The One Hundred A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own
April 12, 2009 by Skin Care · Leave a Comment
The One Hundred A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own
“Simply put, these items make me feel classic. And there is no substitute for feeling this way. Ever.”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 indispensible for any woman reaching for her own eternal fashion look.
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars Barbie gone Jackie O
My 4 yr old grand-daughter and I could enjoy One Hundred as a very fun picture book. Ruben Toledo’s illustrations are quirky Americana; his Barbie-like figures model sublime style as well as the vulgar fashion faux pas. But Barbie is beyond hip here. She’s morphed into Jackie O. As fun as that is, while my little girl is looking at the pictures, I can get “Fashion 101″ in the fine print or read a pithy one-liner from Helena Rubinstein such as this: “There are no ugly women, only lazy ones.” Mea culpa!
Ms Garcia makes the useful if liberating distinction between a “fashion victim” and a stylish woman. A stylish woman is always on the prowl for a classic piece, and we should be prowling after 100 such. For example, a pair of Aviator sunglasses or a closet obsession such as a Nancy Gonzalez exotic skin handbag.
I may have rushed to judgment on Garcia’s “Little Black Book of Style.” Since repenting of my class envy, I found this book very helpful for style-challenged persons such as moi. I need all the help I can get when scavenging for the perfect Pucci scarf, a Jack Rogers sandal, or a Birkin bag. Would I have known that Louis Vuitton products are the most counterfeited items? Garcia gave me fascinating fashion trivia on the Mary Jane, the polo shirt, and cashmere wool, just to name a few. Fun read, girls!
5 Stars Must Have for Any Fashion Lover
Nina Garcia’s tome is a quick and educational read - frought with fun facts about the origin of some of our favorite items. She features classic items but encourages personal touches and personal expression. It’s so easy to read - I took it shopping with me one weekend and it was it’s own list!
5 Stars Loved this book
Loved the book, the writing was fun, the illustrations awesome, the layout great! I liked Nina Garcia’s previous book so I thought I’d try this one. I think I liked it better. It outlines the 100 items we should all have in our closets and why. The illustrations are fabulous and colorful. I liked the size too, small and cute. Nina writes like she talks on Project Runway, only friendlier. I highly recommend the book to fashion addicts.
5 Stars Fabulously Concise & Timeless Style Advice
ELLE/Marie Claire editor & Project Runway judge, Nina Garcia, presents a wealth of sound & timeless style advice amongst whimsical illustrations– perhaps a gentle reminder that fashion should be fun?
Nonetheless, this is a lovely book & I’ve given several as gifts.
5 Stars A Must to Own!
This is definitely a book every stylish woman should own as a reference book even though we each have our own tastes.
Curly Girl
April 12, 2009 by Skin Care · Leave a Comment
Curly girls of the world unite! Sixty-five percent of women have naturally curly hair, but for too long too many of these women have either been at a loss on how to care for their hair properly or, worse, have gone through life pretending they have straight hair. No more. Lorraine Massey, a professional hairstylist and passionate proponent of curly hair, celebrates the curly girl way of life, from hair care to carefree attitude.
Beginning with The Curly Girl’s Twelve-Step Program (Step Three: I will accept that the scalp and hair are two different entities with completely different needs, and I will treat them accordingly), CURLY GIRL is an illustrated how-to, support group, and tongue-in-cheek manifesto all in one.
There are tips on shampoo (never daily), conditioners (use lots), drying, combing (only when wet and well-conditioned), styling, getting the right cut, and how to Heal Thy Hair after years of strong detergents and damaging blow-dryers. There are before-and-after photographs, Curly Cues, self-help tests, confessions from curly girls, advice to take to your stylist. And for girls seeking their inner curl, compassion and encouragement to let their hair break free-and to put the fear of frizz behind them forever.
Because from now on there’s no such thing as a bad hair day.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars will never need another book on hair!
I have had curly 24in hair since 8th grade and never quit knew how to manage..this book transformed my life! As a new mom, it was STILL taking me 45 min to do or DRY my hair..with this book, I now take about 1 min after stepping from the shower and off I go…my hair has never looked better! I have bought this book over and over for other relatives and even THEY now swear by it! It’s a must for anyone fighting frizz and out of control curls…i now LOVE my curls! 
5 Stars A new generation for curls
I’ve always hated my Botticelli curls. Tried for years to flat iron them and to keep them from frizzing. It wasn’t until I was surfing the net that I found this book. Couldn’t believe that there were solutions for managing my curly hair. The book is filled with curly girl confessions that one can relate too. The steps and directions are easy to follow. My favorite part is the page where you determine your spring factor to find what type of curl that you have. Always thought my hair was wavy. Curly Girl is definitely a book for women/teens/children and even men, that were born with curly hair and for years, unsuccessfully managed their hair. If you want to learn away to make your curls bounce, shine and be frizz free, you got to buy this book.
2 Stars needs to be updated
I was quite excited to get this book, having seen an article about the author. I do appreciate what she’s trying to do — raise self esteem and educate women on their curly hair. But the book was a little disappointing. Here is why:
1) She’s a big enthusiast for not shampooing. A lot of women are JUST NOT GOING TO ACCEPT THAT! There are great products now that do not contain sulphates. (I use Giovanni from Whole Foods and it’s light and soft on my curls).
2) The how-to photos are nearly impossible to follow. You really can’t see what people are doing to their hair.
3) Not enough true before-and-after photos of the different hair types.
4) The ideas for cuttting and styling look really unfashionable/outdated.
5) The quality of the books printing is low, so you don’t see the people and their hair in their best light. In fact some of them look downright bad!
6) There is a lot of emphasis on blaming culture and family messages for our hatred of our curls. This book could dig a bit deeper: it’s clear women project bad feelings onto their curly hair WHEN THEY FEEL BAD, not the other way around. I know this is hard to believe, but do a little psychological digging…
7) Use gel on my hair? Not since the 80s… I could not go back to crunchy hair. I like it soft so I use, yes, a rather expensive hair creme. Nevertheless I will try and find a soft drying clear gel. I’m game to save a small fortune!
I already use little shampoo, use very moisturizing conditioner, dry my hair naturally and/or wrap around my fingers (not in the overly complicated way she shows with pins!).. and haven’t brushed my hair since the early 90s.
9) People react how they will, no matter how society develops. It’s a fact, men drool when I (occasionally) have my hair blown dry straight and flat ironed by a hairdresser. Ah well… It’s impossible for me to do it myself.
So, not too many revelations in this book for me.
5 Stars Give it a try and you won’t go back.
I have very naturally curly (3b) hair and this book has forever changed the way I treat my hair. I haven’t used a sulfate shampoo, a cone, heat styling, or any chemicals in years , and never will again. The basic concept of this book is that curly hair is delicate and should not be assualted with sulfates, cones (they build up in hair), or harsh heat styling. No two heads of hair will respond indentically to the same routine, so don’t give up if you try to follow this book’s advice and it doesn’t work right away. 1) Give it time, like a a couple of months (although you’ll start to see changes sooner than that), and 2) check out naturallycurly.com for all kinds of ideas and problem solving with ‘going CG’. There is really no end of different products, styling methods, and hair care routines.
4 Stars Did help my daughter’s matted hair
My daughter’s hair had curls when she was a baby. She now only has waves. I just could not manage her hair, which matted up so easily. I’ve had straight hair all my life and just didn’t know how to deal with curls and waves. This book was helpful. My husband summed it up as “don’t wash your hair.” Actually, the book doesn’t say that. It does say curly hair does not need not be washed as often as most people wash it. So, I tried it and washed my daughter’s hair only once a week as compared to every day. Lo and behold, it did help with the matting. That is pretty much my take home message from the book.
There are pages dealing with how to cut curly hair, which I thought might be helpful to my niece, who has curlier hair in back than front (cut it dry, not wet). It also shows where in the curl the cut should be. I don’t really have to deal with that, because my daughter’s hair is only wavy.
This book did work for us. I didn’t try all the recipes, but using conditioner every day followed by a wash once a week was all my daughter needed.
Making Faces
April 12, 2009 by Skin Care · Leave a Comment
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
User Ratings and Reviews
2 Stars Not the book to learn how to apply makeup for beginner or if you want detailed instruction.
I purchased book years ago before his passing after an appearance on Oprah. He does FABULOUS makeup and this book is more for admiring that….how he can transform celebrites like T-boz, Gweneth Paltrow,etc. He gives you very basic info but not detailed instructions like instead of saying get MAC such and such color lipstick or Nars such and such colored blush he says taupe colored lipstick or orangey shade blush, descriptions like that…..not good if you don’t know what blush is orangey or if you need something warm or cool, etc…More high level for maybe an aspiring makeup artist with plenty of makeup experience. Haven’t found a good book for makeup application but there are several great tutorials online…you can see real time application and exact products to purchase to achieve a look. More for admiring not teaching. Recommend going online until you find a better how-to book.
2 Stars No so helpful
I thought this book would give me all the tips and tricks to become an expert at applying my makeup. Not so. It is pretty basic and I did not find it to be very helpful.
5 Stars Great for beginners!
I purchased this as a gift for a friend who has just begun to take an interest in detailed makeup. I saw that the book had gotten good reviews and many have purchased it.
I looked through it before gifting it to her, and it appears to be a book aimed at those who have a basic understanding of makeup. If you are just starting to take an interest in high-end makeup and would like to get comfortable using quality makeup, this is a good book.
For more outlandish, exotic types of makeup application, I would pair this book with one geared more towards intense eyeshadow instruction.
Some great tips are in the book, though. I am fairly experienced and I learned some new tips!
5 Stars Fast and items was in prefect condition
I received the book fast and it was great. The book was in great condition and I am learning a lot of looks.
5 Stars MUST HAVE FOR ANY MAKEUP ARTIST!
This book is an absolute must-have for makeup artists, and makeup enthusiasts alike. I found the photography to be absolutely beautiful, and the makeovers are exquisite and intriguing. Although I found the overview (the first 68 pages) to be a bit too basic, I still learned a few things and it could be very useful to a non-artist in need of makeup help. The rest of the book is fantastic, especially the Vamp and Bombshell looks. Although I may not do these in real life, they can inspire other ideas and I can borrow to create new looks. I wish it had a more in-depth section on face contouring with more tips and tricks. Kevyn also leaves out steps here and there (probably on purpose) but any makeup artist could figure it out easily. He doesn’t go in depth about each full face application, just eyes, brows and lips. I bought this and Face Forward (for more advanced and creative looks than this one has) for about $20 with free shipping and it was definitely worth the money!
How Not to Look Old Fast and Effortless Ways to Look 10 Years Younger 10 Pounds Lighter 10 Times Better
April 12, 2009 by Skin Care · Leave a Comment
Forget getting older gracefully–This is the beauty and style bible every woman has been waiting for!HOW NOT TO LOOK OLD is the first–ever cheat sheet of to-dos and fast fixes that pay-off big time–all from Charla and her friends, the best hair pros, makeup artists, designers, dermatologists, cosmetic dentists and personal shoppers in the biz. Packed with eye-opening details on hair color, brows, lipstick, wrinkle-erasers, jeans, shapewear, jewelry, heels, and more, the book speaks to every woman: from low maintenance types who don’t want to spend a fortune or tons of time on her looks to high maintenance women who believe in looking fabulous at any price. There’s also too-old vs. just-right before and after photos, celebrity examples of good and bad style, shopping lists of Charla’s brilliant buys in fashion and beauty products, coveted addresses of “Where the top beauty pros go,” fun sidebars–and more.
Known to national audiences from her ten years on NBC’s Today show, style expert Charla Krupp dishes out her secrets in this “ultimate” to-do list for looking hip and fabulous — no matter what your age.
User Ratings and Reviews
3 Stars Painful Medicine
Before you buy this book do an image search of the author, Charla Krupp. One thing will become immediately obvious– the cover photo has been VERY heavily retouched. I also found it odd that this bogus pic is the only photo of her in a book comprised of beauty advice based on HER experience.
This book is a logical follow up to those frightful “Etiquette for Bubbas” books of the 80’s that taught ambitious parvenus how to use the right fork. The fear then was to look unpolished in front of your ivy league trust fund colleagues, now we just CANNOT look old in front of ANYBODY, EVER. Though there’s a lot of good advice, I didn’t find the author’s tone particularly likable. She’s like an annoyingly blunt acquaintance who sidles up to you to offer unsolicited beauty advice.
Others have accurately pointed out the many contradictions found in the text. They’ve also pointed out the good advice.
I have two other bones to pick:
1. The author gives short shrift (and questionable advice) on African American haircare options. Apparently she didn’t care enough to do real research for the one brief page she devotes to the subject.
2. She uses the tired, tautological term “general consensus.” Where was her EDITOR?
3. Books like this are obsolete by the time they go to press. A number of the injectables she mentions are no longer in use. Latisse is the latest thing for growing lashes. It’s been FDA approved for cosmetic use and marketed since the book was written. You are not getting the absolute last word on the latest products, though most of the cosmetic products she mentioned are still available.
All in all, it’s still a fun read. Check it out of the library. It’s not the kind of book you’ll refer to again and again.
3 Stars Useful, not perfect
I enjoyed this book. I’m 55 and am ultra low-maintenance. Still a hippy and all that. But - I started to realize I didn’t look as I young as I feel — indeed, I was looking droopy and rather pathetic…I suppose after after working in an office with women in their 20’s, I became more aware. At any rate, I got some good tips out of this book, and have made some changes in what I do. My little 20 year old friends have all commented how good I’ve been looking lately. I don’t have a great need to look Y&H, but I don’t want to look droopy either. I took what I wanted from the book and ignored the rest. I didn’t find the book insulting - just telling it like it is. When you get older, it shows. And, if you want, you can fight it a bit. why not? Am I going to get my teeth capped, my eyes fixed, or buy 1200 glasses just because Charla did? No. I’d rather save the money for a trip or a good meal out. However, I have begun to think sensibly about wearing only clothes that flatter me and not buying anything that doesn’t (regardless of price), saving for some good jeans, tending to my eyebrows, etc. I now wear a little makeup every day, bought perky new glasses, am more careful about facial routines. Etc. You may not need as much advice as I did…I suggest you check it out of the library and take a look and see if anything speaks to you. But, I wouldn’t dismiss it out of hand and I also wouldn’t follow it blindly. Finally, some of the negative reviewers really need to lighten up!
5 Stars I love looking great!
I am a trained and certified Image Consultant. I love finding a book that is easy to understand, colorful and right on with what is important to looking good at an older age.
The worst thing we can all do is not change.
[...]
1 Star What’s WRONG with looking old????!!!!!!
Scrape, cut, syringe, chop…you’re STILL going to age. So what? It sure beats the alternative (that’s death, stupid, NO ONE can go backwards). It’s PATHETIC how obsessed some folks are with changing their looks to the point of spending hours, countless dollars and years of heartbreak trying to fight something that is not only inevitable, but natural and normal. Be TRULY green, you bloody phonies - face reality and grow old with joy and ACCEPTANCE.
5 Stars An Excellent Guide to Looking Younger
“We’re going to fight aging - and we’re going to look great doing it.” ~ Charla Krupp
Charla Krupp has written an especially helpful book for women who are ready to embrace a more youthful attitude. Each chapter is a revelation as she explains how little things can make you look 10 or more years younger. The advice can be as simple as cutting some bangs or as complex as managing wrinkles with lasers, microdermabrasion and injectables. Charla Krupp agrees that staying beautiful may mean a little pain for a lot of gain.
Each chapter introduces new items you may want to buy and each chapter concludes with a list of “Brilliant Buys.” The chapter on keeping your teeth healthy is interesting but the fact that only 10 percent of Americans floss is a little shocking. There is a chapter on shapewear and a few chapters on how to dress younger. There are plenty of pictures, which makes this book even more entertaining. After you see the difference between dark lipstick and light pink I think you will agree that pink is better and makes you look younger. It may be time to toss your dark lipsticks.
There is a chapter on how to select the right pair of jeans and a chapter dedicated to finding the right shoes. The discussion about makeup is useful and I didn’t realize that you can use a primer before applying foundation.
While most of the advice is excellent and will help you look years younger there were a few concerns. On page 35 Charla Krupp talks about dying your eyebrows. It might be helpful to know that there is a special dye for eyebrows - you shouldn’t use your regular hair dye on your eyebrows. She also talks about getting a haircut every three to four “months.” I think she meant weeks.
Some of the things that can make you look younger include:
TOPPIK Hair Building Fibers…Medium Brown 10.3 grams
Olay regenerist thermal skin polisher
DuWop Venom Gloss
Smitten Hand Cream by LUSH
REVLON MoistureStay Fast Heat Up Luxury Paraffin Bath RVS1212
Tom’s of Maine - Toothpaste Propol-Myrrh-Fennel, 6 oz toothpaste
Nailtiques Protein Formula #2, 1/2oz.
Finishing Touch Lumina Lighted Hair Remover with Pivoting Head
~The Rebecca Review
P.S. On Valentine’s Day I used the tips in this book and felt at least ten years younger when I went out for the evening. I’d recommend this book to anyone 40 or older. The tips really work!
Organic Body Care Recipes
April 12, 2009 by Skin Care · Leave a Comment
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.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Lovely looking recipes and a good chunky book
I’ve not had the chance to read this completely yet as I am reading my soap making books first, but I have been tempted many times to glance at its contents and am not disappointed at my purchase so far.
The book is nice and thick, but easy to handle, and covers a wide range of areas for home-made cosmetics and cleansers. The recipe layout is clear and concise and has good detail such as the shelf-life of the product, which is essential to know if you are looking to experiment with new recipes or sell you own products. Recipe instructions are restricted to one page which makes the book much easier to reference and work with and is indicative of the book’s no-fuss style. I also love some of the titles for the recipes such as the “Out Damn Spot” Anti-blemish Elixir which throw in a subtle flavour of humour.
I have given the book 5 stars in anticipation of a great read and would recommend it to anyone, rookie or experienced, looking for inspiration in organic body care, both for commercial or personal use.
5 Stars This book is amazing!!!
I wanted to start trying to make my own skin care products, because I felt like I was messing up my face putting all of these chemicals on it. So I bought this book and purchased all of my products and materials. It was the best thing I have ever done. My skin has never felt so smooth!! Some of the materials are a bit pricey, but they last a while and the end result is awesome!! If you’re looking to make your skin feel good and do it organically, then this is the book for you!!
4 Stars so over the overpriced, overpackaged and overprocessed.
I was lucky enough to purchase this book here on Amazon but through the Goodwill. The book arrived faster than anticipated (three days) and in perfect condition. Plus, I was able to support a great organization. I purchased this book because I am tired of buying items that I can make myself that are also better for me. Typically I would spend twice as much on an “organic” or more “natural” product in the natural foods etc aisle at the store. I found a few products that I love, such as Alba chap stick and after reading the ingredients on the label, decided that it should be simple enough to make myself. After purchasing this book I made some of the chapstick/gloss and it is the most luxurious once done and cheap to make. This book not only includes many useful recipes but also the basic biology behind it all. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is so over overspending on overly processed products.
5 Stars This book makes a great gift
I purchased this book for my girlfriend and she loved it. I flipped through it when it came in and I wanted to keep it for myself! It is full of great recipes and ideas for homemade beauty products. I just think I might order one for myself
3 Stars Not What I Expected
I purchased this book based on the glowing reviews here, but was disappointed somewhat. It’s not what I expected at all since I was looking for something that might help me create some products to market. There are lots of recipes. Many are more than simple, such as Honey Cream Bath, mix honey and cream — Lip scrub, baking soda and a toothbrush — Banana mask, mix banana and cream — Honey mask, raw honey and apply, –tooth twig, cut a twig and chew. Though there are many recipes that are more in depth, I guess I was expecting something more. If you are thinking about something you could use to help you with ideas that you might bottle and market, there is no mention of natural preservation that I could find other than one reference to vitaman e oil. So if you want a book with things you can use at home for simple personal use Only then this is probably a good book for that. But if you were looking for something that would give you ideas for marketing face creams, lotions etc, this is not it. I wish I had read more thoroughly.
