The Beauty Bible [Hardcover]

Another problem is the date of the book, 1996. How many of the products reviewed are still around 4 years later? How many have the same formulations? Due to the book being written/published in the UK, some products reviewed aren't readily available here, and conversely, some US products aren't available there and were excluded.

I give it 3 stars for the first 100 pages or so, which really do have nice pictures and illustrations, and very well-written instructions. I just wish the whole book had been like the first 100 pages. I also bought Stephanie Seymour's book and found that to be much more practical and meaty. If you like more of a scientific approach to things, you probably won't be thrilled with this book.

There are step-by-step instructions for applying make-up, including simple recipes for beauty treatment. Spiritual health, aromatherapy & fragrance suggestions are also considered.

Other topics include both surgical & non-surgical cosmetic procedures and how to turn your home into a health spa. Contact information & descriptions of many spas throughout the world are provided as well.

I love the tips & tricks and found the tried & tested recommendations on over 1,500 products very helpful. Cosmetic stores, hair & nail salons and sources for everything from alternative medicine to image consultants are also listed.

As for content, I think that the quality varies. The first chapters about make-up and skincare are very good. These chapters make up almost half the book. They cover the basics and more, such as bridal make-up and make-up for interviews, and the photographs and step-by-step instructions are both inspirational and very useful. There are actually many things I have read there that I have not read elsewhere, and I have read many beauty books:)

However, the remaining chapters are not as good, in my opinion. This does not mean that this is not a good beauty book. I highly recommend it. But, some areas are not covered at all, some areas are almost glossed over and some areas I wish they would have left out altogether. There is one chapter about hair, which is rather good considering the information that is in it. I do think there are bits and pieces missing, though, such as information about different styling products, different combs&brushes and other tools, how to use them etc., and about how to actually style your hair. The next chapter is about plastic surgery, which I admit I do have a problem with, and I do not think that it really belongs in a book about beauty. Anyway, if you do consider plastic surgery, you will need much more information than is covered in this book on 11 pages.

Another chapter covers the body, and includes some thoughts about the body and mind, which I like, but since it is in there, I would like to have seen more of it. This chapter also includes some very helpful remarks about exercise (what you need, and how you get it). There is a morning stretch routine that I have tried and really like. There is one chapter about fragrance, which is nice, but too short.

Fashion and style is not covered at all, and I do think there should have been at least one chapter about fashion since the books is called "The beauty bible".

The book has a good index, which I find very important, since it makes it easier for you to find the exact information you are looking for.

The product recommendations I see as problematic. Whether or not they are still available, many more products have been developed and old ones have been upgraded. If you are looking for the best products, this information is likely to be somewhat old, although I have no reason to doubt that the recommended products are very good.

All in all, this is a book that I do not regret that I have bought, I do refer to it occasionally, I like many parts of it, but it is not flawless, and I do not think that this is the only beauty book a girl needs:)