Since I’m now writing about style and fashion for women over 40 every day, I want to get as many opinions as possible on the subject.

This book I recently borrowed from a friend: How not to look old, fast and effortless ways to look 10 years younger, 10 pounds lighter and 10 times better, by Charla Krupp.

Charla Krupp is a former beauty director of InStyle magazine and has appeared in numerous style segments on shows like the Today Show, Oprah Winfrey Show and The View.

What is this book all about?

This book will tell you how to look young and hip. The writer DOES NOT want to grow old gracefully, IS NOT going to celebrate her wrinkles, but WILL ALSO NOT join the ‘women who have had too much work done club’ and DOES NOT want to look old.

In this book she goes into detail on how to achieve that young and hip look and take 10 years off your age.  The book is written in a light hearted tone and is easy to read.

It has a good layout and many of the main points are put in bold, so you can also quickly browse through it and note the key points.

Nothing ages you like….

That is the starting line of almost each chapter and it quickly gives you the main No-No s of what not to do. For example, nothing ages you like:

Hair: too short bangs.. too long hair parted down the middle… helmet head…high hair…an updo… visibly thinning hair… too dark hair… a solid block of hair color… gray hair…gray roots…ashy blond streaks….

Wardrobe: outfits that are too matchy-matchy… dressing head to toe in one designer… looking like you tried too hard… looking like you didn’t try at all…. clothes that are too young…

Skirts: skirts that are too long.. too short… too tight … too wide… too baggy…the wrong shape…worn with the wrong shoes…

Shoes: ugly orthopedic shoes… wearing gym sneakers outside the gym…boring classic pumps…shoes you can’t walk in…out-of-style shoes…sensible shoes…

She also gives her ‘nothing ages you like’ opinions on:

  • Brows
  • Spectacles
  • Eyeliner
  • Foundation
  • Wrinkles
  • Lipstick
  • Teeth
  • Nails
  • Jeans
  • Evening wear
  • Shapewear
  • Legs and tights

Each chapter goes into much detail on what to avoid and what to do. Many come with clear pictures or illustrations and lots of advice. This includes things like getting certain procedures done, how to apply makeup,  buying the right makeup and getting the right clothes.

Conclusion

I thought this was a useful book to read and browse through. It’s easy to find the topics you want to read about, then read the headlines and dive into the details if you need more information on one topic.

Her advice is solid and will provide a flop proof way to look great over 40. It offers options for women that are low, medium or high maintenance, which is great. It’s also fun to go through the many Nothing ages you like… lists and the 3 putting yourself together top 10s. You can buy the book at Amazon.

Guess which 40 plus celebrities made it to the Young & Hip Hall of Fame in the book?  

Sylvia

Sylvia is 40+style’s editor-in-chief and has been helping women find their unique style since 2011. An alumni of the School of Color and Design, she is devoted to empowering women of any age to look and feel their best. Read more about Sylvia and 40+style on this page.

Want to get more articles from 40+style in your inbox, subscribe here.

You can also connect with 40+style on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest.

Support 40+style by using the links in our articles to shop. As an associate for Amazon and many other brands, we receive a small commission (at no cost to you) on qualifying purchases which enables us to keep creating amazing free content for you. Thanks!