Decades of Beauty: The Changing Image of Women 1890s 1990s (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Melissa Richards (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

As the times change, so do the fashions. Decades of Beauty takes a unique look at the history of female beauty and how it has evolved since the end of the Victorian era. This lavishly illustrated book traces the major changes in the female image over the past one hundred years, one decade at a time. Focusing on the look that was "in" during each time period, each chapter explores particular reasons for a style, including developments in make-up, hair-styling, fabrics, accessories, and the shape of female underwear and garments.

Beautiful and informative, Decades of Beauty also examines the major social and political events that affected the way women were perceived throughout history, and profiles the key personalities and innovators of feminine style who personified the decade.

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: Checkmark Books (October 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816039208
• ISBN-13: 978-0816039203
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #707,291 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 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)

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

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)

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!