Description:
Any master stylist who encourages women to do less rather than more, to simplify their wardrobes, to carry only a few essential cosmetics, and to take catnaps in the summer has mastered the feminine psyche. Frédéric Fekkai, a native of Aix-en-Provence, is stylist to some of the world's most beautiful women (Liv Tyler, Brooke Shields, et al.), as well as the founder of eponymous salons in New York City and Beverly Hills and creator of a line of hair- and skin-care products, fragrances, and accessories. He understands that many American women are frustrated by unpretty trendiness and conflicting advice about glamour, that they want a simpler, more timeless approach to finding their own elegance. "Style," Fekkai writes, "is not about age, or height, or weight--it's about a sense of ease, a sense of dignity, and a sense of individuality shining through." Drawing largely on the effortless allure of the women of Aix, Fekkai's foundation for A Year of Style is a month-by-month guide to simple beauty, with themes like "Energize" in February and "Romance" in June. Fekkai dabs in seasonal snippets: how to wear "sexy accessories" in May, how to choose toenail polish in July, how to relax while getting dressed for a holiday gala in December. His touches of beauty advice cover all the basics: the differences among hair spray, gel, and mousse; the best way to apply concealer; the perfect home blow-dry for a finished salon look. Daily sidebars add a whimsical tone--send vintage postcards, buy brightly colored toothbrushes, rent a sporty red convertible for the weekend--as well as beauty and style tips. A Year of Style is both cool (you'll learn how to sip a citron presse) and refreshingly down-to-earth ("I have seen women subject themselves to too-often-repeated peels. Their skin becomes so shiny, they look shrink-wrapped.") Needless to say, this is a flawlessly designed book, from the typography and layout to the hundreds of photographs--chic, natural, and elegant--that perfectly showcase Fekkai's style. It's a book that's hard to put down, because it's as much about personal style and sophistication as it is about clothes and hair. Perhaps more than that, it's spirited, accessible, and just plain fun. --Rebecca Taylor
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