Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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)!

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.

This book is completely useless to anyone trying to recreate these looks. There is not a single color photograph or even a color diagram to refer to. In fact, this book is completely black and white. As a professional makeup artist it is quite simple for me to look at a face and recreate it, however, any novice would have no guidance with this book. There is no way for someone to know what colors or products were used. With descriptions like "Product Used: Lipstick" I find it hard to believe that anyone would find much use for this. Some of the recipes in the back of the book are interesting, but I find it somewhat irresponsible that they were reproduced in this book- many of them are just plain dangerous and with so many young girls getting into makeup sooner, I fear they may try to recreate these products.

This book has no pictures to further illustrate the points that it makes. It is all in black and white. It is basically information that you would know anyway from general makeup application. It goes through the different eras but doesn't cover in very much detail. At the back there is a recipe section for making your own makeup but it is unlikely that these would be made as some use dangerous products!!Very diasppointed with the book-lucky I bought it second hand.

This book may not be as extensive as "Making Faces" or "Face Forward." It is, however, great for a quick reference as to which tools and colors you will need to recreate a look. The back cover has vintage make-up color swatches that are also helpful.

Yes, this book is not a comprehensive guide to vintage looks and cosmetics.

Yes, the photos are sadly only in black and white.

However, the classic film star photos to accompany each look are wonderful. Case in point, the evolution of Gene Tierney from the 1930s with slightly pudfy cheeks to 1940s glamour girl.

Defintely snap this one up if you can find a good quality used copy. A discounted price will help soften the blow of the covers being too close together.

An expanded, revised edition would be a most welcome addition to my personal library

I love this book, and I use it all the time for a guide when I'm going to a period event. However, I bought the book when it was cheap and new. I definitely wouldn't plunk down hundreds of dollars for it, so I can understand the disappointment. At a more reasonable price, it's a great book. At those prices, it seems like highway robbery.

A helpful little guide that helps you recreate period makeup looks. Also incls. recipes you can mix up yourself and incls. many tips & techniques. A fun and informative book.

I can understand some of the disappointment that some other reviewers mentioned if they were expecting to learn how to translate period styles in to wearable looks, however this book was not created to do that. It is strictly reference material that breaks down in timelines what women actually used and how. If you are a makeup artist doing research for a period film it's invaluable, but for people who just want to learn some cool ways to do their makeup- there are better books out there for that. I love this book and was lucky enough to have snapped it up at Barnes and Noble years ago for $12.95.. I'd never sell it!