BOOK REVIEWS: All Made Up
Reviewed by Louise Kaufman-Yavitz, LPC,LCSW
Reprinted from Eating Disorders Recovery Today
Spring 2007 Volume 5, Number 2
©2007 Gürze Books
 All Made Up A Girl's Guide to Seeing Through Celebrity Hype… and Celebrating Real Beauty |
The title says it best! Responding to the growing interest of models, movie stars, and wannabes, Audrey Brashich, with years of firsthand experience, examines the facts and fiction regarding the lives of celebrities and the superstar image. The illustrations are intriguing, thought provoking, and funny. Women can definitely reminisce as they recall being star struck as teenagers while covering their bedroom walls with photos from teen and fashion magazines. Reading this book is like a walk down memory lane. For me, the images of how things were forty years ago keep popping up!
Girls have been and continue to be influenced by what they see in the media. The allmadeup.net blog is definitely worth a peek. This web site provides interesting historical information about the beginnings in the world of modeling. The writing style is quick and easy to follow. Brashich shares teenager's comments on why they would want to become famous and their expectations for future success. She reminds us that scam artists will continue to flourish in the modeling agencies as they will always have an audience of dreamers.
The most important information in the book may well be Chapter Four entitled "The Look," which briefly reviews different cultures, previous eras, and their views of themselves. Familiar names in the business and their thoughts are shared, including the models that wanted to look like another model!
The cost of looking the "best" is off the charts. Brashich raises the possibility that we are "priced out of
being pretty." This is a book that reminds us that we are important just the way we are. There are good role models whose styles and approaches to life will not harm self-esteem. Another title for this book could have been Celebrate Yourself. Clearly, this is what Audrey Brashich wants every female to accomplish. Parents should share this book with their daughters. Boys also could benefit from the insights between the pages. All Made Up is a creative, helpful resource.
