Beautylicious!: The Black Girl's Guide to the Fabulous Life

by Jenyne M. Raines

Plenty of successful guides have been published for hip girls in general, but now the trendsetting black reader has a book of her own. Dedicated to chic sisters everywhere, Beautylicious! shimmers with wit and soul—an irresistible new recipe for loving, playing, and beautifying with verve. Chapters

• Soul Sizzle with radiance from the inside out
• Queen Treats to perk you up when the blues have got you down
• How to heat up your wardrobe without scorching your self-confidence
• Fit and A toned body plus a healthy mind equals a sensational you
• Beauty . . . Moi Enhancing fabulous you
• Fun and Perfecting your swerve
• Fête Accompli : Entertaining wtih style and soul
• The fast track to vixenhood
• Mane Straight talk on finding a hairstyle that's as fabulous as you are
• Luxe The fine art of indulgence


Beautylicious! also shares know-how from the Patron Saints of Fabulosity, along with tips for becoming a favorite hostess (and a favorite guest), staying cool in heated situations, and finessing that saucy outlook on life. The ideal gift, Beautylicious! sparkles with fun and flair.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, African American

200 pages, Paperback

First published December 30, 2003

Reviews

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting and fun read about the perception of beauty from a black woman's experience, but I could have done without the 'make sure your brotherman isn't on the DL so you don't get AIDS. This book was published in 2004, there is no excuse for that kind of ignorant speech. I think the author should have suggested women practice safe sex rather than list stereotypes on how to spot if a person is gay.

Just makes the fact that I borrowed it from a gay man and found a condom wrapper as a bookmark that much more hilarious.

[M'heeraw · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I could accurately grade it. It was a 2.5 out of 4. I found the tone of writing very ignorant at time and only meant to be read by the "Urban Girls" as the author puts it. I'm African American but I found it hard to continue thought this book. Hopefully other books that are geared to the African American community will not sound as ignorant as this one. Good points but the tone of the book is put offish

However I do like the book list and will be looking into reading them in the near future.

[T'shani · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was rooting for this book and it's Black History Month so I wanted to be generous and give it 3 stars ... but I just can't. As a Black woman from New York City I could relate to things from this book, and in the beginning to the middle of the book it was quite nice! It felt like an older sister giving advice, but towards the end of the book it felt like it was losing steam and there was some filler there. Great advice on health, wellness, and beauty even if it's known info. This book seems to be for people that aren't big on reading maybe.

[Douglas Lord · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raines, formerly an associate beauty editor at Essence magazine, waxes ecstatic on various topics (e.g., hair, feelings, and dating) in this manifesto for African American women. Some readers may find the book overly hedonistic at first, but that sentiment should wane in the face of Raines's enthusiasm: she recommends reveling in all the beauty and sensuousness that life has to offer, be it great music, fine literature, or a "beautylicious" hairdo, and there's nothing wrong with that. Though slight, the chapter on health ("Fit and Fine") is a case in point; it advises doing something sound (e.g., drink water) with panache (e.g., use a fine glass and a crystal pitcher). Wonderfully energetic, this is a great starting point for women who are interested in living zestfully. Raines's candid, direct style is that of a girlfriend (the book's title is a play on the hit song "Bootylicious," by girl group, Destiny's Child). Read-a-like=Debra Olliver's Entre Nous: A Woman's Guide To Finding Her Inner French Girl.

Find reviews of books for men at Books for Dudes, Books for Dudes, the online reader's advisory column for men from Library Journal. Copyright Library Journal.

[Alona Perlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not completely relevant!

The main problem of this book is that it is geared towards people of means. I understand the advice but at some point, the author advises women to find room on their credit card and charge things they can't afford. I follow the faith principle too. But you can get yourself in trouble with that kind of thinking. All and all. It was an enjoyable book and I learned some things but it seems like the true message here is that in order to have a fabulous life. You need to spend money and that is simply not possible for some people. I would disperse the book both with ways to enjoy life in engaging in simple things and also allow yourself some splurges once in a while.

[Khai Pinkston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great book! Anything you may need advice about beauty, style, self confidence, I mean anything, it's there. I noticed that this book gave answers that teenage girls, like myself might have about life. I think if there is any young teenager,like me, that is questioning anything about life socially, emotionally, or physically, this is the book to read. I realized that this book elaborated on a lot of subjects that can be sensitive to young women but it was needed because it gave a great perspective from other women as well. I was very much reminded of the books I used to read about being proud to me a girl and that you should embrace it while empowering others also. Although it seems as if this book it just your typical "guide to life", it's not. It gave great insight into what being a women in all about and I DEFINITELY recommend this to any teenage girl or young woman.

[Felisha Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was okay. I read words like Blackberry and Palm Pilot thinking "most of this stuff is irrelevant" but then I realized the book was published in about 2003. I also wish there were more self appreciation rather than talking about how to make it look like you have it all together and keeping up with the Jones'. I did appreciate that there was a small section of Black mental health.

[Mrs Bty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and easy to read. This book is a good guide with interesting advices though quite predictable, so read it as a reminder. The author's way of writing is easy to follow and very funny, you'll definitely find yourself laughing out loud when reading it. I would recommend it when looking for motivation and "big sister's advice".

[Dacia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really cute. I liked it better than The Bap Handbook. The book kind of advocated giving away your treats and drinking, but overall it was a cute, fun, quick read.