It’s holiday shopping time and while you are out there on Cyber Monday, you might be shopping on Cyber Tuesday because it seems it’s not just one day but a few all stretched together. ( At what point did it start being Black Tuesday and turn into Cyber Sunday/Monday/Tuesday?. *shaking head here, a bit confused)
Books are gifts that keep on giving– particularly the non-fiction, giving you tips that really do make sense and some are just plain smart!! Here is a round-up of books that have crossed my desk and my eyeballs that are worth the time, effort and $$ to buy. Whether you give them as gifts or if you keep them for yourself, these books are worth the read and the purchase!!
Nina Garcia Look Book: What to Wear for Every Occasion
This tres chic book guides you as if this Project Runway, Target Bargainista spokesperson/stylist were right there with you to guide you through the maze of events from first dates to cocktail parties, work, holidays, family events — even job interviews and how to do it right from head to toe. She’s not just talking fashion! Nina’s talking beauty too and gives you tips on things you might not think about.
Love the graphics of the book and it fits in without making you feel like you have to live up to those models since they are illustrations. I think Nina’s tone is just like what you hear and see on Project Runway and in her Target commercials. This make sense. It’s do-able and you can dress out of your closet for the most part.
No More Dirty Looks: The Truth about Your Beauty Products. by Siobhan O’Connor & Alexandra Sprunt.
This book is smaller and easier to read than the other “beauty bible” out there about what’s in your beauty products (and the matching skincare line attached to it). What I like about this book is that these two women focus on the ingredients and talk about what they do – or don’t do to your body, skin, and hair. The interesting part is that the book starts out with hair– coiincidentally the Brazilian Blowout and talks about the current situation with keratin treatments. This book has a copyright in 2010 and published in 2010 so these two nailed the formaldehyde issue down pretty well. (While I covered it back about 3 years ago on this blog, I didn’t link it to any specific branded keratin treatment. I found out this year as I was working on stories about them, just what was in them (or not) and who was willing to talk about it).
The point of this book is about ingredients, regulartion and what’s in products like skincare, cosmetics, body care products, and nails and what you should– or shouldn’t use. Siobhan and Alexandra even talk about diet and lifestyle– so there’s no stone left unturned. While they don’t get into looking at every single brand out there, they tell you what to look at and what to look for. After alll, they are assuming that if you are buying the book, you are smart enough to know follow their directions and look at ingredient labels and figure out what’s on the list and what’s not.
The Bra Book: The Fashion Formula to Finding the Perfect Bra by Jene’ Luciani is a must-have book for any woman. With an opening letter from supermodel Beverly Johnson, this is one great book. It’s handy, informative and useful/
No matter your size: whether smaller or larger busted, younger or older, this is the fashion book + a book that shows you how to find the right bra for every occasion ONCE you have found the right size bra. Yes, you will have to try on bras– and go to different stores. Victoria’s Secret isn’t the only location to find great bras. There are online stores like HopesChest.co.com or Bare Necessities, you can find the perfect fitting bra for you. What’s great about Jene’s book is that she tells you how to not make the bra faux pas. It’s the must have book for any and every woman!
Ever want to know how to get those sexy glam eyes that all the models or celebrities have? Buy Style Eyes by Taylor Chang Babaian
I have known Taylor Chang-Babaian for a few years. She’s a celebrity make-up artist that doesn’t seek the lime-light but does want to share her tips, tricks & techniques– and she has an amazing technique that made my make-up last from 11:30 AM to early evening without a smudge, crease or a flake. This book is like taking a course on how to apply make-up and how to do different eye looks. It’s so fun– and she makes it so easy. What was most interesting is that I got a black & white galley a few years back and it was gorgeous but it was all black & white. I lost the color effect. Now seeing the finished product (that magically showed up on my door step a couple months ago), I am floored by what Taylor has put together.
I had done a podcast with Taylor back in January 2010. Here’s the link. . Check it out and make sure you buy this book! It’s the perfect gift for the beauty junky bff. It’s a great gift for someone’s who’s going bridal on you. (as in going postal about all the makeup looks). And it’s a great gift to give yourself!!
That’s 4 books. Look for more books to be reviewed that will be a broader mix of non-fiction and fiction. Happy shopping
Stevie Wilson, LA-Story.com
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The book is easy to read, clear, concise and user-friendly!! I love it. I would hand this out to teens, college-age young women and any woman who doesn’t really wear much make-up or thinks that using any old shampoo from the supermarket is ok as long as it’s cheap. (I am not saying all low end shampoos are bad– I am saying that price is the the determining factor on whether the product is good for your face, skin, hair or body. It’s the ingredients- plain and simple. I have had fabulous inexpensive products and horrific reactions from expensive ones. Buy the book and learn a bit from these two experts!!
The Bra Book The Fashion Formula to Finding the Perfect Bra. by Jene’ Luciani,
This book opens up with a letter from supermodel Beverly Johnson. Do not forget to read this. This book is like the encyclopedia of bras and how to find the right one for you and even Beverly Johnson knows that you have to love what you have. You may not be big busted (and wishing you had more) or you have that full figure (and wishing you had less) or maybe you just want help on how to deal with what you have. Jene’ gives you all the information and even I started realizing that when your weight changes, so does your bra size. Motherhood has the same effect. You need to make sure that you have the right bra because it can make you look younger, slimmer and fitter. We all want to look slimmer, trimmer, and younger — right?
So snag this book and head to a good department or intimate apparel specialty store (and that’s not necessarily Victoria’s Secret– though it could be) to get measured and find the size you really are and go find a bra that fits. It’s not a one style fits all situation.
I was at the Women’s Conference covering for Glam.com and got measured by Hope’s Chest an online intimate apparel store and found out I was NOT the size I thought I was. Hah! Should have had this book with me. It’s a great help when you need to find the right bra, how to find the right bra for the right outfit — and what not to buy. While you can’t make a mountain out of a molehille, you can make the best of what you do have- and this book can help you do that. (Do realize that you will eventually have to hit a store to try on various brands and styles of bras.!)
