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Upper Cut: Highlights of My Hollywood Life
by
Carrie White
I was living a hairdresser’s dream. I was making my mark in this all-male field. My appointment book was filled with more and more celebrities. And I was becoming competition for my heroes . . . Behind the scenes of every Hollywood photo shoot, TV appearance, and party in the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s, there was Carrie White. As the “First Lady of Hairdressing,” Carrie collabor...more
Hardcover, 400 pages
Published
September 20th 2011
by Atria Books
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WOW! Carrie's young years were surely tough, Carrie details her abuse by her stepfather and mistreatment by her alcoholic mother in some detail, and leads us into the not-so-glamorous backside of Hollywood. The world of stars, drugs and alcohol, and the abuse that comes along with the celebrities. I was afraid that this would be another poorly written "tell all" that leads the reader no where. Boy was I wrong!
Carrie White has poured her heart and soul into telling her life story. She's not looki...more
Carrie White has poured her heart and soul into telling her life story. She's not looki...more
It’s almost beyond belief that one person has held so many famous heads in her hands—Elizabeth Taylor, Elvis Presley, Sandra Bullock, Brad Pitt, and Michael Crichton, among many others. Carrie White, hairdresser to the stars, includes a list of her famous clients in Upper Cut, and I wonder if it wouldn’t have been easier to list the names she hasn’t done.
So many wonderful stories in White’s memoir. Some included Jay Sebring, a renowned hair stylist who most of us know only by his death as a Mans...more
So many wonderful stories in White’s memoir. Some included Jay Sebring, a renowned hair stylist who most of us know only by his death as a Mans...more
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Upper Cut is one of those memoirs that you just can NOT put down. Once Carrie is out of high school and the A-List celebrities start showing up on the pages, you just can not stop reading. We know what Carrie is doing is wrong, but she is such an empathetic character that you just HAVE to finish reading because you just HAVE to see how it turns out. I mean anyone who goes knocking on *THE* Ann-Margaret's door asking to borrow money for drugs most certainly...more
Upper Cut is one of those memoirs that you just can NOT put down. Once Carrie is out of high school and the A-List celebrities start showing up on the pages, you just can not stop reading. We know what Carrie is doing is wrong, but she is such an empathetic character that you just HAVE to finish reading because you just HAVE to see how it turns out. I mean anyone who goes knocking on *THE* Ann-Margaret's door asking to borrow money for drugs most certainly...more
The 60s/70s were a crazy time full of excesses and hairdresser Carrie White was right in the middle of it all in Los Angeles. White documents and tells the tale of her life. It is not your usual memoir though there is a lot of name dropping. In White's case, she name drops as a touchstone to keep place in her life and experience.
She has touched a lot of hair and styled every strand of so many famous names. She has lost everything and crawled back out, clawing for purchase, to soberness. She is...more
She has touched a lot of hair and styled every strand of so many famous names. She has lost everything and crawled back out, clawing for purchase, to soberness. She is...more
This book didn't need to be well written. Between the drama, the drugs, and most of all, the amazing parade of artists, writers and Hollywood stars that submit to Carrie White's scissors, White could have just phoned in her story. But it turns out she's a terrific writer, and this is a compelling read. It's not all Hollywood fantasy; White's story begins with parental neglect and abuse, and as an adult, her champagne-fueled career eventually goes off the rails when she becomes addicted to heroin...more
Upper Cut opens with Carrie White introducing us to a childhood which was without boundaries or parental nurturing as she mixes a cocktail for her mother, her mother's boyfriend, and herself at the tender age of six. Glimpses of heartfelt humor are woven within the tragic tale of a young girl who survived abuse, abandonment, and neglect. While reading Carrie White's accounts as a child, it is plain to see that even at an early age, her instinct to survive was formidable, and she was imaginative...more
maybe not the best written book, but quite good. ms. white is uber honest about her life, her rise to fame, her crash, her burn and her come back. at the beginning, i thought it was all going to be celebrity gossip, and at times, the story seems to just be names of famous people who she came across. but it ended up being a genuinely heartfelt memoire. i'm glad for ms. white and for her success. i recommend to anyone who likes celebrity memoires and anyone who is interested in hollywood in the 60...more
I was fascinated by the rags to riches to rags and back on her way up to riches story of Carrie White! Even though I'm a bit young to know all of the famous personalities she references in her book, this memoir was riviting. The struggle Carrie details about her dark decent into the world of heavy drug use and the strength she demonstrates in climbing out of her own personal hell are an uplifting reminder of the power of the human spirit.
I'm not much of a biography reader or even autobiographies but this book was smashing. I am very busy and managed to find time to read this in a few days and keep thinking about it even though it's now in my past. Her life is thrilling and juicy and "friends of Bill" would really really love it. Also hairdressers. Or actors. Or people that live in Los Angeles.
I can never say that I didn't enjoy reading someone's history, I feel like that is insensitive and unfair. Because of that, i did enjoy reading this memoir and it was fun to read the celebrity names that appear throughout. However, the book did get long at times and it would've been nice to read more about the recovery process as well.
This won't be everyone's cup of tea, but I'm a sucker for Hollywood gossip. It wasn't the best (considered giving it 2 stars - and would have given it 2.5 if I could have), but it was an entertaining quick read, right up my alley for a quiet few days off.
A wild ride.
Too, wild for most to believe, but you just cannot make this life up.
This is a true story of survival, and surviving with style to spare.
A reminder to save our own Self.
She did, and she done good too.
Too, wild for most to believe, but you just cannot make this life up.
This is a true story of survival, and surviving with style to spare.
A reminder to save our own Self.
She did, and she done good too.
Loved it.
I love a good memoir and am quite willing to forgive less than perfect writing if the stories being told are intriguing enough.
I love a good memoir and am quite willing to forgive less than perfect writing if the stories being told are intriguing enough.
An autobiography from one of the most interesting and lovely people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.
Hey look, drug abuse and fame. Surprising. But I still ate it all up and loved every word of it.
Really interesting. Sad beginnings, unbelievable career accomplishments, horrible downward spiral, then a seemingly fast recovery. Pretty shocking experiences.
Another can't put down great book I read in 11.
zzzzzzzzzzzzz boring
Honest and heart-felt, Carrie tells her story from her youth in a tough childhood home to her adult success in the Hollywood hills. Salon, hair, celebrities, travel, family, kids and the dark turn to drugs and addiction. Can't wait for the next book.
Not only is Carrie White a Hollywood legend, she's also a fantastic storyteller. You will rip through this book and marvel at her accomplishments, honesty and determination.
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Really enjoyed the journey of her career.
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CARRIE WHITE was born and raised in Southern California. With a career that has spanned more than forty-five years, shes styled everyone from Elvis Presley and Ann-Margaret to Sandra Bullock and Brad Pitt. Her work has appeared in Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, In Style, Allure, Vanity Fair, Ladies Home Journal, Mademoiselle, and Glamour. The mother of five, Carrie today owns and operates Carrie White Hai...more
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