Customer Reviews

Fine Beauty

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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".

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.

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.

Sam Fine is an excellent makeup artist and this was a good starter book; but for individuals who are really into makeup we need another book that is more intense. One that gives references, more in-depth detail with color illustrations showing how the makeup should be applied. Less information about the celebrities and more on the products. Also where can go to get a FINE makeover?

I have to admit the cover of Sam Fine's book caught my attendtion particularly after seeing the model's before shot. I knew this was a book I had to have. I have since applied many of Sam's tips to my makeup application. I do however wish Sam would publish a pocket size book with a lot more detail information. I had so many questions after reading the book, it left me wanting much more. While living and working in Germany it is very difficult to stay current on the new finds and styles of today, especially for black women. Sam Fine has made it possible for more Sisthas to put the right amount of emphasis on the beauty they hold. I too await his next book (don't keep us waiting Sam), his cosmetic line, and I understand there will be a video released soon. Sam, from one Chicagoen to another, THANK-YOU

This book has some detail in the beginning about certain techniques of make-up application. Overall, this book tends to be to star-studded and not enough information on actual beauty techniques, products, skin care or color selection. If you want to know "a little" about make up application and view some beautiful photos of your favorite celebrities, this book may suit you.

Whoo, boy, where do I begin...

I MIGHT have given this book more stars if it wasn't over 150 pages long, with ONLY 30-odd pages dedicated to makeup tips! I don't get it. He's a makeup artist. Why would he write a book and then dedicate so few of the pages to makeup tips?

The pictures are great. However, it is filled with too many pictures of stars. Mr. Fine, I can watch MTV and read the Star if I want to see pictures of stars! True experts take the time to write more than just a few measly paragraphs for each makeup tip.

So what's the good part of this book? The hints that he does give you ACTUALLY work. His tips on perfect lipstick are great. So are his examples of makeovers. If you sit down and follow the few pages on each tip, your makeup will look good. In less than twenty minutes, I was able to make myself up and I did notice the difference from my normal makeup habits. Seriously. But just when you want him to go and and give you more...that's where the book falls off.

The tips themselves seem glossed over. There are no 1-2-3 steps like I expected. He does not tell you where to go to buy the right tools. There are no diagrams. There are no color charts. If you want to "glam" up a bit from the neutral face, he does not mention how to match makeup colors so you don't end up looking like a clown.

Instead of continuing sharing his talents, he treats you to a treasure chest of pictures of his friends and colleagues. What??? Why???? Instead of becoming what could have been the Black woman's bible on flawless makeup, Sam Fine sells himself short and the book becomes a testament to how many beautiful people he knows and how many projects he has worked on.

I already know what Tyra, Veronica Webb, Brandy, and Vanessa Williams look like. What has that got to do with how I can help myself look like a better ME! The book would have been more interesting had he used more regular models of different skin tones and bone structures. For instance, how do you use contouring to diminish a large nose, or enhance deep-set eyes. It's obvious that Sam has talent, but he could have put more of it into this book.

I just had to say a little something about this book! I've read all the other comments submitted offering constructive critisicm about FINE BEAUTY, as well as Sam's own comments. However, I am inclined to side with MR. FINE. Everything comes in stages, and you should always start from the beginning, especially with a book such as this. Many Jr. & Sr. high school students will be reading this book for the very first time, without any prior experience with makeup like the rest of us, so it's good that SAM presented just the basics, its sort of the "theory" of makeup artistry . . . so to speak. Let's not also forget that the book is not just a little "project" for SAM, it's for profit! The beautiful photos of the stars happen to be one of the reasons I purchased the book. STARS help things to sell . . . that's why their faces are always plastered on magazine covers! Which makes MR. FINE a good businessman. Even though I know, he had an idea that this book would sell, even without the stars! It was great to see Black women portrayed so beautifully! In closing, the book was definitely a good tease . . . because now more than ever, we are all looking forward to the VIDEO, COSMETIC LINE, & Part 2 of Fine Beauty. Don't worry, Sam The ones who offered "construcive critism" will be the first ones to purchase the followup to FINE BEAUTY! I want a makeover, whenever you're in NASSAU! Thanks for a great book!

I am an Esthetician and Make-up Artist and I found this book very helpful also to recommend to black clients,there are not many books about make-up for Afican-Amarican women on the market and many of my clients ask me to recommend a book they can use at home. This book also makes a wonderful gift.Keep up the great work , I am looking forward to the next book and video!

Sam Fine is my mentor. He is a brilliant artist and an excellent teacher. Look at RuPaul. Need I say more? I so look forward to more from this genius in the near future. No one paints a face like Sam Fine. His special expertise in dealing with skin of color is 2nd to none. I am so glad someone decided to celebrate the beauty of Blackness. So often women of color only get a page or at most a chapter in most makeup books. Thank you Sam, you gave us the entire book!!

As people of color, we have to have more say in this beauty and image industry, or our beautiful images will seldom be seen. Sam was kind of enough to share the spotlight with some other players in the industry that we may never had known anything about. Sam, thanks for supporting your brothers and sisters in the industry.

Sam, please give us more.