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!

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.)

This book is awesome!! For a beginner who doesn't know ANYTHING about make-up, this can be a bit confusing at first, but definitely an eye-opener and solid guide to make-up heaven:) For someone looking to do make-up artistry who knows the basics, this is DEFINITELY a must read! Kevyn shares tricks and tips and techniques that make you go " Wow!! I didn't know that! Wow! I didn't know that either! Wow! How clever, how come I never thought of that before! Wow! It's THAT simple? Wow, wow, wow!" I'm sure you get the point. The formatting is so inspiring and well put together that you just want to suck everything in like a sponge and never put the book down. Be warned though, if you love make-up, this book will make you want to go empty out Sephora just to try out all the looks, lol!! I would DEF recommend this book for anyone who loves make-up/artistry, or someone who wants to learn to love make-up. Let's put it this way, if you never experienced playing in your mom's make-up drawer as a kid, and she never taught you how to do your make-up, the FUN of it, this book is about a close as it gets to that experience. You put the book down saying " Make-up is SO MUCH FUN!!"

Impressive, almost unbelievable imagery from one of Hollywood’s most talented Make Up artists of our time (RIP). Lost my autographed copy during Hurricane Katrina. However, meeting Kevyn was moving and memorable, years prior. He made eye contact with each patron, patiently waiting at a bookstore in Lafayette. He wanted people to know his book wasn’t really about makeup, rather, about helping others find their true beauty within and reflecting on the outside their inner beauty and how transformative that can be. He features both friends and family, along with remarkable transformations of recognizable famous faces! Beautiful coffee table book, easy to follow instructional manual with products and makeup tools listed to recreate looks featured.

In my pursuit of enhancing my makeup skills, I recently discovered two books by Kevyn Aucoin on Pinterest. I was compelled to acquire both of them, as I am deeply impressed by his remarkable talent as a makeup artist. I extend my sincere condolences to his family and friends , years can past but grief is all still the same .