French Women Don’t Get Facelifts: The Secret of Aging with Style & Attitude

Guiliano (French Women Don’t Get Fat), a former chief executive at LVMH, tackles the topic of aging gracefully in her latest advice book. Quite happy to be in her 60s, the author has “a foot in two countries,” with an American husband, a Manhattan apartment, and a home in Paris. She notes that Frenchwomen (with a life expectancy of 84) have an exceptional attitude toward aging—in France, many believe that old age begins at 80. While the average aging Frenchwoman knows how to be “bien dans sa peau [comfortable in her own skin],” the United States suffers from a “youth-obsessed” and “results-oriented” culture. With her charmingly conversational tone, Guiliano walks readers through the mental and physical steps of aging with attitude, covering everything from cosmetics to spiritual life. Readers will find tips on hairstyles, makeup, healthy recipes, and eating tips, as well as general suggestions for nurturing one’s body as if it were a cherished garden. Guiliano maintains that aging has much more to do with how women think of themselves than with facelifts or outward appearances; nevertheless, dressing stylishly and appropriately, making time for sleep, play, love, laughter, and, of course, the occasional glass of wine are all part of the author’s uplifting attitude fix. Agent: Kathy Robbins, Robbins Office. (Dec.)