Beauty from the Inside Out: A Guide for Black Women

In a fast-paced, breezy style, this illustrated beauty guide for black women advises on weight control, nutrition, exercise, hair and skin care, and cosmetics, and provides tips from singer Patti LaBelle and model Iman. Although some of her solid recommendations apply to women of all races, Powlis, a Vogue beauty columnist and author of The Black Woman's Beauty Book, addresses the special beauty concerns of blackssuch as hairstyle alternatives (relaxed, natural, warm-pressing, cornrows), cosmetics that complement the undertones of black complexions and treatment for the pigment disorder vitiligo, where white patches appear on the skin. In these pages, a male surgeon argues that the majority of people choosing cosmetic surgery are not trying to conceal their ethnic heritage, and a male psychiatrist maintains that ""men are still attracted to the attractive,'' but that self-esteem is essential to beauty. In addition to practical advice, this book conveys an expression of optimism, black pride and a religious belief in spiritual as well as physical beauty that should prove inspirational. First serial to Glamour; Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club alternates; author tour. (February)