3.99

4

Sep 23, 2016

Fairly good. I can't agree that everyone has yellow undertones. A lot of people, whether pale or dark, are cool-toned and have pink undertones. Most of the book is still quite useful and I'll probably refer to it in the future.

5

Apr 10, 2010

I bought this book because I have recently been trying to master my own makeup looks.

This is the book for you if you are looking to know more about products and how they work on your face/body.

Lots of other reference books are divided by feature: large eyes, fair skin, brunette, slender mouth, etc. This is all well and good but for me I would only read that parts that apply to me and, therefore, much of the book is left untouched. This book is divided by product: moisturizers, eyeliner, lip I bought this book because I have recently been trying to master my own makeup looks.

This is the book for you if you are looking to know more about products and how they work on your face/body.

Lots of other reference books are divided by feature: large eyes, fair skin, brunette, slender mouth, etc. This is all well and good but for me I would only read that parts that apply to me and, therefore, much of the book is left untouched. This book is divided by product: moisturizers, eyeliner, lip colour, etc. It discusses what the products do, how they are suppose to be use, and what you are looking for when you buy them.

Again, there is some information that is not relevant to me, but now I know what exactly a moisturizing balm is and it is up to me to decide whether I feel it is the right product for my skin type (she also talks about the make up of different skin types, so I actually can figure out whether it is right for me or not).

So, the bottom line here is that this book does not tell you how to put your face together or what products/brands you should buy. Instead it uses a broad-brush approach and defines and discusses the uses for different products. You will learn a lot more about the beauty products on the shelves through this book and be able to read what's in the product and understand what it means or look at the colour and identify whether it is right for you - rather than just being directed to a certain brand or quad set and being told that is that you should use.

This book is for someone who wants to know more about the beauty industry (it even has a section at the back for being interested in becoming professionals, I'm not so I skipped over it). If you want to be able to evaluate different products by yourself and decide what is good for you, and have a deeper understanding of what is what, then this book if for you. If you want an easy guide that will tell you what products/brands to buy and how to make-up your face (more hand holding information), then this isn't your book. ...more

2

Jan 26, 2014

This book would be ideal for someone who has never worn makeup and desires to be a professional makeup artist. I found the tips redundant if her earlier books, and even some that were contrary to more modern wisdom (ex: Bobbi says to put on concealer then foundation, whereas everyone nowadays says to do the reverse so you don't end up wiping off the concealer...maybe not a big deal but she just sounded a little outdated). The first half of the book was redundant of every beauty article I've ever This book would be ideal for someone who has never worn makeup and desires to be a professional makeup artist. I found the tips redundant if her earlier books, and even some that were contrary to more modern wisdom (ex: Bobbi says to put on concealer then foundation, whereas everyone nowadays says to do the reverse so you don't end up wiping off the concealer...maybe not a big deal but she just sounded a little outdated). The first half of the book was redundant of every beauty article I've ever skimmed in a women's magazine and the middle content is better explained by YouTube beauty gurus. Not terrible, but nothing I would need to own. ...more

5

Sep 10, 2009

Perfect for : Personal Use, Great gift for a girl getting into makeup (promotes positive self image), Professionals in beauty/makeup field

In a nutshell: I was amazed at the amount of information and detail contained in this book! I was never really taught about makeup, so this has provided me with a lot of practical and technical information that I wasn't previously aware of. From basic beauty equipment and the basics of skin care to the business of makeup and professional artistry, this book Perfect for : Personal Use, Great gift for a girl getting into makeup (promotes positive self image), Professionals in beauty/makeup field

In a nutshell: I was amazed at the amount of information and detail contained in this book! I was never really taught about makeup, so this has provided me with a lot of practical and technical information that I wasn't previously aware of. From basic beauty equipment and the basics of skin care to the business of makeup and professional artistry, this book has it all! The photographs are beautiful and help to show what the author is talking about, and the explanations are easy to understand. This is a beautiful book that would be great for someone wanting to learn more about makeup for themselves, or as a profession. It would also be a great book to have on-hand at a salon or spa.

Extended Review:
The information contained in the book covers just about everything I could ever think of pertaining to skin-care and makeup and then some. The colorful photographs serve to enhance the book by providing brilliant examples of what the author is talking about as well as how-to's with people actually showing how to apply what the author is explaining.

Content: The book progresses nicely through the following chapters: Makeup Artistry, Equipment, Skin, Face, Lips, Eyes, Ten-Step Guide to Perfect Makeup, Special Makeup Applications, Artistry, Essential Equipment for the Professional, Advanced Makeup Applications, Memorable Makeup Moments and Legends. It also contains a very helpful resource guide that provides Theatrical Makeup Stores, Makeup Artist Agencies, Creative Directories and Suggested Reading. As you can see, there is plenty of information designed both for the end-user (like me) as well as professionals!

Format: The chapters progress through the makeup application very nicely, with plenty of wonderful full-color photographs depicting both finished looks, and the steps to accomplish those finished looks (as well as products and colors).

Readability: Amazingly enough, with so much technical information throughout the book, it was written in a manner that was easy to read - even the harder artistry pages were easy to understand, if not easy to create for the novice!

Overall: A very complete book that is sure to teach everyone from the novice to the professional something about makeup in a way that is easy to understand and duplicate (hopefully! - I haven't tried ALL the examples). ...more

3

Mar 26, 2012

This is a good basic manual for people who have basic make-up and skin care knowledge. It’s very easy to read and is filled with skin care and make-up tips (with pictures) that are very easy to understand and follow. This is your one stop manual for make-up tool & skin care shopping, to know which brush to use for what part of the face, to know which ingredients to look for in skin care products, to know which formulation of skin care or make-up to use for your skin type. I learned quite a This is a good basic manual for people who have basic make-up and skin care knowledge. It’s very easy to read and is filled with skin care and make-up tips (with pictures) that are very easy to understand and follow. This is your one stop manual for make-up tool & skin care shopping, to know which brush to use for what part of the face, to know which ingredients to look for in skin care products, to know which formulation of skin care or make-up to use for your skin type. I learned quite a bit from this, and much more than I ever did while working for a beauty company. (Incidentally, that company’s founder is also listed near the end of the book as one of the historical people in the industry).

The book even has interesting tidbits like an historical make-up timeline and a brief summary of the contributions of memorable people in the industry. It amazed me to learn that make-up brands only started coming up because of a lack of products in the market (such as MAC was founded because the founders thought make-up in the market was too shimmery and was bad for photography; Make Up Forever was targeted for make-up artists who do film and television, etc) and each had their own niche–in the beginning, anyway. Now most make-up brands are just distinguished for their quality and price range.

It also has a section on how to be a professional make-up artist, with tips on building your own portfolio and what to do once you have it. There’s even a directory at the end of the book to get you started (limited to the US only).

A few cons are:

This manual is directed toward the Western market. Yes, there are Asian tips for every section BUT the model they used was East Asian. East Asian and South East Asians have very different skin colors, face structure and eye shape. This book sadly lacks tips for South East Asians, although it is a decent enough book for general tips and knowledge.

Undertones. I wish make-up experts would actually explain how to see undertones in a make-up color.

Bronzer heavy. This book is bronzer heavy–although that is what Bobbi Brown is famous for (as she repeatedly states herself in the book)–and again, that is targeted toward Westerners and make-up artists. In SEA, bronzers aren’t a big hit outside of the fashion and make-up industry.

I would definitely recommend this book to beginners and people who are interested in make-up artistry and people who’d like to go into the make-up career path. ...more

3

Dec 18, 2015

This is a really basic book. So possibly 3 stars is a little generous. If you are a beginner and you love book format then it would be worth it to buy, but who falls into this category? Youtube make-up gurus have totally killed this sort of book. A book can summarize the basics efficiently, as this does, but for explaining things video format cannot be beaten.

The structure of the book is logical & I definitely walked away from it having learned some new things ex: bronzer contour powder This is a really basic book. So possibly 3 stars is a little generous. If you are a beginner and you love book format then it would be worth it to buy, but who falls into this category? Youtube make-up gurus have totally killed this sort of book. A book can summarize the basics efficiently, as this does, but for explaining things video format cannot be beaten.

The structure of the book is logical & I definitely walked away from it having learned some new things ex: bronzer contour powder looking dirty on pale skin, line your eyes all the way around to look bigger and no waterline eyeliner for daily wear,advice on suncreen application etc

But it is really basic, there could be more pictures and guidance for colours or 'looks' & some of the advice is imo questionable (like doing underye concealer etc before eye makeup). ...more

1

Oct 12, 2017

I hate to be the one to say this but Bobby Brown has no idea what she's talking about. the first several chapters are about drinking lots of water and eating right which is great. but then she goes in to make up and talks about how rosacea and red skin it should be balanced with bronzers. I hate to tell you most people with rosacea have very fair skin and do not want to look like an Oompa Loompa. it's all about color correcting with green to counteract the redness. the whole book seems a little I hate to be the one to say this but Bobby Brown has no idea what she's talking about. the first several chapters are about drinking lots of water and eating right which is great. but then she goes in to make up and talks about how rosacea and red skin it should be balanced with bronzers. I hate to tell you most people with rosacea have very fair skin and do not want to look like an Oompa Loompa. it's all about color correcting with green to counteract the redness. the whole book seems a little mismatched and I'm surprised at some of the duh moments I had trying to get through it. ...more

5

Jun 26, 2009

A superb, original and innovative manual filled with many facts, tips, guides and information on everything from beauty to skincare to makeup looks. I love how Brown covers many types of skin tones and uses that as a basis for lots of different products (like foundation and cleansers, for example). It's great to have as a manual to consult for insight on everything I am interested in to things I didn't even know (and should), but now do thanks to this excellent guide from Bobbi Brown. Extremely A superb, original and innovative manual filled with many facts, tips, guides and information on everything from beauty to skincare to makeup looks. I love how Brown covers many types of skin tones and uses that as a basis for lots of different products (like foundation and cleansers, for example). It's great to have as a manual to consult for insight on everything I am interested in to things I didn't even know (and should), but now do thanks to this excellent guide from Bobbi Brown. Extremely recommended. 5/5 stars. ...more

3

Aug 29, 2011

LOVED THIS BOOK. I wanted more things in the Professional category because that's why I bought this book, not for the begging part although I enjoyed that too and there were a couple of tips and tricks I didn't know there.
I really liked the LIFESTYLE section and it's so amazing that there's at least one beauty book that has this.

4

Apr 10, 2014

This book is a MUST for all women out there. This is a compilation of the make-up guru, Bobbi Brown for over 25 years of experience in make-up and skin care. From skin types, moisturizers, primers, and lipsticks, this is basically a haven for all girls! There are tips and tricks on how to apply make-up and how to create a certain look. I am amazed that Asian skin is also featured in here! Not all make-up books have tutorials specifically on Asian skin, so this one is a sure plus for me. The This book is a MUST for all women out there. This is a compilation of the make-up guru, Bobbi Brown for over 25 years of experience in make-up and skin care. From skin types, moisturizers, primers, and lipsticks, this is basically a haven for all girls! There are tips and tricks on how to apply make-up and how to create a certain look. I am amazed that Asian skin is also featured in here! Not all make-up books have tutorials specifically on Asian skin, so this one is a sure plus for me. The pictures and tutorials are very detailed and precise. I liked it.

Overall, this is a good book on women who likes make-up, wants to learn about make-up and wants to practice their make-up skills. ...more

3

Sep 10, 2016

Just ok

I thought this book would give me step by step instructions on how to apply makeup. It fell flat. It gives general instructions. If u are a beginner, don't waste your money. It doesn't show how to blend, how to apply powder or cream, it just doesn't. This book is more for ppl who are Bobbi Brown fans. Not for women who are looking for guidance or techniques.

4

Aug 16, 2018

I f you are just starting out with makeup and want to know the basics, this book is IT.

3

Mar 14, 2013

I wear very little makeup and now that I've discovered the magic of BB cream, it might be a while before I incorporate more complicated techniques into my routine. Bobbi's tutorial on eyeliner application was a godsend, though, and the photography is beautiful. I will also reference the sections on skin type-appropriate cleansers and moisturizers the next time I need to replenish my stock.

4

Nov 04, 2017

It's hard to know how to rate a book that I really just skimmed, but I think this one has good info and it clarified some things for me.

3

Sep 19, 2019

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Since I'm a newbie in the world of makeup, this is a basic manual for deciding what works for you and your skin.
Apart from the foundation guidelines this manual is okayish.
Bobbi Brown keeps urging people with yellow undertones to use yellow based foundation.
She belives only 1% people need a pink tone! What on earth?
As far as I know, darker people may have pink or red undertones as well.
Also, I don't understand how bronzer can work for people with rosacea, a condition which occurs in people Since I'm a newbie in the world of makeup, this is a basic manual for deciding what works for you and your skin.
Apart from the foundation guidelines this manual is okayish.
Bobbi Brown keeps urging people with yellow undertones to use yellow based foundation.
She belives only 1% people need a pink tone! What on earth?
As far as I know, darker people may have pink or red undertones as well.
Also, I don't understand how bronzer can work for people with rosacea, a condition which occurs in people with very light skin.
Skincare
Hormonal fluctuations, stress, pregnancy, medication, travel, and seasonal changes are only a few of the factors that can cause skin to act up.
The outermost layer of skin, the epidermis, is several layers deep. Basal cells are created in the lowest layer and then migrate through a hardened layer to the stratum corneum, from which they fall off the body. The skin continually sloughs off the dead cells and grows new living cells. It takes about a month for a live basal cell to move to the top layer of the epidermis. As the cell moves toward the surface of the skin, it loses moisture and oxygen content.
The most important skincare step is ensuring hydration.
Skin’s tone and flexibility depends on the presence of water in the underlying tissues—water drawn from humidity in the air and moisture added to the skin’s surface.
Oil is the skin’s natural protectant, preventing moisture from leaving the skin. Oil in the skin functions as a defensive barrier. It smoothes the texture and helps to maintain skin-cell health. When oil glands overproduce, the skin appears greasy, and when the glands underproduce, the skin becomes dehydrated and flaky. Adding moisture to the skin helps maintain skin firmness, smoothness, softness, and luminosity.
DRY SKIN needs a heavier, oil-based moisturizer that will absorb completely into the skin, leaving it feeling soft and supple. Oils are more effective than creams at preventing water evaporation. Look for the ingredients urea or propylene glycol, chemicals that keep skin moist.
NORMAL SKIN has a healthy moisture balance. Water-based moisturizers containing lightweight oils, such as acetyl alcohol, or silicone-derived ingredients, will help maintain healthy, normal skin.
Use a fast-absorbing eye cream under concealer to help skin look smooth, not crepey. The skin around the eyes is more delicate than the rest of the face. For puffiness and wrinkles under the eye, try using a richer formula containing Shea butter or beeswax at night.
For dry skin foundation applied over the lotion will hold better, too.
Test your moisturizer
Apply moisturizer to your skin. If the skin under the moisturizer is warm, there is a greater percentage of oil in the product.
If the area is cool, there is a greater percentage of water.
The science behind this is that evaporation cools, and water evaporates. Oil does not evaporate and therefore traps heat in the body.
Put a small amount of moisturizer on a tissue, and hold it over a lightbulb. Products with higher oil content will melt. The wider the area of melted oil, the greater the percentage of oil in the moisturizer.
Anti-wrinkle or anti-aging creams contain caffeine, retinol, alpha hydroxy acids, or vitamin C.
Anti-darkening creams contain vitamin K or hydroquinone.
ALPHA HYDROXY ACIDS (AHAS) are naturally occurring acids found in fruits and milk, used topically to reduce the appearance of fine lines. AHAs help speed up the skin’s natural exfoliation process, helping it shed dead skin cells. They can improve the texture of skin, unclog pores, and help prevent breakouts. Glycolic acid is one of the commonly used AHAs. Do not use products containing salicylic acid (a beta hydroxy acid), which is too harsh for general exfoliation, as they are intended for use only on problem skin areas.
ANTIOXIDANTS help protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals, molecules with an unpaired electron. They cause oxidation that can damage cellular material. Vitamins A, C, and E, beta-carotene, green tea, and grape seed extract are all highly effective antioxidants.
HYALURONIC ACID (sodium hyaluronate) is a fluid that surrounds the joints and is found in skin tissue. Aging slows the production of this acid, so it is often supplemented as an anti-aging treatment. It is used as filler for wrinkles (injection) and can be applied topically or taken in pill form. It is often added to moisturizer and works to hydrate skin.
TYROSINASE INHIBITORS (kojic acid, hydroquinone)all prevent browning or age spots on the skin. Licorice (glycyrrhiza glabrd) has been used for centuries to lighten and brighten skin.
VITAMIN B3 (niacinamide) is a water soluble vitamin found in yeast, eggs, liver, and vegetables that helps increase the amount of fatty acids in the skin, promoting exfoliation and firmness.
VITAMIN C (ascorbic acid) is an antioxidant that can reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and create a more even skin tone.
It protects the skin from atmospheric pollution and from ultraviolet light.
Vitamin C also helps convert inactivated vitamin E back to the active, antioxidant form of vitamin E. Vitamin C is involved in the formation of elastin and plays a role in converting proline, an amino acid, into collagen. Vitamin C increases collagen manufacture, reducing the appearance of wrinkles. The production of melanin is an oxidative process that causes pigmentation. As an antioxidant, vitamin C counteracts the oxidative process.
High doses of vitamin C reduce the pigmentation of scars and make them less noticeable. Vitamin C is found in fresh fruits and vegetables.
Eyeliner Dos & Don’ts
*Don’t apply liner to the inside rim of the eyelids, except for a theatrical effect or a fashion shoot. You risk infection and injury. And, rather than making the eyes stand out, lining inside the rim actually makes the eyes appear smaller.
*Don’t line just the bottom of the eye.
*Do line all the way across the lids! You can line just the top and not the bottom, but don’t line either lid halfway. Lining from the inner corner to the outer corner will help open up the eye.
*Do apply liner as close as possible to the lash line, making sure there is no gap. This has the added benefit of making the lashes look fuller and lush.
*Do apply liner thinnest at the inner corner of the eye, and thicken it as you move outward. This accentuates the eye’s shape and gives the eyes a lift.
*Do make the top and bottom lines of liner meet at the inside and outside corners to make the eyes appear larger. Not connecting the lines makes the eyelids appear too round and small.
Bad Day Beauty
DO NOT overdo makeup!
Dark eyeglass frames really come in handy on some days.
Historical facts on makeup
1603 Queen Elizabeth I dies and is rumored to have an inch and a half of makeup on her face at the time of her passing. This is not uncommon in an era when no one washes their faces, and makeup is used to cover the horrible scars left by smallpox.
...more

4

Dec 05, 2018

This book lists and explains the basics for makeup- skincare, makeup application, makeup brushes, and more. The steps in this book were very easy to understand, and the advice is very useful. I would say that this is a better book for beginners, but any person could find something useful in this book. For example, I have been wearing makeup for a few years, and I have a relatively good knowledge of makeup, but it is still helpful to learn a few new things. It also contains information that isn't This book lists and explains the basics for makeup- skincare, makeup application, makeup brushes, and more. The steps in this book were very easy to understand, and the advice is very useful. I would say that this is a better book for beginners, but any person could find something useful in this book. For example, I have been wearing makeup for a few years, and I have a relatively good knowledge of makeup, but it is still helpful to learn a few new things. It also contains information that isn't for beginners--- for those who want to break into the beauty industry. Although I'm not interested in doing that, it was still intriguing to read about, and it would probably be helpful for future MUA's.
The book also contains a short history about makeup and famous makeup artists.
...more

3

Sep 23, 2018

Bobbi Brown's book is somewhat good for a beginner, but her section on foundation matching leaves a lot to be desired. She doesn't go over what to do with rosacea at all. Most people with rosacea have ruddy faces and matching the foundation to the forehead will end up with a pink face, and a yellow neck. Foundations should be matched to the neck. She also doesn't seem to like to use color and doesn't go over what to do with colorful shades of eyeshadow. She doesn't show you how to blend Bobbi Brown's book is somewhat good for a beginner, but her section on foundation matching leaves a lot to be desired. She doesn't go over what to do with rosacea at all. Most people with rosacea have ruddy faces and matching the foundation to the forehead will end up with a pink face, and a yellow neck. Foundations should be matched to the neck. She also doesn't seem to like to use color and doesn't go over what to do with colorful shades of eyeshadow. She doesn't show you how to blend eyeshadows together either. ...more

5

Mar 31, 2018

Although the book was published 10 years ago and the makeup industry evolved, Bobbi Brown's book is still a good and staple makeup manual for anyone who's just starting with makeup and for every makeup lover who's a fan of Bobbi's work. The book is well written, every step is explained accompanied with gorgeous photos. The book is visually and textually stunning and personally I would keep it under my coffee table for a burst of inspiration and good tips.

3

Jun 04, 2017

A few things could have been explained in more depth and with more illustrations, but overall, this book does a good job of explaining to beginners how to apply makeup, and how to choose the right tools and colors. There are also sections for professionals and for advanced makeup applications.

4

Apr 24, 2018

A useful book for the beginners, the book contains not only makeup tips but also skincare steps. Although some information in this book is quite old and not suitable for the present (I.e ”everyone has a yellow tone?)

3

Apr 02, 2018

Beautiful photographs, but YouTube tutorials are more effective

5

Jan 12, 2018

Great for someone wanting to start out in the make up industry, great coffee table books with lots of pictures, tips and tricks.

4

Apr 04, 2019

This is a pretty good make-up book with the best tips available at the time.

2

Jun 17, 2017

Disappointing

I thought this book would teach me something but nothing new or interesting very little makeup advice and more a source for people who want to be a makeup artist

3

Mar 03, 2019

Makeup and skincare for dummies like me :) Perfect! good starting point for makeup noobs..Fun and light read that is totally orthogonal to my fields of expertise :P!