Forever Chic: Frenchwomen’s Secrets for Timeless Beauty, Style, and Substance

This book adds more support to the belief that the French are better at everything—eating, raising children, and of course, efficient application of cosmetics. An American in Paris, Jett was the style editor of the International Herald Tribune and the editor of American Elle. Her research for this book involved observing fashionable friends and visits to French estheticians, dermatologists, plastic surgeons, pharmacists, internists, nutritionists, and personal shoppers. Backed by these experts, Jett doles out advice with exactitude: “I recommend, as do estheticians, that for an intensive, post-pajama winter treatment, we sleep in a layer of the [shea] butter. You must have an old pair of sweat bottoms and a T-shirt someplace. Remember your socks. And, do I need to say this? Don’t ever wear that get-up outside the privacy of your own home.” Jett’s comments and sprinklings of French (“Hair Rules: Non, Non, et Non”) give the book a lively personality. Sure, Jett can be downright ridiculous (“Pierre, my personal jeweler...”), but where else can readers peek inside the closets of French women (over age 40, une femme d’un certain age, to whom this book is dedicated, and the name of Jett’s blog) and find such details as “large Hermes scarf as a halter.” Each chapter is indulgent fun. 50 color illus. Agent: Lauren Galit, LKG Agency. (Oct.)