How to Look Expensive: A Beauty Editor's Secrets to Getting Gorgeous without Breaking the Bank

I swear that I read much of her material in other books (by other authors). She is very fond of name-dropping (and I actually have previously gone to two of the hair stylists she mentioned so I'm not impressed by her connections) and uses up a lot of pages talking about movie stars, famous stylists etc., then dropping a tidbit from a stylist or makeup artist. I'm not particularly impressed by how many famous people the author has known, I was looking for fashion, hair and makeup tips. This book isn't "heavy" on any. This book wan't very helpful to me. Why? 1. Hair: She addresses three "types" of hair: Short, Medium and Long. All "tips" seem to assume that the reader has great hair and a great cut. No tips for people in humid climates, people with fine hair, how to look great in rain, etc. She says you need "smooth" hair, but doesn't say specifically how to accomplish that. So if you really do need advice, you won't find it here. 2. Makeup: Different advice sections sometimes disagree with other sections in her book. Many of the makeup colors or specific product names listed are obsolete. I felt that several of the descriptions/drawings of how to create an eye "look" contradicted themselves when discussing colors or placement of shadows. Shadows mentioned in drawings (not by brand!) are not listed in the text, so how do I know what brand to buy? Overall, I have received more advice and demonstrations from You Tube than from this book. On the plus side, she did have some interesting advice about skin care (although again, some sections contradicted others). I gave it a 2 rather than a 1 because it helped pass the time on a long plane flight, and gave me some good-sounding lipstick colors (which I will buy if they still exist). I don't recommend spending the money on this book that reads like it was written on a long plane flight, itself.

The title should be .." How to look Elegant". Expensive can be a misleading word.Just because something is Expensive doesn't mean it's WORTH it. However, that said, the book has some very helpful tips and products that are currently available.. And yet, the way the cosmetic industry is always creating the latest, greatest, newest and bestest,, this book will date rapidly due to the ever changing products.To sum it up GROOM yourself. * Use products to enhance your skin etc.( There are Billions of them out there) Don't be a slob and wear your pj's in public. ( really? are you that Lazy.. Get off my planet) Brush and floss your teeth Every day.. Twice. DUH. Keep your hair clean, shiny and not over styled. you don't have to pay a million bucks .. Just find someone who can help you with a simple DO. Invest in some proper undergarments.Nails.. Don't be tacky. Keep them simple- good heavens leave the Neon for the KIDDIES..and Talons are for gypsies or Carnival side show characters..Drink Water, If you are drinking Diet soda.. You are losing brain cells.. STOP IT.Eat Real Food.. PUT DOWN THOSE STUPID CHEETO'S.. GAK. ( are you 12?)Exercise. Walk, Rebounder, Light weights. Ballet., Pilates. Yoga. You choose... You don't need to overthink this. Just do something..Limit Desserts for special occasions.Enjoy a glass of wine with dinner once a week .. Whatever.Save your money for BIG GIRL PURCHASES.Know what looks good on you. And that t-shirt that shows your rolls is NOT one of the items that you should be wearing.. Unless you are scrubbing the floor. Even then. GAH.. Stop it.Elegance will always outrank Trends..White clunky funky tennis shoes to the store or out and about.... JUST Don't !!! Have some pride.They are find for walking or for a work out or you are stranded on an island and no one can see you. or you are a plumber.SPANX. GET SOME.You are welcome.

When I started dating, I bought this book to help me fit in with a different crowd (older, more established businesses and more sophisticated) . I thought it would be like "the Trophy Wife's guide to makeup" and so I was hoping to get a laugh and some fun tips. I got sooooo much more! Andrea gives lots of advice that maybe hard to hear for some girls; but once you apply her techniques, you will see immediate positive results and responses.Example: I always loved to wear current and trendy makeup colors and nail polishes (with glitters and brights everywhere); and because I work in a creative atmosphere, people accept that I look quirky and cute. But after toning everything down to look more classic, apply less makeup in very neutral shades, and softer hair...I was constantly getting compliments and hit on from classier guys.

I'd umm-ed and ahhh-ed over this book for a while but decided to give it a go as I liked her credentials. Unfortunately what followed was 40% brand naming and about 30% affiliate name dropping. What remained was some good, sound advice but as I said in the title, nothing you can't find on YouTube. As someone who likes to keep on top of makeup trends I also found a lot of the makeup advice and recommendations a little dated. But this book did inspire me to revamp my hair and I've already booked an appointment at my local salon so all wasn't lost. However I did have to do a lot of the research myself as the information offered seems to be mainly for blondes, brunettes and red heads and overall for Caucasian skin tones.

I purchased this based solely upon Lauren Messiah's (YouTube) recommendation. It arrived before it's due date in very good condition.So far it clearly leans towards a specific viewpoint and line of advice - thin, blonde hair being a recurrent theme - but it has delivered some good points for consideration. There's a lot I already know, but like A guide to elegance by Madame Genevieve Antoine Dariaux, it will probably need a few reads to adapt it to my needs.Andrea Pomerantz Lustig has an easy writing style which is conversational in tone, so it's not a hard read.

This is an exceptional book, with lots of invaluable information and explanations. Never believed in makeups, overdone hair , tans because very often it looks unnatural and tacky. This book offers incredible solutions to all the things I had doubts about . To a degree I found all I was looking for for so long .Cannot recommend it enough to all the women of all ages.

As a novice on all things skin, make up & fashion, this was an eye opener & very fun read. I liked her writing style. Adored the illustrations & learnt lots!! Great book!! I'm so pleased I bought it. Lots of UK brands mentioned which I wasn't expecting!!

Good for recommending products but otherwise provides little groundbreaking advice. No advice on clothing styles - focus on hair and face.