Bobbi Brown Living Beauty

This artful, well-meaning book on beauty tips for women of "a certain age" might make a nice gift, but has little more depth than a glossy magazine. Now in her 50s, international makeup artist and beauty writer Brown celebrates female faces that have laugh lines. She encourages women to "age gracefully" without unnecessary plastic surgery by living healthy, taking care of their skin and utilizing a few tricks with makeup, hair and clothing. The first section features "Words of Wisdom" from older celebrities, such as Susan Sarandon, Vera Wang and Lorraine Bracco—most of which prove to be pretty thin. But it's Bobbi's suggestions on how to minimize problems particular to older women, (such as sunspots, baggy eyes and dull skin) that give the book an anchor. Subsequent chapters sensibly cover clothes and hair, then into menopause and hormone replacement therapy, plus diet and exercise. A final chapter celebrating "Women Who Get It" might have been fun, but the successful women profiled are not famous enough to merit much interest (e.g., the president of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, the vice chairman of Burberry and the CEO of Brooks Food Group). One of the most engaging aspects of the book are the photographs. Whether of beautifully aging faces, makeup that looks good enough to eat or healthy food that looks good enough to eat, the photos make the book coffee-table worthy. (Apr.)