Fast Beauty: 1,000 Quick Fixes [Paperback]

Rona Berg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 18, 2005

Rona Berg knows that sometimes women have dry skin. Or tired eyes. Or limp hair. Or a pimple. And as a beauty expert, she knows exactly what to do about it. Drawing on years of covering the beauty industry, working behind the scenes at fashion shows, fixing actresses’ and models’ beauty meltdowns, and learning insider information from hundreds of consultants and make-up artists, Ms. Berg—author of Beauty: The New Basics, with 122,000 copies in print—offers up the best 1,000 tried-and-true tips.

Indexed by problem and solution, Fast Beauty is indispensable, filled with the kinds of advice, ideas, and help that sell millions of women’s magazines a month. Spa tips. Anti-stress tips. The “20-second face,” “the two-minute face,” the “five-minute face.” Innovative remedies: Rub olive oil into dry cuticles to soften them; use honey to get rid of a pimple overnight; to tighten the face temporarily, apply tomato juice (preferably fresh-squeezed) for ten minutes, and for the reverse—if your face is tight from too much sun—apply plain yogurt to the skin and leave on for ten minutes. A full chapter shows how to solve beauty pitfalls caused by hormones at all stages of life; another deals with various problems caused by working out. And for every busy businesswoman, it tells what quick fix to use when heading into an important meeting straight off the red-eye—or heading straight from the office out on a blind date.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Rona Berg is the former beauty editor for the New York Times Magazine. She was Editorial Director of Elle magazine and writes for numerous national publications, including Vogue, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Mirabella, Self, and Mademoiselle. Ms. Berg lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Workman Publishing Company (July 18, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761134727
• ISBN-13: 978-0761134725
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.8 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #105,088 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 54 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book with unusual NEW tips! July 1, 2007

By Jenni Kmiotek

Format:Paperback

I bought that "Confessions of a Beauty Editor" book by the editor of Allure magazine, expecting it to be full of beauty secrets and tips. After a glimpse through the pages, I sent it right the hell back to Amazon. What a WASTE of money. Apparently the author feels "putting on moisturizer before your foundation to help it slide on more evenly" is a great tip. Yeah. Maybe if you're 15 and have never worn makeup before in your life... ? No, even then it's still common sense. Ahem. THIS book contains the beauty tips and secrets I was looking for! Thank you, Rona Berg. I've subscribed to beauty magazines for years and I own nearly every Makeup Tips book ever published, so I know the basics. While there are a few "duh" moments in this one, the good advice far outweighs the re-runs, and I came across page after page of tips that I'd never heard before. Well worth the money, unlike SOME other books...

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Book December 24, 2006

By Teresa A. Callen

Format:Paperback

This book is a find. There are so many useful tips on each page that it is worthy of a spot on your bookshelf. Have you ever read a beauty tip in a magazine and it made a significant difference for you? This book is 1000 of those tips in between a front and back cover. You will learn little things that make a difference like what the word "natural" means in the cosmetic world, and what to do if the tip of your wax pencils keep breaking off when you sharpen them. There is an idea on how to apply perfume and even recipes to mix up some of your own beauty products in your own kitchen. It is also an excellent gift for your gal pals, if you ever need to come up with a useful gift for someone special. This book is outstanding and worth the price in what you will gain in beauty tips.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Need some help looking better? You've found it! February 23, 2008

By Judy K. Polhemus TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Do you need a little help looking better? Do you have bags under your eyes? Is your back stressed? Do you fall asleep at your desk at work? Do your lips chap when you are outside? Go no further. "Fast Beauty: 1,000 Quick Fixes" will answer those questions as well as hundreds more to help you look your best quickly.

The book is arranged logically: Beauty RX, Hormonal Hangups, the Outside World, On the go, and Smart Products. If you are like me, you flip through a book like this, picking out the areas that most apply to you. Allow me to share information to reveal this book's big appeal.

On page 170 is a Japanese term that applies to a huge number of Americans: "Karoshi"--"death from overwork," aha! To alleviate, take a quick walk, do ten minutes of jumping jacks, anything quickly active to get the blood flowing.
On page 53 is a hint to ward off dry, flaky skin before a big date or just for yourself: use a body scrub to exfoliate. If none is available, use corn meal, oatmeal, or baking soda on a washcloth and scrub as usual. Apply moisturizer.

On page 27 are seven steps to revitalizing your makeup in two minutes if you go from work to a date.
On page 268 you will learn the beauty secret for skin that Italian women have used for centuries. Mix olive oil with blood orange or lemon juice to use as a one-step cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing agent.

I alway look for lavender in these books. On page 264 it is used in making bath salts, a product invented by the Romans for their spas and the means to soothe tired muscles.

I cannot end this review without looking at the cover. The kiwi is for decreasing eye puffiness, the spiral mascara brush is to remove mascara clumps, the opalescent lipstick is to make the bottom lip look larger....

To make the most of this book, read it in segments or find a problem of the moment, use the index to find a "fast beauty" fix and do it. After all, it is your beauty.

Addendum: This book is about beauty. That means men can use it, too, except maybe the pregnancy segment. Men, aren't you interested in your beauty? Read more ›

23 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book With Great Tips January 29, 2006

By ---- Neecie

Format:Paperback

Rona Berg does it again. I read her other book and found it filled with tips that I have never heard about. Now this book is even better. I have used several of her tips and I recommend this book to anyone that likes beauty books. I can't wait until she publishes her next book. Get this book now!!!!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, Good tips! April 19, 2009

By I. Isabel

Format:Paperback

This book has 5 main sections: (1)beauty basic; (2)pregnancy, teens, menopause; (3)climate control ; (4)children and men ; (5)natural remedy. You will be able to find useful tips in each category. And if you have sensitive skin or an organic goer, you will love the natural remedy section.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book! January 26, 2008

By Natasha874

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is worth every penny. I recommend it to everyone to buy this book there are so many tips and tricks that you can use in everyday life!!!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book, With tips and quick fixes that work June 22, 2008

By Ariel

Format:Paperback

I first saw this book and immediately thought it was just another beauty book that tells me information I already know. However, upon second glance I picked up the book and started to skim the pages. I was surprised to see that it actually has useful info inside.

The makeup section is a bit basic, don't expect to be wowed by how instantly beautiful you look by changing the way you apply mascara. It does, however, have extremely helpful tips if you are in a beauty disaster or just have something nagging you. Overall, It was worth the money and definitely opened my eyes to some new techniques!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars WHAT A FIND !!!!! June 6, 2009

By Barbra Wawa

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

FAST BEAUTY: 1,000 Quick Fixes
This book is a little gem. OK, I am 71, but I still like to look good...for my age, ahem. Of course, it is much, much harder than it used to be but I thought I knew all the tricks. Not so! This great book by Rona Berg is chock full of a myriad of ideas and fixes for so many little beauty foibles that every time I pick it up, I am discovering some tip I had never heard of or thought of before. I am buying this for my daughter and granddaughter and recommending it to all my friends. LOVE this book.