The Glam Guide^- Fleur de Force
The Glam Guide is a beautifully illustrated book that helps readers find some glamour in their lives. Mostly based around hair and make up advice, it also includes tips such as how to handle relationships and keep fit.
My first impressions were very favourable. It's a beautiful book with some very wise advice and something I wish I'd had when I was a teenager. It definitely would have been very valuable to me as a 14 year old! However, this is where it gets confusing. The hair and make up tips are presented as if to somebody who knows nothing about the subject matter, such as young teenagers. In later chapters, however, the book takes on more adult advice in terms of how to manage long-term relationships. This left me feeling baffled as to who the target audience was. There's also the strange chapter on dream reading that didn't seem to belong with the rest of the content.
Unfortunately, I also found some of the advice to be very outdated and, quite frankly, insulting. The section on first date etiquette is a perfect example of this. Turn up 5 minutes late so you don't look too keen. Don't be too pushy to pay because it "can be downright annoying". Never go further than a kiss on the first date. NO! Do what you bloody want because this is 2015 and I'm sure a man can cope with a woman who wants to pay or turns up before him.
It's a shame the content is so confusing because it really is a beautiful book and does have some redeeming features. However, I cannot get past how bad some of the advice is and, for that, I'll give it 4 out of 10.
I completely agree with you- the whole "turn up 5 minutes late so you don't seem too keen" thing is just ridiculous. If I went on a date and the person turned up late I'd be annoyed, so why should I do the same thing to him?! I haven't read this book but I was interested in buying it. It's a shame because it looked like a fab book! xx
ReplyDeletewww.cakeydreamer.co.uk
I've been desperate to buy this for a while and this is the first review I've seen to point out some of it's flaws, I completely disagree also with the 'dating' advice which has completely wavered my decision to not buy this book and not part with my hard earned money. Such a shame, as is does look beautiful! But thank you!
ReplyDeleteAbbi || SimplyAbbi.com
I think this is one of the very few reviews/posts I've read about this book that doesn't say it's amazing; maybe because you don't watch her videos so you're not swaying by that - I will give this one a miss x
ReplyDeleteHeather | Of Beauty & Nothingness x
Interesting! I haven't read Fleur's book but I did read Tanya's and also felt it was a bit confusing who the target audience was. Nonetheless it was a nice book & I'm sure The Glam Guide is too :)
ReplyDeleteMaeve // Thrift O'Clock
That's such a shame about the content - I agree, it seems very odd and not something I would expect to be in the book. A major downside!
ReplyDeletewww.jessicainyourear.com
I've never watched any of Fleur's videos, but I'd seen a lot of people get the book, and was intrigued. Now I think I'll give it a miss. It sounds a bit dated, and as you said, hard to judge who the target audience is!
ReplyDeleteGlad I didn't buy this, the dating chapter would annoy me so much!
ReplyDeleteLove Hayley,
Water Painted Dreams
It's a shame you dislike the book. My boyfriend picked it up for me for Valentine's, because I wanted it, and I'm yet to even flick through it never mind read it. I don't think the dating advice sounds realistic and turning up late is a no no for me. I hate being late, to anything! And why wouldn't you offer to pay lol... you hardly go out expecting the other person to pay do you. x
ReplyDeleteKate | A British Sparkle