Had it for a year; still using it! - Rated 
I bought the hard cover version of this book a year ago, just before Xmas. I loved reading it; like one of the other reviewers said, bit like a glossy mag, but better, more intimate and more indulgent! From the first read I got: A. a lot of fun reading it, B. a whole bunch of ideas, C. a shopping list of things I wanted to try out. I still flick through it regularly, most recently to read up on the NY shopping section to pick up some ideas, as I'll be there again soon. This book does not make me feel empty and sad, it's more like dipping into a box of chocolates without the calories. It certainly does not make me want to aspire to some unattainable ideal of a woman. It's very boudoir and decadent - in a nice way...
dip in and out read - Rated
Great book to pick up tips to try new products and shop in new places. Great book for on the coffee table, a joy to read. Better than the glossy mags and a bargain price.
The most beautiful book I've ever seen - Rated
I bought this book two weeks ago and think it is the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. Not only is the information cutting edge it is beautifully photographed and stunningly illustrated (I'm almost sure it's all done by the same lady who has written it). Like a very beautiful journal full of secret addresses, funny personal anecdotes and great tips, it's utterly unique as this style of book goes. I was especially surprised by the beginning of each chapter where the author tells a little story (very personal and intimate) and then the rest of each chapter is steeped in Style, Beauty, Food, Travel tips and secret shopping addresses and advice with the help of big, big names in the fashion and beauty world. This is a lovely, lovely book, full of practical tips from everyone from Christian Louboutin in his studio in Paris (I learnt all about those special red soled shoes and how to care for them) to Dolce & Gabbana in Milan (create the prefect wardrobe) and Laura Mercier on finding the perfect foundation. It's thoroughly enjoyable and ingeniously put together. For me however the big bonus is Gisele Scanlon's secret shop addresses and numbers and her perfume shopping advice it has been very helpful to me in the past week when shopping for different kinds of scents for my sister and friends. Her knowledge can be quite brilliant at times on travel, style and beauty matters. Overall this book is a truly beautiful read and the author seems very kind and helpful and shares everything she knows in a very friendly manner like having a friend tell you about a place she has been or a thing she has seen. Highlights for me after two weeks of dipping would be finding the perfect exercise bra, my make-up bag essentials and of course my favourite subjects perfume shopping and beautiful cupcakes which I found as one of her addresses in afternoon tea. I love this book and everything about it screams girly glamour. I'll be giving this as a gift to all of my best female friends over the next few days, however my own copy will stay in my handbag as I'm hoping to check out a few more of those fabulous shopping addresses come the January sales.
pretty useless - Rated 
I saw this in the shop and had a flick through. It has to be said that it's absolutly beautiful, the pages feel lovely and glossy, and the whole thing has been wonderfully designed. Each page is sumptiously laid out with text winding round luscious imagery. It is a beauty to behold but as far as the content goes it's empty; a most beautiful con. There is nothing you can learn from this, and it's just capitalising on women's desperate desire to achieve an unachievable ideal. It tells you what bag to buy, what make-up to wear, how to do your hair. Any woman is going to read this and feel empty inside. A perfectly made-up shell of a woman. This is not a satisfying read - it will make you feel sad. This is just the kind of book that I hope nobody gets me for Xmas. It is particularly useless. If you enjoy someone telling you what to buy, what to look like, how to act (or how to make yourself as fake and clonish as possible) then you'd do just as well to read the ads in women's websites. It will make you feel just as rubbish but at least it's free.
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