Face Forward

Rating:
Summary: Beauty Guide, Coffee Table Book, or Political Manifesto?
Review: This book seems to suffer from identity disorder, despite the strong personality of its author. The book's intentions seem unclear to me, and that is what keeps it just average.
I was drawn to this book by the wonderful photos of Aucoin's beauty transformations. He was, without question, a talented man. Among other feats in this book, he transforms Martha Stewart into Veronica Lake, Gwyneth Paltrow into James Dean (!)and a male friend into Linda Evangelista. Yet I must say that this is not the best hands-on guide for the average woman. Each photo is accompanied by step-by-step instructions. Sounds like a good idea, in theory. But as I perused this book, I found myself wondering what good those instructions would do. This was especially the case as I read the section entitled "Dimensions." Take, for example, the transformation of Gena Rowlands into Ava Gardner. Now, as a makeup amateur, I can try to follow the author's instructions: "Prep the skin with moisturizer...A touch of concealer...face is set with loose translucent face powder...brows are groomed and solidly defined using a basic brown eyebrow pencil and softened with dark brown powder eyeshadow and a sponge-tip applicator..." But these instructions will not avail much. The first problem with this approach is that I'm NOT a professional makeup artist. Following Aucoin's instructions are not going to transform me into an Ava Gardner lookalike. The instructions come across as more of a mental checklist for Aucoin than anything. I mean, if I'm a professional basket weaver, and you're not, and I say "Weave some stiff yellow straw in with some brown straw, and accent with blue dyed-straw flowers along the handle," your basket is going to look nothing like mine despite step-by-step instructions.
The second problem is that, unless I'm going to a costume party, I don't WANT to emulate Ava Gardner, Veronica Lake, or James Dean (cute as he was). The same holds true of the last two sections of the book, which include some original, unusual, and inspired makeup looks.
In other words, Aucoin gives instruction on how to create these faboulous faces, but following his instructions without the benefit of his expert hand and artistic eye will not yield anything like his results. Even the first section, which includes promising headlines like "Shape: Eyes" and "Makeup: Texture" are actually more of the same--great photos with cursory instructions on how to recreate them. The author should not have bothered giving step-by-step instructions for these looks-they do not endow the reader with what it takes to create them: great talent. He should have just marketed this as a coffe-table type book, designed to showcase his remarkable talent, his creativity, and the power of makeup when in extremely talented hands.
If you do decide to purchase the book for cosmetics advice, my advice to you is to just try to emulate specific elements of the faces within. Examples include the eyes from the Sophia Loren look or the cupid's bow mouth from the Alla Nazimova look. Indeed, taking anything away from this book, cosmetics-wise, requires selective editing on the reader's part.
Okay, so Aucoin doesn't quite fit the bill as an instructor to the masses, and perhaps he should have just stuck to a glossy book of photos to display his talents. But wait! There's an additional "Dimension" to the book that complicates things further! Why, it's politics!
In the introduction, Aucoin says he wants to help women take over the world. He comments on the oppressed 50s, and "the inevitability and beauty of a unified world." He even oh-so-kindly reminds the reader that "conservative means withholding and liberal means generosity." Now, I know he was a stellar person, if I'm to believe all of his famous friends and fans. I'm sure he didn't have bad intentions. But I certainly didn't buy the book to hear that stuff, and I, the purchaser of a beauty book, don't care to become the sounding board for his politcs!
Aucoin also fills the book with his mutual-admiration society of celebrity friends. He admits in the introduction that the book will include lots of praise. This is, however, an understatement. Every single model in the book is a friend of his, most of them are celebrities, and, well gee, they're all just such **great** people! I'm aware Aucoin was famous for his friendships with celebrities, and I mean no disrespect to him. I just found the salivating over all of these celebs a little annoying.
My overall advice on buying this book, in conclusion, is that it should be purchased with caution. If you're just looking for photos of beautiful/transformative maquillages, go for it but don't bother with the text. If you are a fan of Kevyn Aucoin as a person or don't mind a hearty serving of politics and celebrity name-dropping, then this would be a good read for you. However, if you're just looking for a guide to applying cosmetics, your money would be better spent elsewhere.


Rating:
Summary: Makeup has been an art form since the Egyptians
Review: Celine Dion as Maria Callas? Works for me. Also Kevyn Aucoin gpays homage to his gorgeous mother. This is, afetr all, an artiste who is not afraid to work with Martha! He transformed her into Veronica Lake, and his work presaged that she would metamorphose into the Comeback Queen. I adore this book.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing makeovers
Review: Kevin did a wonderful job working with contouring with this book! He made starlets look completely different as well as everday people.
I wouldnt recommend this book for anyone who doesn't already have a makeup book, and lot of advanced techniques and tools such as heavy contouring and hairgum.

Fun to read, even my boyfriend liked looking at the pictures!

Rating:
Summary: A Face for Everyone.
Review: As a makeup artist, I highly recommend this book
to anyone looking to improve their makeup technique,
and get their best possible look.
Kevyn Aucoin was a Master in making the
beauty within, visible outside, making everyone
he came into contact with feel beautiful.
Read this and you will be inspired to find the
most beautiful look for yourself, and anyone
you choose to help.
Kevyn gives you foolproof step by step instructions,
to acheive anything from an everyday look to something
extra fun.

Rating:
Summary: Best of Aucoin's books.
Review: In preparation for doing my own makeup on my wedding day, I sought out various resources, which led me to Kevyn Aucoin's books. While not a self-help manual per se, this book shows the amazing transformations that can come as a result of makeup alone. I found it very useful for providing an overview of different techniques--for example, the effects of combining light/dark mouth with light/dark eyes; the use of neutral versus more dramatic colors; options for shaping brows, eyes, and lips; etc. While most of us will never come anywhere near Kevyn's skill level, this book provides at least a starting point for incorporating some professional tips into your own makeup routine.