Sephora: The Ultimate Guide to Makeup, Skin, and Hair from the Beauty Authority

by Melissa Schweiger

Ever wonder what it's like to have your own personal team of beauty experts, advising you on how to look and feel knockout-gorgeous every day? Or have you ever questioned what exactly goes on inside the creative minds of beauty industry heavy-hitters? Step into the pages of Sephora , where the top beauty authorities give you access to their private domains. Spend the day with Vincent Longo backstage at fashion week, create red carpet—worthy hair with celebrity hair stylist Oscar Blandi, master the smoky eye with Hollywood's hottest makeup artists, and take a tour of Dr. Nicholas Perricone's kitchen with his refrigerator full of skin-perfecting foods. In The Ultimate Guide to Makeup, Skin, and Hair from the Beauty Authority , fashion and beauty journalist and former Sephora beauty editor Melissa Schweiger personally introduces the people behind some of your favorite brands and fills this gorgeous book with the beauty secrets usually reserved for insiders. Each photo-packed page brims with words of wisdom and expert advice from the creators of and authorities on more than two hundred classic and emerging beauty brands sold at Sephora, including LORAC, Smashbox, Too Faced, Dr. Perricone, Frédéric Fekkai, and many, many more. Each chapter is designed to mimic a Sephora store's "try everything" vibe while revealing the finest beauty tips and tricks for getting creative with cosmetics. From an A-to-Z glossary of terms and ingredients and a shopping guide to the best products, to detailed explanations of how to properly use cosmetic tools, Sephora is the complete beauty package that no woman will want to be without.

Genres: Nonfiction, Fashion, Health, Self Help, Reference

224 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2008

Reviews

[Ramona Matta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exclusive to Sephora, so naturally it's not a general guide. Good read overall.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping for some really great makeup tips...What I got was a book of product advertisements.

[Jess 🦇 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I read this when I was younger.

[Nicol · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a complete surprise to get from Haper Collins. And let me start out by saying that I was SUPER excited to read it. Sephora is a book that I wish that I had years ago when I was first learning to apply makeup, learn skin care, and how to manage my hair. Sephora is a perfect companion for the girl who didn't have an older sister or mother teach her makeup tricks.

Now, I have never been proficient at putting on makeup let alone other products like toner, bronzer and keeping my hair in place. I feel satisfied to have made it out the door with my "face". I enjoy watching shows like "What Not to Wear" and try to mimics the make up application segment. This harder said then done. I want to leave the house with a look that is flawless, brings out my features, but NOT heavy.

This book is packed with tricks. How to mask those dark circles, what to do if you use too much product in your hair, what to do with foundation over-load and how to make those legs look long and sexy.

It does share which Sephora product would be best, but don't let that fool you. If you are like me and don't have access to a Sephora store you can still use these suggestions!

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

I checked this book out of the library over a year ago, and I am now a proud owner of a copy. This book, for amateur beauty enthusiasts to experienced ones, is a treasure trove of hints and tips for applying makeup and playing up your natural features. Since there was no step-by-step makeup routine described, I found that it was more fun to mix and match tips to create my own personal looks. Sure, there is a ton of product advertisements in there, but as it is sponsored by Sephora, I kind of expected that. There is also a wealth of quality advice on skincare, haircare, and stress management in the glossy pages. My personal favorite tip is from Ole Henriksen, though I also adore Cristina Bartolucci's step-by-step description on how to fake full lips. Well worth reading if you need ways to spice up your tired old skincare, haircare, or makeup routines.

[Kellea · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking to build a beauty book collection, this book might be one for you. I love the Sephora stores so for anyone else who loves the stores as much as I do, you will love this book just as much. The Sephora Ultimate Guide to Makeup, Skin, and Hair is a great guide for anyone from a beginning makeup enthusiast to an expert. It's cleverly written, in that it infuses each section (from tools and tips to use for applying makeup, to proper skincare techniques, to current trends) with product recommendations that Sephora sells in its stores. Overall, it's a great book and if you are a makeup artist, you should definitely add it to your beauty book collection.

[Rakisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book for the make-up user beginner as it simply explains how to use products and tools. It also has excellent tips and suggestions from Sephora make-up artists and experts (usually the creators of their most popular make-up brands). The product suggestions may be reputable but the fact their creators are quoted frequently in the book makes me a bit leery. It's a goregously, big, colorful book. A plus in any beauty/fashionista's library, but she probably won't learn anything new.

[Deborah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basically this book compiles hair and beauty tips (with really no obvious organization system). If you typically read fashion and beauty magazines, you'll already be familiar with the tips. If not, this book is a good starting point.

Be aware that about the entire second half is primarily the day in the life of makeup and hair artists, so not very useful but some people may be interested in this.

If you want a book that describes basic makeup application read The Five-Minute Face by Carmindy; very useful!

[Rhiannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite go-to beauty/make-up book. I learned so many tricks from the professionals who do high fashion run-way models to those of Victoria Secret cover girls. Some of my favorite tips are: use green to reduce redness, use purple for dark under eyes, make sure when applying mascara that you pull up and twist the brush to create a longer looking and full lash, and so many other fantastic tips! I don't know what I would have done these last couple of years if it wasn't for this book!

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh. This book didn't tell me anything that I can't find out through my subscriptions to Harper's Bazaar and In Style. Its primary purpose seemed to be to promote some of Sephora's more popular products. I'll give it this much, they mentioned several different skincare brands that caught my interest and I'll probably investigate them further. Yes, P.T. Barnum was right - I am definitely a sucker.

[Mallory · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. There are lots of style/fashion related quotes at the beginning which are a good read. If you like beauty products and makeup it is a great book to look through. It's three stars though, because I just don't trust beauty books sold by a beauty STORE. A woman needs 16 different type of makeup brushes, really?

[Desiree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Its perfect for an obsessing diet/beauty tip girl. Really. This book addresses famous people who have/had beauty insecurities and their own awesome tips. This book includes suggestions to beautify yourself through diet, make-up, and hair.

Great pictures and a feauture from my favorite Dr. Perricone. I loved it if you can't tell.

I need to buy it.

[Pia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This felt more like a book advertising makeup products, and definitely not an "ultimate guide." It was kind of cool to read about beauty insiders typical days, but this is more a book to browse in a bookstore when you are bored, not one to buy, and definitely not one to buy expecting to learn something new.

[Mackenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked how they told us exactly what products were used in each look but this is going to quickly be dated as new products come out and older ones are taken off the shelves. Enjoyed this book though, very helpful.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t find this one to be as informative or helpful as similar books such as Jemma Kidd Make-up Masterclass. It didn’t teach any techniques or how-to’s it was basically just a buying guide to Sephora.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

cheesy fun, but after awhile the obnoxiousnesses of it gets to you.

[MJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This drops names of cosmetics we'll probably never find in Athens, GA. Lots of high-end product information and beautifully made up models. Sigh.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is fun to look through, but it's really just a hard-cover ad for beauty products. I wouldn't suggest spending money on it or anything.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some lovely photos, but felt like an extended ad for Sephora products and other expensive high-end lines.

[Cam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good tips.

[Tara Betts]

Was pretty to look at, but it's like an extended ad for products available at Sephora. I like Bobbi Brown's books and Kevin Aucoin's "Making Faces" much better.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not much here, mostly advertisements for Sephora products.

[Gabrielle]

Great tips and looks and you get to know what items they used to create the looks too.

[Jacqi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought there would be real beauty advice in this book. Instead, it was a waste of space.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's basic and they don't go in depth enough for moderate to experienced people. Although, it would be a nice gift for young makeup users or anyone starting off.

[Stacey Harris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mostly advertisements for Sephora products.

[Ava · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books on makeup and skincare I have ever read.

[Nurshafiqa · Rating 3 out of 5]

gorgeous visuals, and the tips given were interesting enough.. though i feel like this is more of a catalogue promoting the brands you can find at Sephora than a handbook for beauty itself.

[Kisty Mea · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is more of a catalogue than a beauty guide. Pretty photos though, but don't bother buying.