Are you a total makeup newbie? Don’t know the different between gel and liquid eyeliner? Then I would recommend you pick up the Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual.
The Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual was released a few years back but I was in the mood to read some girly books (plus I wanted some books for my future coffee table) so I picked this one up. I got the paperback version, however, with that being said, it’s still pretty big and for paperback, it still looks really great and the binding they use on it is very sturdy. It also comes in hardcover, but for $10 less, I thought I may as well get this version. I’m happy I did actually, so I don’t have to deal with the cover that always seems to come off and get ripped.
From Amazon.ca:
This is the book that Bobbi Brown’s fans have been waiting for: her 25-plus years of makeup styling experience distilled into one complete, gorgeous book. Bobbi looks at everything from skincare basics to every aspect of facial makeup–from how to find the right color and type of foundation for any skin tone to how to apply every detail of eye makeup (Brows, Eye Liner, Eye Shadow, and Eye Lashes) no matter your eye color and shape. Of course there are never-before-seen tips on blush, bronzer, lip liners, lipstick, etc. And Bobbi looks beyond the face with informative chapters on “Hands and Feet” and “Body Skin Care.” Each chapter has thorough step-by-step basic directions for makeup application and easy-to-follow photographs and line drawings, along with Bobbi’s expert, yet assuring, advice. Plus, there’s a groundbreaking section of the book that will be of special interest to women who’ve wanted to know how makeup stylists do what they do: the top beauty secrets only these artists know, essential equipment to keep on hand, how to break into the business, and how to work with photographers and celebrities.
Breathtaking photos of the finished faces-from everyday looks to exotic runway style-along with advice on putting it all together for every woman, make this a book like no other.
BOBBI BROWN’S MAKEUP MANUAL will be the only book any woman will need to look absolutely fabulous.
The book covers everything from what a professional makeup artist needs in their kit, a description of basically every formula of makeup available (for example, cream blushes, powder blushes, liquid blushes, and so on), how to break into the business, special makeup applications for bridal, teens, pregnancy, and so much more.
I really enjoyed this book although I already knew a lot about the things she was writing about. For example, the descriptions of products. There were tips and tricks in there that I didn’t know (like how to apply mascara properly and to put concealer on before foundation and the reasons why). The majority of the book is dedicated to makeup application and products, but at the end there is a whole section of how to become a professional makeup artist that was fun to read about.
The one thing that actually surprised me was that she doesn’t devote every photo to Bobbi Brown products. Although it’s her book, and it’s probably no doubt sold at her counters, there were photos of other makeup brands (in addition to her own of course), which I really liked. By doing that, the book isn’t just an advertisement for her line of cosmetics, it’s actually written to inform and teach readers to apply and learn about makeup.
So would I recommend the Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual? If you are a die-hard makeup fan then yes! If you are a teenager getting into makeup? Yes! And, if you love Bobbi Brown cosmetics? Why not?! If you are a professional, I don’t think there’s anything in here that would necessarily be new to you. This is a very informative book that has everything from skin care tips to makeup application, so I don’t think there will be much in the book that you perhaps didn’t know before. I would recommend it though. It’s a fairly quick read and the pictures are beautiful and full of colour. I wish though that there was more edgy or dramatic makeup, a lot of it is very natural and pretty and I love fun, dramatic looks. But I mean, that’s probably because this book is also geared to people that don’t know a lot about makeup and application. The everyday working woman or man, if you will, that wants to just know what to use and where to put it. To each their own I guess..
Have you read the Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual? What were your thoughts?
Also, don’t forget to enter my huge Dove giveaway! * Canadians and Americans only, must be a subscriber!
Like what you read? Check out these related posts:
One of the items in my April 2012 Topbox was a nail polish from Misa. I’ve never heard of this brand before, but according to the note that came with my “box” it can be found at Trade Secrets.
The colour is called Polka-Dot Bikini and it’s a very pale neutral pink. The colour itself, when applied, is very sheer and subtle.
I put two coats of the lacquer on and although it was still a bit transparent, I didn’t mind because it’s subtle enough that I kind of liked it less opaque.
When I first got this colour I wasn’t that impressed with it, but once I painted it on it’s actually very nice. This shade is perfect for workplaces where nail polish is frowned upon. Honestly, this colour looks like my nails but with a hint of colour so you know that you are actually wearing polish.
I took a look on Misa’s site and they have some fab colours listed. I love fun, bright colours, but subtle, soft shades like this one are always good to have too.
Have you tried Misa’s Polka-Dot Bikini? If so, what were your thoughts?
Also, don’t forget to enter my huge Dove giveaway! * Canadians and Americans only, must be a subscriber!
Like what you read? Check out these related posts:
So when I was in Vegas last August one of the things I had to do was visit a blow out bar and get my hair coiffed. Blow out bars have been popping up left and right around the continent but unfortunately there is no location here in my city. Obviously salons offer blow outs but the service may not be the stylist’s specialty. Not that, you know, it’s mine either, however, I have been obsessed with giving myself at-home blow outs. I grab my round brush and hair dryer and go nuts on my hair, leaving my tresses smooth and shiny.
I was lucky to sit down with Dove celebrity hair stylist Mark Townsend this week when he was in town for the Real Canadian Hair Challenge. Townsend has coiffed the tresses of practically every it-girl in Hollywood, as well as a few Oscar winners, and amongst giving out star secrets (Glee‘s Lea Michelle’s has the hardest hair he’s worked on; her heavy fringe is because of her major cowlick) and telling me about his famous friends and clients (he calls Elizabeth Olsen “Lizzie”) he shared that he’s obsessed with blow outs (we have so much in common!).
Mark and I - he said I had fabulous hair!
“With Jennifer Lawrence doing The Hunger Games press, when I blow out her hair I go into another world,” says Townsend. “A good blow out makes the hair shiny soft and full of volume.”
So what’s his key to the perfect blow out? Dove’s Style + Care Anti-Frizz Serum, a product that instantly smoothes frizz and revitalizes shine without weighing hair down. The product’s lightweight formula is enriched with a blend of Argan and Almond oils. It instantly absorbs to leave no greasy feel and deeply nourishes to smooth and tame even the most unruly hair. Townsend himself says that he hasn’t done a blowout in the past two years without an anti-frizz serum.
The first step to glamourous voluminous hair is to start with it damp. Using a few pumps of the Anti-Frizz Serum, distribute the product throughout your hair evenly.
The next step is something that I always do to add extra volume. Grabbing a volumizing mousse, like Dove’s Style + Care Amplifier Mousse, flip your hair upside down and moisturize it into your roots.
Using your fingers, trace along the top of your scalp into a horseshoe shape and pin that up. When I usually do a blow out on myself I will often section the hair starting at the bottom, however, Townsend recommends to just tie the top part of your hair up to begin and then blow dry the bottom part. This way your arms don’t get tired by the time you reach the most important part – the top, as that is where you want the volume to be.
“When women are doing their own hair take a horseshoe part, clip that away and rough dry everything else and then blow dry the top part with a round brush. The top layers are really what will be seen the most. For the underneath part, you can even concentrate on the mid-shaft down if you want to, especially if you are going back with an iron, it can smooth that underneath.”
Once the bottom part is dry, grab a round brush.
“The brush is super important. I love mixed-bristle brushes. Round brushes are ideal, it creates all the luminosity in the hair.”
Using your brush (I use two, a medium-sized and large one), grab small-to medium-sized sections and pull it down the hair shaft while twirling the brush up concentrating at the roots to get that sky-high volume.
Once your hair is dry, don’t wreck the volume by weighing it down. Finish the look with a leave-in smoothing cream like Dove’s Style + Care Frizz-Proof Cream-Serum. First, warm the product up with your hand then rake it through your hair. The product gently nourishes for long-lasting shiny, satin-smooth hair. Best of all, it will leave your hair moveable, soft, and touchable.
To finish the look, grab a flexible hold hairspray (like Dove’s Style + Care Flexible Hold Hairspray) and give a gentle spray all over. To tame fly-aways if you have any, Townsend recommends using a wooden toothbrush or even throw-away mascara wands sprayed with extra-hold hairspray and brush it over those naughty fly-aways.
From there you are good to go! If you so choose you can always flat iron your hair or grab your curling iron to create some movement. If you choose the curling iron route, Townsend recommends a big two-to two-and-a-half inch curling iron.
“Spray the flexible hold hairspray on a four-to five-inch section of hair and then wind small sections of hair around the barrel. By using a giant curling iron it gives movement. Summer is all about swinging the layers around.”
As for up-keep, it is recommended that you don’t wash your hair everyday (plus who would want to give themselves a blow out everyday anyways?). Grab a dry shampoo, like Dove’s Style + Care Invigorating Dry Shampoo, and spray your hair all over to create lasting volume, bounce, and a fresh new look.
Dove’s new dry shampoo has already gotten a cult following in the blog and YouTube world (Townsend says that Mary-Kate Olsen always steals them from him when he works on her hair) and it is quite different from it’s counterparts. Your typical dry shampoo will be powder based, thus leaving you with white roots. Now if you have white hair, this isn’t a problem, but if you are like me and are a brunette, this can cause more of a problem than just greasy roots and flat volume. The Dove dry shampoo has starch in it, as well as no colour. It adds instant volume and attaches to the hair.
Now onto the fun part! Want to win the entire Dove Style + Care and Nourishing Oil Care lines? One lucky winner will win receive all 12 products from both of these fabulous lines. To enter, all you have to do is leave me a comment below with the product you are most excited to try. You must be a subscriber as well (to subscribe please visit the homepage and enter your email at the top of the right sidebar). Contest will be open to residents of the United States and Canada ages 13 or over (if you are under 13 please get your parent’s permission) and will close on May 18, 2012. Winner will be chosen using random.org. (CLOSED)
Good luck!
Also, don’t forget to enter my May Loose Button Luxebox giveaway! ** Canadians only! Ends today!
*Please note I did receive these products for review purposes. All opinions are my honest own.
Like what you read? Check out these related posts:
