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| The Entertainment Review |
| By: Brenda Kinsel Publisher: Chronicle Books |
Many people who have enjoyed Brenda Kinsel’s earlier book “40 over 40,” a book packed with information on how to
dress well at the age of 40 and above, will be disappointed with “Fashion Makeover.” Most of the way through the
book readers will find that the book is constructed as a month long manual for women to get themselves back
together. It is quite obvious that this book stretches itself quite thin.
This of course leaves readers wondering what is good about this book. Most of what was covered in her first book
covers most of the bases, but when readers take a look at this book there are some useful tips. For instance, the
amount of contrast in coloring is not something most have ever given conscious thought to, and it is a light bulb
moment to suddenly realize that the reason they look good in certain combinations of shades is because of their skin
and hair are low contrasts.
Another good tip is for readers to group their accessories by color. This may have never been something readers
have thought of. The idea of matching accessories such as their shoes to your handbag is a good idea, but
grouping them in color families in this way has shows where there are gaps.
Also, the book explains to readers able creating beauty bundles. Many will be familiar with the idea of having a
wardrobe of star pieces and support pieces, but the beauty bundle is a new idea for many. A beauty bundle should
contain at least three items, preferably more, and readers need only then add one or two things to it to create a
complete outfit.
The sections on hair and beauty are very useful. Those in their 40s and above are going to have to get some
professional help if they want to look their best. When eyebrows thin out, for instance, a professional will get them
into shape much better than readers can do by themselves. If their budget doesn't really stretch to having this done
very often, it should be done as a treat and then get it photographed in close-up so readers can follow the line at
home in between salon treatments. This trick also works with hairstyles, pay good money the first time, then have it
photographed front, back and sides, and take the pictures to a hairdresser at a lower price point.
She also makes the blindingly obvious remark that readers shouldn't get their makeup advice at the makeup
counter. A 20 year old sales assistant may know everything about the latest ranges, but she doesn't know how to
deal with the issues the more advanced in age have to deal with. Some may be lucky enough to know someone in the
field that is very experienced in all thing makeup and can help out.
Though this book isn’t quite as punchy and energetic as “40 over 40” it really does need photography to make it
more useful to the reader. However, if readers haven't read the former book, “Fashion Makeover” is certainly a
worthwhile book to read for those who want to hone their look.
dress well at the age of 40 and above, will be disappointed with “Fashion Makeover.” Most of the way through the
book readers will find that the book is constructed as a month long manual for women to get themselves back
together. It is quite obvious that this book stretches itself quite thin.
This of course leaves readers wondering what is good about this book. Most of what was covered in her first book
covers most of the bases, but when readers take a look at this book there are some useful tips. For instance, the
amount of contrast in coloring is not something most have ever given conscious thought to, and it is a light bulb
moment to suddenly realize that the reason they look good in certain combinations of shades is because of their skin
and hair are low contrasts.
Another good tip is for readers to group their accessories by color. This may have never been something readers
have thought of. The idea of matching accessories such as their shoes to your handbag is a good idea, but
grouping them in color families in this way has shows where there are gaps.
Also, the book explains to readers able creating beauty bundles. Many will be familiar with the idea of having a
wardrobe of star pieces and support pieces, but the beauty bundle is a new idea for many. A beauty bundle should
contain at least three items, preferably more, and readers need only then add one or two things to it to create a
complete outfit.
The sections on hair and beauty are very useful. Those in their 40s and above are going to have to get some
professional help if they want to look their best. When eyebrows thin out, for instance, a professional will get them
into shape much better than readers can do by themselves. If their budget doesn't really stretch to having this done
very often, it should be done as a treat and then get it photographed in close-up so readers can follow the line at
home in between salon treatments. This trick also works with hairstyles, pay good money the first time, then have it
photographed front, back and sides, and take the pictures to a hairdresser at a lower price point.
She also makes the blindingly obvious remark that readers shouldn't get their makeup advice at the makeup
counter. A 20 year old sales assistant may know everything about the latest ranges, but she doesn't know how to
deal with the issues the more advanced in age have to deal with. Some may be lucky enough to know someone in the
field that is very experienced in all thing makeup and can help out.
Though this book isn’t quite as punchy and energetic as “40 over 40” it really does need photography to make it
more useful to the reader. However, if readers haven't read the former book, “Fashion Makeover” is certainly a
worthwhile book to read for those who want to hone their look.
