cover image Passport to Beauty: Secrets and Tips from Around the World for Becoming a Global Goddess

Passport to Beauty: Secrets and Tips from Around the World for Becoming a Global Goddess

Shalini Vadhera. St. Martin's Griffin, $14.95 (224pp) ISBN 978-0-312-34962-2

Globe-trotting celebrity makeup artist Vadhera's approach to world-wise beauty is simple: if something tastes good, why not put it on your face? Organized into fun jaunts in each continent, Vadhera kicks off her world tour with makeup tips borrowed from European sisters who ""aren't afraid to use a colorful palette to make a statement."" It's refreshing (if not exactly groundbreaking) that Vadhera uses a ""less is more"" philosophy, emphasizing the power of deep sleep over heavy foundations and concealers. Her tour of the East includes the assertion that sake is an ""all-around miracle worker"" for skin, and insists that readers add a cup of the rice wine to a hot bath for ""whole-body detoxification."" Even if few blushing brides will be brave enough to faithfully recreate the author's ""Indian Bridal Glow Mask"" that boasts chickpea flour, turmeric and almond oil, ""Jacqueline's Okra Hydrating Mask"" at least bears the promise of a few relaxing moments despite what the author concedes is a ""slimy consistency."" Continuing a world tour with brief stops in Australia, the Americas and Africa (to tout those notorious elixirs of beauty-butter and brewed peel of quince fruit), Vadhera proves herself a fun-loving guide to culinary cosmetics.