How Not to Look Old: Fast and Effortless Ways to Look 10 Years Younger, 10 Pounds Lighter, 10 Times Better

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How Not to Look Old: Fast and Effortless Ways to Look 10 Years Younger, 10 Pounds Lighter, 10 Times Better

3.28 of 5 stars 3.28 · rating details · 300 ratings · 92 reviews

Forget getting older gracefully--This is the beauty and style bible every woman has been waiting for!HOW NOT TO LOOK OLD is the first--ever cheat sheet of to-dos and fast fixes that pay-off big time--all from Charla and her friends, the best hair pros, makeup artists, designers, dermatologists, cosmetic dentists and personal shoppers in the biz. Packed with eye-opening det...more

Hardcover, 232 pages

Published January 2nd 2008 by Grand Central Life & Style (first published 2008)

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May 15, 2008 Melissa Delbridge rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: light-reading, self-helpy-stuff

Ah, jeez. I bought this book in a time of angst. It should be entitled something like How to Look Like You're Desperately Trying to Look 25 All Your Life (To No Avail). What's really scary is that I kept looking at the photos and thinking "Okay. She looks fun and interesting," then discovering that these were the "what not to do" shots.

And can somebody tell me what's wrong with skin-colored stockings? And what's wrong with the Golden girls? Loved Betty White...

Hell, I don't want to look young....more

8 likes · like · see review

Aug 23, 2008 melissa rated it 5 of 5 stars

I want to vomit on myself. a) I just gave FIVE stars to this book. b) I was going to go out with a boy until I looked him up on myspace and found out he is 22. I AM NOT READY TO BE A COUGAR, OKAY? c) I was trying on a pair of jeans and the 108-year-old dressing room attendant lady called me ma'am.
Therefore I died.
So I got this book, which I expected to be totally stupid but at least lift my spirits until I ride through this most recent wave of life punching in the face. Then I realized in my he...more

3 likes · like · see review

Apr 29, 2008 Erin rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: crafts_homelife

Don't bother. Unless of course you'd like to pay $26 for a list of stores to shop in - guess what? We should all by our clothes at Saks and make-up from Chanel. Blow me.

4 likes · like · see review

Feb 07, 2008 Eric rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2008, philosophy

It's not really for my demographic but I can say I learned one New Rule: "Matchy-matchy will make you look oldie-oldie". It refers to matching your handbag to your shoes.

You might be wondering how this is helpful in any way? Well it's simple:

When a woman asks me if she looks good in her gold snake-skin bag with matching shoes it means I now have Charla's leg to stand on in telling her "NO!!!." That is...if I were to actually tell her the truth!

But I don't ever recommend telling the woman the "r...more

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Dec 15, 2012 Tammy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: beauty

I'm not exactly the target audience of this book (yet), but it was some good advice to keep in mind at any age (e.g. dark lipstick makes your lips look thinner). I also really appreciated the "Best Buy" suggestions -- any time two picky women try a thousand products to narrow to the best of the best, I'm happy to give them a shot -- shapewear is a welcome addition at any age when you wear a pencil skirt. I think this is a great read for any woman who wants to look a little "younger and hipper" (...more

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Nov 04, 2012 Kathleen rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: health-beauty

Thankfully this isn't the only book out there for aging women. I'm shocked at the 5 star reviews for a book written by a person so condescending & at odds with her own aging process.

The author repeatedly comes across as one appalled at the signs of aging as though they were some sort of disease. With her kind of pocket book perhaps she can afford plastic surgery & all the other special treatments most middle class aging women cannot ...therefore I'm not certain she's best suited to be gi...more

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Feb 19, 2010 Lain rated it 3 of 5 stars

I was so looking forward to this book. As I have just entered into my 40s, I was looking for something that would help me to balance the tightrope walk between frumpy stay-at-home-mom in sweats and you-need-to-stop-shopping-at-Forever-21.

Unfortunately, this book wasn't it for me. It really is aimed more at women who are in danger of appearing like "Old Ladies," or "OLs," as author Charla Krupp calls them. The advice on wrinkles (don't have 'em), grey hair (ditto), and helmet hair just didn't ap...more

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Sep 18, 2011 Kathrynn rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, funny-at_times, own, reviewed, non-fiction-self-improvement

There were a lot of good points made throughout the book. I thought it was nicely written, divided into 19 small chapters:

1. Are you high, medium or low maintenance
A brief, high, medium or low section is also used in most of the subsequent chapters.

2. Cut some bangs
Check!

3. Lighten your hair
Check!

4. Tame those brows
Check! Some good tips on stencils for eye shape and where to buy.

5. Chic up your eyewear.
Glasses. I don't agree with some of the eyewear suggestions here, but to each their own. Pic...more

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Apr 26, 2012 Zelda rated it 3 of 5 stars

I've seen this book at the bookstore a few times but I was so put off by the title (what the hell is wrong with looking old?) that I wouldn't look at it. But, the library means, in theory (I've bought so many library books), free looksies so I grabbed it. I've read 2 paragraphs and I can say that my instinct about this book was right freaking on the mark. I hate this book. "Aging sucks...We're going to fight aging..." Good luck, Dummy. Actual scientists have tried and failed but I'm sure you, wi...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 16, 2011 Cathy Douglas rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011

So I didn't really read this whole book, but I'm done with it. Oh, I may peek at it when I need something to make me laugh, but that's not the same thing as reading it, okay? Fortunately, mine is a Kindle edition, because that cover photo creeps me out, and besides it saves me the trouble of covering it up with my coat on the bus so I can pretend I'm reading something worthwhile.

It gets one star for being funny, and one for being educational (because I had no idea there was such a thing in the w...more

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Jul 06, 2008 Hannah rated it 3 of 5 stars

What I learned from this book is that I am a low maintenance gal and not quite ready to act on much of the advice of this book. Even though I may need it! Hah! Made me think about how my clothes fit and need for good undergarments.

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May 10, 2010 Marcia rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book was ok. Most of the good advice she has are things I am already doing- like wearing your natural nails and choosing modern, flattering eyeglasses. I disagree with some of her advice, particularly lightening your hair and wearing pink lipstick. I think some women look fine with lighter hair but on others lighter just looks fake and makes your hair look dry. Same thing with pink lipstick. It's fine on some women but I also happen to think that classic red is flattering on most women too....more

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May 11, 2011 Katherine Blocksdorf added it · review of another edition

Fashion and beauty tips are thin on the ground for the 40+ crowd. I didn't see much new in this book and found the advice in this book pretty common sense. Get rid of the mom jeans, update your glasses frames, brighten up your hairstyle, avoid midriff baring tops, and avoiding other fashion faux pas are nuggets we've seen dozens of times. I found the most value in the product recommendations at the end of each chapter that included drugstore brands that were affordable. I don't know that I'd wa...more

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Jan 25, 2008 Kelly rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: healthbeauty

I bought this for my mom as a post-Christmas present. We're SHALLOW, so shoot us.

2 likes · like · see review

Mar 14, 2013 Julia rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

There are some really good, easy, inexpensive and immediately implementable suggestions in here that really work. Really. Trust me. The author understands about being on a budget and not being a high-maintenance type of person, so all the suggestions have low/medium/high effort/expense ways to get results. Anyone who ***needs*** to look Y&H (author-speak for Young and Hip, as opposed to OL for Old Lady) should BUY this book, immediately. I don't often recommend buying a book when there's a p...more There are some really good, easy, inexpensive and immediately implementable suggestions in here that really work. Really. Trust me. The author understands about being on a budget and not being a high-maintenance type of person, so all the suggestions have low/medium/high effort/expense ways to get results. Anyone who ***needs*** to look Y&H (author-speak for Young and Hip, as opposed to OL for Old Lady) should BUY this book, immediately. I don't often recommend buying a book when there's a perfectly good library to get it from, but if you are a woman over 40 who has just been dumped from a relationship or a job, you need this book to help you get your groove back once you have decided to make a change. The four-star rating is based on the above.

Now the bad stuff, that's keeping me personally from giving it a fifth star. The reason I don't read those Glamour etc. magazines is that they tell me everything I "should" be and tries to sell me the products and services to make me that way. They really make me feel bad about myself the way I am, as well as too broke to ever get any better. This book is, unfortunately, no different. Although there are low/medium/high maintenance suggestions, she really pushes the high-maintenance, high-cost ways as "best" and gives herself--a former magazine beauty editor and pop-TV beauty commentator--as an example of how it "works." The best chapters are about clothes (except shoes), hair and makeup. The worst chapters are skin care (including leg care), shoes and teeth, because there she implies that only spending gobs of time and money will yield any measurable results. And it's all so superficial: nothing about how improving the quality of the food you eat will make your skin look better, or how cutting down on portions will not only save you money but preclude the need for firm-control Spanx (which she LUUUUUUURVES).

But she does give good examples of over-40 (and mostly over-50) celebs who have conquered the Y&H challenge, and there are lots and lots of photos and casual tips. And in case you have the $, she gives a city-by-city guide of places to get work done (facials, haircuts, Botox) and experts in whose hands to put yourself.

Again--if you're serious about these cosmetic improvements this can be your Bible. But it will take a LOT of upkeep. (less)

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Oct 07, 2008 Nancy rated it 3 of 5 stars

The Author shares quite a few good tips on how to look more youthful, but sometimes her advice is overshadowed by her overgrown image of herself. I agreed with the following review on Amazon:
How To Feel Like You're Slipping, January 22, 2008
By Tiger Lily "book store owner" (Athens, GA) - See all my reviews

You know 40 is the new 30 when Diane Keaton, Annie Hall herself, is photographed wearing skin tight jeans and a big black leather belt. So the rest of us better be on alert.

That said, I have...more

1 like · like · see review

Oct 09, 2008 Melanie McCluskey added it Recommends it for: baby boomer women, beauty junkies

In her first published style guide, TV personality and former magazine editor Charla Krupp takes you by the hand and yanks you firmly back to a smarter, savvier version of your 20th-century self. Promising to erase 10 LB’s and a decade, “How Not to Look Old: Look 10 years Younger, 10 Pounds Lighter, 10 Times Better,” is an insider-y mix of coast-to-coast resources, industry secrets and straight-from-the-horse’s-mouth experience.

Written especially for the over-40 set, “How Not to Look Old” reads...more In her first published style guide, TV personality and former magazine editor Charla Krupp takes you by the hand and yanks you firmly back to a smarter, savvier version of your 20th-century self. Promising to erase 10 LB’s and a decade, “How Not to Look Old: Look 10 years Younger, 10 Pounds Lighter, 10 Times Better,” is an insider-y mix of coast-to-coast resources, industry secrets and straight-from-the-horse’s-mouth experience.

Written especially for the over-40 set, “How Not to Look Old” reads like advice from an older sister, for women too wise and experienced to actually worry about an older sister’s opinion. Along with inspiring photos of stars like Madonna, Angela Bassett, Christie Brinkley and Heather Locklear, Krupp’s best tips are of the dressing-for-your-body-type variety, the kind of rules I personally never tire of hearing. Acknowledging the effects that age and gravity have on every woman’s physique, “How Not to Look Old” also gives a lift to the boomer woman’s ego, proclaiming, “Judge us by our brains, our talent, our spirit, our generosity, our kindness, our warmth, our sense of humor – but not our date of birth, no way!”

Krupp offers several strong, empowering rationales for keeping up appearances in a youth-oriented culture. In addition to battling age discrimination and maintaining an active love life, Krupp argues that today’s mature woman needs to put her best face forward in order to survive in a fierce work environment. For example, “How Not to Look Old” justifies the somewhat pricey maintenance improvements as essential to self-preservation, especially for career women facing tough competition from attractive younger colleagues.

Now, technically I am not Krupp’s target reader yet, but I can really appreciate Krupp’s sage advice. While my mother proudly paraded her first grandchild around, proclaiming she felt 30 years old again, having my first baby really took its toll on my looks and attitude. Motherhood only has one year on me so far, but I look at least five years older and feel about a decade older. Flipping through “How Not to Look Old” cheered me; it bolstered my spirits and reminded me that a proactive approach is necessary to make life-changing improvements at any age.

Of course, reading the book from cover to cover is a study in self-indulgent exhaustion. But for any woman who’s taken stock of her appearance, done the calculations, and decided it’s time to invest in a personal upgrade, “How Not to Look Old” is an essential reference.
(less)

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Jun 27, 2008 Barbara rated it 4 of 5 stars

Despite opinions to the contrary, I am not high maintenance. According to Charla Krupp, I am medium maintenance on most things and low maintenance (!) on others. Ha!
Of all the fashion books I’ve read of late (and there have been several!) this is, by far, the best. Krupp is practical and informative, she gives “real world” examples that even those of us who live in the Midwest can follow. Well, all except for that “go barelegged even in the winter” thing. Anyone who lives in Michigan and goes ba...more Despite opinions to the contrary, I am not high maintenance. According to Charla Krupp, I am medium maintenance on most things and low maintenance (!) on others. Ha!
Of all the fashion books I’ve read of late (and there have been several!) this is, by far, the best. Krupp is practical and informative, she gives “real world” examples that even those of us who live in the Midwest can follow. Well, all except for that “go barelegged even in the winter” thing. Anyone who lives in Michigan and goes barelegged in winter would a)freeze and b)cause people to wonder about her. But not in a good way.
Krupp writes this book in an entertaining, but serious, manner. None of that flippy “Oh, we all know appearance *really* doesn’t matter” business. She is one of the few who recognizes – and says – that appearance DOES matter. If not to your mate, then to the rest of the world. People make judgements about you based on your appearance, so you might as well have a good one. Take work, for example. Men can “age gracefully” but women do better if they look younger. There are many examples of this, but let’s look at newscaster. Diane Sawyer is till blond, still young looking. Her male counterparts? Who cares if their hair is gray? It may not be “fair” but it is a reality. Let’s not ignore it.
Since we aren’t ignoring it, Krupp explains all about “maintenance” and what a woman needs to do. Okay, “needs” is a strong word. You may decide you don’t need to do any of this, but if that’s the case, you probably will just skip the book anyway. In each area, she explains the high-, medium- and low-maintenance versions. You find yourself on the continuum, which may be different in some areas, and there is your blueprint. She encourages you to modify, modify, modify to make it work for you.
There is none of that awful advice often given to women older than 40. Only wear long sleeves no matter how hot it is, for example. (I honestly read that in another book and I just couldn’t stand it. In Michigan, in summer, anyone wearing long sleeves would look ridiculous. Not a look a woman wants!) She talks about how to adapt fashion trends to suit you. Helpful.
As with most books of this sort, you should take what you like and ignore the rest. Not everything is for everyone but at the very least you’ll leave this book knowing what it is you’re ignoring!
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Dec 20, 2011 Hol added it

I picked this up in the Free Book Room beacuse now and then it occurs to me that I should try to think about clothes, though the feeling soon passes. Anyway, this book is divided into chapters by topic--eyeglasses, underwear, lipstick, and so on--that end with tips for high-, medium-, and low-maintenance readers. I quickly discerned that my level of maintenance is so low it may exist only in the darkest, coldest regions of New England. I did not even know that eyelash implants existed. (Did you?...more

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Oct 10, 2012 Marjorie rated it 4 of 5 stars

This had a lot of really quick and easy tips to look younger... now some were not things that could change in 10 minutes... but things like better "foundations", bras, shapewear, appropriate jeans and high heel can make a difference. I thought some of the things she suggested were too expensive.... but her less expensive options seemed okay as well. I think everyone should read it! (and I am a medium to low maintenance gal...) :-)

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Feb 13, 2012 Gloria rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction

This caught my eye because of a news column stating that this Illinois author had just died of cancer. She has written for many of the New York magazines on beauty issues. The book has a saucy tone to it with lots of energy. Some of the advice is very obvious common sense about hem lines and hair lengths. Probably the best advice comes from her recommendations of products at various price levels. The one thing I tried works very well for my rosacea-prone complexion. Some take it or leave it advi...more

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Feb 18, 2010 Charity rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

As should be obvious from the title, this book is about tricks to stay young looking. I found the attitude espoused to be annoying and contrary to common sense and nature. I do think we should try to take care of our bodies but I am not out to stay young forever. In fact, I'm rather looking forward to being old and a grandma. There were some tips that I thought interesting but they were hard to find in between the blatant attempts to convince the reader that aging is a bad thing and something th...more

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May 10, 2012 Phyllis rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: advice-for-ladies, fashion

I'm probably not in the fighting aging every step of the way demographic just yet, but I still found this book relentlessly depressing and creepy in a real Stepford Wives way. Oh, and the YOUNG looks in this book are so totally boring and phoned in, I advise everyone to frump it up all they want. If someone says your clothes are ill fitting and too baggy tell them it's Comme des Garcons.

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Jul 16, 2009 Amanda Johnson Caucci rated it 4 of 5 stars

Yes I read this book - BACK OFF!

Okay ladies, as soon as I got over my sense of our collective irritation for even having this genre of book exist (let alone I actually read the damn things)- I can say that this book totally serves it's purpose. The title isn't "How to Develop Inner Beauty and Improve Your Vocabulary". This book is a fun, interesting and light read for those of us preparing for what we'll be up against as our shit hits the fan.

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Jan 18, 2009 Darla rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: oh-hell-no

At first, I was going to say that this book was the work of Satan but that would be an insult to Satanists. If you have no self-esteem and want to look like like an Ann Coulter clone, go for it. If you need some help in the clothing department, pick up any of the books by Susannah Constantine and Trinny Woodall, the hosts of the British version of "What Not To Wear".

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May 06, 2012 Amanda rated it 2 of 5 stars

I'm glad I only spent $1 to purchase this book on amazon. There was some interesting make-up advice, but I disagree with many of the suggestions. Blonde is not always better and bangs do not suit every face. Mixing two prints in one outfit is never ok. Botox and other drugs are not the solution to aging. And what's wrong with flip-flops for those over 30?

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Mar 29, 2010 Shelby rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: beauty, read-2010

Some of her info is good stuff. I like her basic skin care tips and some of her other tips.

I worked at a dermatologist and some of her stuff is just baloney to me. I mean injectables in your hands and eye area?? what the heck. I liked Bobbi Brown's outlook to aging much better. Age well and look your best. Not spend a fortune and look like plastic.

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May 01, 2013 justablondemoment rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2010, self-help, beauty

'So-So' took some tips out of this book but a lot of what I read was kind of a 'no brainer' like no more granny panties, don't cake your foundation, what looks good on your daughter will not on you...I mean, come on. I was looking for new ideas out of this book and just found a lot of things that most women already know. Rather insulting really.

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Sep 19, 2011 Michelle rated it 3 of 5 stars

While I disagree with some of the suggestions that certain looks make a woman look older, it's fun to get someone's take on how a 40+ woman should look/dress. I rate this 3 stars instead of 2 because there isn't an exercise or diet plan included. Instead, Krupp advises on how to make the most of what a woman has to work with.

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Jan 31, 2012 Jana Kaplan rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: finished-reading

Although I could have found this advice in any ol magazine, I thought it was hilariously entertaining. Nothing new here, and I wouldn't waste my time unless you 1.)desperately want to look like you are 25 2.) can afford to shop at stores like Saks, Neiman Marcus and the Chanel counter and 3.) are desperate. period.

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About Charla Krupp

Charla Krupp has done more than 100 style segments on The Today Show and she has appeared on Good Morning America, Oprah, The View, Dateline NBC, and has been a regular on The E! Channel and Home Shopping Network. She was beauty director of Glamour, editor of In Style, beauty editor for People's Style Watch and executive editor of Shop Etc. Magazine. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times,...more

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