Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis | Parent Guide & Review

Synopsis of Girl, Wash Your Face

Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are So You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be is the actual full title. Rachel Hollis is the founder of a lifestyle website that reaches hundreds of thousands of fans a year. She is always sharing tips to make life better while showing the messy realness of her own.

Every chapter in this book is a lie that Rachel believed at some point in her life. She shares the story behind the lie and the tools that she used to overcome it. Every page is full of honesty, humor, and no-nonsense advice. It’s like a conversation with a best friend or older sister who has gone through the struggles too. Rachel unpacks every lie and the mind-set the goes with it to help each reader unlock their potential to live a life they are passionate about and accomplish the unattainable.

Disclosure: I am an Amazon affiliate. If you click on a link and decide to buy something I will get pennies for referring you. This in no way changes the price for you. It just helps me make a bit for doing what I love.

First Impressions

I listened to the audiobook read by Rachel and loved it. Each moment felt like a conversation with an older sister I never had and similar to conversations I’ve had with cherished mentors. The chapters are filled with humor and wit. A few of the later chapters become somber and heavy as she talks about her brother’s suicide, her first relationship, and self-medicating with alcohol. Altogether a very empowering and motivating book with practical steps to take to overcome the lies.

Girl, Wash Your Face Parent Guide

Overall: PG-13 for adult themes NOT for Teens
Violence: PG talks about her brother’s suicide but no gory details. Very brief and artfully done.
Language: G None
Adult Content: PG-13 There is a chapter about overcoming the lie “I’m bad at sex.” Hence, sex is talked about. She gives a clear warning. You can skip to the next chapter if uncomfortable. Doesn’t go into detail about the act. More about having open communication and making it a priority.
Reading Level: 18 years+ for adult content

Tough Topics in Girl, Wash Your Face

• Discrimination: There is a chapter about discrimination and societal prejudices. 
• Foster Care System: Rachel adopts through the foster care system and talks about the heartbreak and hurt that went with it.
• Addiction/Crutch: alcoholism and anything that you use as a buffer between you and life.
• Comparison: This is the major topic because it is everywhere. She hits it from multiple different angles and lies.
• Self-love/Self-care: Both important topics and priorities to give to others.
• Priorities: This is the key to success. Finding your priorities and then doing them.
• Suicide: Rachel talks about her brother’s suicide and the impact that it had on her life for good and bad.

Quotes

“You, and only you, are ultimately responsible for who you become and how happy you are.”

― Rachel Hollis, Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be

 “Comparison is the death of joy, and the only person you need to be better than is the one you were yesterday.” 

― Rachel Hollis, Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be

 “Someone else’s opinion of you is none of your business.” Let me say that again for the people in the cheap seats.”

― Rachel Hollis, Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be

My Thoughts about Girl, Wash Your Face

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I didn’t know what to expect going into it but I’m glad I finished it. Most of the things she talked about I was able to relate to, and the ones that I didn’t I still enjoyed reading about her experiences. After every time I listened to a portion of the book I felt more motivated and determined. Rachel gives some very sound advice and reminded me of things that I know but forget from time to time. I wish I could buy every woman in my life a copy so they can become just as inspired and charged up to be themselves. Girl, Wash Your Face gave me practical advice on how to be a better mom, wife, boss, and me.

I recommend this book to any adult woman. Guys can read it too but I don’t know if they would get as much out of it. This is not a book for teenagers though. Chapter 7 talks about changing the misconception that you are bad in the bedroom. There is nothing explicit or erotic in this chapter. Rachel just gives us a few basic steps she took with her husband to rectify the situation. Everything is contained in that single chapter if you want to skip it. She also gives plenty of warning so you won’t be caught off guard.

What to Read Next?

If you enjoyed this book check out the second book in the series Girl, Stop Apologizing. Other amazing motivational books are The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod, and How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie.

Happy Reading!
Emily