Published by St. Martin's Press
Publication date: November 13th 2012
Jemma Kidd is an international make-up artist and creator of a make-up line sold in stores as diverse as Neiman Marcus and Target. Her latest book, Jemma Kidd Make-Up Secrets is a compilation of not only make-up secrets but a guide to skincare as well. Part I, Making Make-Up Work for You, and Part II, Problem Solver, contain solutions for women of all ages, colors, and skin types.
The make-up chapters cover all the basics, such as foundation, blush, eye shadow, and lipstick. For each section there are the top 10 questions asked and answered. The pages are well-divided between photographs, drawings, and text. In addition there are two other chapters, one that looks at make-up trends and explains how to try them without going too far, and another that is a marvelous look at some of classic beauties (Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Ava Gardner) and how to replicate their looks. Both of these chapters are a fun bonus as Kidd approaches them with her standard belief that less-is-more, so even something as extreme as neon eye shadow looks feasible. With the holidays approaching, she provides do-able options for women of all ages to try something new and fun.
The skin care section is especially appealing as Kidd spends time discussing the options for mature skin. She freely admits that she is not a skincare expert and so enlists the help of a specialist and a nutritionist. Advice for all ages includes not just what you put on your skin but what you put in your body and its impact on your skin. Topics include a look at popular products and procedures, nutrition for healthy skin, skin concerns asked and answered, dealing with problem areas. For mature readers there are tips for youthful skin, eyes, and lips, as well as make-up colors and application that work particularly well at midlife.
One of the more enjoyable aspects of this book is that Kidd does not use it to push her own products. In the back of the book is section on products in each group that she likes but she includes many brands. For this reader it makes her opinion more trustworthy—she’s not just selling her make-up. Overall, this is a thorough, interesting, and useful resource for any woman interested in having healthy skin and looking attractive at any age.
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