BABUSHKA'S BEAUTY SECRETS: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

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BABUSHKA'S BEAUTY SECRETS
OLD WORLD TIPS FOR A
GLAMOROUS NEW YOU
BY RAISA RUDER
AND SUSAN CAMPOS

ABOUT THE BOOK:

DON'T SPEND A FORTUNE TO LOOK FLAWLESS
Esthetician to the stars Raisa Ruder learned her time-tested beauty techniques from her Ukrainian grandmother (or babushka, as they say in the old country). Now everyone can discover the all-natural, better-than-botox secrets the Hollywood stars use to shine on the red carpet! Ruder reveals her sought-after beauty recipes that can fight wrinkles, plump lips, and eliminate crow's feet and acne, using inexpensive, everyday grocery items like eggs, honey, vegetable oil and strawberries (and a splash of vodka for freshness!).

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Raisa Ruder was a registered nurse in her native Ukraine when she decided to move to the United States fifteen years ago. For seven years she worked at the famed Anastasia salon doing eyebrows and facials until opening her own West Hollywood salon in 2005. She noticed the large amount of preservatives in American products and decided to introduce her Babushka's old world beauty recipes in her salon. She quickly became LA's go-to-girl. Her clients include: Madonna,Tyra Banks, Molly Simms, Ali Larter, Nicolette Sheridan and others.

Susan Campos is a broadcast and print journalist. She is a former anchor for the national weekend edition of Today. She's reported for Dateline and hosted numerous entertainment shows on MSNBC. She currently writes trend stories on beauty for The New York Times' "Styles" section and its T Magazine, and is a contributing editor for Radar Magazine.

MY REVIEW:

BABUSHKA’S BEAUTY SECRETS: OLD WORLD TIPS FOR A GLAMOROUS NEW YOU by Raisa Ruder and Susan Campos is an entertaining book for everyone who wants to save money, help the planet stay green, and beautify themselves all at the same time with easy to follow tips and ideas. The book’s ideas come from Ruder’s Ukrainian grandmother, or Bubushka as they are known in Ukraine. Ruder is an esthetician to many big name stars in Hollywood and she learned that these beauty practices have been used successfully over time.

The parts of the book are enjoyably presented in a quaint and convincing way and have several lists of advice to go by. The list of “Must-Have Tools” to have on hand include wash cloths, bottles, and measuring cups and spoons. To go along with that there is the top ten “Must-Have Ingredients” as well as the ‘wonder’ ingredient of vodka that gives ten things it can be used for practically other than for drinking.

The book also includes ways to save money and some recipes to make that are easy to follow and use. There are recipes for milk bubble baths and soap as well as how soufflés can be created to plump up the face for that important night on the town. I can’t make good soufflés to eat so doubt that is one I will try. Other recipes are a bit easier and included are for homemade remedies and beauty supplies that concentrate on your eyes, lips, hair, hands, feet, and your body. There is a chapter on waxing and shaving tips and even ideas about how to make your own shaving cream and how to get rid of ingrown hairs and prevent further growth.

In a chapter titled “One-Ingredient Wonders!” readers learn how they can use just one item to create a wonderful beauty secret. Think of blueberries or strawberries that make a mask for the face instead of botox and other expensive, dangerous remedies. I was even surprised the other day when my book buddy, Ms. M, the dog, came home from the groomer smelling like yummy blueberries only to find that she had been given a blueberry mask while there! Household leftovers like eggshells and coffee grounds can be used and that helps the environment as well as your looks as they are recycled into recipes!

A few of the remedies were not something I would try but to each his own. I thought about making my feet feel better after a long day of walking and standing in fancy dress heels. The remedy here is to rub Vick’s VapoRub on your feet and put on socks before getting in bed. I don’t think my feet could ever feel bad enough to want to put up with that smell nor would anyone else in my bedroom think it was a good idea…including Ms. M! I did like the idea of massaging the lips with a mixture of apple and butter for five minutes before bed. It wasn’t hard to do and they did feel much softer in the morning.
Mashed bananas are recommended for the dark circles under your eyes as well as scrubbing your body with a mixture of rolled oats, brown sugar, aloe, and lemon juice.

Vitamin E and olive oil are used in a myriad of ways including working on stretch marks. I did recently try the egg white facial mask and it did leave my skin tight and firm to the touch and came off very easily. On top of that, my husband got extra yolks in his scrambled eggs the next day! Overall, the books is well written with sound advice in an entertaining way that makes it an easy read as well as gives you some useful, inexpensive things to try.

GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO ANNA AND THE GOOD
PEOPLE AT HACHETTE BOOK GROUP,
I HAVE TWO COPIES OF THIS
HELPFUL, FUN BOOK TO GIVE AWAY

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