Customer Reviews

A Cure for the Frumpies -- March 16, 2009 Review by K. Kimball "Amarantha"

Being a bored, disinterested, even condescending ignoramus about beauty and fashion, I'm surprised I even bought this book ... except for the screaming mirror which assaults and insults me daily for my current appearance.

For those of us unimpressed by the fashion industry but more than a little disgruntled by the changes occurring in our aging bodies, this book is a Godsend. Christopher Hopkins crystalizes and verbalizes some of my basic instincts about dressing and taught me oh-so-much more. I'm a levis girl and don't expect that to change, but this book definitely illuminated the caverns of my mind regarding how to deal with these seemingly disheartening alterations in my appearance. And sloppiness to cover frumpiness is not the answer. Mr. Hopkin's sense of humor is delightful and his positive attitude encouraging. Of most enjoyment to me, however, was the weaving of a very subtle spirituality especially in the beginning of the book.

The pictures and font size only enhances the book's value. Yes, this book deserves 5 stars Plus! (Posted on 4/10/09)

Staging your comeback - a must read! April 5, 2009 Review by A. Hearst

Being a bored, disinterested, even condescending ignoramus about beauty and fashion, I'm surprised I even bought this book ... except for the screaming mirror which assaults and insults me daily for my current appearance.

For those of us unimpressed by the fashion industry but more than a little disgruntled by the changes occurring in our aging bodies, this book is a I just finished reading, laughing my way through - and implementing - the knowledge and expertise in this book. It makes hair, makeup and clothes fun and easy again. I've read several books on this topic over the last year or so - this is by far the best, most clear, most fun, the easiest to start doing NOW. (Posted on 4/10/09)

Chock full of content and great advice! Review by J.J

I am an Image Consultant that specializes in working with women over 40 and this is hands down the best book I have seen come out in a while!
I love how Christopher has put trends in the background and instead focuses on what these women need...some honesty, and softer lip color!
Some of the best makeover, I've seen. (Posted on 4/10/09)

Count me in, as another lover of this book! Review by LIn Lin22"

First of all, about THE PICTURES of the BEFORE-AFTERs:.... WOW is the word I have to use!

When the reader first looks at all the before photos of the models, one wonders how Christopher is going to transform the ladies.(?) Truly!
How is he going to do it?

But then, Christopher takes the reader through each transformation, step by step and VOILA, the gals are transformed into beauties!

HE does not use trick photography or plastic surgery. Instead, Christopher carefully analyzes each of the ladies' strength and he improves them, and then he looks at their flaws and he minimizes them by choosing more appropriate clothing, focusing on their skin types & facial qualities (eg:bushy eyebrows), and redoing their hair styles (via conditioning, coloring, trimming, cutting,...). It's amazing how improving just those three aspects, updated the models by 10-15 years (or more)! All I can say is that a person has to read this book to understand what I'm talking about.

Secondly, even if the reader does not resemble any of the ladies in this book, it does not matter, because Christopher's ideas can be applied to a majority of us (whether we are olive or fair skinned, or skinny or over-weight, or needing to update our 20 year old perms and teased-out hair styles, etc). I refer to this book often, when I need an inspiration. For example, when I'm invited to go to a luncheon, & I'm tempted to slap on my comfortable "uniform", I stop and think about what colors would flatter me more, just as Christopher does with his models. (Posted on 4/8/09)