's great to have a handy guide to safer alternatives. This is a good gift for anyone in your life who uses beauty products.

Eye opening book!, October 15, 2010
I ordered this book because I was interested in finding out more information on all the cosmetics I currently use. What an eye-opener! I have re-read this book several times and am shocked and amazed at what the cosmetic companies are hiding and at what costs to our health! I have since purchased several of the suggested cosmetics and beauty products mentioned in this book and made several trips to our local health food store to do additional investigating on similar products. This is a wonderful resource for anyone who is sick and tired of getting sick and tired and possibly poisoned from the prouducts they have trusted for years. Thanks for such an informative book and looking forward to any other information I can find on these "hidden" secrets.

Cosmetic Reference Book, October 10, 2010
With all the cosmetic products that are available this book is an excellent source about the ingredients that are in a lot of the products we use on a daily basis. The authors have done a lot of research, and have also documented the different studies. It is very informative on which kind of products to buy as well as those to avoid.

my new bible, August 2, 2010
Wow. This book is a real eye-opener. I've never given a second thought to my health when it comes to beauty products; I always just assumed the FDA had our backs. I just threw out a whole grocery bag full of products including my baby girl's sunscreen which has an "endocrine disruptor" (can cause cancer) in it! I'm buying this book for all my girl friends, my mom and sister and even my doctor. My only wish is that the authors could text the "Appendix A: The Ingredient Blacklist" to my phone so I have it with me when shopping.

not bad, could be better, December 15, 2010
pros:
1. easy to read/understand delivery. No technical jargon to wade through. Terms That the average person wouldn't know are explained in plain English.
2. Each subject (i.e. lotion, lipstick, acne cream, etc) has only a page or two to read through to get the relevant info.
3. Good organization of the information. I can find exactly what I want without wading through every thing I don't.
4. Good information. Helpful hints. Each chapter has the section "why these products are bad" followed by the section "here are products that are good and where you might find them to buy them, or how to make your own."
5. comprehensive in the types of products covered. Probably a majority I have never used, or only used once or twice in my life.
6. Also covers other ways of making yourself beautiful naturally, (i.e. good health, good lifestyle, etc.)

cons:
1. I found the use of swear words in the book to be flippant and unprofessional. While they don't occur all the time, I am one who believes that strong words should be reserved for special occasions where a strong impact is desired. That didn't happen here. There was no need, and therefore it came off as offensive rather than effective. There were also a few mild references to human sexuality that I thought didn't add to the book.
2.While it's nice not to have to read through a chapter for every cosmetic product, I felt like some things were kind of skimmed over and could have used more detail. In some places it felt more like an overview than a truly informative book. Once again, this is both a pro and a con.
3. I would have liked to see more "make at home" possibilities. Surely there's more out there that you can use to clean your hair than the old "baking soda and vinegar."
Also, they mentioned that Baby Soaps have these "bad" chemicals in them too but offered no alternatives for your little ones, nor discussed the effects of adult "clean" soaps for your little ones.

Over all I thought this book was worth the read, and the information presented was valuable.
-Melissa

Great advice, but not so easily applicable (pricey suggestions), December 6, 2010
I really liked this book. It opened my eyes to a lot of things the cosmetic industry does and has made me realize that companies do put a lot of junk in their products (I read all the labels now). For example, it seems to me that mineral oil is in EVERYTHING. I haven't used products with mineral oil in them since 2006, however, it's in a LOT of baby products (what do you think baby oil is made out of). I really DO want to change the types of products I use and go more natural, safe and organic, but it's very price prohibitive. I was looking through the book's recommendations for products and one particular foundation is over $40 (and I can only buy it online or at their retail store in CA (hard to do when you live in CO)). I try to shop at Wholefoods for a lot of my products now (trying to go organic) but again, it's a huge cost issue. I live in rural Colorado and the closest Wholefoods is about 75 miles away. The fact of the matter is, if you want to go organic and remove pesticides and other harmful chemicals from your makeup bag, you either have to be somewhat rich or go au naturale (or try to use some of their homemade products). I decided not to throw away all of my current makeup (even though a lot of them were on the bad-boy list according to cosmetic database online) but I am going to try to buy cleaner products for my home and try not to go broke doing so. The book DOES suggest making some homemade products, but to be honest, I am not going to beat a bunch of egg whites and throw it on my hair for a mousse substitute. The smell alone made me gag. I used to make homemade soaps at home (and with two little kids, it's just not something I have time for) so I know what products are good. My advice, if you can afford to buy the pre-made stuff, go for it, otherwise, stick to organic oils for your skin (as the book recommends). ... Read more

Editorial Review

In the wildly popular The Little Black Book of Style, fashion authority Nina Garcia showed women how to think about personal style in an entirely new way. Encouraging readers to creatively assert their style identities, Nina showed women of all ages how to hone and self-edit a distinct fashion voice.

With her style philosophy firmly out in the world, Nina decided to address the most popular question readers consistently ask her: Exactly what are fashion's timeless pieces?

The One Hundred answers this question and provides women with a tangible style map to follow when planning a shopping trip and stocking one's closet. With illustrations from world-renowned fashion illustrator Ruben Toledo, The One Hundred contains the 100 items that Nina believes will never go out of style and that have become absolutely indispensable for any woman attaining her own eternal fashion look.

Reviews

Classic advice, August 29, 2008
The subhead reads "A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own." This book delivers. Author Garcia makes it clear that this list is HER list, and that every woman will have a somewhat different collection of apparel essentials. But this is a good place to start.

The list is in alphabetical order (see below). Each listing has a description and full-color illustration of the item. Many have a sidebar called Fashion 101, which is a short history of the product, often with quotes. Garcia also includes Fun Facts, her own personal favorite brands, and many fashion tips.

Especially fun are "Great Moments" segments. Great Moments in men's white shirts include Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday, Elizabeth Taylor in Giant, Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman and Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction.

The best thing about this book is how it elevates timeless quality over of-the-moment fads. My 14-year-old daughter looked at The One Hundred and then said she wants to save up and buy maybe one piece every other month or so, so she'll have a good collection when she gets out of high school. If a book can pass along that kind of advice to teens, I'm all for it!

Here are the chapters:

A: A-line Dress, Animal Print, Ankle Bootie, Aviators

B: Ballet Flat, Bangles, Belts, Bikini, BlackBerry, Black Opaque Tights, Blazer, Boyfriend Cardigan, Brooch

C: Cable-Knit Sweater, Caftan, Camel Coat, Cape, Cashmere Sweater, Charm Bracelet, Clutch, Cocktail Ring, Converse, Cosmetics Bag, Cowboy Boots, Cuff

D, E, F: Denim Jacket, Diamond Studs, Driving Shoe, Espadrilles, Evening Gown, Exotic Skin Bag, Fishnets, Frye Harness Boot, Fur

G, H, I: Gentlemen's Hat, Gloves, Havaianas, Hobo Bag, Hoop Earrings, Investment Bag, iPod

J, K, L: Jeans, Jewelry Pouches, Khakis, Knee Boots, Leather Pants, Lingerie, Little Black Dress, Little White Dress, L.L. Bean Tote, Luggage

M, N, O: Mad Money, Man's White Shirt, Mary Janes, Minnetonka Moccasin, Missoni Knit, Monogrammed Stationery, Motorcycle Jacket, Nail Polish, Old Concert T-Shirt, One-Piece Swimsuit

P, Q, R: Pajamas, Peacoat, Pearl Necklace, Pencil Skirt, Perfume, Plain White Tee, Polo Shirt, Pucci, Push-Up Bra, Quality Champagne, Red Lipstick, Robe

S: Safari Jacket, Sandals, Sarong, Signet Ring, Silk Scarf, Slippers, Spanx, Statement Necklace, Stilettos, Striped Sailor Shirt, Suit, Sunhat

T, U, V: Trench, Turquoise and Coral Jewelry, Tuxedo Jacket, Umbrella, Underwear, Valid Passport, Vans, Vintage

W, Y, Z: Watch, Wayfarers, Wellington Boot, Wide-Leg Trousers, Wrap Dress, Yoga Gear, Zippered Hoodie

best style book so far, September 1, 2008
This is the best fashion/style book I have read so far (and I have several, including forty year old classics like Dariaux's). While it may be a useful exercise, it is difficult to pare a wardrobe down to 10 looks (Gunn); there's more to style than that, and Garcia knows it. Hence, the 100.... What I like about Nina's second book (I liked the first one, The Little Black Book of Style, too), is that she encourages us to develop our own style, while giving you concrete information about classic styles (e.g., the best opaque black tights--Wolford)or ones that you might be a little leery about trying; e.g., how to discreetly wear fishnet stockings, including nude ones; vintage brooches; statement necklaces. I have read the book twice...that says a lot. I enjoy Garcia's writing style, confidences about her own wardrobe and work as a fashion editor, and admonishments about how not to cheapen a look; e.g., the wrong way to wear animal prints (which I have yet to dare...)or fishnets. Garcia is very good about distinguishing between style and trends, and encourages her readers to work with what they have or to slowly acquire classics, instead of becoming a fashion victim, with the latest disposable, expensive 'it' bag or jeans. After reading about the usefulness of a black cashmere turtleneck, I bought one--love it. After the reminder about the joys of a longer camel hair coat, I picked one up on sale--hadn't had one in years. In November, while traveling in Turkey, I picked up a unique, handmade statement necklace to fill the neckline of a classic black dress or a plain white shirt. I have definitely developed my 'style' from reading this book. I also loved the illustrations by Toledo--fun and elegant!

ooh what fun!, August 30, 2008
If you're a Project Runway fan, Nina Garcia needs no introduction. Her new book, the One Hundred is on the 100 things a woman of style needs in her wardrobe. Some of her choices are surprising: faux fur?, others I disagred with: unless your backside is so small that a large butterfly can't land comfortably on it you have no business buying white jeans... but overall the book is fantastic and funny and of course, it has the fabulous illustrations by Rueben Toledo. I've read a lot of fashion books. This one is a keeper. It's going on my shelf right next to my copy of Tim Gunn's book.

How to spend a Million on your wardrobe and more...., November 21, 2008
This book had some nice pictures and ideas, but I don't think it is the most helpful. It also rubbed me the wrong way telling me to buy mostly items that cost several hundreds to thousands of dollars to achieve style. We all know that style is not a matter of money, but of arranging pieces from your wardrobe in an interesting manner. I wish that Ms. Garcia would of mentioned some of her favorites some high priced to moderate priced. Ms. Garcia only mentions the high priced items. That is why I recommend the other book I read recently called: How not to look old: fast and effortless ways to look 10 years younger, 10 pounds lighter, 10 times better by Charla Krupp. Since I am in my forties I found this book much more helpful in improving my style and looks, plus the author Ms. Krupp recommends low priced to high priced items.

The other books I think worth checking out if you want to improve your style are: In the dressing room with Brenda: a fun and practical guide to buying smart and looking great by Brenda Kinsel; and Brenda's wardrobe companion: a workbook for getting the look you want, with the clothes you love by Brenda Kinsel.

I enjoy reading books about style, but this one by Ms. Garcia is not the best and I do not recommend it.

A really cute idea, not fully realized, October 3, 2008
I got this book because I really am having to redo my wardrobe from scratch. This book is entertaining to a certain extent, and the drawings are cute but at the very least I would have liked actual pictures of the items the author is talking about. The items are mostly beyond my non-Prada pocketbook, but that's my problem, not the book's. I think using the alphabet to organize the book was limiting in this instance, as some items looked as if they were fitted in because of it. It was fun to read about items that the glitterati love. But it's depressing to think that you have to be rich to be stylish...

If you're looking for a serious list of classics..., August 31, 2008
Don't bother with this one. Only about 10 are really classic or stylish. Animal Print? Blackberry? Cowboy boots? Fishnets??? Ipod? Champagne? Passport? I really thought there would be more about fashion and less about Sex and the City.

The pictures are cute and the organization is nice. But all in all, it is a waste of time.

The One Hundred - not much new, November 1, 2008
Although this book does have some good ideas and tips, it feels like a constant reminder that we SHOULD be doing our shopping at Louis Vitton, Sax, and Bloomingdales. I was really hoping for more information that was addressed to the majority of us who actually work for a living. And although I love good, quality clothes and accessories, I don't see myself wearing Manolos, Jimmy Choos, or a Hermes scarf (but wouldn't I love them!) in my life as a teacher. There are still a lot of good tips, but I've found the Lucky style books more to my liking.

BEST FASHION BOOK!!!!, August 28, 2008
Nina's second book is even better than the first! She has the best top 100 pieces a girl should have. She is so classy and gives great idea to make your wardrobe the best it can be! BUY THIS BOOK! So much better than other books about style out there!

Entertaining Read!, September 14, 2008
I saw Nina Garcia on GMA and immediately got on Amazon to purchase this book. I enjoyed reading the book as Nina put it in a nice A-Z format as well as had colorful illustrations. It gave me some good tips on how to be more efficient in managing my style and spending money on essentials rather than filling up my closet with a whole bunch of clothes and feeling cluttered with nothing to wear. I found myself bookmarking several sections and jotting down my "wish list" so to better manage my own wardrobe. Many of the recommendations Nina has in her book are definitely high end (not for those on a limited clothing budget), however she does recommend things like Hanes white t-shirts and such so a reader can learn to splurge on the timeless pieces and budget for items that do not require you to break into your retirement savings. Having said that, if I would make any recommendation for Nina's follow-up book, I would recommend she break her suggestions for each category into a high, middle and low end price points where she can give readers recommended brands or stores within their budgets to find that classic bag, watch, black dress, etc.

A closet full of clothes and nothing to wear...., September 13, 2008
This book is perfect for women like me with a closet stuffed with clothes and have a hard time putting an outfit together. I am relieved to read that I have quite a few of the classic Ms. Garcia recommends. I plan to make a list of the other items I think will work for me and carry it with me so I know exactly what to look for when shopping. Since I'm far away from a size 4, I think I'll forgo the bikini, white jeans and the stilettos. Many of the suggestions do fit in with the lifestyle of a middle-class suburban mom with two young children. (Won't need the fur or long gloves any time soon.)

Ms. Garcia's writing style is fun and easy. An enjoyable read.

... Read more

Editorial Review

Muffin tops. Scrunchies. Suntan hose. Slut shoes. Visible panty line.

Who hasn’t had the unfortunate experience of witnessing—or (gasp!) actually wearing—one of these fashion disasters?

The atrocities Clinton Kelly has seen—it’s a surprise he hasn’t gouged out his own eyes. Mom jeans? Fancy fingernails? Tracksuits? In the same straight-talking style that has made TLC’s What Not to Wear a smash hit for eight seasons, the cheeky media personality and author of Freakin’ Fabulous shows women how to outfit themselves with confidence and style as he pokes fun at fashion "don’ts." From the most obvious faux pas (Texas tuxedos) to borderline offenses (peekaboo boobies), Clinton offers detailed and entertaining critiques of our top one hundred sartorial slip-ups. He turns his keen eye to wardrobe, color, cut, cleanliness, hairstyle, accessories, and even posture. And because he loves you, he presents easy alternatives and practical suggestions for creating fabulous outfits that will make you forget you ever wore socks with clogs.

Clinton also explains how to use trends to your advantage at any age, from deciding which ones work for you to understanding how to wear them to keep your look relevant. Because if you’re not comfortable in the sequined mini, everyone around you will know it.

A delightful mix of hilarious dish and expert fashion advice, Oh No She Didn’t will turn anyone from fashion victim to fashionista in no time. ... Read more

Reviews

Oh no, he didn't!, October 14, 2010
Wow. I received this book today hoping for more of the last book.

Sadly, I *was* a fan of Clinton's. Thought he dispensed good advice and had an interest in actually helping people.

Surprisingly, this book is unkind, snarky, catty and in such poor taste, I'm returning it.

It isn't the advice--that's fairly sound. Its just that he sounds so...well, *angry* about giving it to us. Each page was more and more cruel and more and more unkind.

I didn't feel like he was wanting to help me be a better, more fashion forward and style conscious me--I felt that he wanted to tell me how much more fabulous and great he was than the people with whom he interacts--or the people who like him.

Save your money and buy Tim Gunn's first book: Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style (Tim Gunn's Guide to Style)

Its much kinder and has better advice.

(If you're reading this CK, you could learn something from Mr. Gunn)

Laugh Out Loud Funny, October 8, 2010
Anyone who has seen TLC's "What Not To Wear" knows what to expect from Clinton--acerbic comments about the "before" wardrobe and a take-no-prisoners approach to the creation of the new wardrobe, all done with affection. This book, which chronicles the 100 top fashion mistakes women make, is in the same vein.
Now, if you're reading this book, you probably care about what you wear and how you present yourself, so hopefully you won't find that you are making too many of these mistakes! But in any case, Clinton gives valuable fashion tips, tailoring advice, and even make-up tips courtesy of Carmindy, the show's makeup artist. These are interspersed with comic takedowns of women who wear PJs to the supermarket (written as a screenplay), women who wear flip-flops outside the beach or pool setting, the dress that looks like a dish towel, and scary nail polish colors. So even if you find yourself being skewered for wearing that Disney World Minnie Mouse t-shirt, you'll be laughing.

Not TLC's Clinton Kelly, October 16, 2010
I was disappointed with the tone of the book if not it's message. I appreciate Kelly's work with TLC, but I apparently like that sanitized version of his opinions more than the unadulterated and unedited musings of this book. I found the book to be profane and unkind as well as littered with his unconcealed disdain for those who are not stylish.

His choices of what NOT to do are fine, but his explanations and comments are offensive and not that profound. I do not think it "stylish" to be unkind.

"The atrocities I've seen.", October 27, 2010
If you hate politically incorrect humor, do not read Clinton Kelly's "Oh No, She Didn't." It will infuriate you and, if you regularly commit "the top 100 style mistakes" that Kelly derides, you may find yourself wincing and/or rushing home to change. However, if you don't care that much about your appearance, always look great, or really want to know what Kelly thinks, you can relax and approach this book as the riotous spoof that, on some level, it is meant to be. Not knowing Mr. Kelly through his reality television show, "What Not to Wear," I cannot be sure that he is not a mean-spirited cur. However, I do know that "Oh No, She Didn't" reduced me and a colleague to fits of helpless laughter.

Complete with full-color portraits of ladies wearing less than flattering undergarments and unwisely baring their assets, flip-flops being immolated (I hate flip-flops), someone blithely hailing a cab wearing what appears to be her pajamas, hirsute legs with panty hose, and other scary sights, "Oh No, She Didn't" is a photo album for non-fashionistas. Who cares that Kelly thinks calf-length skirts pigeonhole you as belonging to a "religious cult"; that tent dresses resemble "two curtains sewn together at the top and sides, with holes for the arms and head"; that turtlenecks choke you and generally make you look short and squat; and that frosting is for cake, not hair? No one can stop you from wearing t-shirts with silly logos, horizontal stripes (even though you have a bit of a paunch), or cross-trainers if you feel like it. We live in America, after all, land of the free and home of the brazen.

Some will say that Clinton Kelly is mean, profane, opinionated, intolerant, and sarcastic, and they would be absolutely justified in their assessment. Whatever you think of Kelly as a human being and regardless of your opinions about his style tips, you may get a kick out of the wildly irreverent "Oh No, She Didn't."

It's all true and you know it!, November 4, 2010
To those who have reviewed this book and found its contents "snarky", "catty", or "rude", I would only say that while Clinton may have written his prose in a style you may not approve of, you can't deny that everything he's said, we've all thought to ourselves at least once while viewing some of the horrors he points out!

The Whale Tail? How many times have we seen this and thought "trash".
The Muffin Top? (and the "Belly Baring Shirt When You Have Stretch Marks): Shudder!
The Velour Track Suit which screams Sopranos?
The woman too lazy and obviously without a shred of self esteem who leaves the house in her pajamas.

I've seen women in public who appear to either not own a full length mirror or refuse to look in it after they have attempted to dress themselves. I want to carry a crate of these books in my car and hand them out to every woman I see who's dressed in head to toe leopard with teased hair and four inch nails.

I laughed like crazy reading this book and blurted out not a few "Amens!". All Clinton has done is to say what so desperatly needed to be said in a day when women seem to care less and less about their appearance. The fashion faux pas that Clinton nails on the head should be heeded by every woman out there. The next time you see one of them, the first thing you'll think is, "Wow! Clinton was right!"

Loved It!, October 26, 2010
Clinton's points are totally true and really funny - because you see them all the time! The standard of appearance for many American's is truly atrocious and if people would stop trying to pretend like appearance doesn't matter and realize that it is an important part about how you feel about yourself and how other's perceive you, then maybe such a large part of the population wouldn't be walking around looking so ridiculous! Just because it is sold in the stores doesn't mean you should wear it. I think Clinton is just saying what those of us who do put effort and care into our style are all thinking! Frankly I am sick of going out to a nice dinner or a lounge dressed appropriately and having people there ruining the atmosphere in their baggy jeans & hoodies, with their muffin top hanging out! We do have to look at you as long as we aren't blind! Sure, Clinton could have been nicer, but his stories are good for a laugh, and in the end really do tell you how you are perceived if you are wearing the completely unattractive and unflattering things he covers!

Oh No HE didn't., November 18, 2010
Mr. Kelly. Kindness is a stylish thing to wear on a daily basis. This book is snarky and mean, while offering advice that is condescending and can be gleaned from nicer magazines or a quick google search. Beautiful people are nice whether they are fashionable or not. I know you meant to be funny, but you were instead offensive. I hope when you are old and in a non-fashionable senior citizen state, you have nurses that are kinder to you than you are to women now. For me, the most beautiful stylish people are the ones with the biggest hearts. Looking down on others is never stylish.

Yeah, it was a little mean, December 9, 2010
I am sure that the snarky tone of the writing in this book was meant to be humorous, but because it is so unrelenting it just seems mean. I can only guess there are two audiences for this book: those who dress badly and want to be made to feel bad about themselves and those who dress stylishly and want to make fun of others. Many of the faux pas styles mentioned in the book I agree with and some I think he is wrong about, but they all seem to be delievered with the message that if you break the rules you are not a worthwhile human being. Here is a list of things he doesn't like:

the color pink
the color black
the color white
the color beige
a white shirt with a black pair of pants
solid colors of various colors worn on consecutive days
colored suits
rainbow mother rings bought at the mall
earings that match necklaces
You get the idea.

All of the people who wear these things get the same scathing treatment that he gives to those who wear visible thongs.

Clinton, why so nasty?, November 13, 2010
While reading through this book, I was disappointed by the snarky tone. I was hoping for more usable advice, as found in Clinton's other books. I've always been a big fan of Clinton's & hope he'll return to being more positive in the future.

I have 3 shelves of fashion & style books that I refer to repeatedly & the only helpful info in this one was regarding pant/jean length. Sorry, Clinton- I returned it for a refund.

He can't be serious . . . ., October 26, 2010
There are some good points in this book - points which have already been made in about 50 other style guides with more wit and less venom. I'm not sure who this book is targeting - all the "style mistakes" listed are blatantly obvious to the kind of person who would choose to pick up a book like this.

Seems like the author is overly fond of reading his own commentary in print. Nothing new for the stylish set here. ... Read more

Editorial Review

From one of the world's leading experts on health and skin care - a revolutionary guide that will help you look and feel ten years younger

He has been called one of the “Best Forward-Thinking Doctors” (Vogue magazine) and acclaimed as a “Beauty Genius” (Elle magazine). Howard Murad, M.D., FAAD is one today's foremost authorities on health and skincare, and his philosophies have helped men and women around the world look and feel as young and healthy as possible. With The Water Secret, Dr. Murad shares a new, scientifically proven strategy, cultivated over years of practice and treating over 50,000 patients, to help you look and feel better from the inside out.

The Water Secret will:

• Reveal groundbreaking secrets to help you take years off your looks, feel better and healthier
• Debunk health myths through cutting-edge research and tell the truth about how inflammation, hydration, and other factors really affect your health
• Explain how damaged cells that leak water can sabotage your looks
• Introduces an integrated, multidisciplinary "Inclusive Health" approach to help optimize cellular strength
• Give you a complete 10-step action plan with recipes and meal plans to start you on the path to clear skin, fewer wrinkles, more energy, and better overall health

Discover The Water Secret and learn to take control of the process of aging by improving the health of every cell in the body. Begin the program and you will see and feel the difference your healthy new lifestyle will make in as soon as one week! ... Read more

Reviews

Want To LOOK/FEEL Younger? Buy This Book!, August 27, 2010
I received my book earlier than the 8/30 date Amazon promised it (2 weeks early!) and blew through it in a day! Because I tend to be an early adopter and therefore stay very much aware of the latest and greatest health tips and tricks, I was intrigued by the idea of Eating your Water. I'd never heard this term - and as a result, have always drank my water. After reading the book, I learned more about the health and beauty benefits of eating my water and I can tell you that it is the easiest lifestyle change I have ever embarked on with the greatest results. I have more energy, I sleep better, I'm less stressed and I LOOK younger - my skin is glowing - as if I'm radiating from the inside out (which is what the book promises to do - build new, healthier cells like the ones you had when you were young.) I totally believe in the Cultural Stress phenomenon Dr. Murad talks about in the book and I was a victim of it without even realizing it! I recommend this book for anyone looking to get back to the healthy basics of what a simpler life offers. It's not about a radical change or giving things up - it's about awareness of where you are and getting off the treadmill we're all on, running blindly. If you just make the little changes the book suggests, you'll get big results. I know I did and I am so thankful to Dr. Murad for giving me my life back - the fact that my skin looks better is just an added bonus. Which is funny because I thought it would be the other way around. Oh, and I'm no the kind of person that typically reviews anything - good or bad. But I've been so positively impacted by the message of this book, I felt I had to give it to someone else - and I think the book helped me see the importance of that too!

Informative, September 10, 2010
Dr. Murads products are great and this book is a great follow up to using his products. A lot of the information provided is "common sense" in that we all know we should be eating more fruits and vegetables. In this book Dr. Murad provides an in depth explanation of what is really going inside our bodies to cause aging and disease in both a simple and scientific way. I think this a good read for those already living a healthy lifestyle and must for those who are looking for information to change an unhealthy one. I was also impressed that Dr. Murad did not promote any of his skin products or supplements. He has some really good ones!

Loving this "Secret", August 24, 2010
A friend of mine gave me the book before it went on shelves (she got it at an event Dr. Murad was hosting- thank you Jessica!). The book description mentions that the program consists of easy to follow steps and so far, everything has been seamless, including my diet and skincare routine. I will send an update to talk about the results but so far after 2 weeks, my skin looks nicer and more even. Can't wait until week 10!

So Interesting!, August 19, 2010
I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of Dr. Murad's new book. Though I'm not super old, nor do I have a huge problem with wrinkles (yet), I found this book so interesting and helpful. Dr. Murad tells us how we need to look at our health and aging as one big connection through our cells (after all our cells connect our heart to our head, our legs to our liver). It definitely has changed the way I think about my health. And I feel a renewed energy to make better decisions to improve my life.

The Water Secret, Dr Murad, September 20, 2010
An absolutely amazing book. It has really opened my eyes to the most simple things we "should be doing" on a daily basis. I am sure things we do from time to time or get in the "short" habits of, but putting it into perspective, as Dr Murad does, really makes me understany WHY we need to eat raw and take the simplest, daily habits, such as eating 5 times a day, taking care of our skin and exercising more seriously! Thank you Dr. Murad!!!

Great Advice, September 27, 2010
I used to simply believe that drinking the recommended 8 glasses of water a day was enough. Since reading the book, Dr. Murad has made a strong case to change the way one thinks about their water intake.

Great Book!!

Great Book, November 27, 2010
I love this book. It is so informative while spelling out information for you to follow. The author also understands that it takes time to change habits, and is not pushy.

Fast shipping! Great product!, November 22, 2010
This book is a great read! It's helped me understand how food affects the body on a molecular level.

Wasn't Impressed, December 12, 2010
I don't feel that I learned anything new, except who Dr. Murad is and the many patients he has seen. He tells you about it repeatedly, so you are well versed in him by the 3rd chapter. It was basic common sense about nutrition if you are mindful of your nutrition in the first place. I honestly struggled to read the constant patting on the back by Dr. Murad, so perhaps the message was lost in between the lines.

Love the book - GREAT information for everyone~!, November 29, 2010
I answered an offer from Murad regarding the purchase of this book, The Water Secret: The Cellular Breakthrough to Look and Feel 10 Years Younger. Murad was offering up to $200 in *FREE* products if the book was purchased through a number of websites. I still have not heard about any free offers which I am entitled to receive. I think Murad got in way over its head with this one, however, the book is a good and insightful read which is easy to understand and in and of itself it is worth the buy. I ordered my copy from Amazon since this is where I got the best price and very fast shipping. As a side note, I did contact Murad about their 'free' offer and they let me know that they didn't expect such a huge response to their offer. I hope they come through with at least one of their products as they have some of the best skin care lines out there. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Radiantly healthy skin, hair, feet, hands, eyes, and nails. Commercial beauty products make this promise every day and live up to it with varying degrees of success. Stephanie Tourles offers a better solution to everyone frustrated with the endless cycle of expensive, synthetic, famous-name cosmetics that often fall short of expectations. Take control of beauty treatments with homemade products that use safe, nourishing ingredients to pamper the body and soothe the senses.

Tourles, a licensed esthetician, herbalist, and aromatherapist, has developed 175 recipes that are fun, simple, and immensely satisfying to make in home kitchens. Her natural beauty treatments deliver the results promised by department store brands — skin, hair, and nails that glow with vitality and inner wellness. Lotions, scrubs, toners, balms, and masks polish and balance the skin, soothe current problems, and prevent future ones. Shampoos, rinses, and conditioners tone the scalp, boost highlights, and leave hair soft and shiny. The book's whole-body coverage also includes recipes for hand and footcare, nail treatments, shaving cream, and even popular spa treatments such as microdermabrasion exfoliants, detox and cellulite soaks, ayurvedic oils, and herbal cold salves. Most important, there is never any doubt about the purity of these ingredients!

Each formula is clearly presented in recipe style, with notes on prep time, storage, and uses. Many products can be customized according to personal needs, whim, or mood, and they all use readily available, natural ingredients. Organic Body Care Recipes is a natural treasure for every body. ... Read more

Reviews

If you are torn between 2 books on this subject - get this one!, November 25, 2007
This book is absolutely awesome. The recipes are simple (and great at that!), she gives a lot of background info on each of the ingredients. Being a licensed cosmetologist myself, I can tell you that she really knows her stuff (she is a licensed esthetician). I have been making my own bath and body products for a few years (using pre-made bases from suppliers) but just decided to introduce a completely organic line of products and I think this is the best book that I have read so far on the subject and highly recommend it. Great for beginners or those who have been doing this a while.

Simply Awesome!, August 15, 2007
I LOVE this book!! Not only are there tons of cosmetic concoctions (ranging from creamy body butters & lotions to herbal hair conditioners & foot soaks), but there are also thorough descriptions of different hair & skin types that each recipe will benefit. It even has a section on edible body potions that you may want to try on your "honey" (think sensual love-making). The best part is that each recipe gives you just enough to yield about 1 to 2 applications. That way, you can decide which ones you like and which ones you don't before you make large batches of it. All the ingredients are easy to find (there is an appendix on where to buy / order) and the author even gives us a comprehensive list of the different properties of herbs, oils, essential oils, etc. that you can use in these recipes. I've made & tried three so far (coconut body butter, rosemary hair rinse, & orange sugar scrub) and have found each one to be great. I can't wait to experiment with the rest of them!

Good for casual/basic recipes, but may not satisfy everyone, May 3, 2009
I purchased this book primarily because I am interested in making my own lotion, preferably with safe/natural/eco-friendly ingredients. I don't necessarily want to market it, like another reviewer, but I would like to make lotion that is somewhat professional/sophisticated. After a quick Google search, I had learned that lotions tend to include water-based ingredients, oil-based ingredients, an emulsifier (which ensures that the water and oil ingredients stay mixed together), and some kind of preservative. I bought this book thinking that it might go into a bit more detail about basic lotion formulas (ratios of ingredients to each other), or at least provide some recipes that I could learn from.

As it turns out, I had already learned more about lotion-making from my Google search than I learned from this entire book. Of the five body moisturizer recipes, four are basically oil-based, with essential oils added. There is nothing wrong with using oil to moisturize the skin -- but I find it can be inconvenient (insofar as absorption may be slower than with lighter lotions, and you're more likely to get oil on clothing or sheets). Additionally, oil-based moisturizers will probably not appeal to those with problem skin. The author's fifth body moisturizer recipe does include water in addition to oils, and uses beeswax and lanolin as emulsifiers. The recipe does not include a preservative, however, which means (as the author states): "No refrigeration is required if used within 30 days. If refrigerated, please use within 3 to 6 months. (Refrigeration may change the texture of the product, but potency will not be affected.)" Since this recipe yields 2 1/3 cups of moisturizer, and I'm not likely to use it all in 30 days -- and I don't enjoy cold lotion -- this recipe is of limited use for me.

There are also five face moisturizer recipes. One of them is basically water and glycerin, and another is oil-based. The other three recipes each call for a trio of emulsifiers: beeswax, lanolin, and borax. I'm a newbie to the world of cosmetics ingredients, but my understanding is that borax is considered by some to be an unsafe ingredient. (A good reference is cosmeticsdatabase.com.) My guess is that the author has a good reason for using borax, and the reason is probably that borax (it appears) may be safe in small amounts -- though possibly not for infants. What perplexes me, though, is that the author offers no explanation or discussion on this topic.

As mentioned by other reviewers, some of these recipes are extremely (absurdly?) simple. Examples include the Aloe Vera Toner (ingredients: "pure aloe vera juice or gel, commercially bottled or from fresh-picked leaf"), the Tangerine Toner (ingredients: 1/2 cup witch hazel and 10 drops tangerine essential oil), and the Yogurt Exfoliating and Bleaching Mask (ingredients: 1 tablespoon plain yogurt). I don't know about you, but I'm not sure those should count toward the "175 Homemade Herbal Formulas" in this book. As useful as they may be, I'm more inclined to call those "tips."

I don't mean to sound too harsh in my review of this book. I think that, depending on your needs, this book may be perfectly fine. Many of the recipes look to have interesting combinations of oils and essential oils, and I'm guessing many of the finished products smell like heaven. I'm mainly trying to present my perspective on the book, relative to my own goals -- and hopefully it will be relevant to people with similar interests. But again, if you are more looking for recipes for casual use, you might really like it.

One final note -- as I've indicated above, the author calls for animal products in some of her recipes. This is fine, but I was disappointed that she didn't offer animal-friendly alternatives. (In her entry for beeswax, she does mention vegetable emulsifying wax as an alternative, but then says, "but this wax has been refined and does not have the same alluring qualities as beeswax. Always try to find the real thing!") For dairy products, the author makes no mention of looking for organic versions -- i.e., from cows raised on healthy diets, without use of rBST or prophylactic antibiotics. She also makes no mention of the fact that cows contribute significantly to the greenhouse effect (deforestation, water use, methane emissions, etc.). I was surprised by this only because I think there is a lot of overlap between people interested in organic products, and those interested in animal-friendly and eco-friendly products.

A marvelous resource, October 16, 2008
I own and love this book. I bought it because I was looking for natural recipes to care for my dreadlocks. I found that and so much more! Not only are there recipes for body, face, and hair care but there is a complete ingredient dictionary. In addition, the author discusses the different types of hair and skin issues that people may have and how to address them organically. Sprinkled throughout the book are suggestions for storing and gifting products and alternatives for hard to find ingredients. To top it all of, a list of resources follows the recipes to direct the reader to further reading and online stores to buy ingredients and supplies. I have recommended this book to friends and coworkers and truly enjoyed making and using the products.

NOTE: Please ignore the two star review posted by Figgi. This reviewer claims that Tourles advocates the use of talc in her recipes even as they admit that they have not read the book. Talc is neither listed in the ingredient dictionary nor the glossary. In fact, there is only one mention of the substance in the whole book (p. 262) and that is to state that it is undesirable to use due to the presence of arsenic. Tourles goes on to list the number of natural and organic options that make excellent substitutions for talc. Please do not let a reviewer who admits to only skimming the book discourage you from using this marvelous resource.

Wonderful recipes!, November 28, 2007
This book provides alot of information for beginners - details about the uses and benefits of a long list of essential oils and carrier oils. It walks you through step by step and makes the process enjoyable and educational! I have already begun using some of the recipes with items I purchased at my local health food store and seeing the positive results!!

Yummy and Easy Recipes, June 25, 2008
After reading Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify and Energize Your Life, Your Home and Your Planet, I decided to delve into the world of homemade body care products.

Organic Body Care Recipes, by Stephanie Tourles, is fantastic! Making my own body care products feels so gratifying...like cooking a delicious meal. Ordering ingredients and containers is easy, thanks to the internet.

I like the format of the book and the easy to understand directions to make products.

I've even been playing around with labels for the containers. The holidays will be a snap this year, as I intend to make body care products for all my friends and family.

Wonderful!, March 17, 2008
I received this book for Christmas and can't say enough good things about it. The information is extensive but very well organized. There are sections on the importance of maintaining healthy lifestyle habits, how to figure out your skin type and what your body care needs are, a list of ingredients explaining origins and uses, and then the recipes. There are so many recipes, no matter your skin type you are sure to find several to choose from.

All of the ingredients are truly natural, and many are suprisingly common and inexpensive. Admittedly, some people might have a hard time finding some of the ingredients if they do not have a well stocked health food store in their area. Even with several shopping options in my community I have had to purchase a few things online. And yes, the initial investment in ingredients might not be cheap- but, the recipes last for a long time, so in the end you save quite a bit of money! Plus, they work! No more wastng money on high end, not really natural products that don't do much.

Since I recieved the book I have been using a skin cleanser/toner/mositurizer in one, a tooth cleaner, and deoderant powder made from recipes in the book, and I couldn't be happier. I also had the pleasure of attending a discussion led by the author at my local food co op this month. She had so much knowledge to share, and did so in a very warm and gracious manner.

Love this book! You will too., June 24, 2008
If you're serious about throwing out your store bought, chemical filled cosmetics or even thinking about it, then you MUST get this book! I bought this book about 6 wks ago, kept reading a few pages here and there, started ordering ingredients, then finally about 2 wks ago started making one or two items in my kitchen. I've since made about a dozen skin care recipes from Organic Body Care Recipes. My bathroom/kitchen/shower area smells wonderful. My skin looks, smells and feels great. I love storing them in glass bottles/containers I can pick up at Big Lots or even Walmart and reuse again & again. Normally, I stay away from Walmart but their glass oil bottles, glass sugar bowls w/lids, and sealed storage containers are PERFECT & cheap. As well as reusing my own class containers and jars at home. Ikea is another good place to go.
Ms Tourles list places where you can find these organic ingredients online but I found other sites even more reasonably priced and you can order smaller quantities on the internet. I've loved everything I've made from this book, & you learn about ingredients, their properties (and what you can sub for if you are allergic or dislike any ingredient) so you truly can make exactly what you want. For me, this was one more step in reducing waste and pollution in the world besides saving money.
MY Warnings: After making one or two items I was hooked. I then spent about $300 on ingredients. I went all out on base oils, clays, many essential oils, dried herbs (not avail in my grocery store) & even flavorings for my lip balms but it was well worth. These will last all year long, will supply my family of three and I can make gifts at the holidays for my friends and family. They tried some small samples I've made and are already putting in their orders.
Get this book, spend a week or two reading it at your leisure, find a product or two on your shelf you want to replace...and do it. You'll feel great and become addicted like I am. Another book suggestion, Gorgeously Green by Sophie Uliano, this book gives a great all around approach to doing your part for our earth. Again, just try one or two things...slowly you'll be hooked.

Great Natural Body Care Education, April 4, 2008
I know a Natural Body Care Recipe book is great when it teaches me things I didn't know. I have my own business making natural body products, and I have tons of books like this for ideas and references. I think you really do need to be experienced to use a lot of the recipes, but there are a lot of at home recipes too using things you may already have around the house like strawberries, baking soda, papayas, etc.

This book is educational, full of great useful information, and easy to understand. I love it!

Organic bodycare recipes, May 26, 2008
I am very pleased we bought this book: it gives a clear overview of herbs and spices, oils and flowers to use in your own products together with some non-organic items. Most things you may have in the garden or just in the pantry, it made me look at a lot of things in a different light: how can I use them as well. A good book for anyone who wants to create their own creams, masks and powders, it has even got some advice on making anti-bugs stuff. What I did miss though was a recipe for a base cream and for a base shampoo. There is not a lot of emphasis on emulsification. I am still struggling with the basics of cream making, ie how to make a cream more solid or more liquid, how to stabilize a cream so, over time, it does not seperate into it's watery and oily phase. Still, a good book, with lots of recipes ready to use, definitely a worthwhile purchase. ... Read more

Editorial Review

There was something very special and beautiful about women in the early- to mid-20th century. The way they dressed was elegant and the way they wore their hair was feminine. This book shows how to create so many of those hairstyles by taking hairstyles from the 1930s, 40s, 50s, and 60s and breaking them down into simple, easy-to-follow instructions. It uses brand new photographs and detailed directions. Not only a manual, it is also fun to read. The Finished Styles chapter of the book contains coffee table book quality images of models with their finished hairstyles. Sprinkled in introductions and throughout the book are interesting facts about the history of hairstyling, origins of styles, and information about starlets and performers who made the styles popular. This 200-page full-color book has 6 main chapters. The book begins with the basics of styling and works its way back to advanced techniques. It also provides information on makeup, nails, and accessories for a finished look. ... Read more

Reviews

The best book on vintage hairstyles!, August 30, 2009
Reasons I love this book:
1. Every single hairstyle in this book is beautiful.
2. Instructions are clear and concise. Pictures compliment the steps.
3. Packed with useful advice, including the descriptions of a variety of rollers, what kinds of products one may need, and step-by-step instructions on pin curls. Tips to prevent frizzy curls actually work!
4. Tutorials for makeup, manicure, and accessories, including a tutorial to make a flower hair pin. These are actually "icing on the cake," and make take the book over the top.
5. The author encourages the reader to combine techniques to make variations of the hairstyles.

The only thing I did not like about this book is that it isn't spiral bound (but what book is these days?). I took it to an office-supply store and had the spiral bound inserted. Either way, I would rate this book more than 5 stars!

Clearest instructions on vintage hairstyles, November 9, 2009
While some other vintage hairstyle books (e.g. Turudich's 1940s Hairstyles) may use original source material and are true to authentic techniques, I couldn't interpret them well enough to know what to do and ended up not using them.

This book demonstrates traditional techniques, like pin curls, but also covers how to set your hair using curling wands and hot rollers. Using multiple photographs of a mannequin head with hair allowed for clearer instructions than black and white line drawings ever could.

It also covers a wider range of decades, so if you're wanting to experiment across an array of decades, rather than accurately recreate a hairstyle from a particular year or decade, this book lets you try that.

love it!, September 20, 2009
I love this book! I haven't had the chance yet to try any of the techniques inside, but I can't wait to do them! The book has great hair styles and everything is broken down step-by-step in easy to follow pictoral guides. I'm a costume designer and I was looking for a great book that could show me how to do the complicated 1940s hairstyles. I fell in love with this book because it not only has 40's styles, but also 20's-60's which I'm sure I will find very helpful in the future. I was also very excited about the fact that this book uses modern techniques and products so that I don't have to scratch my head about what on earth they mean or where to find certain tools.

Beautiful styles, all are 'over my head' But reaaly nicely done., January 17, 2010
I think this is a beautiful book, with lots of great ideas, and helpful tips throughout. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is because it is a little pricey for a paperback, and if it was a hardcover, or ring-bound book, it would have made it much easier to leave open, while I try to work steps on my own hair (while my hands are covered in pomade). I hate to bend it, or ruin any of the beautiful pictures, and I can't wait to build the confidence to try some of the more complicated styles, I almost have the victory rolls down, I've tried a few times since I got this for christmas. Overall, I think that the book is wonderful, it has given me great tips that I never found or understood anywhere else, and the pictures and step by step guide is incredible.

Excellent lessons for fun historic hair, September 10, 2009
The visuals in this book are terrific! I am a beginner when it comes to working with hair, and I'm grateful to have this in my library. Many of the styles are time-consuming by today's standards, but if you're into recreating an era in your look, this book is a must-have. This book would also be useful to any small theatre needing a hairstyling resource for period performances.

Worth every penny, August 19, 2009
I love this book!!! I wanted a book to help do my own hair for a wedding and this was perfect. She explains everything clearly along with clear pictures so that even someone who has never touched hair before can understand. All the hairstyles are beautiful and elegant and the author has a website that expands on a lot of the styles she does in the book. Hair dressers I know were drooling over this book and wanted it as soon they saw it.

Great for Everyone!, May 5, 2010
I am a professional hairdresser and I found this book imesensly helpful when coming up with ideas for "retro" styles. I've had many girlfriends barrow it for an evening when I have been too busy to style their hair, the looks still came out amazing even when they were done by a non-stylist.

I took my copy to kinkos and had them rebind it in spiral form to help the book lay flat for easier handling. It only cost me five extra dollar!

Unbelievable Inspiration, March 19, 2010
As a stylist I'm always looking for inspiration, and this book is amazing. Many of the techniques were taught back in beauty school, but this takes it to the next level shows how to create the complete look. Techniques are very easy to follow and are explained fully, I especially like the set up of the book, the explanation of the tools used and why, how the sets are done and why, and then each look broken out step by step. Cannot say enough about how wonderful this book is!!

LOVE this book!, October 9, 2010
I am a hair stylist and I love vintage hair! I am constantly searching for informative books on hair styles. If you are wanting to learn about vintage hair this is the book for you! I love that the book gives the modern day version of how to create the hair style and also how it was created back in the past. Very worth purchasing!!! Also she has a blog called bobbypin blog. Check it out for more even info on vintage hair

Great-lots of step-by-step color pictures!!!!!, September 24, 2010
This book is just what I was looking for! I wanted a book that taught me how to do hairstyles from the past on my own hair. Surprisingly, all the styles shown are achievable the first time or after a few tries. The book shows step-by-step photos with corresponding numbered directions. Also, all products, tools, and accessories needed to complete the look are listed (most of which you already have and all of which are still available and affordable). The author also gets into detail about the base and the direction of the curls and what each does to the outcome of the style- not just making a curl. There is even a little section in the back about period make-up, accessories and manicures. All in all, great book for the money, like having your grandma there to teach you! ... Read more

Editorial Review

There seems to be no one more qualified or equipped to ponder or even, dare I say, dictate 'quality, taste, and style' than Tim."-Sarah Jessica Parker, actor/producer

Television has introduced the world to a new fashion authority: Tim Gunn. As Bravo's style mentor and Chair of the Fashion Design Department at Parsons The New School for Design, Tim delivers advice in a frank, witty, and authoritative manner that delights audiences.

Now readers can benefit from Tim's considerable fashion wisdom in Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality, Taste & Style.He discusses every aspect of creating and maintaining your personal style: how to dress for various occasions, how to shop (from designer to chain to vintage stores), how to pick a fashion mentor, how to improve your posture, find the perfect fit, and more.He'll challenge every reader-whether a seasoned fashionista or a style neophyte-to "make it work!" ... Read more

Reviews

Almost as good as a chat with Tim Gunn, April 9, 2007
You can almost hear Tim Gunn's distinct voice as you read this book. His thoughts translate as well on paper as they do on television.

In the "Who You Are" chapter he sets you at ease with his characteristic warmth as he tells you that you are who you are for a reason and he is here to help you accentuate your positive features and mitigate the negative ones. He recognizes that there is a connection between inner and outer beauty and encourages you to think hard about who you are.

This book doesn't contain lots of details about what to wear or not to wear. He zeroes in on the basics - he provides a top ten list of wardrobe essentials (he convinced me that ballet flats are necessary, for instance) - and doesn't overwhelm the reader. There is a chapter devoted to posture and walking. A chapter devoted to style icons ranging from Katharine Hepburn to Kate Moss to Patti Smith. Instructions for how to dress for various special occasions. There's a chapter about the challenge of finding the right fit. There's much more to style than merely the clothes and his book addresses this very well.

The most helpful section is the one that addresses Creeping Closet Syndrome. He gives specific instructions about editing your closet and every woman should heed them. The New York apartment in which he lived for 15 years had seven linear feet of closet space so he knows how to edit.

He praises stores like H&M and encourages quality over quantity. Every woman would do well to read his chapter on shopping before succumbing to the urge to go on a shopping spree. He says, "The most important part of your expedition should take place before you leave home. The salient question to ask is: 'Why am I shopping today?'"

I finished this book with regret, wishing for more, which is how I imagine I would feel after finishing a conversation with him over lunch. Now, I'm off to buy some ballet flats...

Tim Gunn - The Master of Style and Elegance, April 9, 2007
The only reason I watch Project Runway is to see Tim Gunn "make it work". The only blogs I read on the Project Runway web site are those by Tim Gunn. His blogs are so insightful into what transpired on each episode. Tim is an incredibly unassuming, elegant, stylish man. You just want to sit and talk to him about fashion for hours on end.

There are so many books about style on the market - most of them by thirtysomethings who are telling us how to dress hot, keep up with the fashion trends or imitate well known celebrity fashions.

It is a joy to read Tim's book about identifying and capturing your own definitive signature style. I love that he includes "Blind Spots" - things we do to sabotage our fashion wardrobe.

Tim starts by helping you define your style and the pitfalls we often make in choosing and wearing fashions. He takes us shopping, warns us about the "it" bag while we choose accessories and the right outfit.

At the end of the book we are treated to a little fashion dictionary and a list of fashionista movies that are fun to watch.

I highly recommend this book over all the other fashion guides for its classic take on being your authentic fashion self and its timeless advice.

Be sure to watch Tim Gunn's new show on Bravo - which continues his take on style and taste.

Tim Gunn, I love you, April 14, 2007
One of the best things about Project Runway is Tim Gunn and he's offering witty advice and commentary on style, taste and quality in this delightful book. One of the things I was most surprised about was Gunn's maxim that you should forget about clothes size. Sizes vary depending on where the clothes were made and when. The important thing is to make sure the outfit fits you. He talks about how to buy quality clothes and how to shop. He also discusses appropiateness. A 60 year old looks like a fool when she dresses like her granddaughter and the 13 year old looks all wrong dressed and painted up to look like a matron.

A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style doesn't assume that the reader is rich and points out that looking good isn't about spending a fortune. It's a light hearted, charming guide and is as smooth and sophisticated as it's author. I loved, loved, loved it.

Not especially helpful, August 14, 2007
Amazon recommended Tim Gunn's book to me, and I decided to check it since there were some very positive reviews about its content. Nevertheless, I really did not find it that helpful.

First of all, when I pick up a style book, I do expect there to be some discussion of selecting clothes for your body. Even if the book is helping you to cultivate your personal sense of style, it should be honest about what kinds of clothes are just not going to be flattering on you. Gunn dealt with the body problems in two pages, and one gets the impression that his body "flaws" were more for models, instead of the everyday woman. A woman with a very curvy hourglass figure, for example, would need to dress in head-to-toe dark colors, according to his advice.

Secondly, the chapter on fashion icons had a great deal of potential, but it fell flat. This section would have greatly benefited from pictures. The icon descriptions were woefully underdone, so that I had to read the chapter three times to make any sense of them.

However, on the positive side, Gunn does offer some excellent suggestions for shopping, closet purging, and fit, which are well-worth a glance through. The tone is rather elitist, but in a tongue-in-cheek kind of way.

Overall, I would recommend checking it out from the library, skipping the sections on style mentors, and heading straight for his information on fit, your closet, and shopping. Grade: C-

Extremely Useful Advice for the Fashion Challenged, October 27, 2007
I started watching Tim Gunn's Guide to Style on Bravo a while ago and loved the show so much, I decided to buy his book. I think it's one of the best purchases I have ever made.

Some of the other reviews say this book is a waste of time, that it's all such obvious advice. That may be true for some people. But for me it was not. I felt I was stuck in a fashion rut. I'm 22 years old, almost 23, about to be married to a graphic designer, and I feel like I look like I just walked off my high school campus. I'm a jeans and tank top kind of girl. As wonderfully comfortable as those clothes are, that's just what they are: "comfort clothes", items I wear because I'm afraid to step out of the box. When I get married I want to be able to be the stylish wife on the arm of my husband, not someone that looks like a teenager. I want to be taken seriously.

Well, Tim's book was an easy to digest read. He has a lot of great advice that even made me feel better about myself. Like his views on being a certain size. He says, buy the dress that fits well and makes you look great, don't beat yourself up about the fact that it's a 10 and you're "supposed to be a 5!" He says, go home and cut the tag out if you must, but you're going to look so much better in something that actually fits, than something you try to squeeze into simply because you don't want to admit to yourself that you have to wear a 10. And he has some good information on department store sizing that makes a lot of sense.

The book flows a lot like the style of his show. He teaches you how to cull the clothes in your closet, explains how things should be fitting your body while offering tips for ladies who want to minimize their large bust, or downplay their tummy, etc., offers some style inspiration from some famous ladies, and then preps you for shopping by explaining the 10 most important and basic items you should have in a wardrobe, he goes on to explain the different places for shopping (the mall, the outlet, boutiques, etc.) and what each store does best, he ends with fashion ideas for special occasions (weddings, funerals, cocktail parties, etc.) and in the back their is a glossary of fashion/fabric terms, so if you don't know what blouson means, it explains it there.

Bottom Line: I found the book extremely helpful. It was like having a good friend counsel me and hold my hand the whole way. If you fancy yourself stylish and in need of no fashion help, then this book is not for you. But if you're like me and interested in trying to update your look by learning how to form a basic wardrobe and what works and doesn't, then I would highly recommend the book.

You'll never again look at your closet the same way., April 23, 2007
Don't open this book expecting "before" and "after" photos or expecting body shape descriptions. Instead, this book is like spending a few days in the very good company of Mr. Tim Gunn. Having met Tim on several occasions, I can tell you Project Runway fans that he is every bit as kind and generous with his time in person. An utterly delightful, humble man who seems honestly surprised at his new celebrity status. But back to the book - with Tim's distinctive voice, it takes you through the elements of style, as opposed to fashion or trends. "Quality, taste and style" will become your mantra whether you're shopping for a raincoat, theater tickets, wedding china, or a paint color for your living room! Yes, there is advice you've heard before - buy the best quality you can afford, keep it simple, have your clothes tailored - but there is also plenty of new things to ponder. I loved his advise of, once determining which clothes you really love, that you wear them for the next week. You quickly discover whether you are buying clothes that are appropriate for your current lifestyle. Frankly, who could ask for fresher eyes to look over your wardrobe that the inimitably elegant Mr. Tim Gunn?

Hurray! It's okay to be over 50 and aspire to style!, August 9, 2007
At first I found this an odd little book. It felt more like an idea that Bravo had--to help kick off a new Project Runway season and Gunn's new show as well--rather than the author's idea. Quite a variety of topics, and it feels a bit random in spots. But the language is certainly reflective of the author, and it's ultimately a lovable book. I'm a fan of Tim Gunn--love his detached irony and wit--and that he's found his niche while shaking his head at the wonder of it all. Good for him. With a book like this, I feel that if I can take away 3 or 4 good tips, I'm happy. For me, those included the posture one (keeping your shoulders far away from your ears, or something like that--it definitely works) and the repair pile rule (you now have 5 days to get it to the tailor or dry cleaner--or maybe you don't care about it that much). How true.

Gunn was not so well served by his publisher. The layout and illustrations aren't wonderful, and the editing, well, we have "discreet" in place of "discrete," "illicit" in place of "elicit," "suitablity" [sic], and Collier rather than Collyer (anyone editing in New York should be able to spell Collyer brothers). If you're going to include a glossary, be sure you spell the words correctly (e.g. dupioni and passementerie). That's already a lot of errors in such a short book. But my over-50-year-old heart was warmed by all the fondness for women of a certain age. I wish he didn't hate flip-flops so much, but I'll continue to wear them--nothing else shows off a pedicure quite as well. And I'll try not to waddle.

Lighthearted and well written, June 24, 2007
This was a lighthearted afternoon read.

I don't have much interest in fashion, but I did enjoy Tim's role on Project Runway, so I thought I'd pick this up.

Some of Tim's advice was old hat, but he made some old fashioned advice feel fresh and inspiring. I had recently cleaned out my closet, but after reading his book, I did it again, giving away a lot of nice pieces that honestly never "worked" for me. Yes, it did feel good to have permission to give away some expensive pieces that I was never going to be able to wear well.

The nice thing about Tim's philosophy is that it's about enjoying what you have, rather than making yourself feel guilty about not meeting any particular standard. If you're itching for some inspiration, this is a pleasant read.

One last bit of praise. It's impeccably written, which immediately puts it head and shoulders over a lot of the pulp out there.

But can I make it work for me?, September 22, 2007
I confess, sometimes I like those makeover/reality shows that come a-creepin' across my television screen. Sometimes, when it is the show that progresses by attrition, I get a smug look when some lout who truly deserves it gets booted off. But where I really enjoy it is when I can learn something. And when I heard that the advisor to the contestants on Project Runway was coming out with his own book on fashion, I was certainly interested.

Tim Gunn works with Kate Moloney to produce this slender little book of fashion tips, designed pretty much for women, especially those that have overflowing closets and nothing to wear. It gets worse when you realize that not only don't you have anything that looks good, but you're not even inspired to do anything about it, and keep on wearing clothing that makes us look dumpy, flat, and wide. And most of all, where do we even begin to figure out what is going to work, and what isn't?

Each chapter has a little note at the start, explaining what The Lesson is going to be, then the text, often with various line drawings inserted to either instructor or to amuse, and a note at the end titled The Blind Spot that mentions where things can go a bit haywire.

The information is pretty much what can be found in most books on clothing and fashion, working from getting to know yourself, tackling your overstuffed closet and culling it down to the necessities, figuring out a fashion style that will work for you, getting inspiration from famous fashionistas from the past, how to minimize problems with your figure, the importance of self care, an entire chapter on accesories, and especially the handbag, and how to shop using your brain and eyes instead of just emotion and advertising. What I found most useful was the chapter of various items that every woman really needs to have in her wardrobe, and how to keep things to a minimum without losing your mind. The final chapter goes into special occansions and how to cope with them.

One really fun touch comes at the end, with a list of movies on style and fashion that mostly focus on what we think of as classic and timeless. I wasn't surprised at all to see several of my favorite films on that list. There's also a brief snippet on the use of perfume and scent without going crazy with it. Finally, a glossary about all sorts of topics dealing with clothing, cloth, trims and terms that will help to sort things out a bit.

Throughout the book, I found myself chuckling over Mr. Gunn's observations about modern life, and the role of style that affects everyone. He's canny, but not cruel, in pointing out that everyone makes mistakes, and gently suggests what might work instead. Co-author Kate Moloney is a bit harder to detect here, and I suspect that she was ghosting and editing in spots. It's a minor quibble -- what really matters in this book is what Tim Gunn is saying, and it's very sensible, logical advice as well.

Summing up, I found this to be an interesting book to read, but not exactly the sort of book that I could actually use. While I am not at all in question of Mr. Gunn's taste and style -- he is immaculate and very well turned out -- there are some mighty big holes for the reader to fall into. It's not the perfect book on fashion, but it is certainly a keeper of a book, and one that I plan to go back to now and then to give myself a good kick in the fanny and to stay focused on the essentials. By all means, be certain to take a look at Tim Gunn's Guide to Style on BravoTV, where he puts much of what this book is about into actual practice.

About three and a half stars, rounded up to four, as I can't give half-star rates. Drat.

Well worth the investment but not what I expected, September 20, 2007
I ordered this book with the expectation that I would learn more about the ten key pieces that Tim talks about on his new TV show. What I really wanted were the kinds of details that would, for example, enable me to understand why he consistently puts women over a certain age/size in tops that reveal those upper arms that are only attractive if they belong to a woman of twenty-something, in sleeves that often hit the arm at the widest wiggliest point. This seems to contradict everything he says about picking the optimal skirt length for ones body. Surely he has a reason for this apparent madness. I haven't been seen in public in a sleeve that did not conceal my entire arm in more years than I can count. But I digress. Tim's warmth and humor shine through the pages of the book. My problem with his philosophical musings on various icons of fashion is that with a few obvious exceptions, I did not have a clue who he was talking about or what they might have worn. Why then did I give the book 4 stars? Because his section on posture is more than worth the investment of my time and money in the book. Among other things, I learned that my pelvis has been in the wrong position for all of my 62 years. And that "shoulders back" does not mean what I thought it did. I have corrected my posture and the impact has been almost beyond belief. My next project is to rid my closet of everything that does not make me feel fabulous. I will continue to watch him on TV in the hope that I will pick up tidbits here and there that I can use to make my own wardrobe "work" better. If you are a fan of Tim Gunn, you will probably enjoy this book. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Have you ever dreamed of having your own red carpet moment? Or wondered how to emulate the effortlessly chic style of the most photographed trendsetters? Or wished you could master the art of all things glamorous?

In STYLE A TO ZOE, Hollywood's hottest celebrity stylist, Rachel Zoe, shares her insider tips in this essential guide to the art of a fashionable, behind-the velvet-rope lifestyle. With an eye toward living the luxe life, even if it's on a dime, Zoe zeroes in on the must-have accessories and wardrobe staples for all occasions, when to splurge and save on handbags and heels, how to decorate, entertain, and travel in style.

From award shows to advertising campaigns, Zoe is the go-to force among A-list actresses, fashion houses, beauty firms, and magazine editors. Now she offers full access to the style secrets that skyrocketed her famous clients to the top of best-dressed lists worldwide. With the help of some of fashion's biggest names-including Michael Kors, Donatella Versace, and Diane von Furstenberg-Zoe shares her invaluable insights on:

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  Mastering red carpet moments in your own life
  
  
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  Developing a style for work or play that's unstudied and glamorous
  
  
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  Personalizing your own modern look by referencing your favorite style icons and vintage clothes
  
  
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  The importance of the "wow" piece-and how to choose one right for you
  
  
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  Throwing a chic dinner party and creating a luxuriously cozy living space
  
  
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  Packing and traveling like a jet-setter
  
  
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  Enjoying every day, living it up in style.

Reviews

i enjoyed it, October 17, 2007
Okay, so a lot of people dislike Rachel Zoe intensely. That has nothing to do with the merits of the book. I can't say that I'd want be pals with Rachel and since I think the 70s were a hideous era I would never be comfortable in her clothes but I have to give credit where it is due. This is an enjoyable book. Rachel Zoe lives a madcap life and she's not apologizing for it and her ideas on how to prepare for your big night out are excellent. I plan to take up her suggestion of buying an instant camera to check out how a potential outfit really looks.

Her section on packing was very good and I even liked the section on entertaining. If you can only afford to get one book on style get Tim Gunn's but if you can splurge and you just want to be amused try Style from A to Zoe.

Don't waste your money, September 29, 2007
I was hoping for a great book on fashion and style. This is not that book. It's much more of a "me, my glamorous life and friends" with a dash of usuable information. Not worth the time unless you like that sort of thing.

Save your money!, October 9, 2007
I hesitated momentarily in my decision to purchase this book. I wish I had listened to my gut instinct. It is nothing more than a platform for Ms. Zoe to convince us (and herself?) how truly wonderful she is. Pathetic and transparent.

Don't bother, March 28, 2009
Don't bother spending the money on this book; use it on a subscription to InStyle instead, or buy a nice bottle of wine and think stylish thoughts while sipping. If you must purchase it what you can expect is photo after photo of Zoe mugging for the camera with all of her glamourous designer and celebrity friends, complete with accounts of her jet setting life and travels to international destinations. It looks like a self-absorbed personal scrapbook that she decided to add some fashion advice to. Even then, the advice is not earth-shattering or ground breaking or even all that helpful. Most of it is stuff we probably already know just by getting out of bed in the morning. Her advice is also not really meant for us,(you know, those who don't hang out with Missoni and Lyndsey Lohan)it seems like its meant to make us realize how terribly unlucky we are not to be living her BEAUTIFUL life with her BEAUTIFUL friends and all her BEAUTIFUL stuff. An example "I would feel so NAKED without my huge, gold Cartier watch." Ummm..yah, me too Rachel, I know the feeling. Soooo tragic. What's tragic is that someone actually didn't have the guts to tell this woman to keep doing her great styling but to avoid annoying the rest of us in the process with this useless book.

Written for the Elite, October 16, 2008
I really wanted to like this book, as I love shopping for clothes and am always looking for new info on fashion. (I also enjoy Rachel's reality show.) I read every word, and found very little information useful to the average American woman.
I now know how to dress for a party in the Hamptons, how to pack for my trips to Paris and Milan, and what to wear for the Red Carpet. Unfortunately, none of that applies to my life. I also felt the book was a capitalized opportunity to say "Look who I know" and "Look how many houses I have."
Also, it bothered me that a stylist like Rachel Zoe would not know that a pin that you wear on your lapel is a brooch, not a broach.
I would have to say the most useful book I've read on fashion so far is The Budget Fashionista. I like Andy Paige's website centsofstyle.org and understand she has a book coming out soon. I thought the Little Black Book of Style was also a good read. I'd skip this one if I were you.

Very very bad!!!, September 28, 2008
Rachel Zoe must have got her friends to leave good reviews to get 4 stars. Because this book is a waste of time and money.

Blah., October 16, 2007
I bought this book along with Nina Garcia's Little Black Book of Style. While the other book was great, this one was a total waste of money.

I completely agree with past reviewers who said this book is basically a compilation of Rachel Zoe saying, "Look at me and my fabulousness and all of my celebrity friends!" It's a whole lot of name dropping and the narrative format of the book prevents it from conveying any truly useful tips on building your own style.

And yes, the other reviews do look suspicious.

Save your money, get a fashion magazine better advice/ pictures, September 25, 2008
I bought this book because I liked the tv show and wanted some fashion advice. This book was a let down. It was mostly about the people who she thought were style icons and her life and love of fashion. Sprinkled in are some tips on how to dress for different occassions, advice on how to find you style, and live life to the fullest. Also nice the advice is no better than what you could get from a good friend or your mother.

This book is great if you like celebrity pictures and want a glemse of celebrity life, but you can get that from any magazine.

A Good Coffee Table Book..., April 28, 2008
The book is mostly common sense when it comes to fashion advice, although there are a few interesting tidbits. I enjoyed the book mainly for the "aspirational" value; it allows you to live vicariously through the lovely Ms. Zoe, and come on, who wouldn't want her life?

I'm probably going to use the book as a decorative coffee table piece for my guests to enjoy. It's the worth the buy if you like to look at pictures of famous and beautiful people, and get a little advice along the way.

Rich, insightful, helpful, March 25, 2008
Too many people like to attack Rachel, but I'm a fan. I approve her taste, save for the skinny/anorexic thing, but that's another story.

This said, I enjoyed the book TREMENDOUSLY. As a fashionista, I find it was very generous of her to share her access (and advice!) to the top fashion industry people (Diane von Furstenberg, Jimmy Choo's Tamara Mellon, Azzaro's Vanessa Seward, Donatella Versace, Margherita Missoni, Decades's Cameron Silver, etc). There's plenty of priceless advice, from choosing the right kind of jeans for your figure to organizing your closet, how to choose vintage clothing right, etc.

I personnally loved the chapter on accessories organizing- where her sister Pamela shares her method.

Despite accusations of "narcissism", I found the tone of her book very gracious, together and smart. She is good at what she does, is a very successful woman and she is, yes, nice.

I recommend it to any fan of glamour and high fashion. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

Good book but the absence of color photos undermines it, November 1, 2009
Solid, if quite general, information on basic mens style. The writing is good, occasionally snarky, and the advice offered will still be relevant several years from now. The layout is well put together and the celebrity images run from vintage to recent. And I disagree with other reviews dismissing this range as dated. There is a certain classicism represented in the choices, and I appreciate a restraint which avoids too many trendy faces that will be forgotten in a year or two.

Unfortunately what weakens this edition from four to three stars is the omission of any color photos. One cannot properly compare dark brown and black shoes in a B&W photo. A page that purports to guide the reader in pairing shirts, trousers, and jackets is ineffectual as a grayscale reproduction. Fashion in our daily lives always exists in full color, and any book claiming to be a style guide should mirror this reality.

The publisher should correct this in future editions.

An instant classic, get one for yourself and one for your sons., January 5, 2009
If you like to dress up, then this book is for you. It is packed with valuable advice and is fully illustrated throughout. Chapters are intuitively chosen; the book starts by discussing the finer points of buying a suit. It then goes through shirts, pants, even personal care, and ends with a chapter on building a wardrobe. Each page is filled with tips, pictures of fashion icons, and notes for investing in your clothes. I personally found the Accessories chapter to be a fun read, especially since I am a fan of vintage watches and bow ties.

Are you old enough to know what the Preppy Handbook is? If so, this is an updated and less-snobbish version of the classic. In fact, this is the new Preppy Handbook, occasionally with a similar tongue-in-cheek approach. There are several other books in the market, but none are as easy to read as this. The focus is on men's clothes in general, not just suits and formal wear as in Alan Flusser's Dressing the Man. And though brands and specialty stores are mentioned, the emphasis is on how to distinguish well-made clothes, not just where to buy them.

Unlike other fashion books that will become outdated, this is one is not about trends, but really about style. You will pass this on to your sons in the future, so do them a favor and buy them one each. Give it the day they leave for college, or as an 18th birthday present.

If you read GQ or Esquire for their buying guides, do yourself a favor and pick up this book. It would take years of subscribing to magazines to come up with all the info between the covers.

Overall, an entertaining, informative, and essential guide for any man who cares about the way he looks.

Utilitarian guide full of valuable information, July 11, 2009
There are some books on how to dress well -- books like Russell Smith's Men's Style: The Thinking Man's Guide to Dress -- that are heavy on theory, you might say: not only how to observe the principles of timeless style, but why those principles are correct in the first place. I tend to enjoy reading those kinds of books, and was a little disappointed at first to see that this book from Esquire did not really spend a lot of time in explanations and philosophical discussion. But the more I read, the more it became clear that the man who is really interested in learning these things can pick up a lot from "The Handbook of Style." Esquire has packed a lot into this small-ish book, and most of it is quite good.

It is, as I say, a small book, and it is quite densely packed. I probably would have preferred a larger format, which would have in turn allowed for larger type, larger illustrations with clearer detail, more white space, and a layout generally more friendly to aging male eyes. But then, maybe this is intended primarily for younger men -- an audience I certainly encourage to study this book closely. The authors embrace the classic and traditional in men's style, navigating by the light from, among others, the holy trinity of Astaire, Grant, and Windsor. (Jay-Z and Andr� 3000 are cited as modern exemplars, and while I don't follow their careers well enough to know, I'll take Esquire's word for it.)

For men in, or just out of, college or otherwise looking to define their own style -- a time when guides like this were pretty influential on me -- they or their loved ones could do much worse than to track down a copy of this book and begin studying it. There's a lot older men can take away from this too. I admit I was a little skeptical to begin with, but now I'm convinced this is one of the better utilitarian guides to come along in many years. It certainly deserves a place on many men's shelves.

Excellent Reference Guide, August 12, 2009
Are you a man who simply wants to dress better without being mistaken for a metrosexual? If you are, this book is definitely something you can use. Divided into different bite-sized chapters, each packed with useful information and photos, the Esquire Handbook of Style is intended as an introduction to a world of classic men's style that is both elegant and masculine. While much of the material in here is recycled from various articles from Esquire magazine that you may have already read, it's great having it organized and in one place.

The focus is almost always on dressier clothing that white-collar professionals would wear to the office, as well as what to wear to the theater, restaurants, weekending, etc. We are repeatedly given the message that a modest amount of quality clothes chosen tastefully will serve us much better than a large number of cheap, trendy clothes. It's a message that many of us do need to hear over and over, because moderately-priced clothing stores often push cheaply manufactured knockoffs of current trends and leave us with the impression that unless we wear the very latest styles we look awful. The Esquire Handbook of Style takes a totally different approach, and shows not only how to determine quality in clothing before you buy, but also how versatile the basic building blocks of a man's wardrobe really are.

This is intended as a long-term reference book. Almost all the photos are of Golden Age Hollywood celebs such as Fred Astaire and Cary Grant. The binding, quality of paper, and the cover itself suggest that this is a book that you can use throughout your life. Indeed, it's so well-bound that you might mistake it for a vintage book.

I think this is a great book for recent high school grads or for college students who need to score a plum internship or first 'real' job. This is an excellent and readable book for any male making the transition from a career in which wardrobe is not an issue (such as college education, or a job in which you need to wear a uniform) to one where you are expected to present a crisp business-like appearance. I personally wish I'd had this book years ago as it would have made my adaptation to the office much easier.

The only downside I can see to this book is that the accessories chapter is much too brief. This is unfortunate because it isn't entirely clear why you would want to learn to knot several different styles for neckties, what materials or stitching are best for neckties, etc. It could simply be that the editors regard the rules regarding neckwear to be much looser than the rules regarding shirts and jackets, but its all too easy for men to slip into the habit of ruining an otherwise great look with a hideously garish (and often over-priced) tie. I would have liked to see more about this, as well as options regarding the appropriateness of lapel pins and pocket watches.

Recommended, April 25, 2010
Unlike the metrosexuals of last decade, advocating trendy looks to put the average dude at level with the European cutting-edge, the Handbook of Style turns an eye to the past to find a uniquely American style: timeless looks that will still look great and fit great for the next fifty years. Thankfully, this book couldn't have arrived sooner, as interest in Traditional Men's Clothing seems to be at an all-time high: the Don Draper and the Ivy League (Ed Helms in the Office) looks are high on the fashion radar, and "urban lumberjacks"--full bearded hipsters in wool and twill--occupy every downtown block between the two coasts.

The book, by Esquire's editors breaks down the American male wardrobe into it's essentials, at least for those who work a white collar job or are in a creative profession. As men, we have it pretty easy, as our uniforms and office attire aren't expected to change drastically from year to year. This book advocates buying some high quality wardrobe essentials that are good for year round wear (navy suit, charcoal suit, black cap-toed shoes, and brown wingtips) plus recommendations for the spring and summer and fall and winter. You get a history of the cultural origins of our various jackets and trousers, plus a gallery of famous men and the garments they made popular.

I only became interested in dressing better in the past year, finding that a lot of the clothes that got me through my college years and even my internship aren't quite making the cut when it comes to presenting myself as an adult, and a professional. I'm a young man (23) and when I put on a wool blazer and flat front trousers my girlfriend (soon to be wife) tells me I look great. If this is what I'm supposed to be wearing into my old age, I hope I continue to look my best and hear the same thing from my significant other.

I really appreciate the no-nonsense approach the editors took to this guide, stressing the philosophy that a personal style takes years to develop. Also, this is a guide to style that is broad, and not specific to any subculture. Deck shoes are good if you're into yachting, but aren't essential to EVERY men, only the preppiest among us. My two grievances with the book are the suggestion that every guy looks great in a black turtleneck (maybe I'm still too young) and that Paul Newman is absent as one of the style icons.

The best gift for an 18 year old young man, May 18, 2009
I am a complete sucker for an impeccably dressed man and unlike most people I know, I quite enjoy the British sensibilities and broo-ha-ha that comes along with men's fashion.
I bought this book, as a gift for a friend and I spent an entire day reviewing it myself and I was utterly absorbed from beginning to end.
Not only is this book simple, clearly illustrated and thorough, but it is extremely relevant to today's world.
It has sections devoted to all essentials in a man's wardrobe, each section is highly detailed. Fo eg: Trousers: from the styles of trousers, to folding a trouser, to ironing a trouser, to the kinds of creases, buttons, material, do's and dont's...this little handbook is a must have for every young man.
A great graduation present.

Excellent information on stylings, November 4, 2009
This small book is jam-packed with valuable information regarding men's stylings and fashion. The size lends well to a portable reference book, while the density of info makes it well for the personal library. The variety of topics covered is exhaustive, with included details on form and functions. Compared to other style books, I would say this has the most longevity. The only problem I had with it was the pictures are all black and white, and tiny. Details referred from the text are lost in the small photos. But still, highly recommended.

Great guide for both classic and modern wear, June 12, 2009
I loved how most of the stuffs from "how to iron clothes, tying ur tie, shoe lace and storing shoes, folding clothes etc are mentioned. Best part is the suits, it's styles what can get along etc... Only thing I would have loved it to go along was hats. I would have loved a section which mentioned hats, caps, fedoras etc....
Other than that the book was worth every penny...

A nice guide to help the common man., March 16, 2009
As someone who is trying to learn to walk upright and not dress like a derelict this book provides a road map to follow. From head to toe they go over the basics.

Should be titled "The Handbook of a Very Specific Style", July 29, 2010
This book contain a great deal of helpful, accurate information that can be used by any male buying, storing and caring for his clothes. I found the history of each garment very interesting, and the tips on what to look for in terms of quality, fit, details, etc. are worth the price of the book alone.

However, for a book called a "handbook of style", I thought it was actually very limited. Overall, by following the rules from the book - and yes, the book is very rule-based - you won't go wrong at the office, at the dinner party thrown by your boss, or that polo match. The book also makes it clear you will impress women (gays need not apply or, it seems, anyone who doesn't have or aspire to have their social life revolve around a country club). If that's what your life is like then this book will meet your needs superbly.

If, however, you're looking guidance on creating a style that's a little more adventurous, look elsewhere. For example, want to know if what Prada sent down the runway might work for your style and body type? You're out of luck - the book won't give you broad principles that you can adapt to a more individual style. Especially when it comes to more casual styles, the book doesn't go beyond the world of chinos, v-neck and crew neck sweaters, jeans and other few basics.

Great book for what it is, not for what it's titled. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

average eye makeup book, April 6, 2008
this book is okay but not what i expected. like the other poster mentioned most of the women in this book look to be teenagers. i buy a lot of makeup books and this one definitely has a juvenile versus a grown woman feel. honestly i probably wouldn't replicate many of the looks but i do see the artistic value of the book so i'm glad i got it a low price. i noticed the author has a book for teens and i wonder if there are some of the same pics in this book. i also agree that in many pics the eye is open and it would be far more beneficial if the eye was closed so you could see the full effect....maybe even having a pic of one close and one open eye would be valuable. i think this would be a great book for a young girl interested in makeup. many of the models are white, there are a few ethnic models but not as many as i'd like to see. there are some interesting tips in the book so all is not lost.

hard candy, April 4, 2008
Unlike the first reviewer, I enjoyed this book. I agree that most of the looks are catered to a younger audience. If you like the cover, you'll enjoy its funky and unique styles. There are some every day and less dramatic styles, but the strength of this book lies in its more playful and avant-garde looks; so if this doesn't appeal to you, you might want to look into a more traditional make up book.

On the downside, some of these looks require a skilled hand to pull off that no amount of reading (only practice) will give you; but by and large the looks can be achieved by beginners. I also would have liked for there to be more closed eye illustrations to better demonstrate how to apply the eye shadow, as the first reviewer suggested. However, in most cases the illustrations and descriptions are sufficient enough to create the look- but still, it would have been nice to have a closed eye illustration on each page for clarification.

I disagree with the other reviewer that the fresh faced/light foundation look is out of place with the more dramatic eye. The colorful eyes are in perfect balance with a subtle lip-gloss shown in most of the pictures; and because this book focuses on a younger aesthetic, it is completely appropriate. Furthermore, while the models are wearing a minimal base, there are no "blackheads", "pimples", or "oily skin" shown. Some of the models' looks include natural eyebrows and -gasp- freckles! I really appreciate the use of natural looking models and the author's choice to showcase their natural beauty in lieu of a heavy, overly pruned, cookie-cutter look.

Over all, I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants some inspiration for more high fashion, funky, and hip looks. There's no question that this look isn't for everyone, but if it interests you, I think you'll enjoy this book. On a side note, I'd recommend L'Oreal HIP and Medusa's Makeup brands to those looking for the funky, high pigment colors shown in the tutorials.

Loreal Hip High Intensity Pigments Concentrated Eye Shadow Duo, Spirited 218 - 2 ea

[...]

I LOVE this book!, June 17, 2009
I have to write a review in defense of this fabulous book. After turning 40 last year, I have come to the conclusion that life is too short to continue doing the basic "lightest shade over the entire eye, middle shade on the upper lid, darkest shade in the crease", and all in shades of taupe. I bought this book on a whim to try some of the crazy ideas on the weekends, and loved them so much that I have moved on to wearing the more conservative ones during the week to my office job. I am making notes on each one I try, as some looks are too dramatic for the daytime, some are best if paired with darker or brighter lipstick, etc. I agree that the photos are kind of unattractive, but so what? I did not buy this book to display the photos. I like these looks on me, and that is what's important. It helps to not be afraid of color and to be able to figure out how to tone down some of the shades. I also have a large collection of Bare Escentuals glimmers and glimpses, which are significantly more subtle than the cream and other eye shadows the book recommends. Definitely not the book for those just learning to apply eye makeup--but for those who want to try something unexpected and fun, who want to experiment, who want to look different every day, who love colors and can wear colors with confidence, and who love love love makeup and painting faces!

Nothing special, May 14, 2008
With all of the other helpful makeup artistry books available (hello, Kevyn Aucoin), this book really becomes a "why bother?" Some of the looks are pretty, but most are very abstract and, at least to me, don't look like a professional artist applied them. Many of the looks would not translate well into real life, either, and this is coming from someone who frequently wears hot pink, turquoise, and other bright shades of eye makeup. While I do think it's nice that the models are not airbrushed and made to look fake, it would certainly be possible to present an un-airbrushed photo while still making the model look beautiful and...well...clean. I agree with the posters that some of the models looked oily and a little grungy. Overall, I'd say it's very crude makeup application that should not be replicated. If you are looking for real makeup tips and application techniques, purchase any (preferably all) of Kevyn Aucoin's books, which are GORGEOUS and display real cosmetic artistry talent.

This is a joke, right?, June 1, 2008
This book is a complete joke! The cover caught my eye at the bookstore, so I picked it up and flipped through it. Absolutely horrid stuff in it! I feel so terrible for these poor models. The "artist" should be ashamed of herself, but judging by her own picture in the book, she doesn't know any better.

There is no blending, eyebrows are in total disarray (on one face, one was pointy, the other blunt and furry), random dots or sprays of eyeshadow, chapped/cracked lips and red lipstick with nearly everything. This does not work! In the first section on how to shade your eyebrows, they even suggest taking a paintbrush and swiping blue and green Kryolan makeup across the entire brow (Cookie Monster/Oscar the Grouch unibrow, anyone?)!

How could a "professional makeup artist" with their own makeup line and beauty salon have missed the entire concept of blending? Or that you shouldn't pair red lipstick with everything (especially yellow eyeshadow with hot pink eyeliner!)? Or that if you're going to *insist* on wearing red lipstick, you at least need to make sure your lips are in good condition? Disgusting!

There *may* have been one or two looks in this book that could be considered decent in the right circumstances (read:situations that don't involve you wearing a clown suit or standing on the street corner at night), but even those are a stretch.

This book is a mess and I can't believe it was ever published. Definitely not worth your money, there are much better books available.

A love hate relationship, February 16, 2010
First my love for this book: I am very happy with the color combinations and the swatches of color on the right side of the page making it easy to tag and then pick up colors at MAC or Sephora to apply to my eyes. There are some combinations I would normally not have tried if I didn't get this book. For that, I am grateful.
Now for the hate:
One of my pet peeves is having eyebrows ridiculously unkempt or bushy, they look overpowering to a face, especially a teenager appearing in a photo shoot. There ought not be two pages dedicated to a picture, diagram and explanation of taming and shaping brows when over 75% of the girls featured in the book have some of the worst brow shape I have ever seen. One poor girl had a face of an angel but brows that looked as if they belonged on an older man! Worse off the artists insists on brushing eyebrows upwards creating a clown effect. Kevyn Aucoin would shudder at this if he were alive and darn well very near pluck those brows to perfection.
So here you have it, my love hate relationship with this book. I don't LOVE it all the way, nor do I hate it entirely so. I'll keep it for color reference and SOME color placement and work my own ideas I get from YOU TUBE to polish up the look.
I wouldn't pay full price for this book. Get a low priced used copy and see for yourself.

Not Helpful and nothing like the cover, May 29, 2010
I was searching for a book of makeup tutorials. I tend to focus on my eyes, so this book seemed to be a good choice. The makeup on the cover looks beautiful, and I figured the looks in the book would all be similar to this. Boy, was I wrong. The looks in this book are horrid. The majority of the looks seem as if they were done by a five year old. Some are just one swatch of color swept on the lid, not blended at all, and does not need a tutorial in order to do. There is one look featuring three dots on the eye... again, that doesn't need to be explained, and it looked horrible anyway. I would only recommend this book for children ten years old and younger who have absolutely no idea about makeup and have never put any on before. Even then, I would say there are books much more helpful than this one. Oh, and just so you know, all the models in the book are preteens and younger kids also. They really should have listed that this book was for little children, not teens and definitely not twenty-somethings.

Ok...., January 26, 2009
this book is ok. i expected a lot more (they dont have instructions on how to do the eye on the cover). Also most of it is 'crazy makeup' (aka: neon colours, intense dark shades of purple and blue, anime character look, etc..) which is ok but not what you would wear in public. so if you want to learn (or get new ideas) of 'crazy makeup' go ahead! the book for you! very cool stuff! with little 'normal' makeup. but if you are expecting a book with makeup you would normally wear in public. dont waste your money.

If you want basic this not the book for you, January 3, 2009
I think that this is a great book for someone who wants to learn how to blend shades. I have read a lot of the other reviews on this book and some say that it is a waste. I say if you want to know basic makeup application, then buy a basic book. This book cover is self-explanatory. Blending techniques with multiple colors and lash jewels applications are far more advance forms of makeup artistry. Most schools do not teach this form of makeup application. They teach business setting, bridal, and runway. This is a form of High Fashion makeup and if you can perfect this, then the other basic makeup application will be like a 2nd nature to you. I say that this book would be useful to makeup artist who do senior proms also because this look is really hot with the teens and they lean toward a more nontraditional look for proms nowadays.

This book is a joke, December 8, 2008
Terrible, don't waste your money. You would get more information and creative ideas from any free web-site. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Bobbi Brown Teenage Beauty

Bobbi Brown Teenage Beauty is the ultimate beauty guide for young women. It takes the mystery out of all those confusing rituals so that you can figure out how to feel happier and more relaxed about your looks. You'll look your prettiest!

Your teen years are the most emotionally charged of your life. Your body's developing at a rapid pace, your skin changes from day to day, and your hormones are raging (in case you didn't notice). Everything in your life is in total flux. Bobbi's mission is to help boost your self-esteem and confidence. By listening to Bobbi's straightforward and useful beauty principles, you'll gain a sense of control over your body, your looks, and your life. Bobbi's hip, no-nonsense, and timeless advice covers such real teen problems and issues as:

Zits! - Being Overweight - Braces - Beauty School 101 Eight Simple Steps to a Pretty, Natural Makeup Look - Preteen Basics - Prom Beauty - Global Beauty - Mother-Daughter Beauty - Rock 'n' Roll Babes: Hip Beauty Style - Go for It: Experimental Beauty

Written with sensitivity to help you navigate the difficult self-image issues that you face, Bobbi Brown Teenage Beauty empowers you to discover and celebrate your own unique, natural beauty. This fresh and honest makeup guide is your ultimate source for advice, tips, and lessons for achieving beauty inside and out.

Reviews

Buy it asap, January 1, 2001
A must read for not only teens and pre teens but also young adults and folks who are not that familiar with makeup and beauty. I just turned 20 so I'm not a teen anymore so I was a little hesitant about getting this book but being that I don't have much experience with makeup I got it anyway. I ended up reading the whole thing in one sitting because it was so informative and interesting. It doesn't only feature makeup help, however, it also gives advice about how to eat right and taking care of your skin. Also it talks about self esteem and how you won't love your outside until you love your inside. I bet there's a lot in here that even adults could benifit from but it's written in a fun, easy to read and understand teen language.

P.S. I love how Bobbie Brown encourages you to use the least amount of makeup because makeup is to enhance your look not make you look like a different person (or a clown I might add)

What a masterpiece!, July 26, 2000
Compared to most beauty books that simply push product, this book is a true testament to the importance of "Inner Beauty".

Bobbi walks us through all of the problems we encounter as emotionally charged teens, reminding us throughout, that true beauty is a state of mind and something that really does come from within-not from what societal standards dictate.

Not afraid to air some her own insecurities as a teen, Bobbi truly practices what she preaches--readers will walk away from this book feeling like they really know her-and from what I read and see, she's a true inspiration!

I highly recommend this book for people of all ages--not only teens--we all need that healthy reminder that each and every one of us are beautiful in our own right!

I LOVE IT..:), July 19, 2000
WHEN I ORDERED THIS BOOK I THOUGHT IT WAS ABOUT MAKEUP ,, AND THE STEPS OF HOW TO PUT IT THEN ,, WHEN I RECIEVE IT I GOT FIRST DISAPOINTED BECAUSE IT WASNT WHAT I WANT ... BUT WHEN I READ IT .. I REALLEY LOVVVVVVVVE IT ,,, IT WAS ABOUT HOW TO GET INNER AND NATURAL BEAUTY .. ..THERE IS ALL THE ANSWERS FOR ALL THE QUESTIONS IN UR MIND FOR BOBBI .. AND HOW TO SHOW UR NATURAL BEAUTY WITH A PIT OF MAKE UP ...

Bobbi Brown's Book is Wonderful, June 15, 2001
This book was excellently put together and I really appreciate how Bobbi had many sections on Global beauty and how her style of writing made you feel good about yourself. She encouraged young girls to be a minimalist with make-up and let your true self shine through. She also was excellent with giving basic rules and techniques to applying make-up. She had models in the book of all ages, races and sizes. She tells young women that it is very important for you to pick a role model that you can relate to and not to choose one that you are the complete opposite from. She dealt with many teenage issues such as weight, braces and the biggest of all, zits. She tells us how to deal with these issues and to love ourselves anyway. This is one of my favorite books. I highly recommend it to every teenage girl.

Not a How-To book - But a self-esteem book, January 4, 2001
I was a little disippointed with the book. I was hoping for more of a manual on the how-tos of make-up technique, and did not find it BB's book. Bobbie's text would say something like, "apply a light tinted eyeliner," but would not describe how to do it, where (like thickness, length of stroke, etc.) to do it, or even why the eyeliner should be light. This book seems to be more inspirational than educational. It's a confidence builder a-la SNL's Stuart Smally or elemertary school's Project Self-Esteem bear, Harmony. I would say 85% of the book's text is used to reassure teenagers that they are beautiful no matter what the media, peers, etc. would have you think.

Teenage Beauty, July 4, 2000
Being a teen myself, I thought that this book was wonderfully written and really did captivate the minds of teen girls. Instead of telling girls how to cover their flaws and become people who fit the mold of society. Bobbi Brown's book shows girls how to accentuate flaws. Teenage Beauty also just gives girls an outline of natural beauty and how to look gorgeous; for whatever race, height, weight and person you are. This book is a healthy dose of medicine that every girl should take

BOBBI BROWN- A MIRACLE WORKER!( THE BOOK ROCKS), December 24, 2000
I think this book is fantastic!! I have it at home- it's really cool since it has tons of chapters-all of them based on beauty. How great is that?! There are chapters on eyes, base, cheeks, and everything else!It has a chapter on preteen beauty. It has info on how to make your own beauty pallette, and, like I said, IT'S FUN! Anyone can understand it, too. There are pictures for examples. I couldn't take my eyes off of it. Oh- I almost forgot- it has info on African-american beauty, and Asian. Don't forget- this book rules!

ummm....NO, August 14, 2000
This book isn't something you'd expect form a professional make-up artist. Bobbi talks about make-up a whole but never explains exactly how to apply it. And Bobbi contradicts herself in areas; like proclaiming Brooke Shields and the ultimate beauty, then going on to tell us we are all beautiful and beauty comes in different shapes and sizes. She also begins many sections with "You want..." or "You don't want to..." I thought the point was for US to decide what looks work for US. The section on body image attempts to make girls of all body types feel good about themselves, explaining we can't all be as thin as women such as Courteney Cox. Yet those are the only pages in the entire book which show anyone over maybe a size 3. There are no plus sized girls featured anywhere else, only to serve as an example of what exactly plus size is. Any book by Kevin Aucoin would be a better bet, and a better spend.

Great Book for Teens, August 18, 2006
I bought this as a gift for my 12 year-old niece. I read it before I gave it to her to make sure it was appropriate. I LOVED THIS BOOK. Bobbi addresses the girls as peers, tells them to love their looks, particularly those things which make them "unique"- freckles, a strong nose, etc., and urges them to use make-up primarily as an enhancement. She also discusses skin care, hair care, and shows before and after pictures. I want to get the one for adults, and I already plan on buying one for my own daughter when she is older.

Best Book a Girl Could Read, August 17, 2001
By it's cover and title you'd think "oh great another book of skinny models and flawless faces to make a teenager feel anything BUT 'Pretty, Natural, Sexy & Awesome'", but let me tell you this book is quite the contrary. Bobbi Brown herself is not a flawless woman or a 5'10'', 115 lb supermodel. She presents, first and foremost, a lesson of self esteem and INNER beauty before she dives into the make-up tricks. Concerning the make-up tips...she does NOT encourage younger girls to plaster and airbrush their faces...she explain the importance of natural beauty and simply accentuating what is already there and not creating soemthing that isn't. She promotes diversity in beauty, and more importantly, the essence that inner beauty has on outer. I've read this book cover to cover at least 7 times! Not only has it helps me tone down my own make up habits, it's taught me that my real beauty is within, to be proud of my uniqueness and to appreciate what will always me there, who I am, and not what i look like. Beauty IS in fact skin deep, but confidence and happiness are forever...I have let all my friends borrow this book, and I would recommend it to any woman of any age... ... Read more

Editorial Review

"We must all listen to Nina Garcia. Sharp and genuine, her advice can make or break an outfit."
--Tim Gunn

Believe me--there's pressure when you're deciding what to wear to a meeting with an iconic fashion designer or a member of the press. It can be terrifying. But instead of panicking, I stop, take a deep breath, and remember that I speak "fashion." And by the time you have read this book, you'll be able to speak the language of fashion too, at all the key moments of your life.
--from Nina Garcia's Look Book

Every woman, at one time or another, has contemplated an all-important job interview, first date, formal party, or important presentation and wailed to herself and to her closest girlfriends, "What should I wear?" In Nina Garcia's Look Book, style guru Nina Garcia solves this universal quandary with an inspired and unbeatable combination of fashion knowledge and common sense. She shows us the pieces, the accessories, and the strategies to create the looks that will take us from the first day on a job through the day we ask for a raise and beyond, from the first time we meet our boyfriend's parents (or his children) through the day we see our own children walk down the aisle. With Nina by your side, you can't go wrong. You'll have all the tips you will need to navigate every day looking your best. True style is not about having a closet full of expensive and beautiful things--it is instead about knowing when, where, and how to utilize your collection. ... Read more

Reviews

Meatier Than Expected, August 16, 2010
This is a fun concept for a style book and I actually like that it is text-heavy, as Nina Garcia has such a nice writing voice. Outfit pictures rather than illustrations would certainly be appreciated, though they would also probably make the book date faster. When I saw that Nina Garcia was coming out with her fourth book in two years (I think?) I thought it would be pretty much filler, but I was pleasantly surprised. It does get a little repetitive, but it's a fun read with an inspiring can-do spirit.

My New Guilty Pleasure, August 24, 2010
Everybody eats an Oreo cookie differently. Nina Garcia's Look Book was my Oreo cookie. I simply couldn't devour it as a boring page-by-page turner. That would be a sin. I had to flip through the pictures upon first glance, then quickly grab a glass of wine and read all the "Rule Breakers We Love" blurbs back-to-back, giggling and relishing each one individually. THEN, to give you an idea of how slowly and thoroughly I enjoy my Oreo cookies, I took stickies and tag every page that I knew I would need to refer to on a regular basis for quick and insightful fashion and attitude pick-me-ups. My God, Nina even dedicated whole a chapter on what to wear when meeting your boyfriend's ex! She left no stone un-turned. In fact, last month after practicing from 6am to 7am for a huge company presentation, I finished my preparation with a quick read of the "Showtime Chic" chapter on "What to Wear to an Important Meeting or Presentation." The words strength, sophisticated, and confidence all from the chapter became programmed in my head, and of course the tip to whip out my power suit set me in the right mood. What a clever read full of fun, wit, insight, and delicious illustrations all wrapped up in brilliant fashion advice book. My recommendation to readers, enjoy the book like you would your favorite dessert.

Nice light read, but with some fatal issues, August 22, 2010
The premise of this book, which is explained within the first few pages, is that there are ceratin "rules" about what to wear when, but that you can break those rules. So what's the point of the book then? The result is an overload of suggestions that go something like this: "What should you wear to a baby shower? You can wear anything you want! What should you wear to a graduation? You can wear anything you want!" I wanted a book that was much more direct in its inspiration and guidance. Sure, I understand that fashion rules are "meant to be broken" - but why not just say that as a kind of disclaimer at the beginning, and then actually teach those rules? That's the type of book I thought I was getting.

The illustrations are cute and nice, but I think out of place in this book. The outfit illustrations in each section were far more helpful than Ms. Garcia's blabbing about wearing whatever you want "as long as you have confidence!!!!!!!!!!" But, because they were illustrations, they seemed a little too fanciful for real life. The illustration for Memorial Day shows bright tomato-red pants with a fuschia shirt and silver tassled belt; it makes for a cute illustration, but if you're not a cartoon it seems a little iffy. I would have preferred artful photographs of example pieces, akin to the InStyle style guide books.

All that being said, I still bought the book. It's entertaining and fun, kind of alike a giant fashion magazine. Don't expect anything life-changing though.

Little book for looking great for ALL occasions, August 24, 2010
I loved this book! It's informative (for those of us are not fashion maven's - and believe me - I'm not alone) and is set up like a quick reference book. While some reviewers think the advice is obvious - there are many of us who have better things to do with our lives than read fashion magazines and shop every weekend for the perfect ensemble. If anything, this book has helped boost my confidence - and given me quick and easy fixes to look more chic than I usually do!
Even the illustrations are helpful (not to mention just plain fabulous).
I also loved that this book lacks all pretense (which many fashion 'how-to's' tend to be coated in) and is filled with humor and just plain old good advice. Thumbs up to Nina for a creative, fun-filled, gorgeous little book that's both relevant and relatable to the non-fashionista's out there...i.e. me.

Same old, same old, August 15, 2010
Some books about fashion are great resources for new ideas and advice that help the reader put their own personal look together. This is a rehash of ideas that you could read in any copy of Vogue or Harper's over the past twenty-five years. It's a pedestrian read without even great fashion photos. The drawing are twee and unhelpful. If you love Nina Garcia, maybe you'll like it. Otherwise, don't bother.

rehash, August 23, 2010
I have two other Nina Garcia books (her first two) and love them. This book is a rehash--and not all that helpful. I know these things...or I can read them in a fashion magazine. There are obvious oversights...like what to wear when you are walking around the neighborhood, walking the dog, going to a museum, stopping by the local bookstore or quaint tea or coffee shop--get the picture? Not a book for those with cultural lives outside of fashion. Oh, she does mention the opera.

Wish I could return my Kindle book...., August 16, 2010
I purchased Nina's previous books and found them much more useful and entertaining than this one. Since I wanted to try the Kindle book on my new iPad, I purchased this in e-version. Now I regretted downloading a book that I haven't flipped through and wished there's a way to get a refund since I don't plan on finishing the book.

What it provided was all common sense for the occasions in life that most people that I know already know (I only got through 15% of the book mainly on "Work") -- There's nothing that I actually learned or will do differently than what Nina suggested in her book. I would not recommend this to any of my friends. This may be a good gift for girls in High School or College if they need a little help.

Nina and Ruben rocked it!, September 12, 2010
I adore Nina, she has thought of it all! No excuse not to look and feel your fashion best everyday! Got to love a book that has so many beautiful illustrations by Ruben Toledo! Pure joy... ... Read more

Editorial Review

Everything you need to know to create beautiful eyes

Trying to find the best way to accentuate and enhance the eyes can be a nerve-wracking experience for women of all ages. One of the most frequent questions celebrity makeup artist Taylor Chang-Babaian is asked is how to apply eye makeup. In Style Eyes she shares her highly sought-after beauty tips and techniques that will help you:

• Identify and use eye makeup products and tools to address all your eye concerns.
• Create the perfect brows with step-by-step techniques and learn how to fix any mistakes.
• Identify the best techniques and shades for various eye shapes and eye colors.
• Create the perfect look for day, evening, work, play, or anytime.
• Finally create the perfect smoky eye using easy-to-follow steps.
• Learn the best looks for every age and situation, from wearing glasses to achieving an eyelift and erasing lines without surgery.

With stunning color photos and step-by-step instructions, Style Eyes provides all the tools you need to achieve the perfect look no matter what your eye color or shape, skin tone, or age. ... Read more

Reviews

fun book, August 25, 2010
this is a fun yet slightly predictable book. It starts off with the basics of eyes, the tools, eye shapes, false lashes etc. It is fairly repetitive of other makeup books in that respect but Chang keeps it quick and to the point, I like that. She then goes into the fun stuff, she does more than just your basic smokey eye look and your daytime work look. She uses bright and vibrant colors, i believe there is a look with some rhinestones on it, and some fun lip looks. As for step by step looks, she only has 2, and they are how to acheive the smokey look. The other eye looks in the book simply give you the color she uses and a tool to apply it. So for beginners looking on a how to, this might not be a really helpful books, but for those who have the basics of makeup technique down, replicating the looks is easy to do. Througout the book, she has a variety of eye shapes but not a variety of skin tones. Overall it isn't a bad book to have in the collection, I can see myself looking at it for a nice quick and easy look if i'm in a makeup rut.

must have, August 31, 2010
I got this book as a gift and plan to buy 3 more for all my makeup junkie friends! I'm a busy mom of 2 beautiful and super active boys who never gave up her love of makeup. I don't have time to go to the Mac counter to learn how to do a smokey eye and now I don't have to. Chang-Babaian lays it all out for you. She also states that you don't have to throw out your shimmery eyeshadow just because you're 35 plus. As a Latina, I like the fact that women of all ethnicities are included. The women look real and beautiful instead of model-types. I know this is a book I will return to again and again.

LOVE THIS BOOK!, September 15, 2010
This is a great makeup book! I would say it is one of my top makeup books that i own. I own alot!!! She does eye makeup beautifully and explains how to do each look. And she explains it very well! I definitely recommend this book to whomever would like to learn how to do gorgeous eye makeup and beautiful eyebrows! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Dr. Perricone’s FOREVER YOUNG makes an extraordinary promise: by following a program designed to decrease wrinkles and dramatically improve the appearance of the skin, the reader is also guaranteed more energy, less fat and an improved mood.  The core of Dr. Perricone’s appeal is his scientific grounding and authority.  In a field notorious for the triumph of style over substance, Dr. Perricone is at the cutting edge of new science which is scientifically proven to work.    At the core of the new book is an exciting new science on skin:  Nutrigenomics and gene expression. With his innovative vision, Dr. Perricone has applied the new science to ease wrinkles, make the skin supple, smooth and glowing.  His prescriptive program will shave years off the reader's appearance and will give the reader more energy. ... Read more

Reviews

Excellent and a little frustrating, September 15, 2010
First, I really like this book. It's full of excellent information that, when you think about it, just makes sense. I am glad I got the book and would recommend it to anyone (I am waiting for my second copy to give away as I write this).

That said, as a 37 year old man looking to lose about 45 pounds, the book has also been a little frustrating. First, I realize that women are the target market here, but it would be nice to have a few pages directed at the guys out there. Second, and more importantly, I really needed to see a simple summary and a clear regimen stated somewhere. Every chapter is full of excellent information, but I feel as if I have to pick and choose and piece it together myself in order to make it (hopefully) work for me.

I was glad to see there was a relatively clear guide to making the Meal Replacement Drink, but even then, it could have been clearer. After spending some time describing the benefits of egg white albumin, the recipe says, "I suggest 6 ounces of the protein source in liquid form or as labeled if it is in powdered form." Powdered form? I assume he recommended 6 ounces of egg whites as the liquid source, but now I have to figure out what "powdered form" means and if I was correct about the egg whites. I am sure some research will help me here, but it would have been nice to just be told plain and simple. Add to that, the six ounce recommendation is for a "women approximately five feet, four inches tall with moderate activity..." What about a guy about 5'11" with less than moderate activity? In the same recipe, he says to mix 1 teaspoon of non-Dutch cocoa with stevia and *a little water*, what is "a little water?" Again, I realize this might be a "to taste" thing, but I would have liked a place to start.

There is a great section talking about glutathione and the topical solution that solves the problem of adequate transport. I am very excited to try this, but I can't figure out where it is. I am now thinking that it is not out yet. I may be mistaken though. I'm still trying to figure it out. I watched the PBS special where he talked a lot about the wonder of this topical and I assumed it was available. Just not sure yet.

The recipes look very good - and that is coming from someone with terrible sensory issues and food aversions. There are a few tweaks I will have to make, but I have also been encouraged to "just eat it" with most of the ingredients. While I am not into Yoga, the section is very well done and about as engaging as it could be. The poses, etc. are all explained well and I will glad to see a few "programs" listed, at least two of which I am looking forward to trying.

Ultimately, I think I will have to call one of their counselors and see if they can help me. I am weak and tired and anxious to try this. The claims to not only help you lose weight but improve mood and overall health are very motivating for me. That said, I do not want to end up wondering if I am doing it right. That is terribly frustrating. Sometimes I felt as if the author was assuming I knew something already.

I would have given the book 5-stars had it, 1) provided at least a little guidance for a man reading this, 2) provided a "cheat sheet" of sorts plainly stating proper summarized regimens for both the diet and the supplement usage. I think that most of the information I need is in there, somewhere. I just wish I didn't have to work so hard to bring it all together.

One last thing: while Dr. Perricone does offer up his own products in here, I never felt as if he was forcing me to get his stuff. He also suggests a variety of other venders (though he may have relationships with them too, I don't know), and many of the supplements, etc. he recommends can be purchased just about anywhere. I really wish his weight management supplement pack was not $200 a month. : ( Budgeting it one thing, not having the money to budget after buying all the organic food, supplements, and all that is another. Not saying it is not worth it, just saying I may never be able to know. ; )

All that said, GET THE BOOK! I really am enjoying it. I received it yesterday and am already going through it a second time.

It's now safe to get sunlight, September 24, 2010
Dr Perricone finally recommends getting sun exposure in moderation. It's not that he was wrong about UV rays damaging effect on the skin. He and other dermatologists have come to the conclusion that the benefits of vitamin D that your skin produces with sunlight outweighs the negative effects of UV rays. If you take his advice and take astaxanthin or AstaREAL, you will limit the UV damage. Dr Perricone devotes 10 pages of the book to this superb antioxidant. He explains how it provides protection from UV rays and also how it protects against oxidative damage during and after exercise. I thought he would provide information in this section about krill oil as a source of astaxanthin, but instead he writes about his beloved salmon.

The beginning of the book discusses the basic causes of cellular dysfunction, mainly free radicals and inflammation. Dr Perricone presents a few of his novel ideas about delivering glutathione to the inside of the cell and consequently protecting the mitochondria against free radical damage. He covers a new class of mitochondrial antioxidants called SS peptides that are able to penetrate the mitochondrial membrane. He also discusses supplements that most nutrition savvy readers already know about such as; acetyl l-carnitine, alpha-lipoic acid, N-acetylcysteine and Co-Q10. Unfortunately, he does not give any information about CoQ-Quinol.

Chapter 2 Nutrigenomics, is a combination of nutrition and genomics. He explains how antioxidants and phytonutrients can positively effect gene expression. This means that what you eat before your children are conceived can actually effect their genetics. Also included in this chapter are 3 old superfoods; cinnamon, turmeric, and watercress. Other foods given in-depth coverage are; cocoa, chia seeds. and of course salmon. Finally a book that recommends cocoa! According to food chemist Chang Lee, it has 3x more antioxidants than green tea. I mix 1 tsp of Navitas cocoa powder with my coffee. 1/3 g fat and 0 sugar and it's cheap!

Chapter 3 is about losing fat and preserving muscle. Dr Perricone presents his Metabolic Miracle diet which is designed to burn fat and preserve muscle. The idea is to slow the process of age-related muscle loss. Also in this chapter are a few paragraphs on growth hormone and DHEA. He is not a fan of exogenous GH and he cites some negative side effects in a study, although he does not give the details. He is more optimistic about growth hormone-releasing hormones. Not mentioned in this book is a promising new drug called MK-677. Since GH and testosterone levels drop significantly with age, I feel that this section warranted more information. This is more than a quality of life issue because the myocardium in the heart is composed of muscle. Keep in mind that Dr Perricone is out of his area of expertise here. Dr Di Pasquale and Dr Michael Colgan are the authors I go to for information on anabolic hormones and muscular nutrition.

Chapter 4 is about the repair and rejuvenation of the skin. Dr Perricone explains his ionic suspension carrier sysem that is capable of delivering charged particles to the skin. By delivering vital nutrients to the skin in an ionic form, Dr Perricone's proprietary system increases glycosaminoglycan production by 150%. Microcurrent treatment is another topical treatment for skin that is covered in great detail. He includes nutritional information that is especially important for the skin on the following topics; vitamins B3, C, D, astaxanthin, Green Magma, mushrooms, and of course salmon. I was pleasantly surprised at the price of astaxanthin at Amazon and other sites, less than $10 for 60 caps.

Chapter 5 is devoted entirely to bone health and he gives a wealth of information on calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, and vitamins K1 and K2. Since these minerals and vitamins are important for everyone, this chapter is not just for women or the elderly.

Chapter 6 is a short chapter about menopause. He emphasizes the importance of phytoestrogens and discusses soy, flaxseeds, and chia seeds. Dr Perricone cites an interesting study on fish oil for treating hot flashes.

Chapter 7 is all about yoga. This chapter contains 40 pages of yoga diagrams. I would rather have seen these pages devoted to something else. I take a sauna to relax and according to some studies is a way of detoxifying. According to our government, sauna therapy increases BH4 synthesis and heat shock protein hsp90. Maybe I'll practice yoga in the sauna and get the benefits of both.

U.S library of Medicine:
"There is a large and rapidly increasing number of diseases that are associated with BH4 depletion and these may be candidates for sauna therapy. Such diseases as hypertension, vascular endothelial dysfunction, multiple chemical sensitivity and heart failure are thought to be helped by sauna therapy and chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia may also be helped and there are others that may be good candidates for sauna therapy."

Chapter 8 covers foods to improve libido, various recipes, and you guessed it, salmon.

Final Thoughts:

If you want to improve your skin or learn the theory behind how phytonutrients work, this book is for you. If you are just looking for a diet book you may be a little disappointed.

Will you live beyond the maximum life span of 120 by eating these superfoods? No, we are not there yet. But, you will dramatically improve your chances of living beyond the average life span. Here is the evidence:

Kuna Indians traditionally drink 3-4 cups of cocoa per day. For Kuna Indians, high blood pressure and heart disease are rare.

In India where they consume large amounts of curry containing turmeric they have the lowest Alzheimer's rate in the world.

In Japan where they consume large amounts of green tea they have one of lowest cancer rates even though 1 out of 3 people smokes. BTW, green and white teas are antimutagens in addition to being antioxidants.

In Greenland where the Eskimos eat their traditional fish diet, type 2 diabetes is almost nonexistent. Among those that have converted to a western diet the rate has sky rocketed.

Required Reading for Women Over 40, September 14, 2010
Nicholas Perricone, MD is a pioneer in anti-aging medicine, and is consistently on the cutting-edge when it comes to our understanding of nutrition and inflammation and their effects on skin, health, metabolism, and weight loss. "Forever Young" is a terrific book, and in a readable, practical way, Dr. Perricone has tackled the the science of nutrigenomics -- big long medical word alert!! Basically, nutrigenomics is looking at how nutrition affects our DNA and genes, and ultimately, our health. While everyone else is messing with creams, plastic surgery, hormones, and Botox -- Dr. Perricone is talking about how beautiful skin and a healthy body always start from the inside out. If you're over 40, "Forever Young" is required reading....and much more affordable than a jar of department store wrinkle cream! -- Mary Shomon, Thyroid Patient Advocate & Author

I want my money back, September 23, 2010
You are what you eat - who doesn't already know this? There is absolutely nothing new in this book that is not available for free EVERYWHERE else on the internet. This book has been written a million times before by other "celebrity" doctors who don't practice medicine for a living, but publish books.
If you can wade through all of the clinical mumbo jumbo here, then you are a clinical technician or a doctor yourself, but the average person will not understand a word of it, only the results of the studies are of any importance. While references to the clinical studies are important to anyone who DOES want to get deeper into the subject, it does nothing here but fill up pages. The relevant, useful information here could have been condensed into a pamphlet, for free.
A previous review pointed out that details on how to implement this "program" are sparse and hard to follow. This is quite true. Where he could have been more precise on how to implement this on a day to day basis, he wastes our time on all of the arcane clinical junk.
I am quite certain that all of the foods he recommends are worthwhile, all these foods and their positive qualities have been known for 20-30 years. What is new here?
Beyond Salmon and watercress, most of the foods recommended here have to be specially ordered or found online somewhere. More importantly, these foods are not on the menu at any restaurant that I can afford to go to. So this is not going to be cheap, and I suspect, will not suit the majority of people's taste.
Follow Madonna's diet? Good God, give me a break - her supposed youthful looks have a much to do with cosmetic surgery as with an anti-aging program.
In the end, this book is a joke, as it contains nothing new.
If you are interested in anti-aging or healthy foods, I am willing to bet that you already have this book on your bookshelf, many times over. Don't waste your money on this book.
I want my money back.
Forever Young?
Forever Rich, for the doctor

I Was Expecting More, September 30, 2010
I have read Dr. Perricone's other books and was excited to read this one. Unfortunately, this book didn't deliver for me what his other book did. While the discussion of nutrigenomics is interesting, I felt it could have been presented in a much more dynamic and engaging way. I wished the author gave specifics or at least some guidance on the quantity and frequency of the foods he recommends. Yes, watercress is a superfood (I actually bought some based on his recommendation) but how much do I eat and how often? I think this book would be much more effective if he had given a week's worth of diet plans with his recommended foods incorporated in proper ratios. There was a section in the book about Madonna which seemed to come out of nowhere with no real connection or value to the material. Overall, I got some useful tidbits, but it wasn't worth the price in my opinion.

The Truth about Dr. Perricone and Forever Young, November 5, 2010
I must confess I was a skeptic when I first saw Perricone on PBS promoting this book. Lose all the weight you want; just fat, no muscle, prevent illnesses like cancer, heart disease and strokes, and, oh, magically restore your skin and regain a youthful appearance by eating salmon and other super foods? What was this guy smoking? I saved the show, thought about it, then showed it to my wife. She liked it, we ordered the book.

We have now completed two months on the anti-inflammation program Perricone prescribes in Forever Young including some long runs on the Metabolic Miracle Diet (MMD). The results are, to be truthful and direct, unbelievable and amazing for both of us. Since receiving the book we have not cheated or gone off the program, and we have stepped up our physical activity. In short, I've lost around 30 pounds, my wife 10 pounds. That's great. But the shocker is all the almost instantaneous improvements in your physical body, sense of well being and appearance.

Both my wife and I have experienced softer, younger skin, thicker hair and a nice youthful glow that everyone notices. Our faces have thinned and de-aged, if there is such a word. My troubled knee has healed and the pain is gone, thus I am back on the treadmill. My lifelong battle with a serious sinus condition completely evaporated within the first month. My balance, energy and physicality have returned. Overall, the whole program is a miracle and a bit unbelievable.

Finally, I must mention we purchased a few extra copies as gifts. Friends are experiencing the same results, to varying degrees, with weight loss, improved health and appearances. We are giving the book as a Christmas gift to everyone on our list and I strongly suggest you either quickly become my friend or order the book today. If anything, Dr. Perricone on PBS undersold his program and the results you can expect from his program. It is truly life changing and one of the best books I've ever read, purchased or recommended.

Forever Young: The Science of Nutrigenomics for Glowing, Wrinkle-Free Skin and Radiant Health at Every Age, October 18, 2010
This latest book by Dr. Perricone lives up to it's title. I've read several of his other books and followed his diet suggestions for about 4 years. His products are expensive, but they work as promised. The information in this book, like his other books is easy to understand and apply to your daily life. Following his advice not only makes your skin look years younger, but really does improve your overall health, helps to keep your blood sugar stable and thereby helps to keep your weight stable. I had oily skin and acne my whole adult life until I started following Dr. Perricone's diet suggestions. I'm now 62 years old and get compliments on my skin on a regular basis. People are shocked when they find out how old I am. I have no wrinkles and my skin even looks good without makeup. This was not the case 5 years ago! I've made Dr. Perricone's suggestions part of my daily life so that I can look and feel good well past 100!

He's on to something!, October 7, 2010
Dr. Perricone's theory of inflammation as the source of weight gain and retention worked out well for me. I lost nearly a full size in 10 days! Friends who did the diet along with me lost 6 and 7 pounds. Previously, I never lost more than three pounds in a week's dieting.

The 10 day metabolic diet gives a menu and suggested supplements to aid weight loss and keep blood sugar on an even keel. Dr. Perricone writes he designed the diet to ensure comfortable success, and he succeeded. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Luxurious textiles, exacting tailoring, and lush trimmings abound in this glorious volume that celebrates the evolution of European dress through two centuries.
Fashion is in the details. The textiles, tailoring, and trimmings all work together in the creation of the finest pieces. Drawing on the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's internationally known fashion collection, this gorgeous book tells the story-in words and beautiful pictures-of fashion's aesthetic and technical development from the Age of Enlightenment to World War I, a period when fashionable dress underwent sweeping changes. Many remarkable examples of men's, women's, and children's garments are featured here for the first time, including an extraordinarily rare 1790s man's vest designed to promote sympathy with the French Revolution; a stunning 1845 black satin gown from the royal court of Portugal heavily embroidered with gold; and an 1891 evening mantle with silk embroidery, glass beads, and ostrich feathers designed by French couturier Aemile Pingat. An invaluable resource for anyone interested in the evolution of fashion, this generously illustrated book provides a rich visual history of the changes that occurred in fashionable dress spanning a period of more than two hundred years.

Every detail matters, whether you are telling a story or creating a collection or starting a revolution. Fashioning Fashion takes you through fashion and time with the sumptuous variety of an extraordinary collection. I promise, it cannot fail to inspire you.--from the preface by John Galliano ... Read more

Reviews

Beautiful book, October 20, 2010
This book is outstanding! It's very informative and well-written, but of course the best part is all the great pictures of gorgeous clothing! I'd highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in historical fashion. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The unauthorized biography of the world's most famous, seductive, and successful perfume

With its rich golden hue, art deco–inspired bottle, and timeless, musky scent, Chanel No. 5 is the world's bestselling perfume. Reverently known among industry insiders as le monstre—the monster—it is arguably the most coveted consumer luxury product of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Yet how did this pioneering celebrity fragrance, introduced in the early 1920s, eventually take on a life of its own, becoming a cultural monument celebrated by millions of devoted consumers?

The Secret of Chanel No. 5 is Tilar J. Mazzeo's far-ranging and fascinating search beyond the stuff of legend to uncover the full story of No. 5's creation, iconic status, and extraordinary success. Mazzeo goes back through time and deep into the life of Coco Chanel, the brilliant, controversial, and steel-willed businesswoman at the heart of the fragrance. She takes readers to the rose plantations and celebrated jasmine fields where the perfume begins and then to the laboratories and boardrooms where scent and sex are forever intertwined. And she travels to the heart of the Chanel empire: 31 Rue Cambon, Coco Chanel's flagship boutique, where six decades ago American GIs stormed the counters to possess the magical elixir that captured the luxury and romance of Paris for their girls back home.

A blend of evocative history and thoughtful research, here is a glittering account of where art and sensuality mingle with dazzling entrepreneurship and desire: Chanel No. 5.

Reviews

The Best Kept Secret: Tilar Mazzeo's New Book, November 9, 2010
Anyone who has ever read Tilar Mazzeo's books knows how brilliantly she spins a tale. Who needs fiction when her truth has such sizzle? The Secret of Chanel No. 5 is another terrific read - as much fun as a trip to Paris (probably more fun because Ms. Mazzeo has the inside scoop on a French icon). Anyone who is a fan of the fragrance will love the background - and those who are fascinated by Coco Chanel herself will find truth separated from fiction (the truth is much more fascinating, by far!). Ms. Mazzeo's diplomacy and charm have given her unparralleled access to the secret and seductive world of high fashion. It is great fun to be on intimate terms with it - thanks to Tilar Mazzeo. This should be on every Christmas list! ... Read more