Do It Gorgeously: How to Make Less Toxic, Less Expensive, and More Beautiful Products [Paperback]

Sophie Uliano (Author)

Book Description

Release date: June 1, 2010

It's official: In these tough times, clueless is out--and crafty is in. For both financial and environmental reasons, life is all about doing well with what you have. But that doesn't mean you can't still be fabulous. Do It Gorgeously shows you how to make nearly everything you would otherwise purchase: From the kitchen to the nursery, from your medicine cabinet to your makeup drawer, you'll be astounded by how easy and inexpensive it is to make safe and eco-friendly products for your family. You deserve to have it all--and now you can do it yourself!

Praise for Sophie Uliano

"To be with Sophie is to be so caught up in the thrill of the potential of good!"

--Julia Roberts

"Sophie Uliano teaches us that we need not equate eco-friendly with Birkenstocks and wheatgrass shakes . . . she ushers us into a lifestyle that's ever so eco-chic."

--Los Angeles Confidential

"Sophie Uliano is a Mary Poppins for the new millennium: Rather than advocating a spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down, Uliano will recommend rubbing sugar on your skin to make it glow--and then offer numerous other homegrown tips and tricks."

--Good Housekeeping

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sophie Uliano is a passionate environmentalist who has developed an earth-friendly lifestyle that appeals to women who don't want to compromise their glamour or style. She lives in Hollywood with her husband and daughter.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Voice (June 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 140134139X
• ISBN-13: 978-1401341398
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 1 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #233,897 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 52 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and inspiring! June 1, 2010

By wywalk

Format:Paperback

Definitely my favorite of the Gorgeously Green books!! I get so tired of what I like to call "Organic Conspicuous Consumption" - the "I'm so Green because all 538 of my yoga outfits are made from organic cotton" school of thought, and I love the idea that our grandmothers and great-grandmothers were green without even trying to be. On the other hand, I struggle as much as the next person with sacrifice and self-denial. I'm definitely very into using all sorts of eye creams and anti-aging things on my face - it's my biggest beauty expenditure. Well, I've already made a few of the beauty products, and I'm totally in love! Do you have any idea how much money I'm going to save this year?!

Aside from the Beauty Product recipes, my other favorite part is the 5 Uses for Common Household Items - having them grouped like that makes so much sense, as far as actually incorporating them into your life.

I'll admit that as I leaf through the book, I occasionally get DIY Fatigue (I can't make EVERYTHING homemade!!!"), but then I remind myself that even focusing on one or two of the chapters (for me it's beauty and cleaning supplies) can make a big difference...

Wonderfully fun and inspiring!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Uliano makes it fun to go green November 25, 2010

By michanne

Format:Kindle Edition

I bought this book a month ago for the skin care recipes. The other chapters have great information too.

I have been trying various homemade recipes in order to get away from the high cost and to have more control over what goes on my skin in addition to better quality ingredients. But although the recipes I found where wonderful, most of what I found were made of ingredients that require you to make it every day. Or take a lot of steps to make. Or were not suitable for me.

This book has a lot of recipes that are simple. The lotions are wonderful and there are enough for every skin type. Uliano provides encourages you to customize them to suit. They keep in the fridge from weeks to months depending on the ingredients. Going to the fridge every time is hardly a problem considing the problems with the preservative used.

The only criticism is that the instructions dont say whether you need fresh or dry flowers for the infusions. I have been using dry or pre made rose or lavender water. I am using the kindle version and some times it would be more helpful to use the index but there are no links.

The point is made that there is an initial investment. I have fount that the amount you use is small enough that it is definitely economical in a relatively short period of time. The essential oils will keep for years.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is practically free --- for all the money it helps you save!! June 2, 2010

A Kid's Review

Format:Paperback

I can't get enough of this book. It is so accessible and easy to follow, that things I used to think were too intimidating, I can accomplish easily. I have already made the facial scrub, eye serum and some of the cleaning products and I have to say- they work just as well as the expensive stuff (maybe better). Aside from the cost, I feel so much better knowing how much research Sophie Uliano has done so that I know that everything is natural (and when it's not she explains that as well).

With stories coming out every day about the dangers in the daily products we use (even the ultra-expensive ones),this book is a must-have resource.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for inexperienced green girl wannabies May 14, 2011

By Erin O'Brien

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I absolutely love this book. Not only was it engaging, it was eye-opening. The best part about "Do It Gorgeously: How to..." is that it gives the reader excellent reasons, as well as motivation, to want to be more "green". Uliano uses facts to support reasons to avoid certain things, but I found one or two blanket statements on something being bad that left me asking, "Why is that so bad?" Overall, she gives the reader excellent reasons on the "whys" of things such as:

- the reason to avoid scary, chemical cocktails found in frequently-used beauty products
- the surprising unhealthiness of the carpet under our feet
- the possible toxicity of some home furniture

Living up to the title, the author gives readers alternatives to replace "bad" items with something greener and healthier, many of which can be created at home with easy-to-access tools and ingredients. Better yet, the recipes are simple! The only downside is that some ingredients (ex. virgin coconut oil, ascorbic acid powder) aren't available at your neighborhood grocery store. Fortunately, many of those items are available at health food stores and, if not, the author includes a great set of listings on where to easily find them online.

IMPORTANT: The recipes are not only for beauty products, although a very generous amount is included in the first part of the book. Rather, the book runs the gamut, including baby products, paint, anti-aging creme and an easily-constructed book shelf. Uliano frequently offers relevant anecdotes about whichever topic is being covered; a few include warnings on what NOT to do, thanks to the author's trial-and-error.

I purchased the Kindle version.... All of the drawings, patterns, and recipes were included and visually clear, but I feel it would have been better to have purchased it in paperback form. I have found it easier to follow recipes and diagrams via book. This is just a personal preference, though; readers can probably just as easily follow the recipes in their Kindle form, too.

Uliano's website ([...][...]) is a fantastic supplement to the book; it includes more recipes and how-to videos with links to the specialty items she refers to in her books.

If you want a comprehensive crash course on what small steps can be taken toward being healthier, while making this world a smidge better, this is the perfect book for you. Read more ›

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Book was disappointing August 15, 2010

By T. Vandenheuvel

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I loved the first book by Gorgeously Green, but was disappointed with this new one. The DIY stuff is more complicated then I wanted. I thought it was mostly about making your own make up and cleaning supplies. This goes into sewing and fixing stuff around the house. If I had seen the book in a store first, I would have never bought it.