Rae Morris: Makeup, The Ultimate Guide - see inside

If you're interested in make-up books, you've almost certainly come across this one. It contains some amazing pictures. I was actually asked to do a review of this and let you have a look inside... so this post is picture heavy.

Just like every other make-up book on the market, this one also covers the basics: the essentials, brushes, prepping. Nothing new here.

I like the section on eyelashes. Using the same model and make-up, she applies different eyelashes (natural, lux, high impact) to show you how they can change your eyes. In fact, a lot of the looks in this book rely on eyelashes for that extra wow factor.

Many of the looks are dramatic. She uses pigments, glitter, sticky tape, diamond dust, liquid eye paint, gold leaves... items that a beginner or a "normal" person does not usually have in their make-up kit, so beware.

The good thing is, it does have step-by-step guides on how to achieve each of the looks.

 Cleopatra eyes: this is one of my favourite looks.

How to contour: this is a very detailed and interesting chapter. She uses a cream foundation four shades darker than the model's natural skin tone to contour. But as she explains herself, "this technique is advanced".

Highlighting: this is also a great chapter.

Typical Rae Morris... red lips with a twist: purple added to the top, gold on the bottom.

Some of the more natural looks....

Overall, I would say that the book is inspiring and a lot of these looks would be perfect for a photo shoot. If you want to be ultra creative and experimental with your make-up, this is probably for you.

But for beginners, I think there are 'friendlier' books out there that concentrate on more down-to-earth looks (that you can't go wrong with!). Like Jemma Kidd's Make-up Masterclass or any of Bobbi Brown's books.

Three types of husbands

Packing is boring and the house is a complete mess but at least I'm finding things that I'd forgotten about. Like this book, Elegance by Kathleen Tessaro. I read it years ago and didn't think it was particularly interesting so I was about to put it aside...

But I had a look inside first and found something I wanted to share. She says:

"There are three types of husbands.

1. The Blind Man, who says, "Isn't that a new suit, darling?" when he at last notices the ensemble you have been wearing for the past two years. There really isn't any point in discussing with him, so let's leave him in peace. At least he has one advantage: he lets you dress as you please.

2. The Ideal Husband, who notices everything, is genuinely interested in your clothes, makes suggestions, understands fashion, appreciates it, enjoys discussing it, knows just what suits you best and what you need, and admires you more than all the other women in the world. If you possess this dream man, hang on to him. He is extremely rare.

3. The Dictator, who knows far better than you what is becoming... and decides if the current styles are good or not and which shop or dressmaker you ought to go to. This type of man's ideas on fashion are sometimes up to date, but most often he has been so impressed with the way his mother used to dress that his taste is, to say the least, about twenty years behind the times."

My husband is definitely #1! What about your husband / partner / boyfriend?

The best: Jemma Kidd's Make-up Masterclass

In my opinion, this is one of the best make-up books out there. It is more interesting than most of Bobbi Brown's books; more colourful, useful and easier to read (no grey text) than Nars' Makeup Your Mind; and the looks are much more achievable and not nearly as complicated as the ones by Rae Morris, Kevyn Aucoin and Scott Barnes.

Jemma Kidd's Make-up Masterclass is packed with beautiful pictures AND useful information. Yes, there is a lot of text! It is a great reference book, something you will want to refer back to again and again. You will learn a lot from this. 

In the first section, Beauty Basics, it gives you tips on skincare, enhancing beauty at all ages, and seasonal make-up. So in spring/summer, put away compact foundations and switch to a tinted moisturiser or a light liquid foundation applied sparingly, use powder mineral foundation if you have oily skin, keep brows in place with hairspray, stick to a neutral eyeshadow with a slight shimmer for daytime, replace black eyeliner with brown (or a bright colour!), use cream blush (looks more natural). Those were some of the tips for a 'light, long-lasting make-up' and there's more: bold colours for eyes, spring pastels, summer nights.

One of the best things about this book is that the step-by-step guides are actually comprehensible. It's also interesting to see different finishes of eyeshadow, for example, side-by-side (sheer, glitter, loose metallic pigment, gloss, frost, matte). And find out what the top ten looks for eyes and lips are. This is all in the section Make-up Masterclass.

The fun part is Get the Look.

Daytime looks: everyday gorgeous (for every skintone: porcelain, fair, olive, deep), daytime glamour, boardroom beauty, corporate to cocktails, blushing bride and yummy mummy.

Night-time looks: after-dark beauty (porcelain, fair, light olive, dark olive, deep), foxy and fabulous, red carpet glamour, dancing queen and big date.

Holiday looks: beach babe, beach to bar, wintry and wonderful, country life and frequent flyer.

What I really like is at the very back of the book. It's called "Jemma's favourite..." for skincare products, body products, make-up and tools, organic brands and products for problem skin. The brilliant thing is, they're not necessarily products from her own line! As I mentioned in my Laura Mercier haul post, the secret brightening powder is one of Jemma's favourites! How many of these products have you tried? 

Dealing with emotions - with Mr Pusskins

Here's a book that explores love. She loves him and treats him well but he's ungrateful and bored. So he leaves her and has some fun. Until he realises what a big mistake he has made. He repents and asks her to take him back. She does, with open arms, and they live happily ever after.

A typical love story? Maybe, except the guy in the story is a cat called Mr Pusskins.

Amongst other things, because there's a bit of danger involved, when he hangs out with a cat gang, this appeals to my son. And yet he can sleep without fear because there is a happy ending.

The story deals with emotions that are familiar to all of us, even little kids, and that's what's so good about it. My kid gets angry and stomps off, just like Mr Pusskins. And we also make up with hugs and kisses.

If you like this book, there are more stories featuring Mr Pusskins...

I recommend Usborne's See Inside books: How Things Work

For kids who can't yet read, pictures are everything. And to make that even more interesting, there are picture books with flaps. Usborne does some very good ones.

There's one in their See Inside series called How Things Work.

It is packed with explanations on how musical instruments or household appliances (hair dryer, toilet) work. It introduces new vocabulary (also perfect for me because I never really learned what parts of a crane or helicopter are called!). It's probably too complicated for four-year olds to really understand but there's no harm in introducing such topics. This will be a useful reference book for years to come.

These books are educational but so well done that they definitely belong in a kid's library. They would make great gifts, as well.

Yoga for Real Life by Maya Fiennes: First thoughts

I finally have my copy of Maya Fiennes' new book, Yoga for Real Life. Yay!

It seems to be packed with tips on meditation, Kundalini yoga exercises and how to cope with life. Also included are several recipes for energy-enhancing smoothies. There are plenty of photos and colourful images, which make it pretty to look at and have lying around on a table (this is important!).

I've only read as far as the introduction and she's written something that made me feel better instantly:

"You don't need to understand it all to get the full benefit. You don't have to believe it at all."


What a relief - because I admit I don't understand it yet! But I want to.

This is what it looks like inside.

 

I'm sure it will enhance the basic understanding that I now have from watching her detox and de-stress DVD. I'll be back with a proper review!

Sir Charlie Stinky Socks

I love books. I think it would be more sensible to borrow books from a library but there's just something about having my own collection. In recent years I have been focusing on children's books; we have seriously gone from nil to a small library. How do I justify this? Books are educational. And I plan on keeping them for my grandchildren!

One of our current favourites:

Sir Charlie Stinky Socks and the Really Big Adventure by Kristina Stephenson 
This is an exciting and slightly scary book (great for boys) about a brave little knight who comes across beasties, a dragon and a witch. He doesn't fight them, though, you see. He's got better methods, such as singing a lullaby, sharing sandwiches or offering a drink. 

Look inside...
Included are some huge flaps. 

Sure, it's an entertaining book, but what makes it even better is the CD. I think this is so well done, with fun music, great sound effects and it's read convincingly. As if that weren't enough, the CD also contains songs and games.

Love the name, too: Sir Charlie Stinky Socks!