I was in a pissy mood yesterday and anyone who got in my way felt the brunt of my pain. It's nothing in particular, just that time of the month. Not that it's an excuse to act bitchy but don't ask me questions unless you want your head bitten off, chewed up and spat out. To make matters worse, I received a book in the mail called "How Not To Look Old". Yes, great -- thanks for reminding me that 40 is just lurking around the corner. I stuck it on the bottom of my pile of "work" and decided to get to it another time. But after everyone had gone to bed and there was no one for me to pick on, I found myself with spare time on my hands. So I pulled the book out and decided to see what wisdom it had to impart.
The title page read "Fast and Effortless Ways to Look 10 Years Younger, 10 Pounds Lighter, 10 Times Better". Yeah, uh huh, it's called "Face lift, liposuction, and a bottle of wine". (I did not have high hopes for this book but felt it my duty to read and report to you.) I continue on and found my self laughing out loud at the "shout outs" author Charla Krupp (long time Beauty Editor of Glamour magazine) gives at the beginning of each chapter. "Nothing Ages You Like.... Too Long hair that's parted down the middle, a solid block of hair color, gray or white brow hairs, obvious lip liner, yellow teeth etc etc". To make a long story short, I ended up staying up half the night giggling over the photos and fast tips Krupp gives throughout the book. There were more than a few instances when I gasped and thought "I MUST STOP DOING THAT!" I went to bed with a smile on my face and excited about waking up to utilize some of the tips. (jump for more tips!)
Buy How Not to Look Old: Fast and Effortless Ways to Look 10 Years Younger, 10 Pounds Lighter, 10 Times Better
for $16.97 on Amazon.com
Some of the most notable tips are eye shadow application. She shows photos of the "old" way and the "just right way". For example, bright bands of shadow color and a single strip of false lashes? OLD! Blend nutral shadows and add small clusters of fake lashes are more natural and youthful. Another example is shadowing your eyes:
The Old Way: Paint three distinct color blocks on the lid, one atop another, with the top tier a pearly white up to the brow bone. (So many of my friends are guilty of this! They think they're blending but it looks scary!)
The Newer Way: Use two neutral colors and blend them so they look natural.
Oh, and there are lots of tips from experts like Chanel's Chief International Make Up artist Susan Sterling who advises to never match your shadow with the color of your eyes because it's "TACKY!". The author and her friends do not mince words and you must read it for yourself!
The book is highly addictive and funny to boot.
I just checked this book out from my local library & I love it!
Although I'm younger than the intended age group for this book, there are so many tips & tricks that ANYONE can use! Definitely worth checking out.