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Bobbi's Own Evolution

This book is about our constant evolution and the changes that come with each passing year. It's about what happens as we make our way through life and how we can continue making ourselves better. Women -- whether they're models, actresses, CEOs, friends, moms, grandmothers, or aunts -- all crave the same thing: to look pretty and feel good. I know because I spend my life with women and listen to their complaints, their desires, and their dreams.

As I sit down to write this book, I am right in the middle of my forties. But sometimes I still feel like I'm not quite an adult. I still respect my elders. I still wear my long-sleeve sweaters so that they almost entirely cover my hands. (And I still hear my mother saying not to.) I still want my dad's approval. I still want to be liked. I still want to be five pounds lighter (and four inches taller!). But here I am, a "grownup." I am happily married, have three great kids, a home, and a successful business.

Sometimes I look in the mirror or at photographs of myself and say, "You look good, girl." And I sometimes look at photos or tapes of TV appearances and say, "Yikes!" But at forty-five, I honestly only feel thirty, and I am quite surprised when I look in the mirror and don't see myself at thirty. I'm not saying that I love the fine lines I see on my face or catching a glimpse of my profile (which I've never liked too much). I still think my chest is too big for my body, and I've never loved my arms. But the good news is that I've reached a point in my life where I feel like it's all okay. I am who I am. I'm comfortable with my style-classic silhouettes, simple jewelry, glowing makeup. And most importantly, I am comfortable in my own skin. And that, I think, is my secret, as well as the secret of many happy people I know.

Of course, it took a couple of decades -- and many mistakes -- to get where I am today. Coming to New York in my twenties as a young makeup artist, I worked all day surrounded by models and mirrors. That was hard. No matter how good I thought I looked when I left the house in the morning, I'd get to the studio and feel like I didn't have it together. Every day I experimented with my clothes and hair and makeup, trying to figure out who I was and how I wanted to look. My turning point came at age thirty-two, when I was pregnant with my first child and feeling really lumpy. I was working at a bathing suit fashion show. I looked up and saw Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, and Cindy Crawford in bikinis. I said to myself, "Don't go there!" I made a decision that I couldn't for a second feel bad about myself because of the way they looked.

Over the years, I've learned to go with the flow. Whether I'm in an important business meeting, backstage at a fashion show, on TV, or even at an Oscar party, the trick is to take a deep breath, do your best, and just be yourself. I realized years ago that I couldn't compete in the looks department with models, actresses, or those near-perfect friends. But I can put all I've learned together to make myself feel and look better. And the purpose of this book is to share my tips and help all women begin to appreciate who they are.

My philosophy is that all women have the ability to be their best. That's why I chose to photograph so many women (mostly non-models) of all shapes, sizes, and ages for this book. Looking your best is a combination of acquiring knowledge (some great tricks and techniques), accepting the things you can't change, and having confidence in yourself. It's a matter of learning to enjoy your life and feeling good about who you are.

I want every woman who reads this book to put it down feeling better about herself. So much of what we see in the media makes us feel bad about ourselves -- because we don't have the perfect body, skin, hair, or whatever. Of course, there are plenty of things you can do to make yourself feel and look better (just read the rest of the book and you'll learn them all!), but first you need self-confidence. Beauty is the result of realizing what is special about you and not focusing on the things you don't like.

The good news: Looking your best is so simple and so achievable. It takes an open mind, some good advice, and a little work, but you can do it!

XOXO
Bobbi

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Excerpted from Bobbi Brown Beauty Evolution: A Guide to a Lifetime of Beauty by Bobbi Brown
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.