From the authors of the bestselling Backwards in High Heels, a delightful and witty examination of the concept of beauty. In this humorous and thoughtful exploration, Sarah Vine and Tania Kindersley set out to unpack this most paradoxical of concepts. They look at everything, from the mixed messages we receive from the media, to the booming Ł9.6 billion beauty industry, from how beauty has been portrayed culturally and featured in history, to intelligence and its relation to beauty (warning: feminists may feature). And, of course, no study on beauty would be complete without a little bit on cosmetic surgery too. Added to all this, Sarah and Tania offer some wonderfully helpful practical advice - from selecting the correct foundation for your skin tone to knowing exactly when to wear that attention-grabbing red lipstick. Full of warmth and worldly wisdom, Venus Envy seeks to understand our intense fascination with beauty, at the same time as making us rethink its true benefits.