Making Faces

I've only been working - and part time, at that- in makeup for the past 8 months, and thought this would be a good book to add to my limited knowledge. I got the paperback edition, which is quite sturdy. This book is much larger in size than I had expected - I don't have a measuring tape, but based on an 8 1/2X11 piece of paper, it appears to be 9x12. There are a lot of full-page photos which display different aspects of facial makeup, so it's quite possible that this was originally intended to be a coffee table book, but I like it for the information and detail provided. I'm very glad that I stumbled across this book! Kevin Aucoin was one of the, if not “the”, most sought after makeup artists while he was alive (which I found out after purchasing this). Unfortunately, he died over 10 years ago, but the information in this book is timeless. He doesn't get down into the weeds on things like anatomy, color theory, the need to sketch often, and other things that, let's face it, are not necessarily going to help you in applying regular types of makeup on regular people. He discusses some basic theory, without overwhelming the reader, and then provides drawings on the step-by-step approach on how to achieve the same results he did. I've tried a few of the techniques, and they work like a charm. :-) This paperback is well constructed with a heavy stock paper, so I'm sure that this book will last a very long time.

This is a beautiful book. Physically, it is large and is filled with gorgeous photographs of different make up looks, tutorials, models, etc. It's a great coffee table book even if you are not into make up technique. That said, I bought this book for the make up tutorials and was so happy to find that it is so much more - Aucoin gives a great introduction and the beginning of the book focuses on tools, face shapes, what looks best, etc. It's loaded with interesting information. Subsequent chapters break down different looks for different occasions. I am a make up and product junkie but really not the type to buy a book about it - which is so funny bc I have referenced this book a million times over the years for different ideas for fun events - New Year's, a masquerade party or just to switch things up a little. Everytime I open the cover, I find myself lingering over the book, engrossed again in old chapters.....definitely check this out if you are interested in make up application, techniques or seeing how one of the (late) great masters did it.

So I'm in my early 20s with acne prone/combination skin. I was always using heavy photo and HD foundations and concealer to create a "flawless face" but I'd just feel much older, faker, and like there was a thick mask on my face all the time. Reading this book has helped me see that all I need is a bit of concealer under the eyes and on the temples with some loose powder. It also helped me achieved what I once thought was impossible to do correctly on my own - shaping my eyebrows. I've given myself the best brows Tweezerman can achieve and may never get them waxed in a salon again. This book walks me though each and every one of these processes the way I imagine my mom would with me at her house right in front of the bathroom mirror. It's written in a very laid back tone, with helpful illustrations and lovely stories and pictures that made it almost impossible to put down when it first arrived. I'll use this as a guide for years to come!

Wow, this book just arrived and it's truly a wonderful book; to read and to see the transformations. They are amazing. When you look at Demi Moore or Drew Barrymore and cannot see them,THAT is a mind-blowing experience. Many of the gals with makeovers in the book are just regular people Kevyn came in contact with...others are famous. The photos are STUNNING. But remember they're in special lighting and up close for just the photo. I'm not sure how you could pull off some of his more exotic looks during the day? At night at a cocktail party it would be fun to dress up as any of the "looks" he's created. What a talented man he was. Of the two books I bought (facing forward) this one is my favorite. It does seem to me that all the instructions are pretty much the same re: eye makeup, wearing just concealer, etc. Nothing is mentioned about highlights and sculpting, but it's apparent in some of the photos. It's certainly a current topic in magazines, etc. I'll have to try one these "looks" and see how it works. I now want to buy any other of his books. I just love this man, he's such a great person and a truly unique human being. The world is a lesser place without him. I didn't know him, but after reading about his childhood and his amazing mother one does get the sense of his individuality being allowed to "bloom" without the typical parental negative response ("Kevin take OFF that make up and go outside and play wtih the other boys!). Everyone could benefit from a mom like Thelma that not only accepted her son but embraced his talent and became his "muse". I am very happy with this purchase!

Buscaba un libro sobre maquillaje, claro y muy visual. Este libro reúne las condiciones que buscaba, aunque quizá el tipo de sombras, labiales, etc..han variado de los 90 (que es de cuando es el libro) a la actualidad, las técnicas se mantienen. El libro esta en ingles, pero aun así las ilustraciones que tiene son claras y explicativas. La unica pega que quizá le encuentro es que se centra en los ojos, cejas y labios (lo que aparece en la portada, vamos) y no sale nada de maquillaje de rostro. Aun así lo recomiendo y a mi cuñada, a quien se lo regalé, le encantó.

もはやメイクのHow to本なんていうレベルではなく、人間の顔を利用した芸術作品。しかも印刷物なのに、朝の日光の下で見るのと、電灯の下で見るのと印象が違ったりして、見るたびに新鮮です。 しかしHow toに関してはたいしたことは書いておらず、いろいろある既存のごくフツーのテクニックのうち、彼が主に使うのはどれであるか程度の情報しか得られません。さらにテクニックやら雑談やらに関するテキストが複数のコラムでぐちゃくちゃにレイアウトされており、素人が担当したのかと思うほど下手くそです。（まさかご自分でやってないですよね？） しかし！！！それでも頑張ってぜひぜひぜひ全部読んでみてください。感動的です。Kevinがどれだけ幼少期からメーキャップに情熱を注いできたか、お母さんや妹（姉かも）を実験台にどのように練習を重ねてきたのかががわかります（モデルにもお母さんと2人の妹さんが登場します）。しかも、彼も妹も養子という特殊な家庭環境、かてて加えてゲイに対する周りの偏見に対する反骨精神が、どうやらクリエイティビティとなって花開いたらしい・・・ちゃんと読んでよかった。

Se é um livro contando a história da maquiagem, conhecer os bastidores de surgimento de produtos e marcas icônicos, bem como fotografias de maquiagens vintage celebridades e suas maquiagens icônicas, esse livro é pra você.

Kevyn was not necessarily good at explaining the magic. He was a magician though, a real one. But besides that, he was an amazing human being - with unique ability to put very complex and sensitive points in simple words. "I don't want to be tolerated, I want to be celebrated!" You beautiful, suffered heart... I've bought this book as an inspiration, and that is exactly what it is. Illustrations are not that useful, and page maker did extremely poor job matching font and image colors, but this does not distract from that feeling of discovery of human beauty. Thank you Kevyn - you are wonderful

It's just a perfect book for the purpose of learning about the essence of make-up. This book is an experience altogether, you definately need to give it a read.