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Allure: Confessions of a Beauty Editor

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Published to coincide with "Allure" magazine's 15th anniversary, the editor-in-chief shares the best tips, tricks, and secrets she has acquired on the job.

192 pages, Hardcover

First published October 2, 2006

2 people are currently reading
114 people want to read

About the author

Linda Wells

54 books39 followers
Linda Wells is an American journalist and founder of Allure magazine and the makeup brand Flesh.

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5 stars
25 (17%)
4 stars
44 (30%)
3 stars
56 (39%)
2 stars
10 (7%)
1 star
7 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 15 of 16 reviews
Profile Image for Jennifer Wardrip.
Author 5 books517 followers
April 29, 2008
Reviewed by Me for TeensReadToo.com

Linda Wells, the founder and editor-in-chief of Allure magazine, has put together a book filled with the best beauty secrets, tips, and tricks that she's come across since the magazine's launch fifteen years ago. Although Allure isn't an actual teen magazine, the beauty, style, fashion, and makeup tips that it contains are perfect for anyone who wants to look their best.

ALLURE: CONFESSIONS OF A BEAUTY EDITOR is broken down into ten separate chapters, which makes it so easy to find the section you're looking for. Categories include Skin Care, Skin Problems, Face, Eyes, Lips, Nails, Haircut & Color, Hair Care & Style, Salons & Spas, and Body.

What I found truly helpful about this book was the fact that every tip, whether it be how to keep your nails looking their best or how to help problem skin, is spelled out step-by-step to help you get the results you're looking for. Sure, we'd all like to look as glamorous and beautiful as the women pictured in the book; the fact of the matter is, that with the information Ms. Wells provides, we actually can!

This is a great book for every female, regardless of age. The truth is that not everyone has the time, money, or expertise to magically look great on their own. But by using the guidelines given to us by Allure's editor-in-chief, anyone with a few minutes to spare and a copy of ALLURE: CONFESSIONS OF A BEAUTY EDITOR can look as if they just left from a day at the spa.
Profile Image for Marianne.
708 reviews6 followers
April 22, 2022
Some good tips. Others were far more effort that I would ever want to put out. Still, amusing.
Profile Image for Beckie.
563 reviews19 followers
June 27, 2011
i picked up this book yesterday from the library and i am already done with it. it was like reading a big edition of allure magazine. i liked reading linda wells' stories and anecdotes, and i wish there were more of them in the book. i read the 10 commandments for each chapter, which is a nice summation of each section.
i am low-maintenance, so i didn't read about hair color, as i have only colored my hair 3 times, and that was in the last two years...and i use clairol natural instincts, which is demi-permanent (which means it washes out gradually)...the first time was two years ago i went a little redder/darker, and the other two times were this past winter and i used a color that matches my own. i only colored my hair because a lot of grays were showing and it was driving me nuts. this summer i have been outside a lot so my hair has lightened...i don't even notice the grays...i am sure once winter comes around i will be coloring again ;)
i also didn't read the section on waxing...i have never waxed anything, i have no need to wax anything, and honestly, i don't want to try waxing anything. sunday was family haircut day, and while i was in the stylist's chair, my husband asked me if i was going to get my upper lip waxed...he was totally kidding...but i had asked the stylist if they do eyebrows, and she said they do...with wax. i told her i am not ready for that. my husband was like you have no problem getting tattooed, but you won't wax...even the stylist laughed and asked if she could try it out on him first ;) i sneeze each time i tweeze out an eyebrow hair, which cracks me up, so i can only imagine what would happen if somene ripped out several hairs at once. i would like someone to shape my brows, but i would prefer tweezers and scissors please!
as far as the makeup/foundation chapter goes, i ONLY use bareescentuals i.d. bareminerals, so a lot of the tips and tricks about concealer and primer and all that other stuff just don't apply. i started using i.d. in 2002 and i threw out all of my other makeup and never looked back. my skin has never been better...it could look better, but i am just 'blessed' with oily skin, so i make the best of it and deal with the breakouts.
i am a total lip junkie...i love lip balms and glosses, and the occasional lip stick...and i will try any brand. i am a total lip slut in that respect. i enjoyed that section of the book.
i rarely do my nails, and my feet really need attention..but that is what happens when you have a baby...some things aren't as important as they used to be.
the rest of the book is full of good info, but i have read it all before. i am glad i didn't purchase this book as i wouldn't be referring back to it for anything.
50 reviews
January 10, 2008
Basic beauty with sections on makeup, skincare, haircare & body. Very visually appealing with a few random step-by-step visual aids (for waxing, blowouts, etc). No specific product recs. The skincare section is very informative & goes into more depth than any other book I've read so far. I did pick up a few new tips but most of it was recycled from the pages of Allure.
Overall the book is okay. Was impressed by the skincare section. But unless you rarely read an issue of Allure, most of this is already old-news.
2 reviews1 follower
August 4, 2014
Harmless and informative for those looking for a starter in beauty rules. A couple of really new tips. Unfortunately, beauty trends get outdated quickly so this is best for picking up techniques.

Best part? The anecdotes, by far. Entrancing and intimate. Worth the time to pick this up just for those. Definitely an easy read.
Profile Image for Anna.
902 reviews33 followers
February 23, 2010
I was shocked at how straight forward and clear the tips in this book were. There was no gimmicky advice or crazy products/ingredients. The photos in the book are beautiful. After reading each chapter I felt like I learned something.
Profile Image for Kaelyn Mynhier.
16 reviews4 followers
February 14, 2016
Great tips and advice from the lady who is at the forefront of most fashion and beauty trends. I learned a lot about skin care and what shades of eyeshadow, blush, and lipstick would complement my skin tone and eye color.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
263 reviews29 followers
January 21, 2012
If you're a long time subscriber of Allure then the info included is nothing new. It gives basic tips, but it's not bad.
Profile Image for Kat Ice.
745 reviews11 followers
January 31, 2012
Loved all the tips and tricks! Huge help to me!
Profile Image for Lauren Brittain.
135 reviews
April 28, 2012
More of a book for women instead of girls entering their teens, otherwise it would have been great advice I'm sure.
Profile Image for Trish.
3,723 reviews3 followers
May 20, 2016
I enjoyed reading this book. It is full of helpful tips. It was published 10 years ago and we have advanced further with certain things but at the time this was a good book.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 16 reviews

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