cover image David Kibbe's Metamorphosis: Discover Your Image Identity and Dazzle as Only You Can

David Kibbe's Metamorphosis: Discover Your Image Identity and Dazzle as Only You Can

David Kibbe. Atheneum Books, $19.95 (252pp) ISBN 978-0-689-11847-0

Kibbe, who owns a personal appearance makeover salon in New York City, here proffers an appealing, upbeat formula that champions individuality (""if you can first learn to appreciate the unique creature you truly are, and then simply express your uniqueness in your appearance, you will be beautiful beyond your wildest imaginings!''). The verbose, enthusiastic text stresses the need for women to ignore traditional ``isolationist'' beauty theories (which favor fashion over beauty) and the importance of balance and integrating one's outer and inner lives (Kibbe uses the ancient Oriental Yin/Yang concept as a basis). This flexible, reassuring, comprehensive ``head-to-toe metamorphosis'' is packed with case histories, celebrity examples, quizzes, checklists, dramatic before-and-after color photographs, and Q & As. Women will discover whether they're Dramatic, Romantic, Theatrical, Classic, Natural, Flamboyant, Gamine or combinations of several types, and glean important information about identity and self-worth as well. Kibbe is one of the founders of Color Me Beautiful, and this book may prove to be as popular as the one based on that program. Major ad/promo; first serial to Ladies' Home Journal; Literary Guild alternate; author tour. (October 27)