Retro Chick Reviews: Style Me Vintage Make Up

You may remember last year I reviewed Style Me Vintage Hair.

Well it seems this is now a series of books, and at the beginning of August Style Me Vintage: Make Up: Easy Step-by-step Techniques for Creating Classic Looks was released.

I’d intended to review it earlier than this, but despite the fact that I pre ordered it I had a right faff getting hold of it, it now, thankfully, appears to be in stock at Amazon so in theory if you fancy buying it you shouldn’t have any problems!

Like it’s predecessor it’s a beautiful book, with the same matt textured cover and stunning illustrations.

Unlike it’s predecessor it doesn’t start with a huge list of essential tools and products. It has a list of suggested handy items, and a useful list for a “capsule make up bag”. The phrasing is certainly much more in the line that these are guidelines and you can make it up as you go along. I certainly know that without my arsenal of brushes I could certainly create a pretty passable eyeshadow job using just my fingers, so bravo for acknowledging that most tools aren’t “essential”!

The looks the book covers range from the 20s, right up to the 80s and each chapter starts with an original and a modern take on the look. Before going into a step by step guide. The looks the book covers are 1920s – Clara Bow, 1930s – Marlene Dietrich, 1940s – Rita Hayworth, 1950s – Marilyn Monroe, 1960s – Audrey Hepburn, 1960s – Twiggy, 1970s – Farrah Fawcett, 1980s – Siouxsie Sioux, 1980s – Madonna.

Obviously the only way to review this kind of book is to try out some looks. So I tested out the 1950s Marilyn and 1960s Audrey, as they were nice wearable day time looks, but also slightly different from my everyday 30s or 40s style.

The instructions were easy to follow, though a list of what was required for the look might have made life easier as I suddenly came across instructions asking me to use a coral / pink eyeshadow, which wasn’t in my regular make up kit and sent me off rifling through drawers for something similar.

Although the looks are pretty, without the right hair and clothes no amount of make up is going to create a 60s look or an 80s look. I think the pictures above don’t really give that 50s Marilyn feel, or that 60s Audrey feel, because, basically, I don’t look like Audrey or Marilyn. The models chosen for each look in the book kind of do!

I’d like to try out a couple of the more obvious looks, like the Twiggy with painted on eyelashes, or Siouxie Sioux’s extreme eyeliner. But I haven’t had an opportunity as yet!

The book does have a handy section at the back with more detailed instructions on slightly more complicated things like applying eyeliner flicks and false eyelashes, which is useful. It even gives tips on manicures, including another method for a “moonicure”.

The book is good fun, and it’s handy if you ever need to try out a look that you’re not already familiar with, but my personal feeling is that it’s not quite detailed enough for a real make up beginner to follow and too basic for a more accomplished vintage make up wearer who’ll probably already have a good idea how to create the looks from their decade of preference. I would guess its target audience could be someone who wears “modern” make up most of the time, but wants to create a specific look for an event.

If you’re a 40s siren with an invite to an 80s party, or a 60s kitten with a 20s event coming up, this is definitely worth a buy at under £10. Just don’t expect to learn anything new in the way of application techniques or make up history.

The book is available to buy in my book shop along with others I’ve reviewed and read. Or you can click the link below to go straight to Amazon.

Note: I am an Amazon affiliate, if you buy the book through one of my links I’ll earn a few pennies. It costs you nothing and in no way affects my opinions on this book!