Making Faces

"This is the kind of book you can just sit down and enjoy. I've read it several times myself and my friends and family are always picking it up when they come over. It is that type of book. Beautiful photographs, clear instructions and drawings, with makeup styles which are still fashionable today, you can read in detail, or just flick through, it is absorbing. (Just leave it on your coffee table - you'll soon discover how popular it is!)

My only small niggle would be that sometimes the makeup instructions don't quite match some of the photos in terms of minor detail - i.e. some of the models are clearly wearing white eyeliner, blusher and mascara on their lower eyelashes yet this is omitted from the makeup instructions.

That said, I love this book. If you're interested in makeup and how it can transform a face this is the book for you."
~ Written on 2006-12-06

"The great thing about this goal-oriented, generous book is the fact that Aucoin is not tied to any specific company. So it does not rip off the reader by recommending products that are currently in fashion or on department store stands. Instead, 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.
Also, Aucoin clearly and productively analyses each feature of the face at the beginning. He explains the principles 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.

Finally, Aucoin is brilliant in his analysis of brushes, and again, does not plug any particular line. But he does explain what different brushes do, and you can therefore conclude for yourself which of them you'll need. Best is to go to a theatre make-up shop, where you'll get (usually) disinterested advice.

The illustrations and "types" of look are wonderful and really extend one's range and comprehension. As a professional entertainer, I have found this book indispensable for my own make-up, and also incorporate its principles at home for day or innocent make-up, reserving dramatic styles for stage or evenings.

Enjoy! Brush up your brushwork!"
~ Written on 2003-03-02

"This is a excellent book, both for those interested in cosmetics and those just wondering how to change their look. The book begins with the basics, such as skin care, different types of cosmetics and techniques. There are excellent explanations, and if you've ever wondered which types of products are best for you, this is perfect. Following on from this are pages and pages of celebrity "makeovers." The photos alone are great and illustrate how extremely different looks can be accomplished easily with cosmetics. Accompanying each photo is full instructions on how to achieve that look, what products are needed and what techniques are used.

This book will make you want to run to a mirror and start experimenting!"
~ Written on 2001-04-10

"This guy, WOW! I picked up the book for general advice and instead found myself discovering how wonderful makeup can be. Kevyn Aucoin's approach in this book, is to not only show what can be done, but encourage YOU to learn and experiment. This book is a fantastic resource for how to do everything from start to finish and the best bit is he tells you HOW to do it and not lecturing on whether you SHOULD be doing it. He uses his techniques as tools, and places them in front of you and tells you to go forth and try. There are loads of Celebrity and ordinary people makeovers. But the best thing is, he tells how to obtain the LOOK YOU WANT. In this book there are no rules, only incredible possibilities."
~ Written on 2001-01-26

"Forget about all those other useless books full of nothing but text and no photos, Making Faces is Full,Full,Full of COLOR photos and helpful words. Enough said, just buy this book if you want the best!"
~ Written on 2000-04-22