How Not to Look Old: Fast and Effortless Ways to Look 10 Years Younger, 10 Pounds Lighter, 10 Times Better Reviews

• THE fashion and beauty bible for women over 40!

  
  By A2ME8QMG05MGY9 on 2007-12-25
  There are plenty of fashion books and magazines on the market but very few are specifically geared towards the over 40 set. But today's aging baby boomer population is looking better and younger than ever - and authors are beginning to take notice. Books such as Bobbi Brown's "Living Beauty" dispense sage advice on how to age gracefully and still look slick despite a few wrinkles or gray hairs.
  
  Charla Krupp's newest offering "How Not To Look Old" is one of the best (if not the best!) books for women who are aging but don't want to hang up the jeans and become a frump in elastic pants and helmet hairdos. Written in a friendly and conversational tone, Krupp points out all the little things that can make one look old and dated but then kindly shows you how to hide the flaws and look "up to the minute" but not like you are "trying too hard". There are suggestions for hair (grow it out, get some bangs, etc.), teeth (whiten them, veneers, flossing, etc.), makeup (lighten up the foundation, switch to cream blush, etc.), clothing (skirts should hit just below the knee, avoid high rise jeans, etc.) and more! At the end of each chapter, she lists favorite products, designers, and stylists. It's a brilliant book and Krupp sure knows her stuff - she's been in the beauty industry for years and writes an excellent column for "More" magazine, which is written for women who are mature and savvy.
  
  I'm going to put a few of her suggestions to use - specifically cutting my waist length gray hair (parted in the middle!) into something chicer and less "old hippie". This will be a big scary change for me but after reading this book, I realize how passé and aging it really is. I've already ditched the dark lipstick and the powder blush and have to say, she is right. I am recommending this book to all my friends!
  
  (By the way, this is a book on fashion only - there is no exercise routine, vitamin recommendations, etc.)
  
  

• How To Feel Like You're Slipping

  
  By A1L9PJO1PAFNS4 on 2008-01-22
  You know 40 is the new 30 when Diane Keaton, Annie Hall herself, is photographed wearing skin tight jeans and a big black leather belt. So the rest of us better be on alert.
  
  That said, I have very mixed feelings about this book. I've read at least a dozen beauty/style books, I'm 38 and I'm no slouch in the maintenance department. I subscribe to More magazine, which is how I learned about the author. After buying this book, I've learned a little more about Mrs. Krupp: namely, she spending thousands and thousands of dollars on her appearance. For example, she's spent $1,200 on a pair of eyeglasses. She considers you "low maintenance" if you do not get Botox. Gee, thanks. I can see how this might make a reader doubt her hard won self esteem.
  
  While she does hit the mark about what potentially looks aging, it's a one size fits all approach. She says dark hair always adds on the years, so lighten your hair two shades. What if we're Asian or simply don't want to be blonde? (Note the author's hair shade.) Some of her suggestions are downright odd: don't wear ballet flats. And contradicted: don't wear Uggs. Okay, so what are her models wearing on the back page? Uggs. And annoying: the goal is to be "Y&H" (Young and Hip). Individuality, anyone?...anyone? Plus, most of the models are barely 21 and perfect. Not helpful.
  
  But I did get some good tips: don't wear red fingernail polish, don't let your skirts get too long or baggy, how to shop for the right pair of dark wash jeans, try bangs and highlights, plastic eyeglass frames are more youthful than wire, etc.
  
  So give this book a try but also give yourself a break.
  
  

• Highly recommend this book if you are 35 and older

  
  By A28L54GVTB6E7M on 2007-12-30
  This book is fantastic and I loved her first words in the book - Aging sucks. Forget aging gracefully! Let's do what we can to look good. She also explains the importance of maintaining our good looks in the workplace. As a Human Resources professional I couldn't agree with her more. Not looking old shows that we have the energy to keep up in today's crazy/busy work environments. She has great advice on minimizing wrinkles, dressing savvy (without looking too young or too old), hair (although I think she is wrong on having long hair - this can pull your face down which is already going down; my advice get a good hairstylist and don't go too short - like Jaime Lee Curtis - it's TOO harsh; keep it soft looking), hands, and make-up. I would have given it five stars, but I thought she left out two important age reducers - diet and exercise. As someone who works out six days a week, I think this is important. She has a whole section in the book on shapers and to be honest I wouldn't even think of spending my money on this stuff. I would rather look younger by a good weight training workout than buy a shaper any day! An excellent book that I highly recommend!
  
  

• How to feel bad about yourself

  
  By A2O2RAUQ5ST8Y7 on 2008-01-22
  I got this book on a whim, just to see how it might help my over 35 year old self look better. Not younger, better.
  
  I did not realize so much was wrong with me until I read this book! But the author lists my faults one by one and thank goodness, she's right there with "solutions". I've got uneven skin tone, spider veins on the side of my nose, a thin upper lip. I could go on and on about all the flaws I have now that I am becoming an OL (the author's short hand for old lady). OL is not something anyone wants to be, so it is a good thing the author is here to let me know about the costly array of "solutions", many of which she has availed herself of. Some are risky, like the surgical eyelid lift she had. Some are painful, like the injections of various substances you can get in your face to look younger. Not to mention that such injections are a bad idea for the millions of women with autoimmune conditions, a fact not mentioned in the book.
  
  One thing about being over a certain age is that you do not have as many years to live as you once did. Do you want to spend those years fighting a losing battle? A little self-acceptance, would go a long way and save a ton of money. There is something unsavory and undignified about an older woman throwing every ounce of energy and every last dime she's got in an attempt to look "younger".
  
  The author certainly means well and the tone of the book is not at all unkind. It is kind of like a beauty scientist coldly pointing out flaws and their logical solutions. If you are looking for a few simple tips like "wear pink lipstick" that you can easily do, they are here. But far too much of this book is about how much time and money one can spend on themselves. I don't have a whole lot of either and this book leaves me feeling like I have many "flaws" and not enough cash to fix them. Perhaps I ought to just put a bag over my old head. Or, perhaps I ought to work on accepting my old self just as I am.
  
  
  
  

• You Must Get This Book!

  
  By A13GFRJ8NC5MCM on 2007-12-31
  I'm 38 years old and believe it's never too early to deal with the aging process. What I love about this book is that Charla gives you easy tips that you can immediately implement and that don't break the bank. The tips on buying jeans alone was worth the price of the book. Finally, I would like to thank Charla for the resource segment at the end of the book. I live in Minneapolis and it's very rare that my city is covered. I already made an appointment with a hair stylist that was listed.
  LADIES BUY THIS BOOK!
  
  
• Contents of one magazine article, plus TONs of product
  By A3KOE23N2B4YU3 on 2008-02-21
  First, if this author doesn't have deals with all the manufacturers of the products she "recommends" then she had a fool for an agent. This author recommends almost exclusively high end, ultra expensive products which are probably out of reach of most working women (who are probably her intended audience.) Hmmm, spend $300 on designer sunglasses or send our kid music lessons? Hmm, $200 just to get the right "look" to my eyes or plug something into the IRA so I'm not eating catfood when I'm 70. The first improvement of this book: Make the product list one which the average working woman (not just the beauty editor with a nice expense account) be able to afford.
  
  That being said, there is some useful advice here:
  
  . Update your hairstyle. Color your hair 2 shades lighter than your natural shade to "lighten" your face.
  
  . Use a "primer" before your apply foundation. Just one little step, and quite a difference (but don't buy the $100 plus product she recommends to do so.)
  
  . Ditch the wild colored nail, the headbands, the backpacks, and accept that you are a grown up.
  
  . Don't wear "matchy matchy"...that all over one look look shouts out "out of the game".
  
  However, this didn't take a book to say...this is really the stuff of a long magazine article.
  
  The "advice" of clothes is pretty spare and skewed towards the size 6 amongst us. White jeans...not bloody likely..unless your life is comprised of never getting your hands dirty, never hauling kids around town, or never taking public transportation. And, dark jeans...cool, if you have a well toned body.
  
  I have to wonder what kind of life this author is leading: Does she have kids? Does she do a dish? Does she worry about paying for her kids' college education? Does she ever look at the amount of money she spends on expensive treatments and wonder if that money could be better used elsewhere?
  
  If you follow all this advice (including Botox, laser treatments, etc.), you, too, can be the poorest, hippest 40 plus year old in your town.
  
  
• Fabulous And Completely Useful.
  By A22URO0KNILFNF on 2008-03-06
  I am very happy with this book. There are so many useful, smart and once you consider it, obvious ways to improve and most importantly, update your look. I'm a 39-year old brunette and as much as I am determined to age gracefully and above all with dignity, I would also like to continue to possess some style and a certain current hipness. I have read the reviews for this book and was a little surprised by some of the comments. Krupps's recommendation to lighten-up your hair shade after a certain ago is actually good advice. I have seen the results on my sister and it was quite dramatic. I believe the choice to lighten your entire hair base shade should be made based on the condition of your skin. My sister has fair skin, blue eyes and far more wrinkles than I so the lighter hair very definitely softened her look. Her dark hair shade looked too harsh next to her aging skin. She didn't go blond mind you, only lightened her base shade 2 shades to a copper brown and had a few highlights added around her face. For me, as a dark brunette with a pale olive complexion and brown eyes, I can wait a few more years. Once I'm ready, I'll try some highlighting around the face for softening. Krupp does not advocate everyone going blond as one reviewer remarked.
  
  Off the top of my head, immediately useful tips: getting rid of frumpy shaped tops and blouses, anything not tailored. Some I merely tossed while others I tailored myself or had tailored like one of my suits (I took up the skirt hem to just above the knee and had the suit jacket fitted. I tossed all my long ankle skirts which, although easy to wear, do look frumpy even though I'm barely 15 pounds overweight. I tossed out all apparel with any shoulder pads. I tossed all my dark and medium lipsticks (best choice ever). Once I was able to look at them (on me) objectively, it was obvious they were unflattering and worse, very dated. Changing to the moisture laden pinks she recommended instantly made my lips look plump and ripe and young. It seems so obvious once you do it. It seems as though I had gotten stuck in a rut of clothing, make-up, hair that was no longer current, fashionable and worst yet, flattering. I knew my style wasn't working but I didn't know how to fix it and since I tend to be pretty conservative, was a bit tentative about making any changes. After a while, when you put on all the old make-up, hair, clothing, et cetera, you look in the mirror and think you look ok but what's really going on is that you've done it the same way so many times, you just look familiar and you are unable to really discern what looks good and and what does not. Krupp really pushed me to make specific changes that had quite a WOW effect. And then I felt silly because I hadn't thought of it myself. Switching from a powder to a creme blush and stopping the overuse of my powder compact made an immediate impact, making my skin look dewey and fresh versus matte.
  
  Another immediate improvement for me was a sideswept bang which not only looked better but made my hair more versatile to style. I also made use of some of her many, many "Brilliant Buys" at the end of every chapter which in and of itself makes this book worth the money at twice the price. One reviewer complained that the book was geared toward rich women in large Metapolitan areas. I would disagree. There are many prices ranges among the products to choose from. Alot of the products can be found at mass retailers and mail order is accessible to all of us presumably. I just recently picked-up two of her "Brilliant Buys" at Long's Drugs: Revlon ColorStay 12-Hour Eye Shadow Quad in Coffee Bean (the perfect neutral browns) and Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner. There were many more, more expensive recommendations as well which I may try in the future but the point is there are choices.
  
  Realizations that struck home while reading this book: flesh toned stockings (pantyhose) are definitely old lady as are outfits that are very matchy-matchy (which I am guilty of often), hair that is too done, too perfect versus movement and flip. The concept is that make-up is softer and hair is looser.
  
  The most amazing chapters are on jeans, make-up and shapewear. Fabulous and immediately useful. I can't afford to make 'all' the changes she advocates in her book but what little I've done so far has made a huge positive impact in my appearance. It has also educated me for all future shopping forays so I don't slip back into purchasing all the same things all over again and getting back into an outdated rut...
  
  
  
• But, I love me. I really love me!
  By AKMEY1BSHSDG7 on 2008-01-30
  From my semi-advanced vantage point in life, I must state that "old-ladyhood" is not a downward spiral. Be who you are, and love every minute of it. Yes, haircuts and lipstick are great -- so are ballet flats, any lipstick shade you have fun with, and elastic-waist pants if they fit well and you like them.
  
  If another person spoke to us the way we speak to ourselves because of media pressure, we'd be filing lawsuits left and right for harassment. No, we really don't need a major overhaul, injections with poisonous substances and self-defeating guilt overload about appearance issues that make us run up the credit cards to the max for useless crap.
  
  I'm not pointing to How Not to Look Old as the origin of all evil. However, it is interesting that the models pictured seem to be half my age.
  
  Ladies, I only hope that some day the media authors of "discontent" rise to a level of the maturity they shun.
  
  
• a Bible on Tackling Aging for Women Over 40!
  By AYOUTDH9QHKAQ on 2007-12-31
  At long last a user friendly, practical and no-nonsense primer on how to maintain a youthful appearance and ATTITUDE well into a woman's so-called "declining" years. I got this book for Xmas and couldn't put it down! it reads like a novel--a real page turner full of "eureka" moments and epiphanies. Charla Krupp has the insight and GUTS to say what others have not and make you think about sins committed against aging as a matter of course: loosing the nude hose is genius; cutting bangs goes against all previous popular thought on the subject; and using pink and lighter lipstick took years off immediately! This book is one "Hellooooo-why didn't anyone think of this before?" after another!
  
  Charla has obviously done a great deal of research on this topic and has some impressive professionals working in her camp. I think this book will change the paradigm of how women see themselves and how the culture treats older women significantly. IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!
  
  Charla Krupp is the Gloria Steinem of beauty who will fearlessly lead older women into territory where she has never gone before: beautiful and youthful aging!
  
  
• Just what I needed
  By A1BLSG7VKOXA47 on 2008-01-04
  This book is the perfect kick in the butt I needed to make my downward spiral into Old Ladyhood come to a screeching halt. A daily beauty regimen has been started; new makeup has been bought; new shapewear has been ordered; the hair has been highlighted; and Y&H jeans are here. All of this supports a new attitude which, of course, is the foundation for success in this New Me program.
  Each chapter is worth the price of this book.
  Highly recommended!
  
  
• G O O D......B U T...............
  By A2A1XYSB692L6J on 2008-05-15
  This book, "How Not To Look Old", has BEAUTIFUL shiny paper, and an inviting template style, reminiscent of "InSTYLE" magazine, for which the author, CARLA KRUPP, once worked. Also included are many pictures of popular movie stars, music stars, and models of today. (All females, for some reason). It's interesting to look at these "star" pictures. Yes, they look "glamourous"...but not "elegant". I suppose it depends on the "look" one wants, I guess. I've always been one who favours elegance, and thus, this book, for all its many truly helpful hints, is not the "fashion bible" I expected it to be. Then again, I'm really not one who likes "fashion" -- which is effemeral and changeable. I'm more one for "style". Classic style. As explified by Jacqueline Kennedy, Queen Elizabeth II, and, more recently, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.
  
  On page 111, for instance, the reader is advised to wear long, bell-bottomed black pants, a tan, open tweed jacket, white blouse, and many chains of long, obviously fake gold, and carry a semi-hobo style black bag, rather than wear the same jacket, with a matching skirt, string of pearls, with the traditional upper-class acoutrement of a small lapdog in hand. The caption, (referring to the matching jacket and skirt), reads:
  'TOO OLD - matchy matchy'. However, it is interesting to note -- in this comparison picture, as in others throughout the book, that the "Just Right" lady seems to have have lightened her hair, had her teeth whitened, has lost her tan, has a far more natural-looking smile, and is given a more flattering, three-quarter stance, than that of the other picture, where the same woman looks at you dead on. I tried picturing a switch inn clothes for each picture and stance. The result? The lady on the right looks elegant, the one of the left, very tired looking, as if she had partied far too much. "Matchy-matchy" is NOT necessarily a ageing way to dress. It is often an ELEGANT way to dress!
  
  Mentioning, (on page 170) that "Nothing Ages You Like....Ugly Orthopedic Shoes" is truly a disservice to those who must wear them! (How about mentioning that a sunny smile can over-come this?)
  
  At the end of every chapter, is a section called "Brilliant Buys", mentioning recommended producrs in the category spoken of in that chapter. One is left wondering whether the producers of these recommended products helped fund the production of this book!
  
  This said, there ARE good hints in this book. One need just look for them. (The picture on page 60...of a white model and a black one, both with "I long for beauty, love, youth and success" looks on their faces, should be a national poster for the fact that ALL humans, basically, want the same things!) But the "advice", in any book is, to me, like a menu -- one can look at all that is put out in front of one, then pick and chose, according to one's own taste! And fashion is fleeting... Not too long ago, it was anathema to wear high heels with blue jeans. Now -- on page 133 -- the author states: "Please don't wear gym sneakers with jeans" (!)
  
  My advice is to get this book out of the library, and glean what good advice it has. If it fits your style, than that's fine. But true elegance is what I search for. To me, one can look younger by losing weight, enjoying life, keeping a broad mind and an active one, being realistic, (yet very optimistic), having friends and family nearby, sleeping well, and smiling often. The best cure for wrinkles is simple, inexpensive MINK OIL. The best cure for ageing is realizing the truth, that age is just a number.
  
  So, instead of buying this book, buy biographies of famous beauties who did, and are doing, good in the world. Angelina Jolie, Jacqueline Bovier Knennedy, Millicent Fenwick, Audrey Hepburn, Catherine the Great, HSH Princess Grace, etc. If you do great things, beauty isn't really all that important, (Golda Meir, Mother Theresa, Charles Steinmetz). If you are beautiful, but empty-headed, the world may at first beat a path to your door...but then it will beat a path AWAY from your door, (the tragic GINA, the first celebrity to die from AIDS). For the rest of us, beauty is important because it will help on the road to material and career success....which is what most people, (except perhaps for nuns, aesthetics, and hippies, old and young) down deep, really do want. There's nothing wrong with wanting this...if you don't knock others down for it, (or, as PROFESSOR JAMES SHENTON once observed, "My freedom to swing my arm ends where your nose begins".) So, get rich, get beautiful, help people. Bill Gates has his handsomeness inside, as well as outside. Ivanka Trump is quietly building an empire...but also building a life. So is Athina Onassis.....
  
  Each of us can be sure of having only one life. Make that life uniquely and totally yours. This book can give great ideas...but you need not follow all of them.
  
  
  
  
  
• Great advice !
  By A1ZTQEPXQC14QM on 2008-01-05
  Charla Krupp did a great job with her advice and the writing of it. I highly recommend this book.
  
  I took away one star because my gripe with the book is with the people who put the book together, hastily it seems, and who chose the photos of Star Styles to illustrate H&Y.
  Am I the only reader to find (p 135) Susan Sarandon's photo pretty awful? Here, she has no bra, a tiny belt peeking under an OL jacket and awful, tight, short jeans. I have seen her looking better than that. We all have bad hair days... toss away this photo.
  And what about Diane Keaton? She has always been THE example for OL, even when she was young.
  Page 184, Christy Brinkley's outfit is not Y&H. Oprah should not wear shiny white with a round figure (sorry Oprah - I love you) and Madonna page 185... what can I say!
  These examples must be OL looks to avoid I guess. Although the first Star Styles, page 12/13 does show great positive changes.
  
  Now, there is a wonderful pair of shoes on page 162 (which is Chapter 17's headpage with the "17" missing) and I can't find reference of these shoes anywhere and certainly not on page 217 where it should be. (Does anyone knows who make these shoes?)
  
  But, Charla Krupp's advice is very valuable.
  
  
• A pretty good guide, but in no way a definitive one
  By A3BHEAUUA2KP7L on 2008-01-03
  Kudos to Krupp for her attempt to add diversity by including an African American women and a brief section on African American hair. However it isn't all inclusive for other women of color, nor does it seem to allow for individual style. To cover the beauty and makeup needs for a variety of ethnicites would take an encyclopedia. With regards to fashion, I found myself on the list of articles that should allegedly never be worn by women of a certain age. I like mittens, they're warmer than gloves, I have down filled ones, as well as cashmere ones. I don't care for hats and happily wear earmuffs, mine are mink. Still a good book worth 3.5 stars.
  
  
• Useless advice and fear mongering for Baby Boomers
  By A2XD1RIC2WV2J0 on 2008-01-26
  Nothing ages a person like fear of aging. the writer ought to be ashamed of promoting self hatred like this. And the advice is bad. You can get much better health and beauty advice elsewhere and from soemone who doesn't prey on your low self esteem. Hope Naomi Wolfe takes on this woman soon. How politcally incorrect can you get? the Gray Panthers need to make a comeback IMHO. I hope the woman on the cover isnt the writer as she looks like she's had a prefrontal lobotomy
  
  
• Well worth the price but beware some of her suggestions
  By A21TXIARLW7O4S on 2008-01-28
  I'm not quite 40, but I'm pushing it, and the last thing I want to do is look it. After skimming this book in a bookstore, I finally ordered it. The chapters on makeup, hair, and jeans alone made it worth the price.
  
  Sometimes, however, the author forgets that not all of us work in "creative fields" and some of her tips for work dressing could undermine our authority. "Ditch the suits" because "all" offices have gone casual? Um, no they have not ALL gone casual. In fact, if are an attorney and you swap your suit for her skirt and cardigan suggestion, the result will be that senior partners start asking you to fax papers. I want to look young and hip. But I did not waste six figures on law school to be confused with the receptionist or secretary.
  
  It would have been nice for her to make some suggestion for not looking frumpy in a suit. Or recommend some Y&H suits (Nanette Lepore, etc.) Luckily for me, I'm not so old I don't know how to achieve that.
  
  The makeup section was very good, especially her comments about primer and concealer. I never knew that you should pair different shades of concealer depending on the color of the shadows under your eyes. This was really helpful. The pale pink lipstick she recommends however, simply makes me look like a corpse. My lips are too dark to look good in pale lipsticks, so don't just buy what she recommends, make sure you go out and try stuff on to find the perfect shade.
  
  The area about foundations and shapers: now I know a lot of people say you should just eat right and exercise and you won't need shapers. Well, I eat right and exercise obsessively (hence the shadows under my eyes!) and am a size 6. But no one, no matter how in shape, would fail to look better in a pair of Spanx. They smooth you out under clothes like nobody's business. They are heaven-sent and I think all women over the age of 20 should be issued them with their tax returns every year. Her chapter on foundation garments was excellent.
  
  Also, that glasses section!! I can only presume she got a product placement deal for some of these loud, garish frames that we were advised to wear. A pair of white rhinestone studded glasses for a black tie affair? I don't think so. If one must wear glasses to such an event, I would assume ones that do not overwhelm your beautiful evening wear would be preferable to gaudy glasses that draw all attention to them.
  
  All in all, this was a great book and I do recommend it, with the aforementioned caveats.
  
  
• best investment you can make for 08
  By ALSANJBSS5RP2 on 2008-01-29
  my name is cristina carlino creator of philosophy and biomedic. i have spent 30 years in the health ,wellness, and beauty industry. this is the first time i have ever written a review for any book. charla krupp, the author of "how not to look old", is someone i have long admired for her intellligent beauty and entertaining editorials,interviews and reporting.
  charla is considered an industry treasure.
  
  let me state this very clearly. "how not to look old" is one of the most important tools you can put in your tool box after age 35. it provides a very clear roadmap as to how you maximize your investments in the products and the procedures we all purchase to look and feel better.
  "how not to look old" is one of the best, funniest and most practical books i have ever read in the catagory of health and beauty.
  
  anyone over 35 should run not walk to buy this book. i am giving it to everyone i know including my mom, 70+, who looks and feels fantastic but could always use new timely tips. i love and adore this incredible contribution charla has made to our lives. five star cheers to charla krupp for writing a must have masterpiece. kind regards to all readers.
  
  
• Suggestions to keep us looking our best...
  By A1SLHI58I09T1K on 2008-01-10
  
  None of us wants to look old. However, once we reach a certain age our body begins to shift. Our boobs begin sagging, we notice wrinkles around our mouth and eyes, and age spots appear on our hands. That is an apt description on me. I do not want to age gracefully; I will fight the aging process as hard as possible. How Not To Look Old by Charla Krupp has written a delightful book of dos and don'ts for the woman over 40. Each chapter begins with "Nothing Ages You Like," there are photographs that illustrate the items discussed. How Not To Look Old has oodles of suggestions like pink lipstick (in the proper shade) makes all women look younger and cut your bangs. Bangs make you look younger. Do not part your hair in the middle and she discusses the ends and outs of proper hair color. I discovered things I need to change and some things that I am doing right. In the hair department, I am doing ok. In the eye shadow/liner area, I need to change my tactics. How Not To Look Old explains the importance of good dental health, proper cleanings and careful bleaching. My nails are my biggest issue; I received many pointers from that chapter. The last chapter brings it all together and offers suggestions of businesses in key cities. How Not To Look Old is a wonderful book that women will want to read. I would have given this book 5 stars except for the binding. This book deserves better. I was surprised to notice that after only a little handling the binding is pulling apart. However, do not let that stop you from buying this book. When we look our best, we feel more confident. How Not To Look Old is a must read.
  Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for ReviewYourBook.com
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• good info
  By A2H5Z28ESBM423 on 2008-01-05
  I am 50 years old and enjoy reading fashion and beauty magazines. this book is like having a bunch of excellent articles written with me in mind. The info shared is stuff you can use right away. Switch from dark lipstick to pink and then the author goes on to suggest the best pink lipsticks. The section on buying jeans was fantastic. Some of the info you will already be familiar with but there are some real gems in this book.
  
  
• "You can buy pretty"
  By A3DA76VVWBG6EB on 2008-01-14
  As Ms. Krupp quotes one celebrity, "You can buy pretty," and this book shows you how. With sections on hair, brows, wrinkles, make-up, clothing, jeans, lingere, jewlery, teeth and more Ms. Krupp details the nitty-gritty of what's available to enhance your appearance. This isn't about inner-beauty or eat right, sleep and exercise. It helps you cut though the thousands of beauty and apparel products available and focus on what will actually make you look better.
  
  Pros:
  -Offers specific suggestions on actual products and apparel. The suggestions are much better than most magazines where it seems everything is just a paid promotion (though whether or not that is the case here is unknown).
  -Offers a high-med-low maintenance solution for each section.
  -Empowers women with the tools they need to look as good as they want
  
  Cons:
  -The clothing section is the weakest. It seems she could have covered a little more on body-shapes and what cuts of clothing will flatter those shapes.
  -Even doing all the low-maintenance suggestions would be time-consuming and a little over the top for most women, who would frankly just rather spend their time doing something else. But you can pick and choose and do what's important for you.
  
  Overall a great book, fun to read and inspiring to create a better looking you. After reading I went out and bought some new make-up (which I'm much happier with) and vowed to never buy any unflattering item of clothing again!
  
  
  
  
  
• How to Prey on Women's Fears
  By A2JCJJNY43QQIV on 2008-04-28
  I don't know anyone who doesn't at least dread getting old - after all, no one wants to find to their horror that they are turning into their grandmother.
  
  But there's something really wrong when you see teenagers and women in their early 20s using anti-aging wrinkle fighting preparations made for women decades older!
  
  There has to be some happy medium between not giving a crap and looking your best at any age. The fear of not being "young and hip," after you hit 30 has got to be the most pathetic thing I've ever heard.
  
  Is there something wrong with keeping up with the styles and trends that work for you, that you like, and discarding the rest? Why would anyone need an author who spends $[...] on freaking sunglasses to prey on their fears that yes, that grandma look is around the corner?
  
  There probably is a woman in the world who is immune to this preying on your worst fears of losing your attractiveness, but I haven't met her yet. It's completely natural to have that small nut of insecurity (God knows women are born and bred to be insecure about their looks, which may explain why teenage girls are getting plastic surgery, and their idiotic parents pay for it), but the one thing I love about getting older (yes, there are a few good things about maturing) is I grew out of a lot of the insecurity about my looks I had when I was a callow whelp.
  
  That little knot of insecurity is smaller - down to a sunflower seed size - but still there. So as I'm in shouting distance of da big 4-0, it was time to see if a plasticized hollywood style queen had anything to teach me that years of reading Glamour and Allure hadn't.
  
  Well, the bit on picking jeans was informative. Problem is, I like jeans that come up to my waist. I'm sure, like many readers here, that you have a life which involves movement and sometimes even bending over. IMHO, there is no feeling as uncomfortable as having part of your butt sticking out of your jeans when you bend over. Tucking shirts in continually is uncomfortable and a pain in the butt (so to speak), and it's cold than a witch's mammary gland in the winter when that icy wind flies down your fashionable bare skin.
  
  So is it possible to wear soccer mom jeans and still be fashionable, or as the author's Prime Directive says, "young and hip"? Sure, if the rest of you is stylish, and if you have enough security and confidence to give the Y/H crowd the finger (don't these people have anything else to do?)
  
  I know what works for me. I know how to cherry-pick among trends to add what I like and step off the rest without giving it a second thought. Honestly, the most attractive thing a woman can do for herself is to not judge herself by the shallow, simple standards of a child - and yeah, hitting 30, 40, or 50 and worrying that you're not "young and hip" is just plain SAD and pathetic.
  
  Go for what works for you. If it's red nailpolish, wear it with pride! If it's red lipstick (which is on the verge of being Y/H again as the chilllrin discover it), go for it1 If you know that short hair does nothing for you, don't let yourself get suckered into that haircut you'll hate. But if you think a variation on your present style might liven things up, then make that appointment.
  
  If you never read fashion magazines, this book may be of some use. But anyone who keeps somewhat abreast of trends will find little here.
  
  There are worse things than getting old(er), and that's fearing it. Or letting someone profit from that fear, or being ridiculous in the quest to look eternally 22, rather than trying to look attractive for yourself.
  
  That might be unfair. I'm sure you gotta sell a lot of books on how to be Y/H to keep up with the payments on the next pair of $1,200 sunglasses.
  
  
• Very good, but a bit overwhelming
  By ACIZMSUWQYBZQ on 2008-01-19
  After reading this book, I did learn a lot but I also feel rather overwhelmed. Although the author gives choices for high, medium or low maintenance women, the message is that there is a lot to do if you want to look good these days. I don't remember life being this complicated twenty years ago (and that's not only because I was younger and looking good was easier). I would certainly follow some of the quick and easy recommendations, such as wearing pink lipstick and bangs (which I do anyway) but frankly, if going barelegged and fake tanning my legs is what it costs not to look old, I'm prepared to look old. Life is too short to have blisters on your feet from your shoes rubbing.
  
  I also wouldn't take hair coloring advice from a woman with brassy blonde hair which does not suit her skin tone (see the cover; the background color and her sweater color don't help). The glasses recommendations are also rather bizarre. I showed my husband the white glasses on the back cover and he was as mystified as I was. I don't wear glasses but why wear something so loud and in your face, so you see the glasses first rather than the woman wearing them?
  
  But overall this is a good read and I would recommend it. I just need to read it again more slowly and pick and choose.
  
  
• So MANY Ways to Look Younger!
  By A1JAPP1CXRG57A on 2008-01-22
  This book is full of great beauty and fashion ideas, and the photos clearly illustrate the points the author makes.
  
  Just about everything from A-Z is covered, usually in remarkable detail (maybe a little TOO much detail). As another reviewer commented, this abundance of detail might be overwhelming to some.
  
  The best thing about the book is the encouragement offered by the author. She assures readers that they CAN look younger, and that they can choose their own level of committment for getting there (high/medium/low maintenance).
  
  After finishing the book, I had lots of new ideas about changes I might make in my own style, and how to alter some of the fashion/beauty ruts I've fallen into. In other words, it gave me a better sense of what I'd like my own style to become, and how to improve it.
  
  Probably the easiest way to implement the suggestions would be for readers to choose an area to improve (hair/makeup/clothing), and work on that area until they're satisfied.
  
  That approach would probably help to avoid the "overwhelm" that might come if you try to do everything all at once.
  
  
• MARKETING FOR BEAUTY PRODUCTS
  By AP78OUQWFLS7J on 2008-02-08
  Already the cover page shows you actually "WHAT NOT TO DO".....as in bleach blond hair strings hanging down and an eye makeup with lower lid eye pencils.....OLD (which she herself ranting against it).
  
  All in all, nothing really in the book to go for that at least 10 year younger look. Most of it is just common sense, the rest strictly HER opions.
  
  
• Great information.
  By A1Z77BZWQTRIBM on 2008-01-07
  This book has great information. The format is easy, just check the content page and see whatever chapter you're interested in - clothing, eye makeup, hair color, the perfect jeans and lots more. Simple changes can make a big difference. Fun to read and plenty of easy changes to consider - I probably won't ever wear high heels but keeping the tennis shoes for actual sport activities is probably a good idea. I love that she gives the names of products of what to try like Clinique's Bamboo Pink lipstick. It was an quick and inexpensive change to soften my face!
  
  
• Aging is not ALL bad
  By AQC3M2MS1MOT2 on 2008-01-13
  I bought this book because, as a 38 year old woman, I definitely feel like the grandma in my young work group. Good suggestions abound....make-up hints (don't wear dark lipstick), hair (don't be a helmet head) and fashion advice (don't be too matchy poo).
  
  It saddens me to see women of my age group rejecting aging, though. There is nothing wrong with aging! It brings many gifts with it. Nobody likes wrinkles and sagging skin, no.
  
  But it also brings a freedom with it that we should embrace. Children are grown, if they were even in the picture. We know what we want out of life and our lives are, finally, are own. We are smarter, more experienced and more in control than we've ever been. Let's stop saying ridiculous things like "I will not age!"
  
  Yes you will.
  And thank God for it.
  
  In the mean time, this book will help you deal with the parts of aging we could all do without.
  
  Cheers
  
  
  
  
• Fantastic guide
  By A31178QVC2BZC6 on 2008-01-12
  I am a low maintenance girl but I have to say this book is very motivating and helpful. It's easy to get lazy about beauty as we age-kind of give up. But this book is inspirational for moving forward and feeling much more positive as well as conscious of our choices. The book has real discernment, is very readable and hip. Thank you Charla!
  
  
• Fabulous Must Have Book!!
  By A1KONN7EBSRU4Y on 2008-01-01
  I just received my book and could not put it down. Oh my gosh, this is a Must Have for anyone over 35. Great tips!! I feel that I look younger already, with just a few changes. This book really works. I changed my lipstick and nail polish today and it took 20 years off!! Just amazing!! Thanks!!
  
  
• some good tips but not for everyone!
  By A2EABWQ2TG11XI on 2008-01-18
  This is worth checking out but may not be for the average woman. The concept of High, Medium and Low maintenance really describes the amount of money you are willing to spend on beauty and fashion.
  It will give you something to think about and then you can make changes that fit your budget and lifestyle.
  
  
• Not all it's cracked up to be
  By AEREZ1FL0Z7BV on 2008-03-11
  This book advertises effortless ways to look younger, well, it lies! The book is a book about what products to buy not what will make you look younger and thinner effortlessly! I did not buy this book looking for the fountain of youth or anything but I did expect more substance than what we got, it just barely scratches the surface in each chapter. What a shame.
  
  
• She should tell her own age..
  By A39Y3NYIZSEJ60 on 2008-01-23
  This book was full of good advice for sure. Some we already knew of course, but thats ok. Its a fun, cute book. IF LOOKS were all that mattered we'd all be fixed by now. Maybe I'm a bit odd, over confident, a bit maybe, but I really don't mind being old, or even for someone to know HOW OLD I am. One cannot hide from the truth forever. Charla Krupp should tell HER age if she wants us to be impressed.I'd recommend this one if you need some good reference to products and or services and don't take the rest too seriously. Otherwise don't be like the author and hide your age, be proud of every second you've lived ..it ain't ALL about looks.
  
  

• Dressing Nifty After Fifty
• Staging Your Comeback: A Complete Beauty Revival for Women Over 45
• Eat This, Not That! Thousands of Simple Food Swaps that Can Save You 10, 20, 30 Pounds--or More!
• Style Rx: Dressing the Body You Have to Create the Body You Want
• Simply Irresistible: Unleash Your Inner Siren and Mesmerize Any Man, with Help from the Most Famous--and Infamous--Women in History