Title: The Mirror Said You’re Be-You-Tiful
Author: Austiage
Publisher: CreateSpace
ISBN: 978-1547014590
Pages: 212
Genre: Self-Help
Reviewed by: Carol Davala
Pacific Book Review
From the draw of television and print ads, to the attraction of celebrity glam on the red carpet, to news broadcasts touting the latest scientific breakthroughs in the realm of anti-wrinkle creams, clearly we are a culture obsessed with beauty. Here in an effort to move beyond the mere surface aesthetic and alter our traditional mind-set about external appearances, former champion athlete, Austiage, presents a positive affirming blueprint that showcases individuality, self-acceptance, and the nurturing of real inner beauty.
The impetus for this thought-provoking motivational work entitled The Mirror Said You’re Be-You-Tiful, came from a conversation Austiage had with a young girl at a children’s hospital, who posed the surprising question, “Does the mirror make you feel ugly?” Subsequently, Austiage felt compelled to share her thoughts on the subject and focus on the true meaning of beauty revealed in the generosity of our inner character.
The book is designed with a very fluid chapter format and covers a broad range of topics. Austiage does not shy away from expected elements associated with beauty, as with the intentions of the section entitled “Glamality” (Glamor Reality). Here where she lends the expertise of a painter/theatrical makeup artist well versed in the art of facial color, highlight, contouring, and concealing, the emphasis is keenly on the use of makeup as a means to enhance individual appearance, and accentuate personal beauty, but not to disguise or create it.
As we all come up against challenges, negativity, and moments of self-doubt in our lives, the author is intent on delivering the message that a strong sense of self is key. Along this positive path towards realizing our own beauty and self-worth, several familiar concerns are addressed including the value of quality nutrition, the importance of exercise, and the need for stress reduction in our daily lives. More emphatically Austiage points to reasons for facing our fears, finding a passion and trying new things, re-evaluating the people you surround yourself with, and choosing to practice gratitude.
Written in a very friendly, conversational tone, the volume would easily attract a young female audience, so often prone to the experience of dealing with comparisons and image issues. But the valuable core message here undoubtedly crosses the boundaries of both gender and age. As evidenced in a beauty questions and answers chapter, the author offers advice to a wide range of individuals whereby she addresses concerns ranging from skin care and weight gain, to peer pressure and time management. With potential for this varied readership, the overall text would be well-served by a thorough proofreading. Numerous typos, missing words, and repetitious sentences can be distracting to the otherwise congenial narrative. Refreshingly Austiage includes informative references to many of the specific products that she herself uses, to embrace and boost her own sense of positivity, beauty, and well-being.
While most of us are familiar with popular adages like “Beauty is only skin deep” and “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” Austiage’s central concept of beauty is defined by celebrating our uniqueness, connecting with our differences, and honoring our individuality. Perhaps the lesser known words of Oscar Wilde to “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken,” prove a more fitting reference to Austiage’s refinement about what makes an individual truly “Be-You-Tiful.” This is a positive book with an empowering message providing hope and peace of mind to the reader.
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