Product Description

Overflowing with know-how, passion, and secrets revealed, BEAUTY by Rona Berg is the only beauty book you'll ever need. BEAUTY is filled with step-by-step how-tos, professional techniques, brand and product comparisons, and inside tips gleaned from a pro's pro who's covered the world of beauty for The New York Times Magazine, Elle magazine and other national publications.

The book tackles all three major categories-The Face, Hair, The Body. The emphasis is on simplicity and a healthy, natural approach, and the range cuts across all ethnicities and ages. There are five-minute skin regimes, facials, makeup tricks and health tips. How to reduce stress in the bath and pamper yourself with an easy home spa. The long and short of hair care - including what to do on bad hair days. Remedies for beauty emergencies (eyes puffy from fatigue? do what the models do and use a dab of Preparation H). Plus makeovers, recipes, historical lore, stories, time-lines, and an extensive glossary and list of resources. It's a knock-out.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #90822 in Books
• Published on: 2001-01-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 416 pages

From Publishers Weekly
New looks for the new century come courtesy of Rona Berg, former beauty editor of the New York Times Magazine and Elle. In Beauty: The New Basics she demystifies the subject with thorough discussions and recommendations. The emphasis is on beauty from within and making the most of one's own attributes. Her models are real women at various stages of maturity, and she doesn't shy away from discussing aging early on. In each section Berg evaluates products on the market, offers advice on inexpensive alternatives and includes her own "Rona's Remedies." She encourages comparison shopping, experimentation and having fun in the process. A glossary and appendixes on cosmetic surgery, sources, spas and salons and a reading list enhance this friendly, supportive guide. ( Mar.)
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"Chock-full of illustrative makeovers, essential info including the lowdown on products." -- Working Mother

From the Back Cover
It's the new basics of beauty, with more than 400 jam-packed pages of information, techniques, and attitude.

Overflowing with know-how, passion, and secrets revealed, Beauty is a celebration of looking good and feeling good that emphasizes simplicity and a healthy, natural approach-while acknowledging that the right lipstick can change your life.

Comprehensive and compelling, its focus is head-to-toe beauty for woman of all ages, ethnicities, and stages of life.

Brands are named, products tested, labels demystified, recommendations given. Chapters are filled with essential step-by-step how-tos, from the best way to apply eye shadow to creating a home spa, along with proven tips, tricks, and techniques from makeup artists, aestheticians, hair stylists, and fashion industry insiders.

And then there is the fun of it: Rona's Remedies for beauty emergencies and bad hair days, illustrated time lines of beauty milestones and historical turning points, and full-color face and hair makeovers that show how to put it all together.

Customer Reviews

Outdated
I just received my copy in the mail and skimmed through the entire book in about 4 hours. The make it at home stuff was neat but I thought just buying it already together was faster and cheaper. I got a little bored with it as I already knew just about everything she mentioned thanks to beauty magazines. As always no one mentions Mary Kay products. I tried to look up several websites and many were outdated and the sites were closed. I do plan on returning it and am angry at myself for not noticing the publishing date and that i have to pay shipping again. Don't waste your money! Beauty magazines are just as informational as well as having newer tips and there are so many new products out since this book was published. Since i can't change the stars I should probably make it 1 star.

much more than just the basics
I bought this book about a year ago and refer to it often. I agree with other reviewers that it contains a wealth of information about beauty and the beauty industry.

However, in going back and rereading this book I have noticed a few things that I disagree with. Berg mentions in a few different places that mineral oils clog pores and should not be used by people who are prone to breakouts. This is debateable; there are plenty of dermatologists who believe that mineral oil is not comedogenic. Berg also discusses the anti-acne drug Accutane in a brief paragraph and writes, "although it works, its potential to do harm far outweighs its potential to do good." Accutane can cause harsh side effects in some people, which is why it should be used a last resort when other medications have not been been effective, but it can also work wonders. Although of course Berg is entitled to her own opinion, I think she could have provided a more balanced view of the drug; it can cause harsh side effects but can also be extremely effective.

I also found some of her advice regarding head lice a bit odd. On page 203 she advises that to prevent head lice one should "spritz hair with a mixture of lavender and water". Since lice are quite hardy and regular shampooing doesn't kill them, I don't know why a combination of lavender and water would prevent them. To treat lice, she writes to "coat hair with olive oil (lice slip off) or spray generously with hairspray". Hairspray?

Despite my own difference of opinion on a few topics I do feel like I've learned a lot from this book, and would definitely recommend it. It's easy to read and well-organized, and quite comprehensive. I like Berg's product recommendations; since there is no revenue from advertisers involved (unlike with magazines), I put more faith into her opinions. Although the title of the book is "Beauty: the New Basics" it covers much more than just the basics.

Comprehensive
I found this book to be very informative and comprehensive. It is a must read for anyone who wants to learn how to take care of herself. The only problem I have with this book is the product suggestions are outdated. Many of the products are no longer on the market. But it teaches enough for you to be able to use it as a guide in selecting similar products.