Fine Beauty: Beauty Basics and Beyond for African American Women [Hardcover]

Sam Fine (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2, 1998

Sam Fine moved from Chicago to New York at the age of seventeen, determined to pursue a career in fashion illustration. To finance his education, he worked behind a cosmetic counter in a midtown department store. There, Sam found he had entered the "real school of beauty." Instructing and advising his customers, Sam discovered his gift, and soon he was assisting New York's best makeup artists. Today, at the age of twenty-eight, Sam is a star in his own right and the first black makeup artist to be hired as a Revlon spokesperson. When the biggest names in the beauty industry need to look their best, they demand Sam Fine. He works regularly with supermodels Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, Veronica Webb, and Iman, as well as superstars like Vanessa Williams, Patti LaBelle, and the young R&B sensation Brandy. Now, Sam shares his beauty secrets with African-American women everywhere in Fine Beauty. This lavishly illustrated book offers tips on all the beauty fundamentals-blush, mascara, lipstick, eyeliner, etc.-with clear, step-by-step instructions. In addition, Sam provides a section of phenomenal makeovers, which he uses to show how his techniques work on real people, too. Also included is a scrapbook section of behind-the-scenes peeks at Sam on location with the superstars. There are examples of the finished shots they were preparing for, as well as handwritten notes and candid Polaroids. While fashion and popular culture have experienced a color revolution in the last decade, a beauty guide specifically for women of color is woefully overdue. As this celebrity-filled book proves, Sam Fine is the man to teach every black woman how to look her most beautiful.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Makeup artist to African American models and other black stars, Fine here shares his beauty secrets, offering tips on all the fundamentals of applying makeup with clear, step-by-step instructions. Fine will be launching his own line of cosmetics in February.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Sam Fine, is the premier makeup artist for African-American models, singers, and actresses. His work has appeared in Cosmopolitan, Harper's Bazaar, Essence, Vibe, Marie Claire, and numerous other magazines. He lives in New York. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 157 pages
• Publisher: Riverhead Hardcover (February 2, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573220957
• ISBN-13: 978-1573220958
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #400,424 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not what I was looking for, November 24, 1999

By 

Susan B. "McQue98" (Columbus, Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fine Beauty: Beauty Basics and Beyond for African American Women (Hardcover)

The info is mostly presented in a question/answer format as found in monthly fashion & beauty magazines. After the first 60 pages anyone looking for make-up instruction will be sadly disappointed. There is no info at all. Only pictures of the various star's the author has worked with and a little synopsis on their look. Of course seeing RuPaul without make-up was a perk. There is no skin care info or step-by-step make-up application coverage for creating different looks. In fact very little *useful* information at all on make-up application. The pictures were nice but if you are interested in information on basic skin care see Alfred Fornay's " The African-American Woman's Guide To Successful Make-up and Skin Care". For recreating different and exciting glamour and evening looks as well as very good step-by-step instruction on make-up application see Kevyn Aucoin's "Making Faces".

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad, but could have been better., September 17, 2001

By 

Primadonna (Louisiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fine Beauty (Paperback)

Mr. Fine has written a very good book, however, the title is a bit misleading. Fine Beauty promises beauty basics and beyond for the African-American Women, yet very little space is devoted to teaching women how to master the art of make-up application. Instead, the majority of this book is an overview on Mr. Fine's career success, including more than half the book consisiting of pictures with or of his famous clientelle. Also the end of the book contains more of Mr. Fine's famous friends in the "business". I felt like I was reading his resume' or looking through his portfolio!
Don't get me wrong it wasn't terrible. The first section of the book does give information on make-up basics including tools, and tips for every area of the face. I enjoyed this section. I once believed that blush was something that women of color could not pull off sucessfully, but thanks to Mr. Fine's tips on blush color and application, I have tried it and it looks great. Also, the tips on highlighting were helpful, but sadly, I was left wanting more. If you enjoy star-gazing, then this book is for you. If you are looking for an in-depth manual on how to make yourself look like a star, then look elsewhere. Mr. Fine's book can help beginners get off to a good start, and help intermediates refine their skills, but pro's will be sadly dissapointed.

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Lacks True Beauty Tips, October 19, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Fine Beauty (Paperback)

If you are looking for a book that will give you makeup application ideas, look elsewhere. But if you want to see a makeup artist stroke his ego by being associated with big Hollywood names, then this is the book for you.
When I got this book I believed it would provide me with detailed information on how to apply makeup and what I could do to improve my look. Instead I get approximately 10-12 pages of information that I could have read in a beauty magazine. The remaining pages are filled with photos of the women he has made up such as Brandy, Patti Labell, and Tyra Banks. Then you get to hear about his life. Big Deal.
The saying "Don't judge a book by its cover" really does apply to this one.