Decades of Beauty [Hardcover]

Kate Mulvey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 15, 1998

A look at the history of female beauty and how it has been perceived since the end of the Vctorian era. The text highligts the major changes in the female image over the years. Each chapter covers one decade outlining the current look at the time. Within each decade, the particular reasons for that look are then examined, such as the developments in corsetry and underwear, make-up, fabrics, hair styling and accessories. The social issues and political events that affected the way women were perceived, and the key personalities and innovators of feminine style are also outlined.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kate Mulvey is a freelance journalist specialising in fashion and beauty writing. She was health and beauty editor on 'Don't Tell It' and 'Scene' magazine, and general beauty editor for 'Fresh'. Researcher/writer Melissa Briggs has specialised in health and beauty for magazines including 'Scene' magazine and 'Don't Tell It'. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 205 pages
• Publisher: Hamlyn Octopus; First edition. edition (February 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0600592073
• ISBN-13: 978-0600592075
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,604,810 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Pictoral History, November 26, 2003

By 

Tracy Choma "Tracy Choma Geagan" (Rocky River, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Decades of Beauty: The Changing Image of Women 1890s to 1990s (Hardcover)

Decades of Beauty is both an excellent pictoral as well as literary history of beauty through the decades. Great pictures that have not been often seen showcase the fashion fads of each era along with the fashion icons who are responsible for that decade's fashion hype. I loved that this book also gave equal space to the history of cosmetic beauty through the years. Its fascinating to see what type of makeup each generation "had to have" along with the "hippest" hairstyles of the day. The contents are easy to read and allows one to pick and choose a decade of interest without having to read the book start to finish. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a cosmetic junkie, fashion obsessed, or just a history buff. This would also make an excellent gift for those in the beauty industry. Enjoy!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book you will enjoy reading time and time again, July 19, 2002

By 

Lynette O'Meara (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Decades of Beauty: The Changing Image of Women 1890s to 1990s (Hardcover)

I purchased this book a year ago and read it from cover to cover the day it arrived. But I find myself picking it up and flipping through it every now and again. I love the fact that the authors wound in all kinds of fascinating pop culture trivia along with fashion history. I learned all kinds of amazing things -- like the fact that Elizabeth Arden brought out a velvet gas mask during World War II and that someone actually saw fit to bring a bra to market that could be inflated by blowing into a straw. This book is very fun reading indeed. It's also a gorgeous coffee table book. Highly recommended.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific Read--Great Coffe Table or Bubble Bath Read!, September 22, 2001

By 

Deanna Dahlsad (fargo, ND United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Decades of Beauty: The Changing Image of Women 1890s to 1990s (Hardcover)

A nice collection of fact & photos on the beauty industry. Contains information on styles of each period--including the impact of film! I thought the 1920's invention of "twist-up" lipstick & the use by flappers was a hoot! Pick this book up & grab another as a gift!