DABBLER GIVEAWAY DETAILS AT THE END OF THIS ARTICLE!

A title like that is bound to attract a lot of interest. In our ever faster-paced world, quick solutions are more and more in demand. Pair that with the expertise of Carmindy, the makeup artist for TLC’s What Not to Wear and you won’t be able to resist picking this book up. I don’t wear makeup and I still found the book intriguing. I’m sure a familiar and very likable talent has a lot to do with it, but I think there’s an allure to makeup that draws in all women, whether they like to apply it themselves or not. The aesthetics are pretty difficult to resist and if you like beautiful things, the images in this book are a definite hook.

It’s an extremely easy read. It’s so uncomplicated and full of vibrant colours that it could easily be a coffee table book. You would be able to pick up a quick tip just by opening to a random page. I just gave it a go and got page 74, which is a section of the book that has advise for Asian women (now THAT is an insane coincidence!). In addition to the topics within each chapter, “Quick Tip” and “Fast Fix” boxes are interspersed throughout the book. In this particular page, the Fast Fix reads:

“Asian eyelashes tend to point downward (that’s me!), but if you curl them, you’ll create an eye-opening effect. For best results, don’t use a conventional lash curler that crimps your entire upper lash line at once. Instead use a small, half-inch (or so) curler. It better allows you to follow your natural lash-line curve for beautiful results. Afterward, apply waterproof mascara, which will hold your curl longer than regular mascara.”

I found these random tidbits of information quite enjoyable. They’re fun and provide bonus information that you didn’t even know you needed. Here’s another taste from the “Skin Essentials” chapter:

“In the shower, buff skin with a handful of regular white sugar – it’s an inexpensive and amazing face and body scrub. To help erase self-tanning streaks, add a teaspoon of lemon juice.”

Who would know something like this except someone with years of experience! And Carmindy certainly has that. It all began in her early teens. Both her mother and grandmother were models in their youth and Carmindy was drawn to their many glamour shots. Recognizing the obvious interest Carmindy took to these images, her mother bought her a subscription to Elle magazine and so evolved a career in the world of beauty. Her father even built her a Hollywood-style makeup mirror to help her develop an innate talent. In the introduction to the book, you’ll learn about Carmindy’s “watercolour” approach to makeup and her “less is more” philosophy.

It’s worth noting though, that the book doesn’t focus on “The 5-Minute Face.” There is one chapter which is dedicated to what Carmindy calls “The 5-Minute plan,” in which she lays out step-by-step what to do in creating that everyday polished look, down to the second. This is also the chapter that offers a little more in the way of application tips. I find that most women have trouble in this area. They may be able to pick the right bronzer colour for their skin tone, but they probably don’t know how to apply it properly. If you’re only looking for a book that will clearly define all the steps that create a certain look, then this is not quite the book for you.

What it is most useful as is a resource for what colours, shades, products, and tools you need to create that perfect look. And for this purpose, the book is very inclusive. The subtitle isn’t misleading when it says “For Every Woman.” It outlines in individual sections, the best makeup for all skin tones: Porcelain-Skinned Redheads, Blondes, Brunettes, Asians, those with Mocha Skin, dark skin or olive skin. There is also a subsequent chapter that further breaks it down to additional tips and things to watch out for depending on what age group you’re in. For instance, Carmindy has suggestions on how to control breakouts for teens, tips when preparing for a hot date if you’re in your twenties, and what to tweak in your thirties and forties. Finally, for older women, there are suggestions on how to prevent lipstick from bleeding, or how to naturally highlight vanishing or fading brows.

The book concludes with “Special Occasion Looks” and “Trends That Work,” and as an added bonus, there’s a “Shopping Guide” which offers a cheap, as well as an expensive example of what’s available in the market for every type of makeup and tool that is featured in the book. If you’re looking to buy blotting papers for instance, the suggestions are:

$$$ Lançome Matte Finish Shine Control Blotting Sheets
$ Clean and Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets

Quite the book eh? I would have liked to have seen more tutorials on how to apply the makeup, but I can understand how that could pose a challenge in print. Video would be a much more effective medium in that regard. What I found lacking in the book however, was more than made up for in other areas. If you want to know what to buy for your unique skin tone, and your particular age, this is certainly the book to put on your wish list. It’s informative, easy on the eyes, and not intimidating, which is important for someone as inexperienced in makeup as myself.

Buy The 5-Minute Face: The Quick & Easy Makeup Guide for Every Woman

DABBLER GIVEAWAY!

Want the chance to win a copy of Carmindy’s “The 5-Minute Face”? Send me your makeup horror story OR a picture of your worst makeup blunder and prove to me that you need a book like this. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday July 18th so send me your emails now! Click here to enter.