Books for Prep | |
 - An excellent bookI just recently started the Flexeffect program by Deborah Crowley which I just love. She encourages us to be inventive and so with this book I've been able to combine some different and extra exercises. The pictures (in this book) of each exercise are very clear and the explanations concise so that you don't have to wade through heaps of information first. Diligence and patience is the key and with any facial exercises you definitely see a difference. As with most exercises it's best to cover if not all, then most of the them, as each muscle is connected. I highly recommend it! Rating:  - A major letdown.I bought this book for someone who I know has a strong interest in this kind of thing, after reading the good reviews for it here, but I felt bad about giving it once I'd received it and had a chance to look inside. The text was small and very faint, (if I recall correctly, a light mauve on a white background. - If I'm wrong then hopefully someone will correct me) and the pictures inside were all in black and white and not easy to see what one had to do. The main thing that came across to me though is that most of the models used looked young enough not to have to worry about doing facial yoga (presumably the book is aimed at people over a certain age whose faces have become old-looking in some way) and the older models looked old and not conducive to giving anyone confidence in the techniques being advocated, especially the author herself who looked her age and really one would have expected her to look a lot younger than her years if anyone is expected to have any faith in this technique. The person I gave the book to, thanked me very much at the time, before looking at it, but has not mentioned it at all since, and this speaks volumes to me, as they normally would mention something they feel pleased with. All I can say to anyone thinking of purchasing this book, is try to get hold of a copy to look inside before you buy as it may not be what you are looking for. Quite apart from the disappointing content, the book was very cumbersome and awkward to hold owing to the shape and size of it. Rating:  - You will benefitThis otherwise great book fails to get five stars for only 2 reasons: 1) the neck exercises didn't produce noticeable results for me personally (I'm going to try Carole Maggio's book for that reason alone); and 2)the author dismisses the importance of aerobic exercise, and in fact, calls it aging. That may be true for aerobic enthusiasts who overdo it, but imho, it's a critical component of good health and looking youthful. I'm 47 and still get carded so I vouch for the importance of exercise. Having said that, I started noticing areas of my face that I wasn't thrilled with. Lip lines that were getting worse rather than better, lines on the side of my nose, and upper lids that could use some lift. Bam! Immediate improvement. I agree with some of the other reviewers: it's very cool to have full, voluptuous lips. My eye area is tighter, brighter (no crow's feet whatsoever, but in fairness, I didn't have that many to begin with) and my nose lines (from squinting) are gone. My cheeks are full and my jaw line is tighter. Why my neck didn't reap the same benefits, I'm not sure. I've been doing these exercises since June 2007 and that area is the least improved. Just my two cents, hope it helps. Rating: - Waste of TimeThis book was a big disappointment and I do not recommend it. Get it from the library if you are curious, but don't waste your money. I did! Rating: - men can benefit tooI am very impressed with Marie's approach, which addresses the concerns I have with most facial exercise programs. Exercise does work, but it has to be the right kind of exercise, and not the sort that causes the skin to wrinkle even more. Since I've begun doing these exercises I have been very happy with the results and changes I see. I have also noticed a marked improvement in my wife's face. Great book to get you thinking about how, if you don't like the way you look, you can become proactive about it. In association with Amazon.com | |