A splendid book, 31 Oct 2008
This book is hugely readable. I bought it really out of curiosity - could anyone really write about perfume, surely you would need to sample them to appreciate their qualities? Not so. This is written so well, you can really get a feel for the product, the descriptions of the perfumes that I do know are so accurate, and actually make me appreciate all the complexities in them. Very witty, with some laugh-out-loud moments, I read this in two sittings and turned back immediately to start again. This is the next best thing to having a perfumery in your living room , without the hovering assistants. I read this on holiday in France, and on the ferry home took it into the onboard shop, reading, spraying & sniffing to the puzzlement of some passengers. I tried perfumes that I would have normally ignored, recognized the levels and descriptions from the book in each of them. A beautiful book, one you could read again & again. I do highly recommend this, it would make a great present for your best friends, male and female.

Refreshing honesty and splendid wit, 27 Sep 2008
Quite apart from its sheer range and depth in tackling its subject, this book is really entertaining. It blows a welcome blast of fresh air through the fragrance business, exposing some of its frailties ('We *never* change our fragrance formulas' is the lie you hear most often) and gambolling in the glittering light of enthusiasm when reviewing favoured scents. The fragrance reviews are splendidly opinionated, but it's always clear that what's being praised is quality, coherence, balance, rather than 'niceness', so you're still free to exercise your own preference when you're shopping. I'm particularly impressed by the authors' recognition of the part appearance and presentation play in our enjoyment of fragrance, so they tell you when the packaging is the best thing about a scent, and when the opposite is true, too. They're also very good at pointing out that where fragrance is concerned, you very rarely 'get what you pay for', because some of the cheapest products on sale are very good, and some of the most expensive are not. Even if you fall into the least favoured category of person - someone who wears fragrance because they're frightened of smelling of themselves, rather than because they actually like what they're wearing - you'll find constructive suggestions here, with splendidly direct warnings about pitfalls you might want to avoid. A splendid read, and a reliable guide - which will need updating with new editions every few years!

A trip down memory lane.., 18 Sep 2008
I spent last night poring over this book with my friends, male and female, looking up the various scents we have proudly worn then laughing and reminiscing while reading out the dead-on reviews. E.g. Poison 'The fragrance that everybody loves to hate...a must for every collector but please don't wear it to dinner'! It's warm, witty and wise - unlike anything else I have read on the subject.

A must have for handbags and manbags alike!, 09 Sep 2008
A danger to credit cards everywhere! This book is so evocative - descriptions of the good perfumes make you want to rush out and buy them without even smelling them first and reviews of the bad ones are screamingly funny. It's absolutely beautiful and a perfect present - also a brilliant way to drop a hint to your boyfriend, either because you want one of the scents or if you don't like his.

A splendid book, 31 Oct 2008
This book is hugely readable. I bought it really out of curiosity - could anyone really write about perfume, surely you would need to sample them to appreciate their qualities? Not so. This is written so well, you can really get a feel for the product, the descriptions of the perfumes that I do know are so accurate, and actually make me appreciate all the complexities in them. Very witty, with some laugh-out-loud moments, I read this in two sittings and turned back immediately to start again. This is the next best thing to having a perfumery in your living room , without the hovering assistants. I read this on holiday in France, and on the ferry home took it into the onboard shop, reading, spraying & sniffing to the puzzlement of some passengers. I tried perfumes that I would have normally ignored, recognized the levels and descriptions from the book in each of them. A beautiful book, one you could read again & again. I do highly recommend this, it would make a great present for your best friends, male and female.

Refreshing honesty and splendid wit, 27 Sep 2008
Quite apart from its sheer range and depth in tackling its subject, this book is really entertaining. It blows a welcome blast of fresh air through the fragrance business, exposing some of its frailties ('We *never* change our fragrance formulas' is the lie you hear most often) and gambolling in the glittering light of enthusiasm when reviewing favoured scents. The fragrance reviews are splendidly opinionated, but it's always clear that what's being praised is quality, coherence, balance, rather than 'niceness', so you're still free to exercise your own preference when you're shopping. I'm particularly impressed by the authors' recognition of the part appearance and presentation play in our enjoyment of fragrance, so they tell you when the packaging is the best thing about a scent, and when the opposite is true, too. They're also very good at pointing out that where fragrance is concerned, you very rarely 'get what you pay for', because some of the cheapest products on sale are very good, and some of the most expensive are not. Even if you fall into the least favoured category of person - someone who wears fragrance because they're frightened of smelling of themselves, rather than because they actually like what they're wearing - you'll find constructive suggestions here, with splendidly direct warnings about pitfalls you might want to avoid. A splendid read, and a reliable guide - which will need updating with new editions every few years!

A trip down memory lane.., 18 Sep 2008
I spent last night poring over this book with my friends, male and female, looking up the various scents we have proudly worn then laughing and reminiscing while reading out the dead-on reviews. E.g. Poison 'The fragrance that everybody loves to hate...a must for every collector but please don't wear it to dinner'! It's warm, witty and wise - unlike anything else I have read on the subject.

A must have for handbags and manbags alike!, 09 Sep 2008
A danger to credit cards everywhere! This book is so evocative - descriptions of the good perfumes make you want to rush out and buy them without even smelling them first and reviews of the bad ones are screamingly funny. It's absolutely beautiful and a perfect present - also a brilliant way to drop a hint to your boyfriend, either because you want one of the scents or if you don't like his.

Great on TV but the book?, 01 Sep 2008
Feel Fab at 50

As an Image professional I have always loved Gok since he jumped on to our TV screens a couple of years ago. He epitomises what we, as professionals, should be doing with our clients. I have continued to love his approach ever since. While the text in his book was sensible and uplifting, strangely enough, I found the choice of clothing incomprehensible for the most part. Instead of flattering his models, who are all gorgeous (and mostly voluptuous), they look uncomfortable and too tight with staining seams, incorrect fabric choices and so on. The Gok on TV would never make these fundamental errors and the upshot is that his girls look bigger than they really are. A conundrum!

Sorry Gok, I like you, but, 29 Dec 2007
The book does not help. The same model poses for pear shape and hourglass??? (same for the other models)
Why not take Trinny and Susannah's approach and show exactly what kind of clothing each shape needs instead of showing us ball gowns? Why not use the women from the series?



Gok Wan: Making the world a better place for ladies everywhere!, 12 Jul 2007
I am not usually a fan of fashion and stylist programmes, but I tuned into Gok's every week. It hit just the right tone, about celebrating what real women look like and making the best of what you already had rather than needing to change.
This book has the same loveable and helpful tone as the show, and offers a supportive mantra to learn to love what you have and make the best of it. The only real confusing element is if you're not sure which of the body types describes you best, eg if you're top heavy but also uncomfortable about your belly.
Gok is offering a valuable service to all women uncomfortable with their shapes and this book offers helpful advice, aswell as feeling like a confidante to remind you that yes, you are beautiful. Of course, I'm biased because I met Gok at his book signing and am absolutely in love with the man, but I really do recommend this book as an encouragement to all women who want to learn how to be comfortable in their own skin just the way it is.

very helpful, 30 Jun 2007
Five stars because although the book is not perfect I applaud the kindness of the author. An interesting aspect is that Wan himself tells us that he was overweight. Quite obviously he is not now - yet this is emphatically not a diet book. What seems to have happened is that the author styled himself to feel better about himself and the weightloss followed in due course when he was happier about himself. This book is so brilliant because it starts with what's right about you rather than with what is wrong, working with your self-consciousness rather than totally disregarding it. All teenage girls should be given this book and the author should be given a knighthood. Read in conjunction with watching the TV show.

My only criticisms: perhaps the style is a little cloying; but I'll live with that since I know he is trying to put the reader at their ease. Also sometimes it's hard to know exactly what shape you are: e.g. am I a pear shape, a bird with a big bum or petite? Maybe some comparative measurements would be useful. Worst thing would be to accidentally go for the wrong shape. Really I'm a combination of all three so how to work with that? There is some limited advice but more would be good.

You don't have to loose weight or be rich to look great!, 17 Jun 2007
The best thing about this book is its overall message: you do not necessarily have to loose weight or be rich to look your very best on a day-to-day basis! Gok's approach is 'drink more water, eat more fruit&veg and take good care of yourself'- no diet fads or expensive plastic surgery (see '10 years younger'!) needed. The book focuses on different types of body shape (big bottom, big belly, no curves, too skinny etc.) and provides LOTS of helpful advice as to what to wear and (probably even more important) what not. The last chapters focus on underwear and general beauty routine. All of this is very helpful and the writing style is very similar to the tv show, very positive and encouraging, all about flaunting your best bits and keeping quiet about the rest. I can honestly say that I have never read such a positive book about this subject: Gok does not preach or patronize, but seems to really want to bring the best out in everybody.
The only shortcoming is a lack of photographs. It would have been nice to have more pictures accompanying the advice given in the text. But apart from that: absolutely recommendable!!!

A splendid book, 31 Oct 2008
This book is hugely readable. I bought it really out of curiosity - could anyone really write about perfume, surely you would need to sample them to appreciate their qualities? Not so. This is written so well, you can really get a feel for the product, the descriptions of the perfumes that I do know are so accurate, and actually make me appreciate all the complexities in them. Very witty, with some laugh-out-loud moments, I read this in two sittings and turned back immediately to start again. This is the next best thing to having a perfumery in your living room , without the hovering assistants. I read this on holiday in France, and on the ferry home took it into the onboard shop, reading, spraying & sniffing to the puzzlement of some passengers. I tried perfumes that I would have normally ignored, recognized the levels and descriptions from the book in each of them. A beautiful book, one you could read again & again. I do highly recommend this, it would make a great present for your best friends, male and female.

Refreshing honesty and splendid wit, 27 Sep 2008
Quite apart from its sheer range and depth in tackling its subject, this book is really entertaining. It blows a welcome blast of fresh air through the fragrance business, exposing some of its frailties ('We *never* change our fragrance formulas' is the lie you hear most often) and gambolling in the glittering light of enthusiasm when reviewing favoured scents. The fragrance reviews are splendidly opinionated, but it's always clear that what's being praised is quality, coherence, balance, rather than 'niceness', so you're still free to exercise your own preference when you're shopping. I'm particularly impressed by the authors' recognition of the part appearance and presentation play in our enjoyment of fragrance, so they tell you when the packaging is the best thing about a scent, and when the opposite is true, too. They're also very good at pointing out that where fragrance is concerned, you very rarely 'get what you pay for', because some of the cheapest products on sale are very good, and some of the most expensive are not. Even if you fall into the least favoured category of person - someone who wears fragrance because they're frightened of smelling of themselves, rather than because they actually like what they're wearing - you'll find constructive suggestions here, with splendidly direct warnings about pitfalls you might want to avoid. A splendid read, and a reliable guide - which will need updating with new editions every few years!

A trip down memory lane.., 18 Sep 2008
I spent last night poring over this book with my friends, male and female, looking up the various scents we have proudly worn then laughing and reminiscing while reading out the dead-on reviews. E.g. Poison 'The fragrance that everybody loves to hate...a must for every collector but please don't wear it to dinner'! It's warm, witty and wise - unlike anything else I have read on the subject.

A must have for handbags and manbags alike!, 09 Sep 2008
A danger to credit cards everywhere! This book is so evocative - descriptions of the good perfumes make you want to rush out and buy them without even smelling them first and reviews of the bad ones are screamingly funny. It's absolutely beautiful and a perfect present - also a brilliant way to drop a hint to your boyfriend, either because you want one of the scents or if you don't like his.

Great on TV but the book?, 01 Sep 2008
Feel Fab at 50

As an Image professional I have always loved Gok since he jumped on to our TV screens a couple of years ago. He epitomises what we, as professionals, should be doing with our clients. I have continued to love his approach ever since. While the text in his book was sensible and uplifting, strangely enough, I found the choice of clothing incomprehensible for the most part. Instead of flattering his models, who are all gorgeous (and mostly voluptuous), they look uncomfortable and too tight with staining seams, incorrect fabric choices and so on. The Gok on TV would never make these fundamental errors and the upshot is that his girls look bigger than they really are. A conundrum!

Sorry Gok, I like you, but, 29 Dec 2007
The book does not help. The same model poses for pear shape and hourglass??? (same for the other models)
Why not take Trinny and Susannah's approach and show exactly what kind of clothing each shape needs instead of showing us ball gowns? Why not use the women from the series?



Gok Wan: Making the world a better place for ladies everywhere!, 12 Jul 2007
I am not usually a fan of fashion and stylist programmes, but I tuned into Gok's every week. It hit just the right tone, about celebrating what real women look like and making the best of what you already had rather than needing to change.
This book has the same loveable and helpful tone as the show, and offers a supportive mantra to learn to love what you have and make the best of it. The only real confusing element is if you're not sure which of the body types describes you best, eg if you're top heavy but also uncomfortable about your belly.
Gok is offering a valuable service to all women uncomfortable with their shapes and this book offers helpful advice, aswell as feeling like a confidante to remind you that yes, you are beautiful. Of course, I'm biased because I met Gok at his book signing and am absolutely in love with the man, but I really do recommend this book as an encouragement to all women who want to learn how to be comfortable in their own skin just the way it is.

very helpful, 30 Jun 2007
Five stars because although the book is not perfect I applaud the kindness of the author. An interesting aspect is that Wan himself tells us that he was overweight. Quite obviously he is not now - yet this is emphatically not a diet book. What seems to have happened is that the author styled himself to feel better about himself and the weightloss followed in due course when he was happier about himself. This book is so brilliant because it starts with what's right about you rather than with what is wrong, working with your self-consciousness rather than totally disregarding it. All teenage girls should be given this book and the author should be given a knighthood. Read in conjunction with watching the TV show.

My only criticisms: perhaps the style is a little cloying; but I'll live with that since I know he is trying to put the reader at their ease. Also sometimes it's hard to know exactly what shape you are: e.g. am I a pear shape, a bird with a big bum or petite? Maybe some comparative measurements would be useful. Worst thing would be to accidentally go for the wrong shape. Really I'm a combination of all three so how to work with that? There is some limited advice but more would be good.

You don't have to loose weight or be rich to look great!, 17 Jun 2007
The best thing about this book is its overall message: you do not necessarily have to loose weight or be rich to look your very best on a day-to-day basis! Gok's approach is 'drink more water, eat more fruit&veg and take good care of yourself'- no diet fads or expensive plastic surgery (see '10 years younger'!) needed. The book focuses on different types of body shape (big bottom, big belly, no curves, too skinny etc.) and provides LOTS of helpful advice as to what to wear and (probably even more important) what not. The last chapters focus on underwear and general beauty routine. All of this is very helpful and the writing style is very similar to the tv show, very positive and encouraging, all about flaunting your best bits and keeping quiet about the rest. I can honestly say that I have never read such a positive book about this subject: Gok does not preach or patronize, but seems to really want to bring the best out in everybody.
The only shortcoming is a lack of photographs. It would have been nice to have more pictures accompanying the advice given in the text. But apart from that: absolutely recommendable!!!

Good, frivolous fun, 25 Oct 2008
I have a mild addiction to books like these, and this rates very highly - the layout is gorgeous, the tips are handy, and the style is warm.

However, there are some atrocious spelling errors, as well as some outdated information. The book would have benefited from a more eagle-eyed editor.

Lacking, 26 Aug 2008
I bought this book maybe expecting too much because I gained very little! The cover is lovely and the pages are lovely, but the content is very trivial and really only based on the author's favourite shops etc. I think the title is misleading it is not a Goddess Guide but someone who has written a book listing the things that they like. As the book went on I read less and less and finally just flicked through the last few pages.

Dissappointing, 13 Aug 2008
This is a very beautifully illustrated book and makes for an interesting read. However i was slightly disappointed with it as it was just not what i was expecting. The book is a narration of the author's life essentially and gives useful tips on how to get pen marks off your bags, and clean your suede shoes for example but unfortunately i found it to be slightly boring and too personal, i found myself flicking through most of her memories that outline each new section. I expected the book to be more of a guide to how you should create your own style, for example when it comes to fashion; good places to find great heels, black dresses, how to apply your makeup, great places for cocktails and so on but it was more a biographical account of one persons own experiences which are always going to be different to how someone else experiences them. The majority of tips and advice she gives don't really relate to the average woman but someone essentially with a lot of money. This book definitely provides useful tips on what to look for when for example buying a suit etc but in my opinion a lot of it is not things people need to be told. It is aimed at a certain type of person who perhaps doesnt have time to go out and find new places, bars, restaurants etc and prefers having a list of good places to go, where they can get their teeth re-done, laser treatments etc which of course there is nothing wrong with. Overall i would recommend it for its more practical advice rather than it being a good read.

Overrated, 11 Apr 2008
I saw this advertised in one of my magazines and thought "Wow! I have to get that book!", so out I went. However, I was actually rather disappointed with it. Looks beautiful on my bookshelf, but I have only read it once. The content is the same as many other similar books of the genre, and after a while this gets a bit same-y and nothing sets it apart from the others! There are the few odd good bits, but they are outnumbered by the not so good, in my opinion. I imagine it would be a fantastic book for a person new to these types of books, but for those who it is not, I would borrow it from someone before buying.

Had it for a year; still using it!, 29 Jan 2008
I bought the hard cover version of this book a year ago, just before Xmas. I loved reading it; like one of the other reviewers said, bit like a glossy mag, but better, more intimate and more indulgent! From the first read I got: A. a lot of fun reading it, B. a whole bunch of ideas, C. a shopping list of things I wanted to try out. I still flick through it regularly, most recently to read up on the NY shopping section to pick up some ideas, as I'll be there again soon. This book does not make me feel empty and sad, it's more like dipping into a box of chocolates without the calories. It certainly does not make me want to aspire to some unattainable ideal of a woman. It's very boudoir and decadent - in a nice way...

A splendid book, 31 Oct 2008
This book is hugely readable. I bought it really out of curiosity - could anyone really write about perfume, surely you would need to sample them to appreciate their qualities? Not so. This is written so well, you can really get a feel for the product, the descriptions of the perfumes that I do know are so accurate, and actually make me appreciate all the complexities in them. Very witty, with some laugh-out-loud moments, I read this in two sittings and turned back immediately to start again. This is the next best thing to having a perfumery in your living room , without the hovering assistants. I read this on holiday in France, and on the ferry home took it into the onboard shop, reading, spraying & sniffing to the puzzlement of some passengers. I tried perfumes that I would have normally ignored, recognized the levels and descriptions from the book in each of them. A beautiful book, one you could read again & again. I do highly recommend this, it would make a great present for your best friends, male and female.

Refreshing honesty and splendid wit, 27 Sep 2008
Quite apart from its sheer range and depth in tackling its subject, this book is really entertaining. It blows a welcome blast of fresh air through the fragrance business, exposing some of its frailties ('We *never* change our fragrance formulas' is the lie you hear most often) and gambolling in the glittering light of enthusiasm when reviewing favoured scents. The fragrance reviews are splendidly opinionated, but it's always clear that what's being praised is quality, coherence, balance, rather than 'niceness', so you're still free to exercise your own preference when you're shopping. I'm particularly impressed by the authors' recognition of the part appearance and presentation play in our enjoyment of fragrance, so they tell you when the packaging is the best thing about a scent, and when the opposite is true, too. They're also very good at pointing out that where fragrance is concerned, you very rarely 'get what you pay for', because some of the cheapest products on sale are very good, and some of the most expensive are not. Even if you fall into the least favoured category of person - someone who wears fragrance because they're frightened of smelling of themselves, rather than because they actually like what they're wearing - you'll find constructive suggestions here, with splendidly direct warnings about pitfalls you might want to avoid. A splendid read, and a reliable guide - which will need updating with new editions every few years!

A trip down memory lane.., 18 Sep 2008
I spent last night poring over this book with my friends, male and female, looking up the various scents we have proudly worn then laughing and reminiscing while reading out the dead-on reviews. E.g. Poison 'The fragrance that everybody loves to hate...a must for every collector but please don't wear it to dinner'! It's warm, witty and wise - unlike anything else I have read on the subject.

A must have for handbags and manbags alike!, 09 Sep 2008
A danger to credit cards everywhere! This book is so evocative - descriptions of the good perfumes make you want to rush out and buy them without even smelling them first and reviews of the bad ones are screamingly funny. It's absolutely beautiful and a perfect present - also a brilliant way to drop a hint to your boyfriend, either because you want one of the scents or if you don't like his.

Great on TV but the book?, 01 Sep 2008
Feel Fab at 50

As an Image professional I have always loved Gok since he jumped on to our TV screens a couple of years ago. He epitomises what we, as professionals, should be doing with our clients. I have continued to love his approach ever since. While the text in his book was sensible and uplifting, strangely enough, I found the choice of clothing incomprehensible for the most part. Instead of flattering his models, who are all gorgeous (and mostly voluptuous), they look uncomfortable and too tight with staining seams, incorrect fabric choices and so on. The Gok on TV would never make these fundamental errors and the upshot is that his girls look bigger than they really are. A conundrum!

Sorry Gok, I like you, but, 29 Dec 2007
The book does not help. The same model poses for pear shape and hourglass??? (same for the other models)
Why not take Trinny and Susannah's approach and show exactly what kind of clothing each shape needs instead of showing us ball gowns? Why not use the women from the series?



Gok Wan: Making the world a better place for ladies everywhere!, 12 Jul 2007
I am not usually a fan of fashion and stylist programmes, but I tuned into Gok's every week. It hit just the right tone, about celebrating what real women look like and making the best of what you already had rather than needing to change.
This book has the same loveable and helpful tone as the show, and offers a supportive mantra to learn to love what you have and make the best of it. The only real confusing element is if you're not sure which of the body types describes you best, eg if you're top heavy but also uncomfortable about your belly.
Gok is offering a valuable service to all women uncomfortable with their shapes and this book offers helpful advice, aswell as feeling like a confidante to remind you that yes, you are beautiful. Of course, I'm biased because I met Gok at his book signing and am absolutely in love with the man, but I really do recommend this book as an encouragement to all women who want to learn how to be comfortable in their own skin just the way it is.

very helpful, 30 Jun 2007
Five stars because although the book is not perfect I applaud the kindness of the author. An interesting aspect is that Wan himself tells us that he was overweight. Quite obviously he is not now - yet this is emphatically not a diet book. What seems to have happened is that the author styled himself to feel better about himself and the weightloss followed in due course when he was happier about himself. This book is so brilliant because it starts with what's right about you rather than with what is wrong, working with your self-consciousness rather than totally disregarding it. All teenage girls should be given this book and the author should be given a knighthood. Read in conjunction with watching the TV show.

My only criticisms: perhaps the style is a little cloying; but I'll live with that since I know he is trying to put the reader at their ease. Also sometimes it's hard to know exactly what shape you are: e.g. am I a pear shape, a bird with a big bum or petite? Maybe some comparative measurements would be useful. Worst thing would be to accidentally go for the wrong shape. Really I'm a combination of all three so how to work with that? There is some limited advice but more would be good.

You don't have to loose weight or be rich to look great!, 17 Jun 2007
The best thing about this book is its overall message: you do not necessarily have to loose weight or be rich to look your very best on a day-to-day basis! Gok's approach is 'drink more water, eat more fruit&veg and take good care of yourself'- no diet fads or expensive plastic surgery (see '10 years younger'!) needed. The book focuses on different types of body shape (big bottom, big belly, no curves, too skinny etc.) and provides LOTS of helpful advice as to what to wear and (probably even more important) what not. The last chapters focus on underwear and general beauty routine. All of this is very helpful and the writing style is very similar to the tv show, very positive and encouraging, all about flaunting your best bits and keeping quiet about the rest. I can honestly say that I have never read such a positive book about this subject: Gok does not preach or patronize, but seems to really want to bring the best out in everybody.
The only shortcoming is a lack of photographs. It would have been nice to have more pictures accompanying the advice given in the text. But apart from that: absolutely recommendable!!!

Good, frivolous fun, 25 Oct 2008
I have a mild addiction to books like these, and this rates very highly - the layout is gorgeous, the tips are handy, and the style is warm.

However, there are some atrocious spelling errors, as well as some outdated information. The book would have benefited from a more eagle-eyed editor.

Lacking, 26 Aug 2008
I bought this book maybe expecting too much because I gained very little! The cover is lovely and the pages are lovely, but the content is very trivial and really only based on the author's favourite shops etc. I think the title is misleading it is not a Goddess Guide but someone who has written a book listing the things that they like. As the book went on I read less and less and finally just flicked through the last few pages.

Dissappointing, 13 Aug 2008
This is a very beautifully illustrated book and makes for an interesting read. However i was slightly disappointed with it as it was just not what i was expecting. The book is a narration of the author's life essentially and gives useful tips on how to get pen marks off your bags, and clean your suede shoes for example but unfortunately i found it to be slightly boring and too personal, i found myself flicking through most of her memories that outline each new section. I expected the book to be more of a guide to how you should create your own style, for example when it comes to fashion; good places to find great heels, black dresses, how to apply your makeup, great places for cocktails and so on but it was more a biographical account of one persons own experiences which are always going to be different to how someone else experiences them. The majority of tips and advice she gives don't really relate to the average woman but someone essentially with a lot of money. This book definitely provides useful tips on what to look for when for example buying a suit etc but in my opinion a lot of it is not things people need to be told. It is aimed at a certain type of person who perhaps doesnt have time to go out and find new places, bars, restaurants etc and prefers having a list of good places to go, where they can get their teeth re-done, laser treatments etc which of course there is nothing wrong with. Overall i would recommend it for its more practical advice rather than it being a good read.

Overrated, 11 Apr 2008
I saw this advertised in one of my magazines and thought "Wow! I have to get that book!", so out I went. However, I was actually rather disappointed with it. Looks beautiful on my bookshelf, but I have only read it once. The content is the same as many other similar books of the genre, and after a while this gets a bit same-y and nothing sets it apart from the others! There are the few odd good bits, but they are outnumbered by the not so good, in my opinion. I imagine it would be a fantastic book for a person new to these types of books, but for those who it is not, I would borrow it from someone before buying.

Had it for a year; still using it!, 29 Jan 2008
I bought the hard cover version of this book a year ago, just before Xmas. I loved reading it; like one of the other reviewers said, bit like a glossy mag, but better, more intimate and more indulgent! From the first read I got: A. a lot of fun reading it, B. a whole bunch of ideas, C. a shopping list of things I wanted to try out. I still flick through it regularly, most recently to read up on the NY shopping section to pick up some ideas, as I'll be there again soon. This book does not make me feel empty and sad, it's more like dipping into a box of chocolates without the calories. It certainly does not make me want to aspire to some unattainable ideal of a woman. It's very boudoir and decadent - in a nice way...

Brilliant, 04 Aug 2008
This book is fantastic, i couldn't put it down once I'd started to read it, it's got everything you need to know about "making-up" your eyes, this is how some of the contents read:
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
THE BASICS:
eyebrows
eyelids
shaping your eyes with shadows
eyeliners
eyelashes
false eyelashes
taking it off
EVERYDAY
FLIRTATIOUS
FUNKY
GLAMOROUS
INSPIRED
the instructions on how to do each style are well thought out and seem really easy to do with pictures and ingredients list on what and how to do it, it tells you what brushes to use and how to use them and its got loads of tips in it and the pictures are fab, i cant wait to start using it.......

Very Helpfull, 21 Jul 2008
The condition was perfect. The content was very helpfull. Make up looks which everyone can do just by having this book.

A splendid book, 31 Oct 2008
This book is hugely readable. I bought it really out of curiosity - could anyone really write about perfume, surely you would need to sample them to appreciate their qualities? Not so. This is written so well, you can really get a feel for the product, the descriptions of the perfumes that I do know are so accurate, and actually make me appreciate all the complexities in them. Very witty, with some laugh-out-loud moments, I read this in two sittings and turned back immediately to start again. This is the next best thing to having a perfumery in your living room , without the hovering assistants. I read this on holiday in France, and on the ferry home took it into the onboard shop, reading, spraying & sniffing to the puzzlement of some passengers. I tried perfumes that I would have normally ignored, recognized the levels and descriptions from the book in each of them. A beautiful book, one you could read again & again. I do highly recommend this, it would make a great present for your best friends, male and female.

Refreshing honesty and splendid wit, 27 Sep 2008
Quite apart from its sheer range and depth in tackling its subject, this book is really entertaining. It blows a welcome blast of fresh air through the fragrance business, exposing some of its frailties ('We *never* change our fragrance formulas' is the lie you hear most often) and gambolling in the glittering light of enthusiasm when reviewing favoured scents. The fragrance reviews are splendidly opinionated, but it's always clear that what's being praised is quality, coherence, balance, rather than 'niceness', so you're still free to exercise your own preference when you're shopping. I'm particularly impressed by the authors' recognition of the part appearance and presentation play in our enjoyment of fragrance, so they tell you when the packaging is the best thing about a scent, and when the opposite is true, too. They're also very good at pointing out that where fragrance is concerned, you very rarely 'get what you pay for', because some of the cheapest products on sale are very good, and some of the most expensive are not. Even if you fall into the least favoured category of person - someone who wears fragrance because they're frightened of smelling of themselves, rather than because they actually like what they're wearing - you'll find constructive suggestions here, with splendidly direct warnings about pitfalls you might want to avoid. A splendid read, and a reliable guide - which will need updating with new editions every few years!

A trip down memory lane.., 18 Sep 2008
I spent last night poring over this book with my friends, male and female, looking up the various scents we have proudly worn then laughing and reminiscing while reading out the dead-on reviews. E.g. Poison 'The fragrance that everybody loves to hate...a must for every collector but please don't wear it to dinner'! It's warm, witty and wise - unlike anything else I have read on the subject.

A must have for handbags and manbags alike!, 09 Sep 2008
A danger to credit cards everywhere! This book is so evocative - descriptions of the good perfumes make you want to rush out and buy them without even smelling them first and reviews of the bad ones are screamingly funny. It's absolutely beautiful and a perfect present - also a brilliant way to drop a hint to your boyfriend, either because you want one of the scents or if you don't like his.

Great on TV but the book?, 01 Sep 2008
Feel Fab at 50

As an Image professional I have always loved Gok since he jumped on to our TV screens a couple of years ago. He epitomises what we, as professionals, should be doing with our clients. I have continued to love his approach ever since. While the text in his book was sensible and uplifting, strangely enough, I found the choice of clothing incomprehensible for the most part. Instead of flattering his models, who are all gorgeous (and mostly voluptuous), they look uncomfortable and too tight with staining seams, incorrect fabric choices and so on. The Gok on TV would never make these fundamental errors and the upshot is that his girls look bigger than they really are. A conundrum!

Sorry Gok, I like you, but, 29 Dec 2007
The book does not help. The same model poses for pear shape and hourglass??? (same for the other models)
Why not take Trinny and Susannah's approach and show exactly what kind of clothing each shape needs instead of showing us ball gowns? Why not use the women from the series?



Gok Wan: Making the world a better place for ladies everywhere!, 12 Jul 2007
I am not usually a fan of fashion and stylist programmes, but I tuned into Gok's every week. It hit just the right tone, about celebrating what real women look like and making the best of what you already had rather than needing to change.
This book has the same loveable and helpful tone as the show, and offers a supportive mantra to learn to love what you have and make the best of it. The only real confusing element is if you're not sure which of the body types describes you best, eg if you're top heavy but also uncomfortable about your belly.
Gok is offering a valuable service to all women uncomfortable with their shapes and this book offers helpful advice, aswell as feeling like a confidante to remind you that yes, you are beautiful. Of course, I'm biased because I met Gok at his book signing and am absolutely in love with the man, but I really do recommend this book as an encouragement to all women who want to learn how to be comfortable in their own skin just the way it is.

very helpful, 30 Jun 2007
Five stars because although the book is not perfect I applaud the kindness of the author. An interesting aspect is that Wan himself tells us that he was overweight. Quite obviously he is not now - yet this is emphatically not a diet book. What seems to have happened is that the author styled himself to feel better about himself and the weightloss followed in due course when he was happier about himself. This book is so brilliant because it starts with what's right about you rather than with what is wrong, working with your self-consciousness rather than totally disregarding it. All teenage girls should be given this book and the author should be given a knighthood. Read in conjunction with watching the TV show.

My only criticisms: perhaps the style is a little cloying; but I'll live with that since I know he is trying to put the reader at their ease. Also sometimes it's hard to know exactly what shape you are: e.g. am I a pear shape, a bird with a big bum or petite? Maybe some comparative measurements would be useful. Worst thing would be to accidentally go for the wrong shape. Really I'm a combination of all three so how to work with that? There is some limited advice but more would be good.

You don't have to loose weight or be rich to look great!, 17 Jun 2007
The best thing about this book is its overall message: you do not necessarily have to loose weight or be rich to look your very best on a day-to-day basis! Gok's approach is 'drink more water, eat more fruit&veg and take good care of yourself'- no diet fads or expensive plastic surgery (see '10 years younger'!) needed. The book focuses on different types of body shape (big bottom, big belly, no curves, too skinny etc.) and provides LOTS of helpful advice as to what to wear and (probably even more important) what not. The last chapters focus on underwear and general beauty routine. All of this is very helpful and the writing style is very similar to the tv show, very positive and encouraging, all about flaunting your best bits and keeping quiet about the rest. I can honestly say that I have never read such a positive book about this subject: Gok does not preach or patronize, but seems to really want to bring the best out in everybody.
The only shortcoming is a lack of photographs. It would have been nice to have more pictures accompanying the advice given in the text. But apart from that: absolutely recommendable!!!

Good, frivolous fun, 25 Oct 2008
I have a mild addiction to books like these, and this rates very highly - the layout is gorgeous, the tips are handy, and the style is warm.

However, there are some atrocious spelling errors, as well as some outdated information. The book would have benefited from a more eagle-eyed editor.

Lacking, 26 Aug 2008
I bought this book maybe expecting too much because I gained very little! The cover is lovely and the pages are lovely, but the content is very trivial and really only based on the author's favourite shops etc. I think the title is misleading it is not a Goddess Guide but someone who has written a book listing the things that they like. As the book went on I read less and less and finally just flicked through the last few pages.

Dissappointing, 13 Aug 2008
This is a very beautifully illustrated book and makes for an interesting read. However i was slightly disappointed with it as it was just not what i was expecting. The book is a narration of the author's life essentially and gives useful tips on how to get pen marks off your bags, and clean your suede shoes for example but unfortunately i found it to be slightly boring and too personal, i found myself flicking through most of her memories that outline each new section. I expected the book to be more of a guide to how you should create your own style, for example when it comes to fashion; good places to find great heels, black dresses, how to apply your makeup, great places for cocktails and so on but it was more a biographical account of one persons own experiences which are always going to be different to how someone else experiences them. The majority of tips and advice she gives don't really relate to the average woman but someone essentially with a lot of money. This book definitely provides useful tips on what to look for when for example buying a suit etc but in my opinion a lot of it is not things people need to be told. It is aimed at a certain type of person who perhaps doesnt have time to go out and find new places, bars, restaurants etc and prefers having a list of good places to go, where they can get their teeth re-done, laser treatments etc which of course there is nothing wrong with. Overall i would recommend it for its more practical advice rather than it being a good read.

Overrated, 11 Apr 2008
I saw this advertised in one of my magazines and thought "Wow! I have to get that book!", so out I went. However, I was actually rather disappointed with it. Looks beautiful on my bookshelf, but I have only read it once. The content is the same as many other similar books of the genre, and after a while this gets a bit same-y and nothing sets it apart from the others! There are the few odd good bits, but they are outnumbered by the not so good, in my opinion. I imagine it would be a fantastic book for a person new to these types of books, but for those who it is not, I would borrow it from someone before buying.

Had it for a year; still using it!, 29 Jan 2008
I bought the hard cover version of this book a year ago, just before Xmas. I loved reading it; like one of the other reviewers said, bit like a glossy mag, but better, more intimate and more indulgent! From the first read I got: A. a lot of fun reading it, B. a whole bunch of ideas, C. a shopping list of things I wanted to try out. I still flick through it regularly, most recently to read up on the NY shopping section to pick up some ideas, as I'll be there again soon. This book does not make me feel empty and sad, it's more like dipping into a box of chocolates without the calories. It certainly does not make me want to aspire to some unattainable ideal of a woman. It's very boudoir and decadent - in a nice way...

Brilliant, 04 Aug 2008
This book is fantastic, i couldn't put it down once I'd started to read it, it's got everything you need to know about "making-up" your eyes, this is how some of the contents read:
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
THE BASICS:
eyebrows
eyelids
shaping your eyes with shadows
eyeliners
eyelashes
false eyelashes
taking it off
EVERYDAY
FLIRTATIOUS
FUNKY
GLAMOROUS
INSPIRED
the instructions on how to do each style are well thought out and seem really easy to do with pictures and ingredients list on what and how to do it, it tells you what brushes to use and how to use them and its got loads of tips in it and the pictures are fab, i cant wait to start using it.......

Very Helpfull, 21 Jul 2008
The condition was perfect. The content was very helpfull. Make up looks which everyone can do just by having this book.

No stars, 02 Oct 2008
What a depressing, patronizing and shallow book. It's rarely funny and it's doesn't even seem tongue-in-cheek. A wide range of subjects are covered, but none of them are explained properly. This book is geared towards faking at life and doing a half-arsed job of everything. This is a book for stupid people, who think it's clever to pretend they like art or read books when they don't. A copy of this was lying about at work so I read it, but I wish I'd never wasted my lunch hour. A total waste of space. Rather than buy this book, go and buy one that will make you a more interesting person. If there was a no stars option I would have clicked it.

GOOD, FUNNY AND STRANGE, 13 Sep 2008
This was a excellent read, however many parts of the book are quite strange and have odd things, that you can do with common sense, a funny book.

very useful, 09 Sep 2008
not only has useful advice but is funny and well written.got it for my friends birthday and she loves it.

Useful if you've been living under a rock for your whole life..., 17 May 2008
A brief flick through this book led me to believe I might find this book entertaining and a useful reference tool. Oh, how wrong I was!

I will admit the author gives a very good argument for why you should treat yourself to expensive shoes, and I liked the writing style, which was quite witty.

However, the actual content of the book was rather lacking. It covered many subjects which I found particularly questionable (such as "How to Use A Remote Control". Like, really? Who on earth is this aimed at?!) but even those which actually could have been interesting, such as those on style and travelling, were frustratingly basic and lacking any new ideas at all.

The only type of reader that I would even consider recommending this to would be a very young girl; even then, I think she would have already gleaned more useful information on the subjects covered by reading teen magazines. If this were the target audience though, why the constant talk of designer shoes and the gardening section? Confusing.

How to be a shallow self-obssessed celebrity??, 02 Feb 2008
If you are self-conscious do not by this book as it will only make your self-consciousness worse!
It has to be one of the most superficial and patronising things I have ever read! Subsequently I haven't even managed to get past the first section `Greeting Your Public' due to utter disgust at what it has to say and by the way, Camilla, appearances are NOT everything.
I agree 100% with every other review in which this book was given two stars or less
I am just glad it was given to me as a present and i hadn;t actually spend money on it!
BIG disappointment!

A splendid book, 31 Oct 2008
This book is hugely readable. I bought it really out of curiosity - could anyone really write about perfume, surely you would need to sample them to appreciate their qualities? Not so. This is written so well, you can really get a feel for the product, the descriptions of the perfumes that I do know are so accurate, and actually make me appreciate all the complexities in them. Very witty, with some laugh-out-loud moments, I read this in two sittings and turned back immediately to start again. This is the next best thing to having a perfumery in your living room , without the hovering assistants. I read this on holiday in France, and on the ferry home took it into the onboard shop, reading, spraying & sniffing to the puzzlement of some passengers. I tried perfumes that I would have normally ignored, recognized the levels and descriptions from the book in each of them. A beautiful book, one you could read again & again. I do highly recommend this, it would make a great present for your best friends, male and female.

Refreshing honesty and splendid wit, 27 Sep 2008
Quite apart from its sheer range and depth in tackling its subject, this book is really entertaining. It blows a welcome blast of fresh air through the fragrance business, exposing some of its frailties ('We *never* change our fragrance formulas' is the lie you hear most often) and gambolling in the glittering light of enthusiasm when reviewing favoured scents. The fragrance reviews are splendidly opinionated, but it's always clear that what's being praised is quality, coherence, balance, rather than 'niceness', so you're still free to exercise your own preference when you're shopping. I'm particularly impressed by the authors' recognition of the part appearance and presentation play in our enjoyment of fragrance, so they tell you when the packaging is the best thing about a scent, and when the opposite is true, too. They're also very good at pointing out that where fragrance is concerned, you very rarely 'get what you pay for', because some of the cheapest products on sale are very good, and some of the most expensive are not. Even if you fall into the least favoured category of person - someone who wears fragrance because they're frightened of smelling of themselves, rather than because they actually like what they're wearing - you'll find constructive suggestions here, with splendidly direct warnings about pitfalls you might want to avoid. A splendid read, and a reliable guide - which will need updating with new editions every few years!

A trip down memory lane.., 18 Sep 2008
I spent last night poring over this book with my friends, male and female, looking up the various scents we have proudly worn then laughing and reminiscing while reading out the dead-on reviews. E.g. Poison 'The fragrance that everybody loves to hate...a must for every collector but please don't wear it to dinner'! It's warm, witty and wise - unlike anything else I have read on the subject.

A must have for handbags and manbags alike!, 09 Sep 2008
A danger to credit cards everywhere! This book is so evocative - descriptions of the good perfumes make you want to rush out and buy them without even smelling them first and reviews of the bad ones are screamingly funny. It's absolutely beautiful and a perfect present - also a brilliant way to drop a hint to your boyfriend, either because you want one of the scents or if you don't like his.

Great on TV but the book?, 01 Sep 2008
Feel Fab at 50

As an Image professional I have always loved Gok since he jumped on to our TV screens a couple of years ago. He epitomises what we, as professionals, should be doing with our clients. I have continued to love his approach ever since. While the text in his book was sensible and uplifting, strangely enough, I found the choice of clothing incomprehensible for the most part. Instead of flattering his models, who are all gorgeous (and mostly voluptuous), they look uncomfortable and too tight with staining seams, incorrect fabric choices and so on. The Gok on TV would never make these fundamental errors and the upshot is that his girls look bigger than they really are. A conundrum!

Sorry Gok, I like you, but, 29 Dec 2007
The book does not help. The same model poses for pear shape and hourglass??? (same for the other models)
Why not take Trinny and Susannah's approach and show exactly what kind of clothing each shape needs instead of showing us ball gowns? Why not use the women from the series?



Gok Wan: Making the world a better place for ladies everywhere!, 12 Jul 2007
I am not usually a fan of fashion and stylist programmes, but I tuned into Gok's every week. It hit just the right tone, about celebrating what real women look like and making the best of what you already had rather than needing to change.
This book has the same loveable and helpful tone as the show, and offers a supportive mantra to learn to love what you have and make the best of it. The only real confusing element is if you're not sure which of the body types describes you best, eg if you're top heavy but also uncomfortable about your belly.
Gok is offering a valuable service to all women uncomfortable with their shapes and this book offers helpful advice, aswell as feeling like a confidante to remind you that yes, you are beautiful. Of course, I'm biased because I met Gok at his book signing and am absolutely in love with the man, but I really do recommend this book as an encouragement to all women who want to learn how to be comfortable in their own skin just the way it is.

very helpful, 30 Jun 2007
Five stars because although the book is not perfect I applaud the kindness of the author. An interesting aspect is that Wan himself tells us that he was overweight. Quite obviously he is not now - yet this is emphatically not a diet book. What seems to have happened is that the author styled himself to feel better about himself and the weightloss followed in due course when he was happier about himself. This book is so brilliant because it starts with what's right about you rather than with what is wrong, working with your self-consciousness rather than totally disregarding it. All teenage girls should be given this book and the author should be given a knighthood. Read in conjunction with watching the TV show.

My only criticisms: perhaps the style is a little cloying; but I'll live with that since I know he is trying to put the reader at their ease. Also sometimes it's hard to know exactly what shape you are: e.g. am I a pear shape, a bird with a big bum or petite? Maybe some comparative measurements would be useful. Worst thing would be to accidentally go for the wrong shape. Really I'm a combination of all three so how to work with that? There is some limited advice but more would be good.

You don't have to loose weight or be rich to look great!, 17 Jun 2007
The best thing about this book is its overall message: you do not necessarily have to loose weight or be rich to look your very best on a day-to-day basis! Gok's approach is 'drink more water, eat more fruit&veg and take good care of yourself'- no diet fads or expensive plastic surgery (see '10 years younger'!) needed. The book focuses on different types of body shape (big bottom, big belly, no curves, too skinny etc.) and provides LOTS of helpful advice as to what to wear and (probably even more important) what not. The last chapters focus on underwear and general beauty routine. All of this is very helpful and the writing style is very similar to the tv show, very positive and encouraging, all about flaunting your best bits and keeping quiet about the rest. I can honestly say that I have never read such a positive book about this subject: Gok does not preach or patronize, but seems to really want to bring the best out in everybody.
The only shortcoming is a lack of photographs. It would have been nice to have more pictures accompanying the advice given in the text. But apart from that: absolutely recommendable!!!

Good, frivolous fun, 25 Oct 2008
I have a mild addiction to books like these, and this rates very highly - the layout is gorgeous, the tips are handy, and the style is warm.

However, there are some atrocious spelling errors, as well as some outdated information. The book would have benefited from a more eagle-eyed editor.

Lacking, 26 Aug 2008
I bought this book maybe expecting too much because I gained very little! The cover is lovely and the pages are lovely, but the content is very trivial and really only based on the author's favourite shops etc. I think the title is misleading it is not a Goddess Guide but someone who has written a book listing the things that they like. As the book went on I read less and less and finally just flicked through the last few pages.

Dissappointing, 13 Aug 2008
This is a very beautifully illustrated book and makes for an interesting read. However i was slightly disappointed with it as it was just not what i was expecting. The book is a narration of the author's life essentially and gives useful tips on how to get pen marks off your bags, and clean your suede shoes for example but unfortunately i found it to be slightly boring and too personal, i found myself flicking through most of her memories that outline each new section. I expected the book to be more of a guide to how you should create your own style, for example when it comes to fashion; good places to find great heels, black dresses, how to apply your makeup, great places for cocktails and so on but it was more a biographical account of one persons own experiences which are always going to be different to how someone else experiences them. The majority of tips and advice she gives don't really relate to the average woman but someone essentially with a lot of money. This book definitely provides useful tips on what to look for when for example buying a suit etc but in my opinion a lot of it is not things people need to be told. It is aimed at a certain type of person who perhaps doesnt have time to go out and find new places, bars, restaurants etc and prefers having a list of good places to go, where they can get their teeth re-done, laser treatments etc which of course there is nothing wrong with. Overall i would recommend it for its more practical advice rather than it being a good read.

Overrated, 11 Apr 2008
I saw this advertised in one of my magazines and thought "Wow! I have to get that book!", so out I went. However, I was actually rather disappointed with it. Looks beautiful on my bookshelf, but I have only read it once. The content is the same as many other similar books of the genre, and after a while this gets a bit same-y and nothing sets it apart from the others! There are the few odd good bits, but they are outnumbered by the not so good, in my opinion. I imagine it would be a fantastic book for a person new to these types of books, but for those who it is not, I would borrow it from someone before buying.

Had it for a year; still using it!, 29 Jan 2008
I bought the hard cover version of this book a year ago, just before Xmas. I loved reading it; like one of the other reviewers said, bit like a glossy mag, but better, more intimate and more indulgent! From the first read I got: A. a lot of fun reading it, B. a whole bunch of ideas, C. a shopping list of things I wanted to try out. I still flick through it regularly, most recently to read up on the NY shopping section to pick up some ideas, as I'll be there again soon. This book does not make me feel empty and sad, it's more like dipping into a box of chocolates without the calories. It certainly does not make me want to aspire to some unattainable ideal of a woman. It's very boudoir and decadent - in a nice way...

Brilliant, 04 Aug 2008
This book is fantastic, i couldn't put it down once I'd started to read it, it's got everything you need to know about "making-up" your eyes, this is how some of the contents read:
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
THE BASICS:
eyebrows
eyelids
shaping your eyes with shadows
eyeliners
eyelashes
false eyelashes
taking it off
EVERYDAY
FLIRTATIOUS
FUNKY
GLAMOROUS
INSPIRED
the instructions on how to do each style are well thought out and seem really easy to do with pictures and ingredients list on what and how to do it, it tells you what brushes to use and how to use them and its got loads of tips in it and the pictures are fab, i cant wait to start using it.......

Very Helpfull, 21 Jul 2008
The condition was perfect. The content was very helpfull. Make up looks which everyone can do just by having this book.

No stars, 02 Oct 2008
What a depressing, patronizing and shallow book. It's rarely funny and it's doesn't even seem tongue-in-cheek. A wide range of subjects are covered, but none of them are explained properly. This book is geared towards faking at life and doing a half-arsed job of everything. This is a book for stupid people, who think it's clever to pretend they like art or read books when they don't. A copy of this was lying about at work so I read it, but I wish I'd never wasted my lunch hour. A total waste of space. Rather than buy this book, go and buy one that will make you a more interesting person. If there was a no stars option I would have clicked it.

GOOD, FUNNY AND STRANGE, 13 Sep 2008
This was a excellent read, however many parts of the book are quite strange and have odd things, that you can do with common sense, a funny book.

very useful, 09 Sep 2008
not only has useful advice but is funny and well written.got it for my friends birthday and she loves it.

Useful if you've been living under a rock for your whole life..., 17 May 2008
A brief flick through this book led me to believe I might find this book entertaining and a useful reference tool. Oh, how wrong I was!

I will admit the author gives a very good argument for why you should treat yourself to expensive shoes, and I liked the writing style, which was quite witty.

However, the actual content of the book was rather lacking. It covered many subjects which I found particularly questionable (such as "How to Use A Remote Control". Like, really? Who on earth is this aimed at?!) but even those which actually could have been interesting, such as those on style and travelling, were frustratingly basic and lacking any new ideas at all.

The only type of reader that I would even consider recommending this to would be a very young girl; even then, I think she would have already gleaned more useful information on the subjects covered by reading teen magazines. If this were the target audience though, why the constant talk of designer shoes and the gardening section? Confusing.

How to be a shallow self-obssessed celebrity??, 02 Feb 2008
If you are self-conscious do not by this book as it will only make your self-consciousness worse!
It has to be one of the most superficial and patronising things I have ever read! Subsequently I haven't even managed to get past the first section `Greeting Your Public' due to utter disgust at what it has to say and by the way, Camilla, appearances are NOT everything.
I agree 100% with every other review in which this book was given two stars or less
I am just glad it was given to me as a present and i hadn;t actually spend money on it!
BIG disappointment!

Tired old eyes, 14 Nov 2008
Even though I am not old enough (yet) for all of the useful advice in this book, I am sort-of in the middle of the traget range, so was delighted to find real-world examples, not yet more divinely enhanced models. I sat and read it from cover to cover, which I had not expected. But for my own personal use, the best pages are 75-76, and the tips for under-eye bags and droopy eyes really do work! Not just on me, but also on my friends. I don't think I look my age, but little gems like this will help to keep those tell-tale signs hidden longer.

Colour me Younger, 29 Oct 2008
This is an inspirational book whether in your 40s, 50s or 60s. I had the colour me Beautiful book years ago and lent it to someone and never got it back but Colour me Younger is even better, up to date and caters for every shape, size, colouring whether natural or enhanced. I recommend this book.

A Fashion Bible for the over-40's, 31 Jul 2008
I fully endorse everything written by the previous reviewer. Pat Henshaw and Veronique Henderson have done it again. Another great book with lots of guidance on style, colour, make-up, hair and accessories to make us all look younger and who's going to argue with that! Practical suggestions in an easy-to-follow colourful format. Enjoyable and totally absorbing. Read this and you can't go wrong - a style bible for every woman over 40.



looking and feeling younger now!, 29 Jul 2008
Another great book from colour me beautiful! Although aimed at women of 40 plus there is a lot of useful colour and style information in here to help any woman. This new book is almost better than the original colour me confident. Lots of lovely colour photographic examples and great easy to read tips. Showing you how to wear colour, make-up, glasses, clothes and hair colour too!

Again check out your local colour me beautiful stylist for a personalised consultation to get the best advice for you - especially regarding which colours bring out the best in you!

A splendid book, 31 Oct 2008
This book is hugely readable. I bought it really out of curiosity - could anyone really write about perfume, surely you would need to sample them to appreciate their qualities? Not so. This is written so well, you can really get a feel for the product, the descriptions of the perfumes that I do know are so accurate, and actually make me appreciate all the complexities in them. Very witty, with some laugh-out-loud moments, I read this in two sittings and turned back immediately to start again. This is the next best thing to having a perfumery in your living room , without the hovering assistants. I read this on holiday in France, and on the ferry home took it into the onboard shop, reading, spraying & sniffing to the puzzlement of some passengers. I tried perfumes that I would have normally ignored, recognized the levels and descriptions from the book in each of them. A beautiful book, one you could read again & again. I do highly recommend this, it would make a great present for your best friends, male and female.

Refreshing honesty and splendid wit, 27 Sep 2008
Quite apart from its sheer range and depth in tackling its subject, this book is really entertaining. It blows a welcome blast of fresh air through the fragrance business, exposing some of its frailties ('We *never* change our fragrance formulas' is the lie you hear most often) and gambolling in the glittering light of enthusiasm when reviewing favoured scents. The fragrance reviews are splendidly opinionated, but it's always clear that what's being praised is quality, coherence, balance, rather than 'niceness', so you're still free to exercise your own preference when you're shopping. I'm particularly impressed by the authors' recognition of the part appearance and presentation play in our enjoyment of fragrance, so they tell you when the packaging is the best thing about a scent, and when the opposite is true, too. They're also very good at pointing out that where fragrance is concerned, you very rarely 'get what you pay for', because some of the cheapest products on sale are very good, and some of the most expensive are not. Even if you fall into the least favoured category of person - someone who wears fragrance because they're frightened of smelling of themselves, rather than because they actually like what they're wearing - you'll find constructive suggestions here, with splendidly direct warnings about pitfalls you might want to avoid. A splendid read, and a reliable guide - which will need updating with new editions every few years!

A trip down memory lane.., 18 Sep 2008
I spent last night poring over this book with my friends, male and female, looking up the various scents we have proudly worn then laughing and reminiscing while reading out the dead-on reviews. E.g. Poison 'The fragrance that everybody loves to hate...a must for every collector but please don't wear it to dinner'! It's warm, witty and wise - unlike anything else I have read on the subject.

A must have for handbags and manbags alike!, 09 Sep 2008
A danger to credit cards everywhere! This book is so evocative - descriptions of the good perfumes make you want to rush out and buy them without even smelling them first and reviews of the bad ones are screamingly funny. It's absolutely beautiful and a perfect present - also a brilliant way to drop a hint to your boyfriend, either because you want one of the scents or if you don't like his.

Great on TV but the book?, 01 Sep 2008
Feel Fab at 50

As an Image professional I have always loved Gok since he jumped on to our TV screens a couple of years ago. He epitomises what we, as professionals, should be doing with our clients. I have continued to love his approach ever since. While the text in his book was sensible and uplifting, strangely enough, I found the choice of clothing incomprehensible for the most part. Instead of flattering his models, who are all gorgeous (and mostly voluptuous), they look uncomfortable and too tight with staining seams, incorrect fabric choices and so on. The Gok on TV would never make these fundamental errors and the upshot is that his girls look bigger than they really are. A conundrum!

Sorry Gok, I like you, but, 29 Dec 2007
The book does not help. The same model poses for pear shape and hourglass??? (same for the other models)
Why not take Trinny and Susannah's approach and show exactly what kind of clothing each shape needs instead of showing us ball gowns? Why not use the women from the series?



Gok Wan: Making the world a better place for ladies everywhere!, 12 Jul 2007
I am not usually a fan of fashion and stylist programmes, but I tuned into Gok's every week. It hit just the right tone, about celebrating what real women look like and making the best of what you already had rather than needing to change.
This book has the same loveable and helpful tone as the show, and offers a supportive mantra to learn to love what you have and make the best of it. The only real confusing element is if you're not sure which of the body types describes you best, eg if you're top heavy but also uncomfortable about your belly.
Gok is offering a valuable service to all women uncomfortable with their shapes and this book offers helpful advice, aswell as feeling like a confidante to remind you that yes, you are beautiful. Of course, I'm biased because I met Gok at his book signing and am absolutely in love with the man, but I really do recommend this book as an encouragement to all women who want to learn how to be comfortable in their own skin just the way it is.

very helpful, 30 Jun 2007
Five stars because although the book is not perfect I applaud the kindness of the author. An interesting aspect is that Wan himself tells us that he was overweight. Quite obviously he is not now - yet this is emphatically not a diet book. What seems to have happened is that the author styled himself to feel better about himself and the weightloss followed in due course when he was happier about himself. This book is so brilliant because it starts with what's right about you rather than with what is wrong, working with your self-consciousness rather than totally disregarding it. All teenage girls should be given this book and the author should be given a knighthood. Read in conjunction with watching the TV show.

My only criticisms: perhaps the style is a little cloying; but I'll live with that since I know he is trying to put the reader at their ease. Also sometimes it's hard to know exactly what shape you are: e.g. am I a pear shape, a bird with a big bum or petite? Maybe some comparative measurements would be useful. Worst thing would be to accidentally go for the wrong shape. Really I'm a combination of all three so how to work with that? There is some limited advice but more would be good.

You don't have to loose weight or be rich to look great!, 17 Jun 2007
The best thing about this book is its overall message: you do not necessarily have to loose weight or be rich to look your very best on a day-to-day basis! Gok's approach is 'drink more water, eat more fruit&veg and take good care of yourself'- no diet fads or expensive plastic surgery (see '10 years younger'!) needed. The book focuses on different types of body shape (big bottom, big belly, no curves, too skinny etc.) and provides LOTS of helpful advice as to what to wear and (probably even more important) what not. The last chapters focus on underwear and general beauty routine. All of this is very helpful and the writing style is very similar to the tv show, very positive and encouraging, all about flaunting your best bits and keeping quiet about the rest. I can honestly say that I have never read such a positive book about this subject: Gok does not preach or patronize, but seems to really want to bring the best out in everybody.
The only shortcoming is a lack of photographs. It would have been nice to have more pictures accompanying the advice given in the text. But apart from that: absolutely recommendable!!!

Good, frivolous fun, 25 Oct 2008
I have a mild addiction to books like these, and this rates very highly - the layout is gorgeous, the tips are handy, and the style is warm.

However, there are some atrocious spelling errors, as well as some outdated information. The book would have benefited from a more eagle-eyed editor.

Lacking, 26 Aug 2008
I bought this book maybe expecting too much because I gained very little! The cover is lovely and the pages are lovely, but the content is very trivial and really only based on the author's favourite shops etc. I think the title is misleading it is not a Goddess Guide but someone who has written a book listing the things that they like. As the book went on I read less and less and finally just flicked through the last few pages.

Dissappointing, 13 Aug 2008
This is a very beautifully illustrated book and makes for an interesting read. However i was slightly disappointed with it as it was just not what i was expecting. The book is a narration of the author's life essentially and gives useful tips on how to get pen marks off your bags, and clean your suede shoes for example but unfortunately i found it to be slightly boring and too personal, i found myself flicking through most of her memories that outline each new section. I expected the book to be more of a guide to how you should create your own style, for example when it comes to fashion; good places to find great heels, black dresses, how to apply your makeup, great places for cocktails and so on but it was more a biographical account of one persons own experiences which are always going to be different to how someone else experiences them. The majority of tips and advice she gives don't really relate to the average woman but someone essentially with a lot of money. This book definitely provides useful tips on what to look for when for example buying a suit etc but in my opinion a lot of it is not things people need to be told. It is aimed at a certain type of person who perhaps doesnt have time to go out and find new places, bars, restaurants etc and prefers having a list of good places to go, where they can get their teeth re-done, laser treatments etc which of course there is nothing wrong with. Overall i would recommend it for its more practical advice rather than it being a good read.

Overrated, 11 Apr 2008
I saw this advertised in one of my magazines and thought "Wow! I have to get that book!", so out I went. However, I was actually rather disappointed with it. Looks beautiful on my bookshelf, but I have only read it once. The content is the same as many other similar books of the genre, and after a while this gets a bit same-y and nothing sets it apart from the others! There are the few odd good bits, but they are outnumbered by the not so good, in my opinion. I imagine it would be a fantastic book for a person new to these types of books, but for those who it is not, I would borrow it from someone before buying.

Had it for a year; still using it!, 29 Jan 2008
I bought the hard cover version of this book a year ago, just before Xmas. I loved reading it; like one of the other reviewers said, bit like a glossy mag, but better, more intimate and more indulgent! From the first read I got: A. a lot of fun reading it, B. a whole bunch of ideas, C. a shopping list of things I wanted to try out. I still flick through it regularly, most recently to read up on the NY shopping section to pick up some ideas, as I'll be there again soon. This book does not make me feel empty and sad, it's more like dipping into a box of chocolates without the calories. It certainly does not make me want to aspire to some unattainable ideal of a woman. It's very boudoir and decadent - in a nice way...

Brilliant, 04 Aug 2008
This book is fantastic, i couldn't put it down once I'd started to read it, it's got everything you need to know about "making-up" your eyes, this is how some of the contents read:
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
THE BASICS:
eyebrows
eyelids
shaping your eyes with shadows
eyeliners
eyelashes
false eyelashes
taking it off
EVERYDAY
FLIRTATIOUS
FUNKY
GLAMOROUS
INSPIRED
the instructions on how to do each style are well thought out and seem really easy to do with pictures and ingredients list on what and how to do it, it tells you what brushes to use and how to use them and its got loads of tips in it and the pictures are fab, i cant wait to start using it.......

Very Helpfull, 21 Jul 2008
The condition was perfect. The content was very helpfull. Make up looks which everyone can do just by having this book.

No stars, 02 Oct 2008
What a depressing, patronizing and shallow book. It's rarely funny and it's doesn't even seem tongue-in-cheek. A wide range of subjects are covered, but none of them are explained properly. This book is geared towards faking at life and doing a half-arsed job of everything. This is a book for stupid people, who think it's clever to pretend they like art or read books when they don't. A copy of this was lying about at work so I read it, but I wish I'd never wasted my lunch hour. A total waste of space. Rather than buy this book, go and buy one that will make you a more interesting person. If there was a no stars option I would have clicked it.

GOOD, FUNNY AND STRANGE, 13 Sep 2008
This was a excellent read, however many parts of the book are quite strange and have odd things, that you can do with common sense, a funny book.

very useful, 09 Sep 2008
not only has useful advice but is funny and well written.got it for my friends birthday and she loves it.

Useful if you've been living under a rock for your whole life..., 17 May 2008
A brief flick through this book led me to believe I might find this book entertaining and a useful reference tool. Oh, how wrong I was!

I will admit the author gives a very good argument for why you should treat yourself to expensive shoes, and I liked the writing style, which was quite witty.

However, the actual content of the book was rather lacking. It covered many subjects which I found particularly questionable (such as "How to Use A Remote Control". Like, really? Who on earth is this aimed at?!) but even those which actually could have been interesting, such as those on style and travelling, were frustratingly basic and lacking any new ideas at all.

The only type of reader that I would even consider recommending this to would be a very young girl; even then, I think she would have already gleaned more useful information on the subjects covered by reading teen magazines. If this were the target audience though, why the constant talk of designer shoes and the gardening section? Confusing.

How to be a shallow self-obssessed celebrity??, 02 Feb 2008
If you are self-conscious do not by this book as it will only make your self-consciousness worse!
It has to be one of the most superficial and patronising things I have ever read! Subsequently I haven't even managed to get past the first section `Greeting Your Public' due to utter disgust at what it has to say and by the way, Camilla, appearances are NOT everything.
I agree 100% with every other review in which this book was given two stars or less
I am just glad it was given to me as a present and i hadn;t actually spend money on it!
BIG disappointment!

Tired old eyes, 14 Nov 2008
Even though I am not old enough (yet) for all of the useful advice in this book, I am sort-of in the middle of the traget range, so was delighted to find real-world examples, not yet more divinely enhanced models. I sat and read it from cover to cover, which I had not expected. But for my own personal use, the best pages are 75-76, and the tips for under-eye bags and droopy eyes really do work! Not just on me, but also on my friends. I don't think I look my age, but little gems like this will help to keep those tell-tale signs hidden longer.

Colour me Younger, 29 Oct 2008
This is an inspirational book whether in your 40s, 50s or 60s. I had the colour me Beautiful book years ago and lent it to someone and never got it back but Colour me Younger is even better, up to date and caters for every shape, size, colouring whether natural or enhanced. I recommend this book.

A Fashion Bible for the over-40's, 31 Jul 2008
I fully endorse everything written by the previous reviewer. Pat Henshaw and Veronique Henderson have done it again. Another great book with lots of guidance on style, colour, make-up, hair and accessories to make us all look younger and who's going to argue with that! Practical suggestions in an easy-to-follow colourful format. Enjoyable and totally absorbing. Read this and you can't go wrong - a style bible for every woman over 40.



looking and feeling younger now!, 29 Jul 2008
Another great book from colour me beautiful! Although aimed at women of 40 plus there is a lot of useful colour and style information in here to help any woman. This new book is almost better than the original colour me confident. Lots of lovely colour photographic examples and great easy to read tips. Showing you how to wear colour, make-up, glasses, clothes and hair colour too!

Again check out your local colour me beautiful stylist for a personalised consultation to get the best advice for you - especially regarding which colours bring out the best in you!

Secrets of style reveald, 14 Oct 2008
Nina Garcia sure knows what she's talking about. She gives the best definition of style in this little book beautifully illustrated by Ruben Toledo. She provides a solid foundation that will help you to develop your very own style though the hard work is left to you (and there's a lot that has been left aside eg colours and bodyshapes).

It may take some time but once you've figured it out, it's one of the most exciting journeys of life. What I particularly liked in this book is the link to art and all the unexpected places where you can find inspiration. The secret lays in a few words: Make it your own.

The things I liked least about the book is chapter 4 called 'what to wear when' that I found somehow useless because most of us already have a sound idea of what to wear when going to a wedding or a job interview, this is just common sense that didn't need a full chapter in my opinion. I would have expected more development on what to wear according to the seasons or the weather as I often find switching from one to the other a bit challenging.

The chapter containing the basics are fairly known already and despite I agree the little black dress is a must, black is not a colour that suits everybody as well as for ballet flats. So I'd say don't follow everything in the book to the letter but give yourself a good look in the mirror and decide whether some of these basics are for you or not. You may find other basics that totally work for you (as for myself it's tights, boots and berets). Some contradictions too: She mentions that it's not about money (which is true) though she makes many references to top designers throughout the book. As much as I appreciate luxury, we all know that the majority of us will never be able to afford these unless they save for months if not years.

Style worries banished, 26 Sep 2008
I found this book amazing, and plan on reading it a second time, this time carrying out research on the way. The underlying message is wear what you want as the most stylish item is your self-confidence. When reading the book's 'setting the scene', it makes you wish you were a witness to Nina's life as it sounds so exotic and indulgent, and makes you just keep on reading.

The clothing items you are advised to invest in are classic items that you always promise yourself you will buy, but in the end you let your head run away with the latest trends and go for the pair of rainbow platform shoes instead of the black cashmere cardy. This book gives reasons as to why you should believe in the basics, the crisp white shirt, the black cashmere. The only downfall is that it has the most beautiful drawings of chic ladies, but when the book describes items of clothing such as Jackie O's jeans, it doesn't show a picture of what is being referred to. But in all, love it, and it is taking pride of place on my bookcase.

wish I'd got this years ago , 18 Dec 2007
I found this book really helpful, My wardrobe was full of clothes that didnt do anything for me, I never knew what to put on in the morning, I got confused between style and fashion and just put on my safe clothes instead. This book helps you to bring out your own style and its so easy. I had the ultimate compliment from my husband, he said I looked good but it didnt look like I'd tried at all. I've been trying to do that for years (I'm 42!!)

A splendid book, 31 Oct 2008
This book is hugely readable. I bought it really out of curiosity - could anyone really write about perfume, surely you would need to sample them to appreciate their qualities? Not so. This is written so well, you can really get a feel for the product, the descriptions of the perfumes that I do know are so accurate, and actually make me appreciate all the complexities in them. Very witty, with some laugh-out-loud moments, I read this in two sittings and turned back immediately to start again. This is the next best thing to having a perfumery in your living room , without the hovering assistants. I read this on holiday in France, and on the ferry home took it into the onboard shop, reading, spraying & sniffing to the puzzlement of some passengers. I tried perfumes that I would have normally ignored, recognized the levels and descriptions from the book in each of them. A beautiful book, one you could read again & again. I do highly recommend this, it would make a great present for your best friends, male and female.

Refreshing honesty and splendid wit, 27 Sep 2008
Quite apart from its sheer range and depth in tackling its subject, this book is really entertaining. It blows a welcome blast of fresh air through the fragrance business, exposing some of its frailties ('We *never* change our fragrance formulas' is the lie you hear most often) and gambolling in the glittering light of enthusiasm when reviewing favoured scents. The fragrance reviews are splendidly opinionated, but it's always clear that what's being praised is quality, coherence, balance, rather than 'niceness', so you're still free to exercise your own preference when you're shopping. I'm particularly impressed by the authors' recognition of the part appearance and presentation play in our enjoyment of fragrance, so they tell you when the packaging is the best thing about a scent, and when the opposite is true, too. They're also very good at pointing out that where fragrance is concerned, you very rarely 'get what you pay for', because some of the cheapest products on sale are very good, and some of the most expensive are not. Even if you fall into the least favoured category of person - someone who wears fragrance because they're frightened of smelling of themselves, rather than because they actually like what they're wearing - you'll find constructive suggestions here, with splendidly direct warnings about pitfalls you might want to avoid. A splendid read, and a reliable guide - which will need updating with new editions every few years!

A trip down memory lane.., 18 Sep 2008
I spent last night poring over this book with my friends, male and female, looking up the various scents we have proudly worn then laughing and reminiscing while reading out the dead-on reviews. E.g. Poison 'The fragrance that everybody loves to hate...a must for every collector but please don't wear it to dinner'! It's warm, witty and wise - unlike anything else I have read on the subject.
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