"How Not to Look Old," by Charla Krupp is such a fun book to read. I purchased this book about six months ago and immediately started initiating some of the steps Krupp recommended on how to fight the aging process and have a blast doing it. Until reading it I had no idea how outdated most of my beauty and styling techniques were. There are so many easy-to-use tips that can instantly take years off of your face and body.

As Krupp says in her book, "aging sucks" and we don't have to do it gracefully. For me personally, some of the tips I used with success were changing how I wore my eye makeup, letting my hair grow out, having a great stylist color the gray while adding highlights and long bangs, whitening my teeth, and getting some cool eyeglasses. I also learned how to spruce my up wardrobe and threw out a lot of stuff that I really shouldn't be seen in. Ever.

My moment of glory came during the holidays when one of my sisters overheard two relatives talking about me saying how they could tell I "had some work done," meaning cosmetic surgery. Not true! Although I'm not opposed to that and may even consider it someday, I'm quite content with how I feel about myself right here and now.

Now, I'm off to order Krupp's latest book, "How Never to Look Fat Again."

I recommend this book for women who, somehow between raising their kids and working full-time, have completely forgotten how it feels to look in the mirror and feel satisfied. Even pleased. There are many bits of advice that are affordable. Even free. "Don't wear tennis shoes with jeans." So true. We do it for comfort, but if we really want to look good, we shouldn't. Good advice on hair, make-up, underwear, outerwear clothing, . Love it.

She offers a three tiers of options for almost everything, so if you can splurge a little at Bath and Body Works, go for it. But an Olay product is on the list, too. She recommends $200 jeans and $20.00 underwear, but I'm sure they do what she says. Maybe they are even worth it, if you have the money.

Sometimes the author's rich, New York City attitude is kind of irritating. And this from a Southern California professional. Get a closet professional in my house to clean out for the new fashion season? Are you kidding me? As if I have the money to hire a profession closet/fashion consultant and then purchase the newest fashions. Talk about out of touch with regular people.

Still, it does inspire if you are feeling in a forty-something funk and are wondering, "What the heck happened?"

All these little gems are what every girl from the age of 12 to 92 should review and keep in her personal libray as one of the best reference books on how to look like a lady.
I am 65 and bought 4 copies to share with my daughters and girlfriends. Thank you Charla.

Well, I wouldn't have ever called myself high maintenance, but after taking the quiz, I realized I really lean that way. I just wasn't steering my $$$ towards great choices. As many other reviewers have noted, the advice is simple and obvious, yet we weren't doing it. I added the recommended bangs and highlights in my next hair cut... and got many seemling genuine compliments. I went out and bought a little black straight skirt at exactly the right length to wear with cute top I already had and purchased high black sandals for an evening event, not to mention my natural nails and pink plump lips and felt oh so Y&H (young and hip) compared to the matchy matchy crowd... Husband was away when I did the makeover and came home and said "what did you do, you look younger." Okay, so he knows how to lay it on but really. At any rate, let me say, I GET IT! I know how to do it now. No looking back. Thank you Charla.

I was so looking forward to this book. As I have just entered into my 40s, I was looking for something that would help me to balance the tightrope walk between frumpy stay-at-home-mom in sweats and you-need-to-stop-shopping-at-Forever-21.

Unfortunately, this book wasn't it for me. It really is aimed more at women who are in danger of appearing like "Old Ladies," or "OLs," as author Charla Krupp calls them. The advice on wrinkles (don't have 'em), grey hair (ditto), and helmet hair just didn't apply. I'm more apt to go out in sweats than in a polyester pantsuit.

There were some good takeaways for me: Take a little more time on your appearance, you have to work at it (and so does everyone else), and you CAN age gracefully if you fight hard.

I would have loved more before-and-after, top-to-bottom makeovers of REAL women. Seeing Glenn Close from 20 years ago compared to today doesn't help those of us without her stylists, makeup artists, hair and skin people, and bank account. Instead, I wanted to see pages of women like me, being made over and looking hot.

It wasn't a bad book -- it just wasn't the book I was looking for. I think my mom might like it, though.

Overall this book is a good... especially for those who haven't thought about their personal style in a decade or two. I disagree with the author's choice of eyeglasses though, and find the ones pictured in the book to be quite juvenile looking. I also disagree that an eyeglass chain "always" says "old lady"... mostly what it says is I take these darned things off and put them back on all day long. Just make sure it's a super cool chain.

I do like her sensible approach to NOT talking about diet and exercise in a fashion book. Yes, we all know that stuff already. I appreicate that the author acknowledges that!

I really enjoyed this book. While I didn't work at it very hard, I picked up a number of tips that are working for me.

Did it turn me into a woman who is 10 years younger, lbs. lighter, and better? :) It did help. I recommend it.

Pretty good advice but seemed directed to women who are natural blondes - which I'm not.

I loved this book and sat down and read it from cover to cover. I have implemented many of her strategies to make myself look like the young and hip 54 year old that I am. I was also happy to see that I wasn't making too many horrible mistakes, some tweaks here and there and a little more attention paid to a few areas and I am sitting pretty. I think that EVERYONE can use the advice found in this book, even if you think you are doing everything right, it can reinforce what you knew all along. We all need to make sure we don't fall into the dreaded "aging woman trying to look young" category...god forbid!!! Even if you just take SOME of her advice you'll be on the right path towards looking "Young and Hip". You go girl!!! Georgia

I love this book. It not only gives you information but pictures as well. I'm looking younger already!

Thankfully this isn't the only book out there for aging women. I'm shocked at the 5 star reviews for a book written by a person so condescending & at odds with her own aging process.

The author repeatedly comes across as one appalled at the signs of aging as though they were some sort of disease. With her kind of pocket book perhaps she can afford plastic surgery & all the other special treatments most middle class aging women cannot ...therefore I'm not certain she's best suited to be giving advice on how to deal with the scope of what can be a very difficult transition.

Aging is a natural part of life & the fact this book is written by a female makes it even worse. She could have spent her time more productively by encouraging women along in the aging process & in a gentle, caring manner offering advice on how to adjust. Instead there are countless efforts to humiliate women who 'aren't aging quite right' & the book is riddled with references on how to not look like an 'old lady' which appears to be defined as a horrendous crime. This type of verbage doesn't help anyone!

A much better, helpful & more compassionate read can be found in "Staging Your Comeback" by Hopkins...

Don't recommend this book for anything else other than a few tidbits that could probably be found elsewhere from a more understanding author. Too much vanity here for my liking...

I recommended this good book to everyone who has an age problem
This is an excellent book for beginners to understand the age problems
You may feel compelled to give this book to everyone you really care about.
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I enjoyed this book and glad I purchased it. There is some information I skimmed over but overall I got some good information that I'm able to apply and I believe it works.

I'm sorry I bought this book. I was looking for advice on how to look better. However, if I followed the author's advice I'd be bankrupt by now. She is a big supporter of plastic surgery and expensive salon visits. Although the author does offer some money saving tips such as, get some friends together to fly in a top hair stylist so you can split the cost and it will be cheaper. You have got to be kidding.

Say goodbye to blue eyeshadow and hello to bangs! Women over 50 unite in a time when 60 is the new 40- It's time to look and feel like you did in your 20's when no one noticed. My whole carpool is reading this and I gave one to my best friend-she is still my best friend!
Now, go through your closet with a fresh vewipoint.

Love this book! A friend recommended it. Well, berated me for not knowing about it, and she was right. Good stuff!

I picked up this book on a whim, and I want my money back. Most of the information in this book is simple common sense, drawn out into sarcastic dribble that is most likely meant to sound clever. The most notable thing about the book is, despite the author saying there is a level for "high, medium, and low maintenance women", she herself spends thousands of dollars on beauty supplies (often just to sample things and see what works for you), and this is supposed to be something women can all relate to ($1200 on eyeglass frames? REALLY??). I also found it amusing that many of the chapters start with photos of gorgeous 18 year old models...wait, isn't this book for 40+ women?

The only thing I can honestly say I gleaned from the book is how NOT to look at myself and other women. Media has trained us to pick ourselves apart, and instead of valuing ourselves for other qualities, the author has picked apart looks and physical appearance to the point of obsession. She has work done to her face, spends thousands of hours and dollars chasing being "Y&H" and not "OL" (her clever terms for "young and hip" and "old lady", and suggests that these things are the norm and what every woman should be doing.

I'm not saying women should accept growing old and make no efforts to look better, certainly not! But do yourself a favor, and buy a much more intelligently written book with less vapid information, and not one that looks (and reads) like a really thick fashion magazine.

Krupp is doing her best, I'm sure, but if you're looking for a book with tips on nutrition, posture, weight control, or generally looking and feeling younger and better, this isn't it.

There are a few good tips in here. She does warn against excessive eyeliner and foundation. She does warn against wearing crotch-length skirts and over-dyed hair.

But: we are supposed to look to aging supermodels and movie stars as models, and frankly, this is a bit unrealistic. Not only that, but those women are in careers where an overdone photoready appearance is okay. That look isn't flattering for a fifty-something business woman who is overweight. Nor is it appropriate for a senior executive who has to look dignified.

None of her models is overweight or (heaven frowned) handicapped in any way.

Krupp is of the "paint on a corpse" school of beauty. Her advice ranges from "don't wear seamless pantyhose" to selecting clothes that don't match because that will make you look less 80's. You are supposed to use leg makeup instead of hose; apparently you are NOT supposed to live anywhere there is winter. Heaven forbid you should don a conservative skirted business suit. Apparently it is better to appear slightly kookie, no matter how staid your employer.

She also recommends wearing jeans with a non-elastic waist, regardless of whether they hurt, and regardless of your weight, and a bra that is too tight. She says not to wear orthopedic shoes -- stiletto heels are definitely a plus, in her opinion, but she doesn't mention how to deal with the inability to walk from accounts payable to your boss's office, or the pain resultant from jamming older, more tender feet into stylish shoes. I'm not sure what you're supposed to do if you actually need to wear orthopedic shoes. This advice about shoes annoyed me particularly, because she could have mentioned some of the brands of shoes that offer support without looking too old-lady or clunky: Lockport, Born, Skechers, Privo, as examples.

A few of her after pictures appear to show ensembles collected from a thrift shop reject bin, with mismatched items combined in random fashion. Yet I suspect these items are actually fairly expensive, judging from her 40 page list of resources.

The book is essentially a big long ad for makeup, hair coloring, cosmetic surgery and clothing companies. I would imagine it was funded largely by the companies listed in the last 40 pages.

Instead, try these:

YOU, STAYING YOUNG : THE OWNER'S MANUAL FOR EXTENDING YOUR WARRANTY / by Mehmet C. Oz and Michael F. Roizen

STAYING YOUNG : HOW TO PREVENT, SLOW OR REVERSE MORE THAN 60 SIGNS OF AGING / Tom Monte and the editors of Prevention magazine

ANTI-AGING SECRETS : HUNDREDS OF SECRETS TO STAYING YOUNG, FEELING FABULOUS, AND LOOKING YOUR BEST / by the editors of Prevention Health Books

EAT RIGHT, LIVE LONGER : USING THE NATURAL POWER OF FOODS TO AGE-PROOF YOUR BODY / Neal Barnard.

YOUNGER YOU : UNLOCK THE HIDDEN POWER OF YOUR BRAIN TO LOOK AND FEEL 15 YEARS YOUNGER / Eric R. Braverman.

I read most of this book in a bookstore and probably will buy it. I'm 52 and people compliment me on my fitness level and appearance. I think the advice and recommendations in the book make a lot of sense. I do a lot of the things mentioned already and I think it helps me look more vibrant, stylish and age appropriate. I think Carla gets it right - its not so that we look young just for vanity's sake, it really is a matter of survival. In our beauty and youth obsessed culture we need to stay with the pack. Survival of the fittest!

Yes it helps to have money, but a lot of the suggestions can be done without breaking the bank. Its making good choices when we do spend money.

We need a happy medium between accepting that we are getting older and still working hard to stay youthful looking and stylish. I think Carla gets it right!

I FOUND A WEALTH OF INFORMATION IN THIS BOOK. I HAVE BEEN USING, AND APPLYING MAKE-UP THE SAME WAY FOR A DECADE. WITH THE TIPS I FOUND IN THIS BOOK I AM MAKING A BIG CHANGE,WITHOUT SPENDING ALOT OF MONEY. ALOT OF THE MAKE-UP AND MOISTERIZER SUGGUESTED CAN BE FOUND IN THE DRUG STORES.I FEEL I LOOK 10 YEARS YOUNGER

This book is fun to read and look at. The subject is interesting. But do not take it to seriously. There are some good tips, but a lot of the tips are not practical for everyone,and some are obvious. Pick and choose the tips which are practical for you regarding money and also natural coloring. If you, like me, have curly dark hair and have olive complexion, you might have to skip some sections!!!
All in all, not bad at all.

I don't want to look old, but I don't want to look like Ms. Krupp, either.

Have to admit that I cringed a bit at the title of this book and a few of the terms (OL? Y&H?), but guess what? It worked for this 54-year-old lady. I followed much of the advice in the book, stopping short of anything administered with a needle or a scalpel. Got highlights and bangs. Discovered Sephora. I needed new glasses anyway. Dropped a little coin, although I didn't spend like Ivanka.

Great results--can't tell you how many compliments I've gotten.

I felt a bit silly buying this book, but I really wanted it. Last year I turned 70 and have spent a whole year feeling decrepit. It was time to get a grip. So...Amazon to the rescue! I sent for Charla's book and read it at one sitting. The first experiment right off the bat was "mommie jeans". I hesitated for weeks dreading the looks I was sure to get trying on low riders. Finally I braced myself and went into a Macy's, one where I had never shopped before. I figured that anonymity would be a big help. I must have tried on a dozen pair. When I was through I felt like I had had a real workout. But it was worth it. I now have a new pair of really cool (hot?) jeans that FIT. My legs look great in them. I even went back for some low cut panties to wear underneath them. There's a little life left in the old girl yet!!How Not to Look Old: Fast and Effortless Ways to Look 10 Years Younger, 10 Pounds Lighter, 10 Times Better

I am 37 and I love fashion and beauty, and I was really looking forward to reading this book because of the positive reviews. I was shocked to find the worst kind of ageist, psychologically damaging trash crammed in its pages. There nothing remotely creative or inspiring about Ms. Krupp's message. The author came across as a woman with a very empty life, focused on spending obscene amounts of money to make herself young. On further reflection, I guess I should have known by the title: "How Not to Look Old" - and not - "How to Look Good", which are two entirely different things. I would really like to see a book aimed at older women that is focused of classic, ageless beauty. A 35+ lady trying to look YH (the author's annoying acronym for "Young and Hip") is just pathetic. Ladies, you deserve better than this! There was almost no information for women of color, or women who are not average in height or build. If you are looking for a book about fashion and ageless beauty, I much prefer Kendall Farr's two excellent books on style to this waste of time.

I am 37 and I love fashion and beauty, and I was really looking forward to reading this book because of the positive reviews. I was shocked to find the worst kind of psychologically damaging trash crammed in its pages. There nothing remotely creative or inspiring about Ms. Krupp's message. The author came across as a woman with a very empty life, focused on spending obscene amounts of money to make herself young. There was almost no information for women of color, or women who are not average in height or build. If you are look for a book about fashion, I much prefer Kendall Farr's two excellent books on style to this waste of time.

This book had no flow to it, and was so boring to read that I had to sell my used copy on amazon. It did give me a few tips, however. I got rid of my "matchy matchy" things, not realizing until I read this book that it was outdated to wear a top that matches (same pattern) the pants or skirt!

I also quit wearing pants with elastic waists. (I had to lose weight first by going on a raw food version of The Flat Belly Diet.) I was also inspired to get some Not Your Daughter's Jeans. The author states that every woman, no matter the age, should own several pairs of designer jeans. So that was my excuse to go on a shopping spree!

I do wonder, however, how long even HER advice will be relevant. Styles change so quickly. I have hung on to a Calvin Klein shirt dress for 25 years. I think it is back in style now, if I use black leggings underneath it, which are back in style again after being out of style for about 15 years....

I love, love, love this book. I am 52 and had pretty much given up on looking good. I followed her advice on hair and make up and have had rave reviews in regard to all the changes I have made. I love that she actually recommends products. And the good news is the products are not all expensive. i was able to re-do my makeup bag for less than 50 dollars (keeping a few items that I liked or just wanted to use up). It takes me about 10 extra minutes to get ready for my day but it is well worth the time. I highly recommend this book for those who want to look good as they get older.

I am a near 70 yr. old and read the book. I salute this book that elderly women should read to get out of the OL look. Do something with that gray, frizzy hair, baggy mommy jeans and clod-hopper tennis shoes with "tourist t-shirts". Paint your nails and toes and and get out the hair dye! Put on some makeup, attend to your face. Time to get real and not look frumpy. Do your own make-over with this book - it will not hurt, but help! I will never be gray lady, and try to be "hip" as much as my figure allows. No one ever guesses my age and I want to keep it that way. Great book!

I just turned 60 this year and and I've made some significant and insignificant investments in my appearance over the years. I look great for 60 but we can all use advice and I really appreciated this book. Normally I would read a book like this in bits and pieces but never from beginning to end. I find I'm I'm following the rules that put me all over the chart from low to high maintenance. I'm mostly medium to low. Charla gives a great, actually pretty low key and organized presentation of those very simple changes we can make in terms of clothing, shoes, makeup, underwear, etc. Most of the suggestions are quite simple. For readers who are perhaps a great deal younger than me, one word of advice, blond really does look better on just about everyone when they start to enter the later years of aging. Redheads I know have gone to blond strawberry. Brunettes (like me) are wearing warm, higlighted colors. Women I know that have had black hair have taken the blond route and it still looks great. Truth is softening our color and contrast does reduce the appearance of wrinkles. I used to poo-poo this until I started to look like Cruella DaVille because my hair didn't gray. The blond highlights now blends the later gray fabulously. Perhaps you younguns' aren't feeling the real effects of age that you do when you enter your 60s. Trust me...alot deteriorates in those last years of the fifties. So use Carla's advice with an eye toward what you want to do and what you can afford. If you really read the book you'll find that most of her recommendations are "illusions"...tricks of the eye. Don't discount them even if you envy her very large budget for dermatologic fillers, lasers, etc. I think she has written a seminal book if one can describe a beauty book in this vein!

good book had some good ideas but you have to take it with a grain of salt and adjust it to what is appropriate in your life

I bought this book on impulse at Costco and liked it enough to write a review here. I keep returning to it and reading sections. This is the first book of this type that I've read and I've recommended it to several friends already.

I like the fact that the book has lots of practical advice that you can easily use such as limiting accessories (and how to wear bling), don't match outfits too closely or have every hair in place, get properly fit for bras (and where to measure to see if your bra is working properly), and so on. Originally I was worried that the book would be too product specific and be something like an infomercial.

Particularly important these days; you can implement a lot of advice in her book without spending money. (Even though she obviously spends a lot on her appearance.) Here are a few examples.
- Don't hang clothing in outfits but put like items together such as all pants in one spot, all blouses in another. Take pictures of outfits if needed or make notes.
- Get rid of outdated clothing and accessories (and she tells you which those are)
- Follow her rules about not wearing matching outfits but mix those pieces with other items in your closet, etc.
- Don't travel in jeans, a baggy sweatshirt, and tennis shoes, but find something equally comfortable but dressier.
- When wearing heels, have more than one pair of shoes available over the course of the day, and limit the uncomfortable ones to a shorter time, and so on.
- Don't cut your bangs too short or part your hair in the middle.

I appreciate that when she recommends products she has recommendations for similar products at various price points--and chose many items that should be available nation-wide.

I also like that she points out what is current and not (jeans and glasses styles for example) and discusses what a current fit should look like, what to seek, and recommends some brand names. I also like that in each section of the book she discusses high, medium, and low maintenance options which roughly translate to high, medium, and low price points.

All of the photos were helpful although the makeup ones had some young models. It would have been nice to see every photo show women in the target age group.

Not all of her advice will apply to everyone and I don't agree with everything she says. For instance I think women can wear flat shoes and stylish flip-flops in town--in California for certain although I grant that perhaps they shouldn't in New York. I don't think every woman should highlight their hair but for those who choose to do so, her advice is good.

Most of all I like that she addresses looking current and employable--competitive with younger women. This book isn't about looking sexy or dressing too young. It is about keeping yourself well and dressing in a way that is current yet appropriate. Ageless really, rather than Y&H.

Staying current with trends (and popular culture) has always been important to me. This book is a great source of frequently overlooked tattletales that keep you from looking your best. Sometimes it's the little things that can spoil or enhance an overall effect and this book really helps pick up on those. Yes, there are some inconsistencies, but it's more of a guide than a be-all. It's funny, and very specific about recommended products and procedures, a great reference book. I love that there are ranges of tips, depending on your budget and willingness for upkeep. Well worth it for those of us that want to preserve our good looks and stay vital.

The author does a great job of telling you what makes you look old, and what to do about it. She addresses issues such as hair, makeup, clothes, etc. There is really nothing that she doesn't touch on, except maybe the need for exercise (which I don't want to hear again!) or drinking two gallons of water per day. She gives advice for those that are high, medium and low maintenance--from surgery (high maintenance) to buying haircolor at Target for the do-it-yourselfer. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone 40 and older that is interested in updating her look.

A MUST BUY BOOK! This book gives easy, medium and high maintanence tips and covers it all including; hair, make up, clothes and more. I have just followed Charla's easy & medium tips and have received a great many compliments including my Uncle who wanted to know what type of "work" I had done after seeing a picture of me after I started following Charla's tips. Said I look 10 years younger. I have not only purchased this book for myself but have given it as gifts.

I consider myself to be a low maintenance woman and as a mother of 3 boys who are always dogging on me to look more "girlie" this book did it for me. I didn't have many female influences in my life but this book answered a lot of questions.

I loved this book. It is succinct, current, and has lots of comments that apply to almost anyone over 55. It is full if specific comments about what to do, what not to do, on everything from eyeglasses, to shoes, skirts, colors, makeup. Every chapter ends with high maintenance, medium or low maintence "fixes". She recommends drug store products as well as high end department store items. Even though the author is from the high fashion world in NY, I found her ideas very applicable and recommended this book many times. Buy it!!

Doesn't give enough information for woman over 60+. We also need to know how, why, when and where?

No cosmetic surgery for me.

From hair color and style, to length and color of nails, to flossing and whitening teeth, to counting bling when you dress, this book bluntly covers every topic of interest to woman fighting aging. Products are evaluated and you'll be left with no doubt as to which is the right one for you.

Just because you're old, doesn't mean you have to look it! I thought this was an extremely well put together book with lots of ideas on makeup, hair, clothing and attitude to help you look a little younger than you actually are. I particularly liked that the suggestions were shown for low, medium and high maintenance tips. After all, some aspects of our looks are more important to some than it is to others. For example, a few wrinkles here and there aren't too big a deal to me, at least yet. But hairstyles always are a big question mark. What looks too young and what looks just plain dowdy? Or dated? What products actually make a difference and which ones can be harmful? I liked that she suggests products in all price ranges and by name so I can look them up and order from Amazon. (Who wants to dig through all the teeny bopper makeup in the drug or department stores looking for the stuff?)

I thought her ideas were realistic for each level of maintenance and I've already bought a few things she recommended. She also gives detailed information on things like support undergarments, prescription skin "fixers" and other things that you may have been afraid to ask about. Or maybe you aren't quite at the "droop level" where you need them yet.

I read ordered another book, Staging Your Comeback: A Complete Beauty Revival for Women Over 45 which I thought had some great makeover photos and some good advice, but wasn't nearly as detailed as this one. But then how could a man know as well as another woman what works and which products are appealing? I find How Not to Look Older far more useful.

This is a great book for baby boomers. We may have to start acting our age one of these days, but there's no reason we have to look it! Two thumbs up for this great book.

This was great read and got many tips for looking younger, espesially liked the hair and makeup sections.

At first it might appear that this book is only for women over 40, but I guarantee you, this book is for everyone, young and not-so-young. And it's worth it! With contents like: 10 things you can do in the next 10 minutes to take off 10 years; what's too young, what's too old, and what's just right; high, medium and low priced clothing options; plus, tips on make-up (should never wear too much, but some), shoes, accessories.

In addition to giving tips on looking younger, Charla Krupp's book is a great guide for achieving an overall professional appearance. As a career strategist for women in the corporate world, I've seen many a woman have difficulty moving ahead, not because she looked old (although there still are issues with that in the work-world), but because she didn't have the right leadership presence for the job. Yes, it's still an annoying world out there when we know that we might be judged on how we look. But baggy pants, baggy tops, and a bad job of hair highlighting can give the impression that you're not leader material. Krupp provides solutions to all these challenges.

You may not need to read the entire book, but there may be a few chapters that are right up your alley. They were for me. And the pictures are great, though it's a bit L.A.-style with photos of a number of celebrities. But overall, a very helpful book.

I am 47 and just two weeks after adopting just a few but critical pieces of Charla Krupp's advice, the response has been waaay beyond my expectations. I would be considered as falling in the LOW/Medium Maintenance Group (I love bargains!). So many women I know who would fall in ALL three categories have been telling me, "Wow, you look GREAT/ AMAZING/ FABULOUS!" And let me tell you, I have bought ALL my new make-up at Target, when I usually go the department stores or a spa! These are they ONLY changes I have made thus far: switching to creme blush, pink lip gloss and same shade lipliner, liquid foundation (Cover Girl Radiance) and Smashbox primer and concealer. My biggest investment (for my big boobs! 36D's) was a new bra (La Mystere Renaissance)but it was worth every penny - and only had to spend 10 minutes in the lingerie dept.! I will now buy her paperback version to get the new product recommendations. Do NOT be dissuaded by those reviewers who dismiss this book "as one size fits all" or "no substance" -- for example, Krupp does NOT say "everyone needs to be a blonde", she advises that every women should get away from solid blocks of one color and BLEND IN highlights in lighter shades complementary to THEIR specific hair color. And the famous "pink lipstick" advice REALLY works - trust me, for $7 bucks (for L'Oreal Paris), you just have to try it yourself (simply return it to Target if you don't like it!) Krupp has tried all these products so you and I don't have to waste our own money - her product rec's in every price range for each chapter are invaluable. When women compliment me on how great I look, I love to share my "secret" and tell them all, "You've GOT to get this book!" If you are over 40, don't buy another cosmetic, piece of clothing, pair of glasses or get your hair done without consulting her book before spending another penny.

This is a great read full of tips and hints to keep us looking Y& H( young and hip) Loved it! There is something in it for everyone

She has a few helpful tips (pink shade of lipstick instead of darker) This chick is the beauty editor for Glamour, so of course she wants women to obsess about looks and beauty products.
Her hair advice? Find a high class stylist in New York, then get together with your fashion conscious friends and fly that stylist to your location for the weekend, put him/her up in a nice hotel, then all of you have your hair appointments that weekend. Split the cost of travel/hotel with these friends. Really. But of course, your stylist and colorist aren't necessarily the same person, cause those are different specialties. Really.
Should you buy a $300 pair of designer sunglasses, or the $10 knock offs from a street vendor? She believes the $300 pair is better choice.
She purports to give advice for us "low Maintenance" gals, but most of that is common sense stuff. Among my friends I'm not considered "low maintenance" but I don't know anyone who reaches up to this woman's standards.
My advice? Ask your teenage or college age daughter/niece/friend. they'll tell you what looks good, or what makes you look like you are trying too hard.

[Full review and comic available at http://www.pinkfluffyicing.blogspot.com]

I'm just going to have to get the ugly facts on the table right up front.

I have bought and read the book "How Not To Look Old" by Charla Krupp.

I love it.

I've learned tons. I have been through both my shoe and clothing closets with a gritty determination I normally reserve for removing burnt-on lasagna from a favorite casserole dish. (It happens, on occasion.) I've dumped dark lipsticks I had worn just the week before. I had Jafar cut in bangs. I've bought more new face goop than I have ever owned before so I can look like I still don't need it.

I liked the straight up, "Girls, we're gonna call a wrinkle a wrinkle" writing. She knows that women want to buy a little tub of reasonably priced pink froth, pat it on their face, and look better, thinner, AND younger.

"Diet and exercise are essential to staying healthy over the long haul. There isn't a woman alive who doesn't already know that. Eating salmon and doing yoga are good things for sure, but they won't give instant results. Other anti-aging books tell you to run a bath, light a candle, chant and practice acceptance. Not this one. We want real, visible, results." Speaking on behalf of all over-the-long-haulers of a certain age, I say, "Sign us up!"

You'll note the shift to the plural pronoun there. I decided it was such a great asset that I would give copies to all my long-haulish friends. And that's when it got tricky. How do you give women in the salmon/yoga/candle/acceptance stage of life a book with the title How Not To Look Old staring them right in the face? Trust me, it's not as easy as it looks.

But I love my friends, so I decided to brave the possibility of offense. Having given away at least 12 copies so far, I'd like to share what I've learned.

Order drinks. Make sure at least half a Cosmo is down the hatch before before handing it over.

Wrap it. The gentle alcohol buzz, coupled with the pleasure of tugging on bows and peeling back tape, will still be fresh by the time the implication of the title sinks in.

[Article continued at http://www.pinkfluffyicing.blogspot.com]

Basically, if you pay any attention to your appearance already you won't find anything in this book that's new (The idea that you should wear lighter lipsticks and haircolor shades isn't exactly eye-opening). I also agree that her approach is far too narrow and doesn't take enough variety of body type/skin tone, etc. into account. Type "fashion tips over 40" into Google and get the same info for free.

The book has useful advice that has practical applicability. No exaggerated steps to take but just a refresher of the basics. The title is alluring because it touches a weak spot - looking young. Still I would recommend it at the price it comes as a balanced reference book.

here's my summary of thoughts having just finished this book and visited Sephora with book in hand to check out the makeup recommendations.

the fashion tips are generally pretty valid. certainly women of all ages would do well to adhere to a large number of them. that is the strength of this book, and it is a real strength, and why i am giving it three stars.

here's why i'm not giving it four or five:

makeup:

the makeup tips are only partially valid, and you could find the same information elsewhere. the overall idea is that you should move away from dark colours, harsh lines, etc as your face matures. that's totally valid, though not new ground to be writing about.

that said, the product recommendations are not helpful. yes, many of them (but not all) are for prestige brand cosmetics; this doesn't have to be the end of the world if you go in, study those shades, and then find them in a discount setting. but the bigger problem in my mind is that the colour recommendations simply don't work for a large number of women. this is why i went to Sephora... i was amazed that she was putting actual shade and colour recommendations out there and purporting them to be flattering to most women. not only are the colours she recommends generally inappropriate for hispanic, african-american, and asian women... they are also totally inappropriate for a lot of burnette caucasians. they work if you are a very pale-skinned blonde. period. everyone else will look at best completely washed out and at worst absolutely silly.

fashion:

my final issue with this book is the premise she introduces and concludes with. the idea that women need to empower themselves by looking younger, in order to be viable in the marketplace. she also makes some frankly bitter allusions to marriage or lack thereof. you know what? empowered women- from 20s to 60s or beyond- aren't interested in these statements. to put them in there just sounds angry and fear-mongering. they sound like shallow judgements from a woman afraid of getting older, rather than someone who has the world at her feet. the author should stick to what she knows, which is fashion, and leave the philosophy to someone else who has something legitimately constructive to say.