A review on Retro Makeup: Techniques for Applying the Vintage Look

Today Retro Makeup: Techniques for Applying the Vintage Look by Lauren Rennells arrived. As it happened to be my day off this week I did not do all the household chores I had planned to do, but devoured the book instead.

The very short of it is that you need this book. If you have any interest in make-up and/or retro styles, then it is the book to have.

Here are the slightly longer reasons why:


I can begin with saying that I have been interested in makeup and the history of makeup since I was 13 and opted for my Mum's brown eye shadow and not her blue and the "in" girl in my class told me with disdain that it was the wrong choice. Blue eyes, blue eye shadow. Period. That annoyed me as I couldn't see any good reasons for it. The result was that I read up on everything I could find that had to do with makeup and I have ever since. It's a bit of a special interest to me, even if I specialise in 18th century beauty and not 20th century, I know more than a bit of makeup history, so even if I ordered Retro Makeup the moment it was available I didn't really thought I would learn much that I didn't already know, but thought it would be nifty to have it all in one place. As I already have, and love, Vintage Hairstyling, I was sure that it would be a good book.

It's not a good book, it's a great book. Yes, there was a lot that I already knew, but Rennells go deeper and more into details than I have ever encountered before and there was a lot of interesting tidbits. The layout of the book is very good. If there is one thing in Vintage Hairstyling that I wish was different, then it is that styles from different periods are in no particular order so you have to go back and forth a lot if you want a special time-frame. That is remedied in Retro makeup. The book begins with a short background of Victorian and Edwardian views on makeup and then there is a very meaty chapter on tools and techniques. After that there is a chapter for every decade, from the 20's to the 60's. Each have an overview of the makeup fashion with attention on colours and the shape of eyebrows and lips.There are also three or four different makeup's for every decade, inspired from various movie stars. Most models are European,but there are also African and Asian models.

There is about 100 pages in this book and those pages are really crammed with interesting and useful information. There are also lots and lots of pictures. If you are into retro, then this is the prefect book, but even if you are just into makeup in general, the book is for you as well. There's so many tips and tricks that are useful for any kind of makeup application. I'm absolutely delighted with this book and can't recommend it enough. I can add that I'm not in anyway endorsed by Lauren Rennells, the book is bought by myself for the set price. However, the price is very fair, I would happily have paid more for it and it would have been worth it.

Of course I had to play with my new toy too and did a try on the 40's makeup called Jazz Singer, though I toned down the colours a bit. My camera washed it out a too, but I'm very pleased with the result. It also gave me the opportunity to play with my birthday lipstick, Ruby Woo from MAC. I'm very keen to try out Besame now though, as those were used in the book and they look so gorgeous!