Making Faces

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.

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!

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 .

The late Kevyn Aucoin is a pioneer in the makeup industry and still has an immense impact on the world of makeup to this day. He is an Icon of his field. Today his work is still just as relevant as it was since the year 2001. He has worked with a plethora of supermodels and celebrities of all ethnicities and he brings his tips and tricks alive in this book. There are many different makeup looks to choose from to create a flawless look. There are some pretty iconic photos in this book along with his instructions on how to recreate the look. I found the instructions for the different looks easy to follow although I have yet to really try out some of the intense looks. The pages in this book are beautiful and if you love makeup as much as I do this is definitely the book for you. I do not regret buying this book one bit. I honestly wish that I had a big table or shelf to display it on. If you are a beginner to novice and on the fence about this book I would suggest you buy it, if you are a pro I would suggest you buy it as well there are so many glamorous images it has something for everyone.

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.)