You Are Beautiful: A Beauty Guide for Real Women

Transforming our physical selves is intoxicating, and a driving force behind popular makeover shows like The Biggest Loser and our fascination with celebrity style. So it comes as no surprise that award-winning Hollywood hairstylist Paves―nearly as famous as his clients (including actress Eva Longoria, who contributes the book’s foreword) and behind many of those Loser makeovers himself―enters the beauty-book fray. What does surprise is his approach. Rather than offering a collection of hair tips and tricks (though there are plenty) illustrated by shots of celebrities, the styles are modeled by Paves’s friends and family, with the primary goal of “giv[ing] women a positive message about defining their own beauty.” It’s a sweetly disarming attitude that imbues this empowering book. As Paves writes, “It’s about being your own best friend, loving what you see in the mirror, and accepting how beautiful you are on the inside as well as the outside.” That the author respects and admires women is clear, and he appears overwhelmingly grateful for and delighted by the ones in his immediate orbit—especially his mother, Helen. That he has mastered his art (from bridal hairstyles to taking care of your roots) is also evident. While some suggestions are obvious (deep-condition damaged hair once a week!), overall, the book will serve all women’s hair―and souls―well. Photos. Agent: Nena Madonia, Dupree/Miller & Associates. (June)