BellaSugar

Bella Book: Being Simply Beautiful

BellaSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:01:41 -0800

Lymphatic drainage massage tutorials, correct lipstick application, a seven-minute workout, an explanation of the body's glandular systems, even Kegels - author Helen Noble's new book Being Simply Beautiful packs a lot of info into its slender 128 pages. Noble, the founder of luxe skincare line Belacrema and a big believer in natural beauty and traditional medicines, seems to have put her entire life philosophy into this book, and a lot of it's very useful. This is one woman's approach to beauty, and it reads like a knowledgeable friend who really wants to help you, even if her ideas are sometimes a little kooky.

As a reader, I was inclined to cherry-pick the bits of most use to me, because although Noble's explanations are elegant and accessible, there's a profusion of "hippie mom" talk that I, ever the cynic, would have been happy to skip over. Overall, if you're looking for a real woman's perspective on natural beauty, and especially if you don't mind a heaping dose of Chinese traditional medicine lite, Being Simply Beautiful (which comes out in stores Dec. 1) is a good one to pick up.

Bella Book: You'd Be So Pretty If . . .

BellaSugar — Fri, 08 May 2009 07:00:02 -0700

My childhood is remembered in small snippets, some of which continue to shape me today. One of those moments involved a 12-year-old Bella and her mom, who said, "You'd be so pretty if you didn't have your father's nose." (Guess who grew up to find microscopic imperfections with her schnoz.)

My mom probably wouldn't have said that if she'd read You'd Be So Pretty If . . ., a book on body image written by Dara Chadwick. Although its target audience is the mommy brigade, there's plenty in here if you're not a parent - or if, um, you have lingering issues with the way your parents approached your appearance. Chadwick examines the complex dynamics between mothers and their daughters, encouraging women to help girls develop self-esteem and avoid body-image problems. It's not an appropriate Mother's Day gift - that is, unless you're the queen of passive aggression - but it's worth checking out if you're a mom, an aunt, a big sister, or just someone who wants to learn how to be a little kinder to herself.

Bella Book: Style, Naturally

BellaSugar — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 09:00:11 -0800

The green movement is growing quickly, and a new book aims to help shoppers track down fair-trade, organically grown, and earth-friendly fashion and beauty. Style, Naturally is a surprisingly hefty tome (printed on recycled paper, naturally) covering clothes, accessories, and beauty products. Author Summer Rayne Oakes is a model and green activist, and her passion for planet-friendly style is contagious.

The book explains why sustainable products are a wise choice not only for the planet, but also for your own personal health. (In the beauty section, you'll probably be freaked out by a long list of harmful chemicals found in most beauty products.) Along with profiles of eco-style pioneers, the pages are filled with photos of green fashion and beauty - kind of like a treehuggin' version of Lucky. That's actually the only part of the book I'm not crazy about; especially in the beauty section, I want to know why a certain product is worth buying, not just see a pretty picture of it. The book also does little to dispel the myth that buying eco-friendly products is only for the financially well-off. (Most people can't afford $50 pairs of hemp knickers and $62 bath oil.) But if you're interested in learning why shopping sustainably makes sense, and you'd like a little eye candy, this book is worth picking up.

Bella Book: The Japanese Skincare Revolution

BellaSugar — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:00:24 -0800

When it comes to beauty, I'll admit that I can always learn more about having a healthy complexion. So when I heard of a book that Japanese women consider to be their go-to guide to skin care, I took notice. Esthetician Chizu Saeki's The Japanese Skincare Revolution ($14) has recently been translated to English, and it draws upon her 45 years of beauty industry experience.

Focusing on a simple, cost-effective approach, the majority of this short read centers on positive thinking (quit zeroing in on those spots and fine lines) and ideas for tweaking products you already have. The most important tool for beauty? Your hands, says Saeki.

What separates this book from others is her fun ideas: a DIY lotion mask made with cotton pads, a honey lip treatment, a shower cap steam pack (scary looking, but effective), and a water bottle face massage that I'm dying to try. Interactive and engaging, Saeki also includes surveys to help you determine what type of skin you have and tests to determine elasticity, moisture levels, and symmetry of the face (my right side is the "slacker" side). We all know we don't need to spend a fortune to look like a million bucks, and I'm all for Saeki's feel-good message. It's like having an older, sage relative dishing advice. "Take in beauty with all your senses," she says. And now I'm off to practice my facial exercise routine by reciting the five Japanese vowels: ah-ay-ee-oh-oo.

Bella Book: The Beauty Diet

BellaSugar — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 07:00:12 -0800

You are what you eat, right? That's what nutritionist Lisa Drayer will have you believing (and then some) in her new book, The Beauty Diet: Looking Great Has Never Been So Delicious ($15.61).

A registered dietitian, Bayer devotes the majority of this read discussing the nutritional value of foods, naming 10 of the best for a beautiful appearance. (Psst. One of them is chocolate.) She also spills the beans (literally) on what you should eat to provide the best nutrients for hair, nails, skin, teeth, and eyes. And if you tend to get purpley under your peepers, like me, say no to extra salt. Capiche?

While some advice is common sense (get adequate rest, exercise, let go of tension), I found this book to be a great reminder of what it takes to stay healthy - while looking good in the process, of course.

See what other goodies you'll find, along with my opinion, when you read more.

Seeing that I'm a bit of a foodie, the recipes and menu plan towards the end of the book were a personal favorite. I made the sweet potato, zucchini, and goat cheese frittata and it's an 11 out of 10 - delish. I appreciated that her ideas were creative, fresh, and gourmet without the fuss. Green tea frozen yogurt, anyone?

Overall, this read provides a great way of looking at food in a different light. While there's lots of information to digest (ha), it's well-organized, and has some solid advice on maintaining your health and gorgeous self. It's true what they say. Garbage in, garbage out - and this one's not headed toward the disposal.

Bella Book: Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual

BellaSugar — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:00:05 -0800

From her makeovers on The Today Show to her columns in Prevention, I've found makeup guru Bobbi Brown's tips to be straight to the point with a little bit of unexpectedness. So, it's no surprise her new book, Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual: For Everyone From Beginner to Pro ($21.12), has tips on everything from leading a healthy lifestyle to applying dramatic makeup like a geisha.

This book, Brown's fifth, was written "as a complete reference guide for everyone who wants to know about beauty and makeup." It's got your standard makeup-y advice: what’s what when it comes to brushes, tools, application methods, skin care, and choosing colors/formulations. To find out what differentiates it from the rest, read more.

But what separates it from your run-of-the-mill makeup guides is the intense knowledge that her 25 years in the business brings. For those interested in careers in makeup artistry, Brown's degree in theatrical makeup comes into play, as she offers up advice on preparing looks for TV, film, and stage, along with tips on building a portfolio. My favorite parts? An amazing section on concealing and correcting under eye circles and a simple to follow 10-step guide to perfect makeup.

While the comprehensive nature of the book may be a little overwhelming at times, Brown somehow manages to keep it mostly short and sweet. Brown's impeccable taste, toned-down style, reassuring nature, and no-nonsense approach is always appealing. Plus, there's something here for everyone: from multicultural skin to bridal beauty to the history of makeup to a list of famous makeup artists - the title of this beauty manual says it all.

Bella Book: Vintage Hairstyling

BellaSugar — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 10:00:46 -0800

It's no secret that Mad Men has popularized retro fashion - and if you're looking for some tips on Joan and Peggy's makeup, these straight-from-the-set secrets will help you achieve their looks. Hair, on the other hand, is a little more involved. That's where Vintage Hairstyling ($29.95) comes in. Hair and makeup artist Lauren Rennells has created a full-color guide to recreating classic styles from the '40s through early '60s. Whether you're looking for pin curls, victory rolls, finger waves, or pompadours, you'll find easy step-by-step instructions. While some of the looks are too stiff for me personally, others are delightful if you're trying to work a softer retro vibe. And though it should go without saying, this would be a fantastic gift for the Dita Von Teese wannabe in your life.

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Bella Quiz: 20th Century Beauty, Part I

BellaSugar — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 07:00:19 -0800

The nerd in me loves history and the lady in me loves makeup. So, imagine my excitement levels when a dear friend of mine lent me Face of the Century: 100 Years of Makeup and Style, a great coffee table book she picked up at a yard sale.

Filled with old pictures and writer Kate de Castelbajac's brilliant bits of beauty information, the book provides the details on makeup and style one decade at a time. Want to learn some fun facts from this read? Take my quiz to test your makeup smarts from the 1900s-1940s, and look for my quiz on the 1950s-1990s to come.

Take the quiz

Bella Book: Looking Younger

BellaSugar — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 09:00:11 -0800

I know what you're thinking: "I don't need to look any younger, so this book, Looking Younger ($13.17) is just not for me."

Well, don't judge a book by its cover. Although written with an older audience in mind, this isn't an old fashioned makeup guide. Author Robert Jones, a painter-turned-makeup artist, explains in great detail how to choose colors, formulations, and application techniques based on your needs and facial structure.

With over 20 years of experience, Jones has created an encyclopedia of the ins and outs of makeup. His focus is to prevent you from making beauty mistakes - like inadvertently aging yourself with wrong choices - which spans all ages. While some parts may not be applicable to the under-30 crowd, let's face it. We all age. D'oh, even right now.

My favorite part? The magnificent tips he provides. And although not a quick read, for this price it's worth it just for the wonderful nuggets of information alone, particularly an eye makeup chart complete with shadow and liner choices. All in all, Looking Younger is like Makeup 101 and beyond for the mature (and not-so-mature) crowd.

Bella Book: The Beauty Myth

BellaSugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 08:00:49 -0700

I know many of us have already read The Beauty Myth, Naomi Wolf's 1991 screed against tyrannical ideals of beauty. But at this point, it's worth revisiting the bestseller - or reading it for the first time if you haven't already. Wolf turns a critical eye on advertisers, magazines, and our culture in general, pointing out the unrealistic standards that we women try to attain. Women, she argues, are kept busy trying to live up to a perfect standard of female beauty, and in the process, we miss out on creating more solid accomplishments.

When the book was published, Wolf took a lot of heat for her questionable statistics about eating disorders. (Fair enough, but whether 100 or 1000 women starve themselves to death every year, shouldn't we still try to improve body image?) And in 2008, some of Wolf's observations seem almost quaint in the age of size 00, Botox and extreme Photoshop. Still, any woman who's interested in beauty should read this book. Doing so doesn't mean you have to lose your lipstick or give up your highlights, but Wolf's ideas will make you question the way you define beauty.