Allure: Confessions of a Beauty Editor (Hardcover)

~ Linda Wells (Author), Editors of Allure (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Erase myths like "dabbing toothpaste on a zit will make it disappear." Remember that face cream, once opened, has only six months to live. It's this type of credible, proven information--and dozens of other tidbits--that'll make anyone's eyes open wide, not shut. From the editorial brains of Allure magazine and its editor in chief, Linda Wells, this candid, no-holds-barred book provides data in an easy-to-digest manner--provocative headlines ("Tricks of the Trade," "Beauty Myths"), 1 commandment for each of 10 chapters, three- to five-step how-tos for basic beauty chores (for instance salon waxing or shaving)--in short, a practical treasure trove from experts. Every page, in fact, should elicit a surprised look, an ah-ha. Antiperspirants do not cause cancer--or Alzheimer's. Shape nails in "squoval" fashion (squared-off ovals). And long hair should not extend past breasts. Skin, facial, and whole-body advice for any age. Barbara Jacobs
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Description

After 15 years as Allure's editor-in-chief, Linda Wells has learned a thing or two about beauty--things that other people might not tell you. From how to keep lip gloss on longer than six minutes, to the best fix for frizzy hair, to how to use the latest anti-aging products, ALLURE: CONFESSIONS OF A BEAUTY EDITOR has all the answers. The book includes essential makeup techniques, sidebars, expert tips, emergency fixes, and information on how to get the best products for your money. Writing with the humor and honesty for which Allure is known, Linda and her editors share every dirty secret, explode many common beauty myths, and give readers the honest truth about how to look their best.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Bulfinch (October 2, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 082125779X
• ISBN-13: 978-0821257791
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #75,020 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

78 of 84 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I want my money back!, November 13, 2006

By	tme (Washington D.C.) - See all my reviews

If I could give this book NO stars, I would. I feel so gypped -- this has NO new information unless you are an absolute beginner. Even my 14 year old daughter couldn't believe how remedial this book is. There are NO secrets or inside information here about the beauty industry, or a collection of beauty editors' favorite products and little known miracle workers, which was what I thought I was getting. Instead I get stupid stuff like: exfoliation is good for the skin!, dilute heavy foundation with a little bit of moisturizer! Deep conditioning your hair once a week really helps! Don't pop your pimples! Tip your stylist 15%!
I'm serious, this is about as detailed as this book gets -- they don't mention ANY product names or lines, so please don't waste your money and get this book. I agree with an earlier poster who said this is a complete waste of time, and I have to wonder at reviewers who gave this a good review. I don't get it.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Nothing new here, January 22, 2007

By	Janice (Arlington, VA) - See all my reviews

In "Allure: Confessions of a Beauty Editor," Linda Wells, the editor of Allure, provided beauty tips for skincare, makeup, and hair. Not having read the reviews, I had intiailly thought it was a book about the life of an editor in a beauty magazine, sort of like the other "confessions of a..." books. I was quite disappointed with this book as Linda Wells offered nothing new here, especially for readers who read fashion and beauty magazines. There were a few useful tips here and there but as a whole, it wasn't anything you have not heard of. It definitely did not justify the retail price of $24.99. If you would like to purchase this book, I suggests that you get it from the library or at the very least browse through it from a bookstore to see if it would really be worth your money.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Could be of interest to beginners, October 26, 2006

By	Joan Reynlds "joanre" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I don't know what I was expecting from Linda Wells' book. I think I must have been execting (hoping, more like) that it would be full of arcane makeup application techniques. After all, Linda Wells is the beauty editor of "Allure" the magazine that promoties itself as "the beauty expert." If anyone who should know magical makeup application techniques, she should. She has had the opportunity to see many fine makeup artists at work (Bobbi Brown and the late Kevyn Aucoin to name a couple.) Having raised my expections high, they weren't met.

What the book does deliver is solid, basic advice on makeup and hair and a lot of pretty pictures.

The recommendations for color choices are accurate and useful. Many women will be able to relate to Ms. Wells' affinity for a natural look. All things considered, this book is more helpful than most of it's kind. It would definately be of most use to newcomers to the world of makeup. There isn't much here that someone experienced with makeup wouldn't know.

The photographs in the book are beautiful. Previous reviewers point out that the models in the book are all young and mostly white. This is true. Most books on makeup and hair have some tips for women of color and older (meaning over the age of thirty) women. To me, this lack of diversity in this book's models is a real shortcoming.

I would recommend this book to a teen-ager, early twenty-something who doesn't know much about makeup, or to someone who just likes pretty picture.