Beauty, The New Basics (Paperback)

by Rona Berg (Author), Anja Kroencke (Illustrator), Deborah Jaffe (Photographer) "The world of beauty is a mad, funny, seductive world..." (more)
Key Phrases: United States, Elizabeth Arden, New York City (more...)

Editorial Reviews

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

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Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Workman Publishing Company; Second Printing edition (January 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761101861
• ISBN-13: 978-0761101864
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #87,772 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The practical beauty advice you had been waiting for., October 21, 2003

By	M. E. Volmar (Santo Domingo, Distrito Nacional Dominican Republic) - See all my reviews

This is the most complete, fun, practical and informational book about beauty that I have ever read.
If the author's knowledgeable-without-being-patronizing and pleasant tone doesn't make your reading fun. If the great illustrations and paper quality doesn't make you fall in love with this book. If the easy-to-use index and cross-referencing doesn't make you come back to it for endless checkups and casual browsing. Then the information contained in the book, the author's use of personal experiences to illustrate particular points and the vast amount of practical advice for you to try out will.
The book is divided in three sections that cover: The Face, The Hair and The Body. The Face includes information on the basics of cleaning and caring for your skin, the benefits of facials, advice on aging-skin and techniques for choosing and applying makeup. The Hair section deals with the basics of hair care, coloring and styling (from cuts that fit the shape of your face and body to styling solutions for perfect hairstyles). In the Body the author explains the many rewards of bathing and the care of hands and feet, and gives you the inside scoop on spas.
Every section tells you everything you need to know to create and customize your own beauty regimen for each part of your body. Includes special advice for different types of skin and skin tones, different hair colors and textures, eye shapes and colors, body types and beauty techniques (from cleansing gel to surgery). The accurate and up-to-date product recommendations let you easily find tried-and-tested products and worthy splurges without having to go through innumerable tryouts, and her explanations on product ingredients allows you to make a preliminary elimination of harsh or unfavorable new products.
Interesting fun treats are the timelines in beauty development at the end of each section, where a lot of interesting and curious tidbits about beauty abound.
The only problem the book has is the soft cover binding. At around 400 pages of heavy graphic paper and after a few months of browsing and night table reading, the covers are somewhat worn at the corners and the side is a bit creased.
Buy this book if you want to start enjoying the benefits that the knowledge of the basics of beauty can offer, and want to have fun at the same time. Get it in hardcover if you can afford the price.
--Reviewed by Maritza Volmar

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Lots of territory is covered but....., June 10, 2001

By	Minnesota Raven "Viking Vixen" (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

Rona Berg has done a credible job with this large volume of work detailing beauty treatments for your body, face, hair, etc. She also tries to do something that most beauty experts won't attempt and that is to give you actual brand names of products that you can go out and buy. I also found the layout to be very good. It's easy on the eyes and you can quickly find what you are interested in learning about. Those are all pluses.

A minus is if you are a woman of color. She tries... she really does to address some of the specifics of women of color but it's woefully lacking especially about hair. I have Asian friends that have lots of issues that weren't addressed as well as African American friends that could not follow the advise given in this book because it would either damage their hair or just plain couldn't be done. I am not sure how Rona should have addressed such broad topics but maybe disclaimers would help. She does however give nice tips for what she does include that might be viewed as traditionally African American such as braids. Her info is right on but there's so little of it and at least 4 or 5 more pages would be needed to tell enough to someone that was trying to find enough not to do something foolish.

It can be used as a nice reference book but understand you may have to do further research on some topics because they just aren't covered in enough detail. All in all I am not sorry I bought the book it's worth the money.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beauty, The New Basics, March 20, 2001

By A Customer

For those of us who do not read "magazines like Teen, Seventeen, YM " this book is absolutely fantastic. It is comprehensive, easy to read, includes great tips on all aspects of beauty and even gives some insider info what beauty products should you spend money on and which ones are a waiste of $$$. I loved her common sense advise on investing in your own manicure kit and taking it to your manicurist and how to choose a spa. Great historical information on the beauty industry overall and candid info on individual beauty lines (Aveda, Stilla etc.) This book is fun to read, is loaded with great tips and advise Buy it, you will not be disappointed.