Krupp, Charla. How Not to Look Old. Sprinboard Press. 232 p. ISBN: 0446581143 (ISBN-13: 9780446581141) $25.99
I admit, I’m part of that aging generation x. Like most moms, I often choose comfort over style, and my muscle tone resembles the firmness of an over ripe banana. Fortunately, many of the determined ladies of the baby boom generation are not buying into the “growing old gracefully” mantra, leading the charge on the new ‘how old is she?!’ revolution. Take a look at the red carpet and you’ll see how many women still manage to look young and hip into their forties and fifties. Of course, you may be thinking, with an expensive stylist—I could look fabulous, too. You’re right. We can all look fabulous. If you can’t afford that expensive stylist, try picking up a copy of How Not to look Old, by Charla Krupp.
Ok, some of you might think it odd that I, of all people, would endorse a book that focuses on the superficial. In an ideal world, image would not be an issue. But let’s face it, we don’t. As author, Charla Krupp points out, “Studies on attractiveness have shown that people who are better-looking, younger, and slimmer are more likely to get a job and keep it—as well as win friends and influence people.” Looking your best also affects your self-confidence, and ultimately your performance.
Charla Krupp is the former beauty director at Glamour, senior editor at Instyle, and beauty editor at People: Style Watch. Along with her current fashion column in More magazine, Krupp regularly appears on style segments for the Today show.
In How Not to Look Old, she dishes on industry secrets for looking young and hip at any age, from forty to sixty. The subtitle reads: Fast and Effortless Ways to Look 10 Years Younger, 10 Pounds Lighter, 10 Times Better, and pretty much spells out the objective. With nineteen chapters covering hair, makeup, skin, teeth, nails, wardrobe and accessories, information is organized in an easy to find format, with plenty of bullet points and photos.
Each chapter also has a section called ‘Brilliant Buys,’ listing effective products from various price ranges. Krupp doesn’t subscribe to the price equals quality formula. Krupp has personally tested each product and recommends a few that give you the biggest bang for your buck.
Don’t have time to make a huge commitment to your personal image? Fear not. Krupp has designed her book with high, medium, and low maintenance options. A quick quiz will tell you what level of investment is right for you. Yes, I used the word investment, because that’s what it is—an investment that pays of in self-esteem and first impressions.
We all have an image, one that is either consciously put together or one that we allow to develop by default. If you want to create an image that allows your inner youth and vitality to manifest on the outside, you’ll love How Not to Look Old. Krupp delivers her advice in a straight forward ‘girl, I’m going to give you the truth’ sort of way. She’s very frank about why baby boomers (and aging gen x-ers like me!) can’t afford to let themselves go: “For our generation, looking younger isn’t just about vanity . . . Looking good is about our personal and financial survival.”
If you want to age fabulously instead of gracefully, I highly recommend Charla Krupp’s new book. It’s one of the best was to make a proactive transition from your trendy twenties to young and hip thirties, forties, and fifties.
