Bobbi Brown • Book - Bobbi Brown Beauty: The Ultimate Beauty Resource • CD/Books/Movies
(47 reviews)
| Average Rating. | 3.3 |
| Would buy this product again. | 57% |
| Package Quality | 3.8 |
| Price | 3.1 |
| Ingredients | |
abbyfabby on 11/2/2009 12:27:00 PM more reviews by abbyfabby
Age: 18 & Under Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium Hair: Blond Eyes: Other
although i did enjoy reading this book. i felt it didnt really deserve to be called a make up book as she rarely gave techniques on how to apply the right make up but rather just preached about whats wrong and advice on make up. she needs to learn that what she doesnt like other people do. i for one love blue eyeliner and to say it doesnt suit anyone is rubbish. a good read, but left me with nothing new at the end.
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*TOP REVIEWER* Sage6o4 on 8/2/2008 6:49:00 PM more reviews by Sage6o4
Age: 18 & Under Skin: Oily, Olive, Warm Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Coarse Eyes: Brown
I really hated this book. Okay, let me rant by saying I got the impression from BB that she is the only MA who's opinion mattered and what she said had to go. I felt like she was pushing her thoughts and own biases in this book without giving ANY techniques, tips, or actual advice on MU OR beauty. I'm sorry to say BB but not EVERYONE thinks you're the best MU artist in the world, and guess what? Some people might want advice on contouring no matter what you say, and guess what else? Some people might WANT to make their lips look bigger regardless of your thoughts that you shouldn't. BB needs to get over the fact that some women will never like their flaws and instead of saying they should "embrace them", just give us the damn advice on how to fix them! That's what should be in a book about MU. Advice on how to use it, not why you shouldn't. This was a very bad marketing tatic on BB's behalf ....
4 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
mivums on 7/5/2008 4:05:00 PM more reviews by mivums
Age: 19-24 Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium Hair: Black Eyes: Brown
Having never used makeup myself before college (the strong smell of a lot of my mother's stuff turned me off as a child) I found this book a really good general introduction to beauty in that it presented an encouraging philosophy of appreciating yourself. That said, in terms of hand-holding instructions, which I was looking for, it had none and I've since ordered other books that reviewers have said are more thorough with technique.
Still, I would definitely recommend it as one of a girl's first books on beauty. I liked that it advocated a pretty modest and natural look first and then encourages building up to more ambitious and stylish looks once you're comfortable with the basics.
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Pink_Ice999 on 12/31/2007 6:37:00 AM more reviews by Pink_Ice999
Age: 19-24 Skin: Dry, Fair Hair: Blond Eyes: Blue
I agree with priya2006. After reading this I felt like throwing some yellow powder right at BB. For ages I bought into the 'yellow undertones for everyone' philosophy. I now realize that it was making me look jaundiced! No, Bobbi, I do NOT look good with yellow powder sitting on my NW20 skin. Believe me, when someone really does have cool undertones, putting on yellow toned foundation just looks fake and awful. You know when you see a woman out with a really obvious fake tan? That is how yellow foundation looks on cool toned skin. Cool skin is not that rare even, maybe by worldwide standards, but it's common for British or Scandinavian women.
I also can't understand who this book is targeted at. Her advice I can only see being really useful for a teenager using makeup for the first time, but she writes like it's for someone much older?
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
priya2006 on 4/15/2007 11:37:00 PM more reviews by priya2006
Age: 25-29 Skin: Normal, Tan Hair: Black Eyes: Brown
First of all I didn't but the book, got it on loan from the library. Anyways BB should add another B for "BORING".
Sure I agree that she gives you good basic tips on beauty [that made go duh and so nothing new there] and natural looks [which I mean come on, how complicated is that]. She seems very centred on her own self and tastes and seeks to impose it on others and I feel she's trying to really overcompensate for what she considers to be her own beauty weakness [like the thing about how droopy eyes can be great bedroom looks]. I also don't agree with the yellow powder is my freaking God for all absolutely all skins of the world. Once again... not enough variety, very close minded. I mean I'm indian and have a really hard time seeing yellow powder doing anything for a redhead with true porcelain skin.
Plus she preaches about how yellow powder is so great for us coloured people and so I guess that was it and covered it all for us since there was nothing else more about makeup for coloured skin other than a few pics of gorgeous ethnic models.
On a side note it annoys me how makeup artists like Nars and BB start their own line with neutral packaging reminiscent of MAC and then BB sells out to some generic department brand[EL] and you wonder where's the uniqueness/creativity quotient.. they don't make any more like Kevyn Aucoin anymore who came up with some crazy creations, God bless his soul[sigh]
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* 8hourcream on 4/30/2006 8:14:00 AM more reviews by 8hourcream
Age: 25-29 Skin: Combination Hair: Brunette Eyes: Brown
Aesthetically, I like this book, I like some of the photos and I like the clear layout.
When it comes to the actual information though it seems dated - Bobbi is so preachy - yes, everyone knows you should eat veg and drink your water but it doesnt always work out that way. And even worse is the rules she imposes - like blue eyeliner can NEVER be recommended for ANYONE. What a load of rubbish! She also tends to recommended total avoidance of certain colours, and techniques - or if you are buying make up more than once a week, you need help and go for a run instead of buying a lipstick!
Without beauty junkies, where would MUA be?!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* psychoexgirlfriend on 3/12/2006 1:26:00 AM more reviews by psychoexgirlfriend
Age: 25-29 Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium, Warm Hair: Black, Straight, Coarse Eyes: Brown
Great book for practical advice. Bobbi Brown's work is inspirational. I also love how she shows a variety of people in her book - from teenagers to mature women and addresses the issue of ethnicity.
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burlesquebunny on 1/28/2006 3:07:00 AM more reviews by burlesquebunny
Age: 25-29 Skin: Combination Hair: Brunette Eyes: Brown
I said I would buy this again even though I won't have to. So many people just look at the buy again column and make their decisions to try a product based on those percentages. Anyway this book is very informative and helpful. It answers so many questions and is great for a novice or experiened beauty lover looking to try a different look.
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*TOP REVIEWER* KelliCapwell on 12/31/2005 5:46:00 PM more reviews by KelliCapwell
Age: 19-24 Skin: Other Hair: Other Eyes: Other
I actually liked the book and overall like Bobbi's philosophy towards make-up (natural, enhancing) It's funny looking at this book years later as it seems Bobbi goes against her own writings. Her "color options" make-up came out after the book was published. That seemed so against what her book was about. Then her "shimmer" bricks debut, when she specifically states on page 163 not to put shimmer on cheeks. Touts ONLY yellow based concealer only to come out w/ a pink based corrector just recently. Dissed the "brown" craze in the 80's only to have recently come out with the "chocolate" collection and then there is the glitter stuff she just came out with (she specifically stated in her book - no glitter). I also didn't enjoy the "designers on runway make-up aritst Bobbi Brown" section. It just felt out of place and like she was tooting her own horn in the middle of the book! Overall the book gives alot of great hints if you choose to go natural in your approach to make-up & how to make it last.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* trempot on 6/18/2005 10:14:00 PM more reviews by trempot
Age: 25-29 Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium Hair: Black Eyes: Brown
This book is very helpful. I'm a makeup beginner, so this provides me with a framework of how to go about makeup application. The basic face is still the fundamental look for me, especially since I'm working in an office and a corporate setting. This book exactly teaches me that. The portions on skin care are also very helpful. I also have Kevyn Aucoin's Making Faces, but it was more advanced--I still got Bobbi Brown Beauty for the purpose of getting the basics before experimenting with other techniques. Will repurchase this book if I were to recommend it to others who are just starting out like me!
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LeAngeDeNuit on 5/26/2005 5:37:00 AM more reviews by LeAngeDeNuit
Age: 19-24 Skin: Combination Hair: Other Eyes: Other
Well, I guess you could say that I was not very smart in purchasing her books twice, but I guess you could say that I like to look at different techniques from different makeup artists, and see what they have to share.
The woman is like a female Hitler, and basically dictates through the book on what you should, and should not do.
I have never felt more guilty about wearing purple eyeshadow in my life!!!
I do agree with most people in this forum that this book would be excellent for people who are just starting to wear makeup, but that's about it. I happen to agree that MAYBE (key word "maybe") would recommend this to someone who was beginning in makeup, but then again I think I wouldn't, because there are so many rules. Plus, I'm tired of having to deal with being put through guilt trips because I choose to wear my liner in a particular way, in a particular color.
This is where I start recommending Kevyn's books, because the man was truly a genius when it came down to makeup. Not only was he a fantastic artist, but he was a fantastic man who truly put the word "artist" into "makeup artist" and has (and is) helping me along the way in my own makeup career.
Unlike Bobbi, he wasn't afraid to make mistakes, because to them they were exciting revelations. Bobbi claims that she has a degree from Emerson, but I would once like to see her pull off some of the looks that Kevyn was able to do. (He didn't go to Emerson, but he sure as hell didn't need it, and did a much better job that she does by far!) Actually, I think she was the one who got angry when she lost a client to Kevyn. According to this woman, in a very ominous tone, said, "Don't let him guild the lily."
I say that he guilded the lily ten times better than her.
So, no, I don't recommend this book, and if it were possible, there would be absolutely no lippies there!
Enough preaching from me!
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EmilySher on 12/8/2004 5:37:00 PM more reviews by EmilySher
Age: 25-29 Skin: Combination Hair: Brunette Eyes: Blue
I was not impressed with this book at all. I thought it was quite boring. If you have never washed your face, never put on any MU at all, etc, it could be helpful. It is disappointing that someone as talented and well known as bobbi brown could not have gone a little more in depth. What is even more confusing is that most women who are going to purchase books like these are into MU, tell us something we don't know! Blah.
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kazc on 11/5/2004 4:46:00 AM more reviews by kazc
Age: 30-35 Skin: Dry, Fair Hair: Blond Eyes: Blue
I thought this was on the whole a pretty good book. I think Bobbis style is very different from that of someone like kevyn Aucoin, but no less valid. I love the neutral look a la Boobi sometimes, but that doesn't mean I don't also love to do something more outrageous at others. There is some good advice in this book - dip into it, take away what appeals to you and ignore anything that doesn't !
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
PaintedSophisticate on 10/12/2004 12:59:00 PM more reviews by PaintedSophisticate
Age: 18 & Under Skin: Dry, Fair, Cool Hair: Red, Wavy, Fine Eyes: Green
I know, I know, not many people would have given it five lippies but I absolutely love this book. In fact, I keep it in my bathroom (where I do my makeup) so that I can refer to it as often as needed. I bought her book when I was fifteen and I was just beginning to experiment more and more with makeup and I think her book helped me understand a lot about different makeup types and whatever. Yes, she does tend to stick to the basics of makeup and she preaches NATURAL!!!! NATURAL!!! but really, is that soooo bad? I know a lot of girls/women that could use with a bit of NATURAL!!! I think maybe that was the point she was trying to convey. I found all her sections very helpful, since I had not known much about how to take care of my skin (most girls I went to school with don't even know to wash thier faces before bed) or how important having a set skincare routine was. Before the book I had been washing my face with plain soap and water. I had never had a zit before (I still rarely get them, usually only during my period) but after reading her book I immediatley went on a shopping trip with my mom to find the perfect facial cleansers. I have used the book on many occasions for helping my friends as well. All my friends come to me and ask, "how come such and such", "why does my face do this", "how did you get your lips to look like that" and I am always ready with the answer. I do not always have what could be called, "natural" makeup but I know this : My face never looks painted on. My foundation never looks fake, I have never had a garish blush look and there is not a day that goes by that I go out in public where I do not get some sort of compliment. I do experiement a whole lot with my eyes and use tons of different colors in eyeliner and eyeshadow and I LOOOOVE shimmer (when used appropriately) and I also experiment with my lips a lot too. In the end this is a perfect book for those of us who are learning to use makeup more and more and don't really have that much experience with it. To me this was more about skincare and things of that nature, which is always needed in a book about makeup. You can't put makeup on a yucky face and expect it to look healthy and radiant can you? I think this book will be great for the younger crowd, and I intend to keep this book until I have kids and I can give it to my daughter(s). I have also bought copies of this book for my younger neices and cousins as gifts.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
milkbubble on 10/6/2004 5:09:00 PM more reviews by milkbubble
Age: 18 & Under Skin: Combination Hair: Black Eyes: Brown
i am very suprised with a lot of bad comments posted here on MUA. my sister recommended this book to me, and i think it's great. it emphasizes on natural beauty and provides advice on how to apply and purchase makeup. a lot of you said that the book had limited information, but it's only because she encourages natural looking, polished makeup. she provides great recommendations on colors, but that doesn't mean you have to abide by them. those who hate the book, loosen up. no one is forcing you to do anything. find your own style, that's what it's all about. overall, great book.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* uplate6674 on 10/4/2004 5:41:00 PM more reviews by uplate6674
Age: 30-35 Skin: Normal, Fair, Neutral Hair: Brown, Curly, Fine Eyes: Green
I, too, found the MU looks in this book too basic and the tone too prescriptive at times. She seems to use only two color schemes for e/s, for example: brown/champagne neutrals for day and grey for night. Even in the "Bad Girl" section, she starts out by saying it's OK to play with different colors and textures, then at the end there's a paragraph highlighted in a different color where she states her usual tame choice of colors.
I think this would be a great book for people who share Bobbi's philosophy or for people very new to MU who are wary of unintentionally looking tacky or clownish. I don't think most MUAers fall into that category, though, which accounts for a lot of the negative reviews.
The good points are that the pictures are beautiful, she attempts (with varying success) to include tips for women of different races and ages, and she is very clear about her philosophy up front in the introductory section, so you do know right from the start what kind of advice she'll give.
One thing to be wary of: I found some of the pages for non-Caucasian women borderline offensive, as it advised such women to avoid loud colors on lips and cheeks and suggestions for how to handle bushy eyebrows, as if all Latinas conform to this mean ethnic stereotype. Why not just talk about blending foundations for different skin tones and eye colors? I do think she meant well, though the execution wasn't too suave.
I also think that part of the reason she's advocating natural, natural, natural is that she first attained success back in the early 90s when such a look was the height of fashion (If you were a teen or older in the early 90s, you might remember when magazines recommended matte brown lip color, matte brown eye shadow, matte quiet blush for everyone). Her father's rather sweet but kind of pointless introduction was written in 1996 right before the book went to press, so I'm assuming that Bobbi was still in early 90s mode when she wrote the bulk of the book. So perhaps it's more that the information is dated rather than intended to be overly restrictive.
Bottom line: if you're a white woman new to makeup who agrees with Bobbi's minimal MU philosophy, you'll probably get some good, usable advice from this book. If you're more into trying a big range of looks and textures (she's pretty much against shimmer, for instance).
Because it has good BASIC information and will be quite useful to some women, I've given it three lipsticks.
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audrey_hepburn on 9/22/2004 3:38:00 AM more reviews by audrey_hepburn
Age: 19-24 Skin: Oily Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown
This is a good introduction if you are a beginner in makeup. The book starts of with an introduction to her philsophies about beauty, makeup, looking good and her beliefs about how to live your life as fully as possible-basically eat healthful food, exercise, get fresh air, drink lots of water, etc. She then goes on to talk about how there is no one single definition of beauty, and shows a lot of pictures of different women to prove her point. Bobbi Brown then goes on to talk about skincare (not very much helpful information IMO, just the usual wash your face, moisturise, don't pick at your pimples, etc) and then the different areas of makeup. There are different sections on foundation, blush, lipstick, eyebrows and eyes. She has instructions on how to choose products based on your skin type, some information on how to apply makeup but it's not very useful IMHO. Peeves-I do not like her assumption in the eyeshadow chapter that women who have light coloured skin have blue eyes and women who have dark skin have dark eyes. She does not consider eyeshadow shades for women with light skin and dark eyes. Since I fall under that category, this part isn't helpful to me.
She has also got chapters on the following: Bridal beauty, interview makeup, bad girl makeup (this chapter does not make sense, all it says is you can be daring at makeup at times, if it looks bad, wipe it off), how to look good in photos and on tv, etc.
Then there's the section on global beauty which I find not helpful at all. In the Asian section, she assumes that all Asian women have round faces and single eyelids. I am Asian with high cheekbones and double eyelids. Useful? Not really. All in all, if you want an introduction to makeup in general, this is something to have but it's not the best around.
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cloudsofviolet on 8/27/2004 6:24:00 PM more reviews by cloudsofviolet
Age: 18 & Under Skin: Combination Hair: Black Eyes: Brown
I hate her rules and how she only focuses on "natural" makeup. But in that aspect, the book is good
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*TOP REVIEWER* TeeCube on 7/26/2004 11:20:00 AM more reviews by TeeCube
Age: 30-35 Skin: Oily, Fair, Cool Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium Eyes: Hazel
I own all three of Bobbi's books and she definitely DOES promote her own products in them--in a clever sneaky way! Her colors are named in a way that she can use them to say which color would look good whilst enabling one to pick from her collection the exact color she named! For example: she'd say use a mahogany or bone shadow or a banana shadow or pale pink blush or a slate brow filler shadow or a navy eyeliner or a brown lipstick--SHE MAKES THESE PRODUCTS/COLORS WITH THESE NAMES! :-) Very clever. Anyway--I love these books and they are a sheer delight to read, over and over!
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sara13 on 4/26/2004 6:06:00 PM more reviews by sara13
Age: 19-24 Skin: Dry, Fair Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown
I thought this was a great introductory book on makeup, or even just for brushing up on some things. I love Bobbi Brown's natural approach to looking beautiful and pretty and looking like yourself. Her emphasis is not transformation, but rather just using makeup to emphasize your own pretty features. There aren't a ton of technical tips in here, but good general info on many topics.