You: Being Beautiful - The Owner's Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty [Hardcover]

Michael F. Roizen (Author), Mehmet C. Oz (Author)

Book Description

Release date: November 11, 2008

Most people think that beauty revolves around such things as lipstick, sweet eyes, or skinny jeans -- all those things that we can see (and obsess over) in the mirror. But the fact is that beauty isn't some superficial pursuit, and it's not some random act that you can thank (or curse) your ancestors for.

There are, in fact, scientific standards to beauty. Beauty is purposeful, because it's how humans have historically communicated who we are to potential mates. Beauty, in fact, is really about your health and happiness.

In this groundbreaking book, Dr. Michael F. Roizen and Dr. Mehmet C. Oz bust the myths and stereotypes about the way we view ourselves -- and how we define beauty. In these pages, you'll find out why beauty isn't as much about your vanity as it is about your humanity. The doctors take a scientific, informative, and entertaining look at the three levels of beauty and explain how they all work together to form a complete and authentic YOU. Those three levels of beauty are:

• Looking Beautiful: Your appearance influences your self-esteem and has major health implications. Here, the docs will tell you how you can look the way you want.
• Feeling Beautiful: So what if you have luscious lips or gorgeous locks if your joints creak and you have the energy of a rug? The docs will tell you how to improve your energy levels, beat back your life-altering aches and pains, and come to grips with some of life's toughest stresses.
• Being Beautiful: By improving your relationships with your loved ones as well as with others, you'll be well on your way to finding true happiness. That's the ultimate goal: Having all three levels of beauty working together so you can have a happy and healthy life.

You'll start off by taking the ultra-revealing and validated YOU-Q Test to help you assess where you are on your own beauty scale and where you want to be. Take the test, see how well you do; then use the book to help you improve your score.

With their usual candor and honesty, Dr. Roizen and Dr. Oz break down the mechanics of beauty and explain how little adjustments in your routine can help you become a happier, healthier person. You will learn about the biology of beauty, take YOU Tests to determine where you are on the beauty scale, get tons of YOU Tips to help you improve your life, as well as learn the secrets of the Ultimate Beautiful Day.

From hair to toenails, Dr. Roizen and Dr. Oz go through every part of your body to explain how different foods, vitamins, creams, gels, and injections can really boost your looks. They scrutinize the beauty myths that bombard us every day and offer an unbiased perspective on which ones cause more harm than good. You will be able to revamp your beauty regimen (or start a new one from scratch). They'll also take a close look at chronic pain, mood swings, low energy, and financial stresses. And they'll dive into the science of building relationships, finding happiness, and using spirituality to help you define your own levels of true beauty.

Dr. Roizen and Dr. Oz act as tour guides navigating the tricky but exciting terrain of today's beauty industry. YOU: Being Beautiful is your all-inclusive ticket into the world -- the real world -- of beauty.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This follow-up to Roizen and Oz's current bestseller YOU: Staying Young, targets three dimensions of beauty: looking beautiful, feeling beautiful and being beautiful. True to their holistic vision, they provide tools, tips and quizzes on physical appearance—caring for hair, skin, nails, teeth, etc.; forming healthy diet and exercise habits; reading labels and selecting products; and choosing cosmetic enhancements (breast implants, Botox, tattoos, piercing and LASIK, for example).They also include practical ways to manage energy levels, ease aches and pains, prevent injury, cope with mood disorders, end addictions and create positive home and work environments. Identifying work and finances as major stressors and loving relationships as key to health and happiness, they offer insights and suggestions for developing a big-picture, spiritualized view of life. A 24-hour ultimate beautiful day shows readers how to implement changes into their typical schedule. The blend of beauty advice with love, work, finances and spirituality could be smoother, and the impish humor throughout is a bit strained. Still, this volume is as entertaining and challenging as other titles in the series. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

MICHAEL F. ROIZEN, M.D., is a New York Times #1 bestselling author and cofounder and originator of the very popular RealAge.com website. He is chief wellness officer and chair of the Wellness Institute of the Cleveland Clinic and health expert of The Oprah Winfrey Show.

MEHMET C. OZ, M.D., is also a New York Times #1 bestselling author and host of The Dr. Oz Show. He is professor and vice chairman of surgery at New York Presbyterian-Columbia University and the director of the Heart Institute.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Free Press; 1 edition (November 11, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416572341
• ISBN-13: 978-1416572343
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (62 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #221,295 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

94 of 103 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Utterly Useless December 31, 2008

By Amy G.

Format:Hardcover

This book is truly awful. The information is insultingly over-simplified. Most of it is stuff that we already know from high school science class and general existence. It contains tons basic personal care instructions that anyone living in this country already knows (brush your teeth, wash your face, etc.). I bought this book hoping to find information like what to eat for strong hair, clear skin, etc. This book doesn't teach that, and it doesn't tell me anything I (and you) don't already know. More annoying than that: Pages upon pages are wasted on ridiculous cartoons that are supposed to teach us something, but are really just a lame attempt at humor (I don't need a jelly doughnut included in the spine to learn that vertabrae are squishy, nor do I need to see the artist's rendition of Fred and Wilma Flintstone arguing to see all that couples fight about money). There are pages of extremely basic workout advice that depict a male cartoon lifting weights for no reason that I can figure, and most of the VERY ugly drawings of people have pointed gnome ears (also for no apparent reason). Additionally, there seem to be a lot of jokes in the book geared towards men, while I don't know any man who would buy a purple book on "being beautiful". There's a great deal of commentary about men's issues (like balding) as well, so it's hard to tell who the hell this book is meant for. Please don't waste your money or time on this piece of garbage.

54 of 59 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Like the Authors, Hated the Book February 11, 2009

By M. Todd

Format:Hardcover

I have several of the "You" books, which I think are helpful and generally well written. This one was an insult. The content was slim compared to the other books. It seemed like a rush job to capitalize on the franchise. That I could have overlooked, but the tone had me rushing to return this book, which is extremely rare for me.

It's as though the target reader is a 10 year old who would find the references to boogers irresistible. For example, there is a diagram of a finger, with a pointer identifying matter under a fingernail as a booger.

Some humor is welcome, but know your audience. Assuming repeat "You" buyers are an obvious target audience, this book misses the mark.

149 of 172 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars I Had To Return It January 6, 2009

By Angela Bright

Format:Hardcover

Please know that I do not give one star reviews lightly. I had high hopes for this book and I was very excited to purchase it. However, this book completely missed the mark.

Now the first thing I am going to mention I believe has been mentioned before, but it is worth repeating. The illustrations. They are awful. I believe the look of a book sets the tone for the content. Why on earth would someone write a book about being beautiful and have such hideous illustrations?

The next thing I realized while reading through is that I couldn't quite figure out who this book was aimed towards. It was written in such a simplistic way that it really assumed everyone reading it must be completely daft or a preteen. On the other hand much of the content was based on those who are a bit older 40's and 50's. So that was odd. It was also heavily content geared toward both men and women. Now, I am not saying men and women can't both be beautiful, but perhaps two books would be in order. This book is heavily marketed towards women so why do I have to read through so much info about balding?

The writing itself is very choppy and the advice was juvenile. Wash your hair because it locks in bad smells. That is very basic advice and common sense. Anyone who wakes up in the morning after a late night at the bar would realize that hair traps smells.

I bought this book because while I am great with basic hygiene (I would think most of us are. Shower regularly, brush teeth, wash face, etc...these are all heavily detailed in the book) I could always stand some extra advice. Such as a few easy hair styles to make you look polished, extra advice on face washes and masks to use, etc...

This book mentioned several things in great excess such as cosmetic surgery.... Wrinkles make you look ugly, but hey there is always botox! I don't have a problem with cosmetic surgery, per say, but I don't feel like it is necessary to being beautiful and I think mentioning it so much was bad form.

As I was trying to figure this book out my significant other said, "It's like they made this book for aliens to show them how human bodies work and how we keep ourselves clean." That is exactly it. This book is full of information I am sure you already know, written in an ugly format.

I had to take return this book. I found it complete rubbish. It might help you, but I really don't see how. Other books could do it so much better. I might spend more money, but I would rather have 4 books that really help me look and feel beautiful than one book that does nothing.

Oh! One last thing. What about being a beautiful person? I thought this book could have used more of that. More time devoted to how good, and lovely people feel when they do good things for others.

So if you have very low self esteem or have absolutely no idea how to care for yourself then I suppose this book might be useful. Otherwise, I suggest you look elsewhere. Read more ›

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Detailed Guide to Caring for Your Body May 24, 2009

By Rebecca of Amazon HALL OF FAMETOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

"Scientists also believe that symmetry is equated with a strong immune system - indicating that more robust genes make a person more attractive." ~ pg. 29

You would think a book about beauty would cover such topics as skin care creams and plastic surgery. While these topics are included this book is more about caring for your entire body, mind and soul. There is a discussion about depression and an interesting section on spirituality.

I was surprised that the authors recommended that you stay away from DMAE in skin creams as it is in a cream I use from Derma E that has produced some very good results. See The Wrinkle Cure to read more about the benefits of DMAE. The authors also explain why it is best to use a cream with Vitamin A at night instead of during the day.

Since I figured Michael F. Roizen and Mehmet Oz would give ideas about what prescriptions to take for various disorders I was pleased that they recommended some natural remedies for things like headaches and back pain. I had also never heard that you could use lemon oil for insomnia.

There is some very good advice in this book including the information on hair replacement surgery. Who knew you could get a lot of scarring and end up with less hair anyway? After reading this book you may also decide not to go for a tattoo, manicure or pedicure. You could quite easily end up with hepatitis B or C.

While I found out many reasons why my skin and hair are changing as I age (I'm 41) I didn't find the answer to why my gray hair is curly instead of straight. There is however a picture that shows why our hair turns gray as we age.... In fact, there are tons of pictures to show how the body works and they make the book all the more enjoyable.

If you are thirty or older I think you will enjoy this book. The authors promote meditation and exercise and have great advice for anyone who feels they are growing older. Some of the products they recommend (and I've tried and loved) include:

Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm

Kiss My Face Bar Soap

Avalon Organics Revitalizing Shampoo, Peppermint

~The Rebecca Review Read more ›