Toss the Gloss

January 6, 2014
In her first book, beauty industry executive Robinson (who has served as president of Tom Ford Beauty and Ralph Lauren Fragrances, chief marketing officer of Estée Lauder, and beauty editor at Vogue) uses her experience to debunk myths and offer a straightforward, insider’s perspective behind the often indecipherable potions and lotions in our medicine cabinets. Many of her tips, including when to throw out various makeup products like mascara (every three months) and cream blush (every six months), are useful for women of any age. Even though the book is targeted to readers over 50, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for younger women to purchase this book as a guide for how to make better use of their makeup. How many of us wished we understood how to read the claims and lingo on product packaging or decipher ingredients such as antioxidants, retinoids, and alpha hydroxy acids? Robinson clearly and efficiently explains it all, while providing the product advice and application tips (with a nine-step guide for applying lip liner) you would expect of a woman who has devoted her life to beauty. Full-color photos. Agent: Kristyn Keene, ICM.

February 15, 2014

Robinson lives up to her "ultimate beauty industry insider" billing here. Formerly director of various luxury brands, such as Estee Lauder and Ultima II, as well as beauty magazine editor at Vogue and Mademoiselle, she shares her secrets with readers of a certain age. Among the revelations: the beauty industry doesn't know how to market to fiftysomethings, unless it's wrinkle cream; and that fancy foundation you buy in the upscale department store has a much cheaper twin, made in the same lab, available at your corner drugstore. The author tells boomer women how to work with what they've got, what to buy, how to apply it, and what to discard--immediately. Many of the tips are helpful; some will be old news to women who have been reading glamour magazines and beauty blogs all along. Robinson's gossipy tone and "insider stories" come across as brittle and manufactured at times, and she certainly has some axes to grind. Additionally, the big push for surgical fixes is grating. VERDICT This slick, informative guide will lift boomers' sagging...spirits and, at the very least, lead to an educated trip to the cosmetics counter--or plastic surgeon's office.--Liz French, Library Journal

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