Making Faces
by Kevyn Aucoin
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Book Reviews of Making Faces
Book Review: Making Beautiful Faces
Summary: 5 Stars
Once my friend posed this famous question to me: "If you could meet anyone in the world, who would you meet?" My (almost immediate) answer to her question was "Kevyn Aucoin!" she asked me why, and I said, because he makes everybody feel beautiful. And its true! Proof: see the book. I must admit, I truly believe that the purpose of this book was not to demonstrate the art of applying fake eyelashes, etc, etc, but to show and prove to the world that everybody is beautiful. Of course, it can't hurt being already gorgeous like some of the models featured in this book, but some of the "quirky" looking faces that I would never really give a second glance turned out (with the magic touch of Kevyn's hand) to be the most beautiful faces I have ever seen. Kevyn truly has a gift for bringing out the inner beauty of even plain looking faces. He could transform the most hideous beasts on this planet to beautiful looking creatures. In short, buying this book to feast on all the helpful beauty tricks will be worth the money, but to read and explore the book and to truly contemplate the magic of inner beauty and to come to the realization that everybody in the world is beautiful (including you)! is worth all the money in the world. Read this book when you have an ugly day: and prepare to feel beautiful for the rest of your life.Book Review: A must Have
Summary: 5 Stars
Before I was pregnant I used to work in clubs as a dancer. I knew a few tricks about make up but nothing compared to the knowledge gained after reading this book. This book will show you have to wear it from natural to dramatic......how to change your look completely or just play up certain features. There are also many celebrity styles and makeovers which blew me away. Kevyn also gave this book a personal touch which made it all the more memorable. He is adored by the many celebs who have worked with him and it is easy to see why. His style and personality come shinig through on every page. He believed in the beauty of women....ALL women and this is what he helps you accentuate. I learned many techniques but the most important thing I learned was how to play up my beauty w/o hardly trying. Kevyn Aucoin passed this year and although I don't know him I do miss him. His book left that strong of an impression on me. I recommend this book for those who just want a few extra tips or for those who know nothing at all. I also purchased a copy for my husbands sister who is in those teen years where she was experimenting with makeup. It has helped her to polish her look and scored me points with my mother in law who would cringe every time she tried something different on her face.Book Review: An Excellent Artistic Reference
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this book to use as a reference - and it's proven to be a very good one. I am a Computer Animator and Artist by profession, and I use the information in the book when painting texture maps for characters.The book is well laid out, and there are clear step-by-step instructions on how to acheive certain "looks." There isn't any in-depth discussion of color in the traditional sense, and I believe this is because Mr.Aucoin believes in experimentation - that there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to makeup (which makes sense). The book has a lot of "before and after" images (which can be almost frightening in the level of transformations accomplished by Mr.Aucoin - i.e. from "plain" to simply "stunning" - fellas, be sure to get that girl into a pool at some point...;). The book has a very personable feel to it, and it's obvious that Mr.Aucoin truly likes people and helping them feel good about themselves - and he is obviously *very* good at it.
The only thing I wish the book had that it doesn't would be some hi-res, evenly lit before-and-after portraits of the subjects (along with the dramatically lit ones). That would have easily made this a 5-star book to me.
All-in-all, an outstanding book.
Book Review: A Dream Fulfilled
Summary: 4 Stars
I've been thumbing through this book in the bookstore since I was a kid. I was glad to see it here and mostly bought it to avenge my younger self (who didn't have her own money let alone permission to wear makeup yet).
The only downfalls to this book are that the color recommendations are slightly dated (a sad reminder of Aucoin's having passed too soon), and while the advice is specfic and comes from an expert, it does not include comprehensive techniques to achieve a look. Oversimplified guidelines like "first add a dark color to the crease. Then sweep a light color to the lid" don't match up to the picture that shows a third (unmentioned) color on the brow bone or visible blending done to the temples. I know I will have to invest some time to experiment and match what I see in the mirror to what I see in the pictures. There are probably YouTube tutorials out there that can fill in the gaps.
Beautifully photographed, and for each signature look Aucoin provides a brief history celebrating the Hollywood Heroines that made them classic. (Fun fact: he shares how the small-mouthed look of silent film stars came about--before the advance in lipstick technology in the 1930s, color was drawn inside the lip line to prevent feathering.)
Book Review: O joy...a makeup book without hype!
Summary: 5 Stars
Because Aucoin is not tied to any specific company, this book does not limit the reader by recommending products that are currently in fashion or on department store stands.
For his myriad styles, Aucoin will merely identify "light flesh-coloured lip pencil", or "liquid black eyeliner". No brand names - yippee! Thus it tremendously increases your awareness of products and the standbys and treats that you'll need in your artillery to achieve the looks you want, whether on yourself or on others.
Aucoin begins by analysing each facial feature. He explains the techniques of applying foundation, blush, eyeliner, eyeshadow, lipliner, lipstick - even eyebrow pencil (telling you to make a "box" at the inside corner - hello, Ava Gardner!). Very clever, very helpful.
In his analysis of brushes, Aucoin does not plus any particular company. But he does explain what different brushes do, and you can therefore conclude for yourself which of them you'll need. (Best to go to a theatre make-up shop, where you'll usually get objective advice.)
The illustrations and "types" of look are wonderful and really extend one's range and comprehension.
A generous, goal-oriented classic.