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Style Stacks Up ; Good Looks From Beauty Books

Posted on: Friday, 29 July 2005, 09:00 CDT

Not sure what to wear on a first date? Nervous about the definition of business attire? Have no clue whether your style sense should be labeled conservative, fashion-forward or jet set?

A stack of new style and beauty books aims to answer these questions and more, offering advice on everything from wedding- guest attire to Botox injections to holistic skin care.

Popular TV shows such as Full Frontal Fashion and Extreme Makeover have been spun off into style guides; plastic surgeons are sharing skin-care plans; and personal shoppers are giving tips for optimal wardrobe maintenance.

We looked at some of this year's releases and their fashion and beauty tips, so you can decide if the books warrant space on your shelf.

Because, as Ilene Beckerman writes in Makeovers at the Beauty Counter of Happiness, "During my life, I've spent thousands of hours and thousands of dollars on my hair, my makeup and my clothes, trying to look prettier because I grew up believing that pretty girls had happier lives. I'd be a lot happier now if I had that time and that money back."

INFOBOX

The book: Makeovers at the Beauty Counter of Happiness (Algonquin Books, $15.95), by Ilene Beckerman

The basics: The author of Love, Loss and What I Wore writes about beauty standards and their effects on self-esteem in light, easy-to- digest bites.

The tip: "I realized long ago that reading magazines to find answers to beauty problems was useless. The advice they give in the 21st century is no different from the advice they gave in the 1950s: don't use soap on your face, drink lots of water and moisturize. It cost 15 cents to learn that from a magazine in 1957, 60 cents in 1971 and almost $4 in 2004.

"My husband never reads magazines to find out how to improve himself. He's never coveted Sean Connery's beauty secrets. My husband's had the same hairdo for 25 years, even though now he has a lot less hair. When he looks in the mirror, he's not looking for imperfections - he's just glad to see that his reflection is still there."

The book: Sam Saboura's Real Style (Clarkson Potter, $17.95), by Sam Saboura

The basics: The host of ABC's Extreme Makeover doles out style advice for women of all body types.

The tip: "Spending a lot of money on a hot, trendy bag? Be careful. Styles change faster than you can say 'Louis Vuitton.' You don't want to be caught dead toting last season's look when the magazines are gushing over something new. If you are willing to spend a fortune on a bag, make sure it's a classic that will look stylish for years to come."

* Not sure how to interpret the dress code on a wedding invitation? Cocktail means any length of a dress is fine as long as it is elegant. For black tie, a long gown, a dressy evening separate or a knee-length cocktail dress is appropriate - nothing shorter. And when it comes to white tie, a long gown is a must, paired with long white gloves.

The book: Secrets of a Fashion Therapist: What You Can Learn Behind the Dressing Room Door (HarperResource, $14.95), by Betty Halbreich with Sally Wadyka

The basics: In this volume, reprinted in its third edition since 1977, Halbreich, the legendary director of personal shopping services at New York's Bergdorf Goodman, gives a guide for women on finding clothes that make them distinctive and secure in their taste.

The tip: Favorite color combos:

* Gray looks great with most other neutrals. Try it with black, brown and other shades of gray.

* Navy mixed with red and a touch of white still connotes spring to me.

* Pink, coral and peach are all very becoming to the complexion and go beautifully with navy, light gray, brown or beige.

* Heather blue, lavender and lilac are gorgeous in combination with lighter shades of gray and brown.

* Burgundy looks very rich paired with light gray or a darker charcoal shade, but if you're really adventurous, try it with a paler, almost skin-toned pink.

The book: Absolute Beauty: A Renowned Plastic Surgeon's Guide to Looking Young Forever (William Morrow, $23.95), by Gerald Imber, M.D.

The basics: Imber offers anti-aging and less-invasive plastic surgery options. Gives a plan of skin care, exercise, vitamins and diet; notes on the advances of Botox, wrinkle fillers, fat transfers and microsuction are provided.

The tip: Don't wait until your 35th birthday, and don't wait until changes are obvious. Head them off now. The worst that can happen in seeking help too early is that you will be reassured and will have opened up a line of communication that will later prove invaluable.

General rules:

* Don't smoke.

* Don't gain and lose weight.

* Don't get too thin.

* Don't run. Moderation counts.

* Facial exercises are a wrinkle workout. Don't do them.

* Avoid the sun.

The book: Pure Skin: Organic Beauty Basics (Chronicle, $19.95), by Barbara Close

The basics: A book about holistic skin care, with information on the benefits of nutritional medicine, aromatherapy, herbal remedies, massage, water cures and mind-body techniques.

The tip: "A clarifying parsley toner is excellent for skin that is prone to breakouts and blemishes. Parsley is a clarifying herb, and tea tree has strong antiseptic properties that help clear blemishes. Apple cider vinegar is also a blemish fighter because it has a high acid content, and the bacteria that cause blemishes cannot thrive in an acidic environment."

A recipe:

1 ounce fresh parsley leaves, bruised

1/2 cup distilled water

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

4 drops tea tree oil

4-ounce bottle with spray atomizer

Place the parsley in a French press. In a small pan, bring distilled water to a rolling boil and pour over the parsley. Let steep for 10 minutes, plunge and let cool. Pour apple cider vinegar and tea tree oil into bottle and top off with parsley infusion. Cap with spray atomizer and shake well. Spritz face liberally. Keep in refrigerator for added soothing benefits.

The book: Full Frontal Fashion: Never Worry Again About What to Wear (Plume, $18), by Full Frontal Fashion contributors.

The basics: From the creators of the WE channel's TV show, the book offers advice from designers, editors and stylists.

The tip: Without exception, these are travel must-haves:

* Sleek black pants in a chic, travel-ready fabric, such as lightweight crepe with a bit of sheen.

* A dignified pencil skirt hemmed at the knee.

* A black shift dress.

* An evening skirt fashioned from a sheer fabric.

* Four tops: a fitted T-shirt, a lightweight short-sleeved knit (cashmere is ideal), a basic camisole and a blouse in a fun color, print or interesting fabric design.

* A lightweight cashmere V-neck in a soft color.

* A shrunken blazer.

* Three pairs of shoes (wear one). One pair of dressy heels, one pair of comfy, shoes and hiking boots if needed.

"I realized long ago that reading magazines to find answers to beauty problems was useless. The advice they give in the 21st century is no different from the advice they gave in the 1950s: Don't use soap on your face, drink lots of water and moisturize."

Ilene Beckerman, author of Makeovers at the Beauty Counter of Happiness

Good looks from beauty books

The book: The Shopping Bags: Tips, Tricks and Inside Information to Make You a Savvy Shopper (Dutton, $19.95), by Anna Wallner and Kristina Matisic

The basics: An encyclopedic guide to cosmetics, electronics, fashion and food. The book is a companion guide to the authors' hit Canadian TV show.

The tip: "Avoid paying retail. This is especially true if you shop at chain stores like Banana Republic or department stores like Nordstrom, where eventually most merchandise goes on sale. Believe us, we've tested this theory! At the start of every season, we hit all the chain stores and make a list or take digital pictures of items we want, and then we track them."

Source: Rocky Mountain News

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