Sophie Uliano is Gorgeous for Good

Before I left to celebrate Sophie Uliano’s new Gorgeous for Good: A Simple 30-Day Program for Lasting Beauty – Inside and Out book at Crossroads Restaurant in Hollywood, I checked Facebook. Not one, not two, but FIVE of my friends had posted Comedy Central’s latest “Inside Amy Schumer” video. By now, you’ve probably seen it, too: Schumer stumbles on Tina Fey and Patricia Arquette toasting Julia Louis-Dreyfus as she ages out of celluloid sexuality. Apparently, as an actress you know it’s over when you’re asked to play the mother of an actor who was your love interest in a previous film and/or wardrobe exclusively outfits you in gigantic sweaters. IRL, trying to artificially maintain youth a la “Real Housewives” makes you look “like a purse that melted in a car accident.”

Of course, the whole thing is tongue in cheek—all three actresses are ridiculously gorgeous, vibrant and at the top of their games—but the video did make me think. Am I aging well or just deluding myself? Can I still wear skinny jeans or do I need to start investing in giant sweaters? The timing was perfect for a conversation with Sophie, whose Oprah-endorsed Gorgeously Green book series opened up sustainable living to an entire generation of women. Sophie’s new Gorgeous for Good is all about doing the right things now for enhanced beauty and wellness in the future–and I’m giving away two copies!

“It’s time to take back our power from giant cosmetic corporations and food lobbies who tell us what’s good for us, because there’s always an agenda.” I’m loving your new Gorgeous for Good book! How did you come up with the idea?

The idea came about because I had a lot of women–personal friends, and viewers from TV and YouTube–asking what my daily ritual was! With so much information now at our fingertips, I think women are confused about what they need to put on and in their body. We are given such conflicting information: One year Agave syrup is the next best thing and then we find it isn’t, or chia seeds and endless green juice cleanses.

These fads will come and go, but what remains is both substantiated, scientific, peer-reviewed facts, and common sense. I tell my readers that I’ll do all the research for them, and then they have to use their intuition and common sense. It’s time to take back our power from giant cosmetic corporations and food lobbies who tell us what’s good for us, because there’s always an agenda. My intention was to write a book crammed full of sound health and beauty information, so that you can make smart choices.

I decided to make it a 30-day program so that I could take a woman by the hand–like a BFF–and lead her though each day showing her exactly what to to. It’s a skin-to-soul program where I cover the whole gamut: cosmetics, skincare, holistic nutrition, fitness, and spirit.

I’m in my 40s, I eat well, wear sunscreen and exercise, but some of the damage that I did to my skin in the 20s—read: baby oil—seems like it’s only getting worse. What’s your secret to your beautiful complexion?

Oh, I too did the whole baby oil thing for all my 20’s and even 30’s. I constantly apply my vitamin C serums, and serums loaded with fresh, raw plant oils. I also use somewhat more hard-hitting products such as retinol, Alpha Hydroxy Acids, and peptides.

“My intention was to write a book crammed full of sound health and beauty information, so that you can make smart choices.” I remember meeting you a few years ago and watching you whip up the most amazing vitamin C serum in minutes. Where do you find your ideas for all the DIY recipes that you include in your books?

Much like a chef, I like to dream up ideas and experiment. I know the result I want, and I’m pretty sure of many of the ingredients I love, so it’s a matter of formulating something that smells and feels amazing and does the job. A lot of it is trial and error, but it ‘s the same with cooking. I rarely follow a recipe book because I like to create my own originals.

Gorgeous for Good seems to touch on information you covered in Gorgeously Green, Do It Gorgeously: How to Make Less Toxic, Less Expensive, and More Beautiful Products and The Gorgeously Green Diet. Is this the book that sums everything up for you?

This book is actually quite different from all the above. I position it as a health and beauty book, not a “green” book. Where not everyone can relate to “green,” most everyone can relate to health. The foundation of good health is truly a beautiful diet, and since certifying as  holistic nutritionist, I knew that this 30-day plan needed to be a whole food, plant-based eating plan with all the recipes that I’ve been creating over past two years. So, I would say that the information is all revised or completely different from any of my other books. Also, this is my favorite book, because it’s my most personal.

I’m a mother to a 13-year-old daughter and aunt to an 18-year-old niece. What’s the best book to get them interested in your vision of natural beauty and health?

My daughter is 13 too, and she doesn’t really like to read books on beauty and makeup, she likes to watch YouTube videos. She’s also a little young for the material that I present in the book, but an 18-year-old could definitely learn a lot from it. Gorgeous for Good might be a fun thing for a Mom and Daughter to to together. A Mother’s Day gift, maybe?

Great idea!

Want to read Sophie’s Book? Click here to order a copy of Gorgeous for Good, or win one of TWO copies that I’m giving away!

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