Beyond Beautiful

March 11, 2019
Rees (The Curated Closet) packs a lot of great advice into this slim volume about female self-esteem and body image. “Your physical appearance is a single, and not even particularly interesting, aspect of yourself. You are worthy for a whole set of other reasons,” Rees tells readers before walking through a series of exercises designed to affirm self-confidence, what she calls her Beyond Beautiful Toolbox. After breaking low self-esteem issues into three sections—unpacking the problem, rewriting one’s mental script, and taking back the power—Rees lays out snappy replies to body-shamers and rules for discussing one’s body (rule number one is don’t body-shame oneself). The author also dives into how social media affects body image and rails against feeling “Instagram-inadequate.” Rees advises against common advice such as “dress for your body type”; she recommends readers wear what they like, rather than make decisions based on the expectations of others. Questions for reflection (such as coming to terms with hurtful past body-related comments) nudge readers toward taking a comprehensive view of their past in order to free themselves from past traumas. Rees’s emboldening message will surely help any reader struggling with self-confidence.

Starred review from May 1, 2019

In an era of toxic media-driven beauty standards, Rees (The Curated Closet) explores the massive impact of body-image issues on women's lives. She addresses myths about body image and provides numerous exercises to eliminate unproductive ways of dealing with stress and negative self-talk, tackling topics such as cosmetic surgery and ageism. Reflection questions and a toolbox full of practical techniques complete each chapter. VERDICT This compact book delves into every aspect of the body-image problem and sets forth feasible ideas for accepting one's physical appearance to enhance confidence and joy.

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