Vintage Face: Period Looks from the 20s, 30s, 40s, & 50s [Paperback]

Angela Bjork (Author), Daniela Turudich (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2001

Exploring different make-up techniques and practices from the looks of the 1920s through the 1950s, this guide to creating authentic period faces offers instructions on how to simulate each look, from the curve of the lips to the arch of the eyebrow. Filled with photographs of famous starlets and icons such as Louise Brooks, Greta Garbo, Rita Hayworth, and Audrey Hepburn, as well as complete instructions for re-creating each star's look, this indispensable reference for creating vintage beauty and glamour explains how to achieve everything from bee-stung lips to the perfect Marilyn Monroe mole. Included are period colour charts for powder, rouge, lip colour, eyeshadow, and nail polish that can be taken to any beauty counter for comparison and colour matching to get an authentic look.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An inestimable record of make-up for each decade from 20s to 50s..." -- Amateur Stage, March 2002.

About the Author

Angela Bjork is an avid collector and researcher of period advertisements. Daniela Turudich is one of the principal experts on recreating period beauty styles and techniques. They both live in Long Beach, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Streamline Press (April 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1930064039
• ISBN-13: 978-1930064034
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #618,749 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Good idea very poorly executed, January 1, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Vintage Face: Period Looks from the 20s, 30s, 40s, & 50s (Paperback)

As a lover of retro looks, I was disappointed in this poorly done, hastily put together book. In addition to an extreme number of proofreading errors, all the photos are black and white, and the instructions are just plain lousy. The 'color swatches' on the back are difficult to figure out, and a lot of the colors that are discussed in the book aren't there. Instead, you get a lot of colors that aren't brought up in the book. Is this intentional, or another proofreading gaffe? Worse yet, the ultra-short 'Vintage Colors on the Market' chapter doesn't give modern day color equivalents, although it does name a few high-end cosmetics manufacturers. I wish the authors had gone the extra step of listing a few suggested modern day products and color names alongside each makeup plan. How hard could that have been? These women are supposed to be experts on the subject.

I hope someday someone else writes a less sloppy work on this same subject. Until that day, I'd suggest you save your money and forget this book. There are helpful sites on the internet that will give you better information -- in color -- for free.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Turudich is a rip-off artist!, June 7, 2006

By 

.FayeFaye. "Retro Mom" (LA, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vintage Face: Period Looks from the 20s, 30s, 40s, & 50s (Paperback)

Not exactly. The people who sell her book for loads of money are. Her books are just great to flip through. If you are looking for thorough details, this is not for you. I have this book and I like it as a collector's item (not to mention cherish it for it's value. I can't believe I paid over $140 on this book!! I'm ridiculous!). If you want to copy actual make-up from the early and mid-20th century, you should buy books that are from actual make-up artists. In my opinion, She copied a lot of her stuff from Kevyn Aucoin's "Making Faces." He's a real make-up artist who covers the flapper, vamp, bombshell, etc... looks in his books (you should also check out "Face Forward" also by Kevyn Aucoin). In "Vintage Face" Turudich covers those and a few others but she basically says the same thing over and over. She just changes up the colors to use for each look. Some websites are even more helpful than this book. Another extra info, her "1940s Hairstyles" isn't even that great either. She completely copied a book that was published back in the 40s, leaving out some detailed instructions. There is nothing in her book giving credit to it. I guess what I'm trying to say is: If you want to copy the looks, this isn't the book for you. If you want to collect Turudich's books (like me) than go ahead and spend a bill or two...haha. Also, just wanted to point out: you should really be careful buying expensive books. I bought this book from a seller here and some pages are missing (the last few about where you could find vintage colors on the market)!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A simple book to find gorgeous looks, July 6, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Vintage Face: Period Looks from the 20s, 30s, 40s, & 50s (Paperback)

If you are looking for a comprehensive, in-depth guide on vintage beauty, then this book will not satisfy you. However, if you want a good, short overview of all the different looks attached to your favorite decades, you'll like this book. As a collector of antique beauty books, I bought this title to read a modern woman's take on past beauty styles. I think the author did a good job selecting the different looks and providing the guidelines to create them. Overall, get this book to get a quick glance for inspiration.