Book SummaryMaking Faces, by Kevyn Aucoin

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Making Faces

The book explores the roots and cultural significance of essential beauty norms and the evolution of makeup techniques.

The book explores a range of influential characters and the development of makeup styles through various periods and societies, analyzing their importance in the context of history and societal structures.

Iconic makeup looks like the Vamp, as well as the Flapper and the Starlet, reflected the spirit and prevailing attitudes of their times.

In his book, Aucoin leads you on an engaging journey through a variety of personas, detailing the makeup designs that complement their distinct historical and cultural contexts, highlighting their importance. He investigates how these iconic styles reflected and influenced the prevailing social perceptions, standards, and ideals of beauty during their respective eras.

For instance, Aucoin highlights the distinctive "Vamp" look, a fashion that became popular in the 1920s and is often associated with the silent film star recognized for her distinctive lip shape resembling a bow. In the book, Demi Moore's transformation exudes a vibrant and authoritative charm, marking a distinct departure from the previously held conventional Victorian ideals. During this era, traditional notions of femininity were challenged, leading to a broader acceptance of women's liberation. The Flapper look, emblematic of the Roaring Twenties' rebellious spirit, was daring in style and evoked the iconic Josephine Baker. The look is defined by eyes shaded in a dusky manner complemented by lips stained in rich, bold colors, mirroring the era's emphasis on extravagance, freedom, and challenging traditional norms. Aucoin emphasizes the importance of understanding where these styles come from, leading readers to see makeup as a reflection of wider social trends.

The book examines how these makeup archetypes were tied to the ideals of female beauty, sensuality, and power in their respective contexts.

Aucoin explores the correlation between evolving perceptions of a woman's charm, beauty, and power and the iconic makeup trends that have reflected these shifts throughout history. Each style embodied a particular persona or concept that...

Making Faces Summary Cosmetics serve as instruments for artistic expression and provide a channel for creative ingenuity, according to Kevyn Aucoin.

Aucoin emphasizes the significance of perceiving makeup as a means for individual expression and exploration, underscoring its adaptable character and the absence of rigid rules.

This section explores the belief held by Aucoin that cosmetics provide limitless possibilities. He passionately promotes the idea of moving beyond strict guidelines, urging readers to consider cosmetics as a means of individual expression and creative exploration. He argues that true beauty resides in an individual's unique characteristics and maintains that makeup should highlight rather than mask these features. He underscores that individual preferences, prevailing fashion trends, and the desired outcome guide the method of makeup application.

Aucoin challenges the traditional view that makeup's primary purpose is to conform to societal standards of beauty. He extols the ability of cosmetics to free people, allowing them to discover and convey various facets of their identity without limitations. He encourages people to see makeup as a tool for transformation that enhances their natural beauty without masking their true selves, enabling them to show the face they choose to everyone around...

Making Faces Summary Practical, step-by-step guides on applying specific makeup techniques and looks

The manual provides detailed visual instructions for creating a variety of makeup styles, from subtle sophistication to bold differences.

Aucoin not only showcases visual examples of sophistication and flawlessness but also offers comprehensive guidance on how to realize his artistic visions. The book offers detailed visual instructions for using different makeup techniques to create a diverse range of looks. The book explores a range of topics, beginning with essential concepts like proper skin care and preparation, which are vital for all makeup methods, and advancing to complex strategies that employ light and shadow to sculpt the face, as well as methods for dramatically transforming one's look by hiding the eyebrows.

He breaks down the techniques for creating a variety of looks, from the subtle "Simplicity" to the bold and unforgettable characters like "The Siren," "The Vixen," and "The Rebel." For attaining your preferred aesthetic, from a gentle radiance to a distinctive and bold style, the comprehensive instructions are intended to support you in accomplishing your objective.

The guidelines offer comprehensive steps for numerous techniques, including the...

Making Faces Summary Makeup's role in self-expression, transformation, and embodying different personas

The book delves into the concept that cosmetics serve as a potent means for individuals to express themselves, enabling them to investigate various facets of their persona and to manifest the images they wish to present.

This final section explores how people use cosmetics to explore different aspects of their personality, embrace desired identities, and uncover aspects of their character that they had not previously realized. Aucoin emphasizes the importance of makeup as a potent tool that not only enhances appearance but also provides empowerment, inspiration, and liberation to individuals. Kevyn Aucoin motivates individuals to explore their innermost being, identify their singular aspirations, and choose the facade they wish to reveal to the world.

Aucoin demonstrates how to apply makeup in a way that captures and conveys various personas, each reflecting attributes such as purity, resilience, elegance, or rebelliousness. Seize the chance to go beyond your normal self and take on a new persona, even if it's just for an evening. He encourages you to break free from the confines of fixed definitions and enjoy the freedom of exploring the multiplicity of your inner...