Makeup Your Mind - Francoise Nars

...the left side without any makeup and the right side completely made up. In between the two pages there is an acetate page (clear plastic) with the outlines of the make up application printed on it so that when you flip the page back and forth you can see exactly where the makeup was put to achieve the effect. The acetate also has the colours and names of the products from the Nars range which have been used.

The book is split into ...
...and his "Top 10" of makeup do's and don'ts (which basically come down to "Less is More", "Leave your eyebrows alone" and "Don't end up looking like you're wearing a mask"). At the very end of the book is a section about basic skincare with 10 things for good skin - all seemingly obvious but oh-so-hard to stick to! (wear sun protection even in winter, lots of exercise, sleep, water!)

The looks ... more

If, like me, you've got tons of make up but don't have a clue what to do with it, then this is the book for you.

I first saw this book in a specialist bookshop near Covent Garden, but was afraid to ask the price because I knew it would be expensive! I eventually found it on Amazon for £20.65 - I think the one in the shop would have cost about £30. I love it and don't know how I managed to do without it up till now! I've tried out a few of the looks in the office, and have been asked whether I was made up professionally - when in reality it's taken less than 20 minutes to get myself looking gorgeous!

This book is written by Francoise Nars, who is the owner and founder of the Nars cosmetics company. It features several very well known models - Naomi Campbell, Eva Hergova and Sophie Dahl among others, all with and without makeup, so you can see every spot and flaw that is usually hidden!

I love the way the book looks - it's a spiral bound hardback that slips into a plastic cover to keep it clean. Each double page shows a different model's face - on the left side without any makeup and the right side completely made up. In between the two pages there is an acetate page (clear plastic) with the outlines of the make up application printed on it so that when you flip the page back and forth you can see exactly where the makeup was put to achieve the effect. The acetate also has the colours and names of the products from the Nars range which have been used.

The book is split into chapters, each dealing with a separate feature of the face. One chapter concentrates on the eyes, another on the mouth, another on the skin. At the beginning of each chapter there is a section on the techniques that the experts use to get the best look, such as how to apply lipstick, eyeshadow, blusher, etc! At the end of each chapter is a detailed step-by-step "how to" so that you can follow each step and get exactly the look that has been used on the model. At the beginning of the book is an introduction explaining Nars' philosophy and his "Top 10" of makeup do's and don'ts (which basically come down to "Less is More", "Leave your eyebrows alone" and "Don't end up looking like you're wearing a mask"). At the very end of the book is a section about basic skincare with 10 things for good skin - all seemingly obvious but oh-so-hard to stick to! (wear sun protection even in winter, lots of exercise, sleep, water!)

The looks are suitable for every occasion - from toned-down looks suitable for everyday wear in the office, to totally outrageous colourful designs for a wild night on the town! Some styles look to me like a bit of a mistake though - I wouldn't be seen dead in the weird peachy-pink eyeshadow that makes the model look like a lobster!

The wide variety of models used ensures that you will be able to find something that will suit every face - there are faces of all shapes and skin tones, thick lipped and thin, blonde and brunette, Oriental, African, European faces are all represented. There's even a male model in there - although he only has a bit of eyeshadow!

The book is suitable for all, from the professional make up artist to the complete amateur, because of its plain language and easy to understand instructions. Obviously the author is trying to sell his own beauty products to you, but all faces use the colours as well as the brand names of the Nars products (such as Ecstasy, Kathmandu and Orgasm) so that you can find a match with whatever products you want to use. Although the book is expensive, it will last you a long time and will continue to be used for years to come because of the many varied styles used. It is also easy to adapt each look so you will never be out of fashion!

Knock'em dead, girls!
 

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