Girl, Wash Your Face

I've been following Rachel Hollis for years. Up until now, her message has resonated with me. As a lifestyle blogger, she produced great content, but her recent evolution into a self-proclaimed "mogul," has bothered me for the last year. Unfortunately, "Girl Wash Your Face" is "Mogul Rachel" instead of her previous, likable self.Here are my issues with the book:1. The fake "hey ya'll" language.Hollis may have (VERY) recently moved to Austin, Texas (where I also live), but don't be fooled by her plastered-on attempts at sounding "down home." She is simply emulating greater, authentic Texas writers such as Jen Hatmaker and Brene Brown. She grew up in Southern California and most recently lived in Glendale.Texans have a phrase: "Don't California My Texas." This applies to written work, too.2. The non-stop humble-bragging.We get it, Rachel, you are productive and work hard. Guess what - you also have a full-time nanny, full-time housekeeper, and an ACTUAL mogul of a husband to bankroll your PR expenditures, new staff hires, and property purchases. If your readers could afford to "run a company" and also not take a salary for 6+ years (while still having weekly mani/pedis, daily blowouts, etc.) I'm sure we all could be a "mogul" in our own way.3. The dangerous, non-expert advice.Hollis does not have a formal degree or certification of any kind, beyond a high school diploma. She is 100% unqualified to give advice in the areas of physical and mental health, relationships, trauma/recovery, and life management. Marrying the only guy you've ever dated and having kids doesn't make you a relationship expert. It makes you a wife and mother. Losing weight and exercising doesn't making you a trainer or nutritionist. It makes you a person who has eaten well and exercised to better health. And experiencing trauma and having a therapist does NOT make you a mental health professional. It makes you someone who has worked through their own issues.4. The strategic "Christian-ish" positioning. This book is categorized under the "Christian Books" section on Amazon and similar retailers. This is a tactic by the author and publisher to rank higher and make the NYT's best-seller list. Those who have read the book have already noted the lack of actual Christian content. I mean, Rachel doesn't even thank God in the acknowledgements section! She does thank her nanny, though.5. The unoriginal, co-opted thoughts. Anyone who has read ANY of the following authors will see their content co-opted (and unattributed) throughout this entire book: Tony Robbins, Oprah, Elizabeth Gilbert, Jen Hatmaker, Brene Brown.I could go on, but I think I've made my point. I'll sum up my thoughts on this book in two words: derivative drivel.

I don't understand all the hype about this book. Rachel Hollis's life experience is so near perfect and so far removed from that of the average woman, that there is almost nothing in this book that is actually relatable. She uses the following examples in her book:1. She dropped out of school at 19 to pursue her successful event planning business that catered to Hollywood celebrities.2. She had one intimate relationship outside of marriage. They broke up for two days. On the third day he professed his love and they ended up getting married.3. Although they have four children, she and her husband struggled with infertility for eight months.4. Hollis admits she has a mean streak and uses the example of making fun of a girl in high school for shaving her toes.5. Hollis also shares in the book that she peed her pants on a trampoline and had a cavity at one point.6. Almost every chapter talks about how she made the Forbes "Top 40 Under 40 list", runs her own multi-million dollar company, and is a "good Christian girl".Perhaps this book could be appreciated by women who have lived a very blessed and sheltered life. But for anyone who has ever had to deal with real life issues such as poverty, illness, abuse, depression, co-dependency, dysfunctional families, loneliness, etc. I recommend you look elsewhere because this book will come across as one long never-ending humblebrag. All eight women in my book club agreed that the book had a tone that was "inauthentic", "judgmental", and "preachy". If you want to read truly authentic, genuine work that sheds light on overcoming human imperfections and failings, I recommend reading Jeanette Walls, Cheryl Strayed, and Elizabeth Gilbert. These female authors have lived very imperfect lives - like most of us - and you will find their work far more relatable than this book which comes across as self-aggrandizing propaganda. I ended up returning the book for a full refund, which I never do.Note: My original one-star review of the book (which 93 people found helpful in the first 3 days) was reported to Amazon and removed for not meeting "community standards" even though the tone was very respectful. I'm sharing this because it might help explain all the five-star reviews.

My goodness I was sucked in due to the hype of this book. OMG, NO. Rachel is so entitled and preachy and comes across as exactly the kind of person I detest. Everything in the book was "me me me!!!" and offered no insight to real problems. This book made me irrationally angry, which I think is the exact opposite of what it was intended to do.

Like so many other reviewers, I wanted to love it... So many of my friends have nothing but praises for the book, so I bought it.I’ve been disappointed from the start. I ended up feeling so annoyed that I wasn’t able to finish the book.I felt like it was too much “me me me” and humble bragging, as another reviewer pointed out.

Girl, Wash Your Face has changed my life, yes I realise how dramatic that sounds. But it's true! I'm 37 and feel like I've just learnt the skills I need to make my life the best it can possibly be, thanks to this book.I have an illness that leaves me stuck in bed, in pain, almost every day. I find audiobooks relax me and help me sleep. I came across Girl, Wash Your Face and thought well here goes, another self help book, trying to make me feel better about myself. How wrong could I be...I immediately felt Rachel's warm, kindhearted words were written for ME. It was if she had come over for a girly chat. Rachel has a way of making you feel like you've been friends forever. Although she is so sweet she equally won't take any excuses. And isn't that honestly what we all need, someone who is there with great advice but won't take any of your bs. No excuses about feeling lazy, you have to go out and chase your dreams.I believe that the true genius of this book is that the author wrote it because she truly wants to help other women. Rachel Hollis honestly cares about me and you. She wants us to live our lives to its full potential. And she is so passionate about empowering women. This passion cannot help but motivate you to make the changes in your life to be who you want to be.The book made me realise that although the path I'm on is not the one I originally wanted, I can still be happy! I have been just existing for a long time and now I'm starting to live life again. It's as if Rachel came into my house and pulled me out of bed. I feel as if she's one of my closest friends and said "come on, stop feeling sorry for yourself, get up and start being the best version of you that you can be!" I have been through a lot in life but it doesn't mean I should just give up. I can still have hopes and dreams, I just need to adjust them a little. And as Rachel says "no-one cares about your dreams as much as you do."I now have the paper back of Girl, Wash Your Face now too and I've read it 3 times, I feel like I learn something new every time.Rachel teaches you life skills to help you achieve whatever it is that you dream of.The book is not only informative but my god is it funny. Rachel is so witty and will have you laughing at her funny stories.I have recommended this book to my friends who have also fallen in love with it. I bought a copy yesterday for my cousins birthday and I can't wait to talk to her about it. It's one of those reads that you just want to share with everyone. It's the holy grail for all women, in all walks of life. Because the underlying message is the same for all of us, you deserve to be happy!!!So I'll say it again... Girl, Wash Your Face has changed my life. Rachel Hollis, I just want to say Thank You! ❤️ xxx

Unless you are Christian, a workaholic, or a mom, this book is not for you. I was really excited to read this book, I very quickly realized that this book is not for me. I skipped probably more than half the book. If you are single, non-Christian, and have a normal(ish) job, there are far better books out there for you.

Bought for my daughter who was having a tough time. Too religious for her

She seems well meaning with her worldly advice but this book is aimed at Moms and young women! and has the kind of American dialogue that makes my teeth curl.

Trying to sit here and figure out how to write a review that will accurately describe the power of this book....and I’m at a bit of a loss for the right words. This book is literally a game changer! No matter what you do, where you come from, what your life looks like.. you will gain so much from reading “Girl, Wash your Face”. Rachel’s honesty about the lies she once believed about herself completely resonates with the struggles we face as women. She has walked the same trenches as many of us are walking and gives direct, specific and tangible advice about ways to help and come through the other side as a better, stronger version of yourself. Her ability to motivate comes from true and honest experience. Guaranteed you will finish this book feeling encouraged, and motivated to start living towards a better you. Sometimes we need a kick start with our goals, a shift in our perspective or the encouragement to pick ourselves up and keep trying.. this is it folks!Also, I will mention, that as a busy new mom... the audible version was amazing...having the book read to you by Rachel herself while having the freedom to fold the laundry, drive, or get ready in the morning, makes this book even more practical for those who find it hard to find the time to sit down and get into a good book!Don’t know if I have ever said in my life I was truly grateful for a book.... but this one... without hesitation... I am.