Makeup Makeovers in 5, 10, 15, and 20 Minutes: Expert Secrets for Stunning Transformations

It's a terrific book on makeup. I think it's the best one out there. Unlike his other books, this one is very instructional and lacks any fluff or fillers. Everything in this book is useful.I wish I had this when I was in high school. It not only gives very detail instruction on how to achieve beautiful yet natural looking makeup, but what colors to use based on skin color and tone. You can visually see what he is talking about and you don't need too many items to do the looks.The only thing that some may think is misleading is the timing. The time starts after you have primed and put on concealer and foundation. Beyond that, everything else is pretty accurate.He has the videos that go to the looks on his website. I just wish he would attach the video of the last girl to this book. Then it would be down right perfect.Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others.Updated 11/23/2018After a two year makeup hiatus, this book is the first thing I've looked at since returning to the world of makeup. So many trends have come and gone since then, but Robert's techniques are timeless. This book is filled with look-good for-all-occasions makeup techniques. This book is not for makeup artists although it would be nice to have in their arsenal. This book is for someone wanting to do their own makeup and have EVERYDAY makeup looks. If you want to look pretty, polished and put-together, this book is for you. If you are tired of being a makeup junkie and trend-monger, this too is for you.Ultimately, there are not that many looks in this book. It just shows ways to create a few basic looks and then take them up a notch or two. He shows each of these looks on various skin-tones and face/eye shapes. In the very end, he even shows how to layer on top of a basic style to make it look more defined and then turns it into a night look. The book is gear towards eye looks, basic blush and bronzer application and lips.Robert even goes the extra mile by stating and showing the colors he uses on each model. There is no need to know a particular brand. Just find a color. He even states how to figure out what colors you need. I know it seems too simplistic at times to be true, but his technique works.With the exception of his bright colored eye looks, you don't need many eyeshadows. All you need is a matte highlight, a shimmery highlight, a cream to powder highlight, a matte midtone, a matte contour, a shimmery contour and black eyeshadow. With these seven custom colors (as in find the ones that go well with your skin tone) you can create various intensities of eye looks. The face products are even more streamlined. Based on your skin tone, you would need 1 to 2 blushes in two different finishes/formulas and one bronzer.I would say, with Robert's technique you should just invest in a z palette. Pick your basic colors to fill your palette and plan on creating pretty everyday makeup looks. This book is what I ultimately wanted Bobbi Brown's books to be like. I personally think that this book would be mother of a teenage daughter approved. Makeup newbies, luxe minimalists, people into capsule wardrobe/seasonal color analysis/kibbe style would find great value in this book.

I bought this book on impulse soley because I loved the makeup look of the far left face, and I'm glad I did. I was looking for a new, fresh look after growing in my grey hair. I wanted a look that was pretty, professional, approachable, and easy to apply.At first, the Kindle addition of this book made this whole application process seem daunting and expensive. Mr. Jones seems to require so many brushes and makeup colors. But here's the thing: If you're like me, over the years you've acquired makeup colors you've never used as part of a "gift with purchase" and brushes of varying quality. I got a hold of all of my brushes, thoroughly cleaned them with baby shampoo, matched up their shapes with the approximate shapes outlined in the book and labeled them with first aid tape using the numbering system in the book. I then realized I was only missing one brush to complete the first look that I wanted to try. I bought a cheap Elf brush, figuring I could upgrade it later if I really liked the look, and I substituted Q-tips for the eye blending brush.I didn't realize that there are actually many looks for each of the 5, 10, 15, and 20 minute looks. Mr. Jones uses many beautiful models with different skin tones, face shapes and ethnicities, but all of them seemed to be at least 20 years younger than me. But it really didn't seem to matter since the. Application was the same, with the exception of the usual asides about sparkly makeup not being flattering to older women.I wasn't quite sure which 5 minute look to try first, but decided on the "color wash" look because the model had similar skin and coloring to me even though she was decades younger. I ended up LOVING the look and have received many complements. It looks fresh and pretty (not Stepford-wifey or Real-Housewives-ofy) and very easy to do even with my far sightedness. I also tried the "Sun bleached" look which was o.k., but not nearly as flattering for me.Although he uses models with a variety of face shapes and facial features, Mr. James does not seem to give them much consideration when applying makeup. In other words, he doesn't go into such things as camoflauging hooded eyes, or deep set eyes, or too close together eyes etc. Which in a way is sort of refreshing. It is as if the models end up looking like the best versions of themselves while still being themselves. After all many people find what makes you different, to be what makes you pretty if not beautiful.He does, however, have a section I skipped on using contouring. It seems as if he mainly uses it to make your face appear slimmer. I have always thought my face was too slim and I think People with gorgeous round and square faces should be themselves. Plenty of people find those faces to be attractive.Yes, I am recommending this book after only trying two looks, but one of the looks was so perfect for me that I can heartily recommend it.

It is a great book if you are just starting out with makeup: full of step by step pictures and basic advice. But if you are at intermediate/advanced level skip this and buy Rae Morris and Nars. The looks contained in this book are very basic and also the advice is very basic. It is not a bad book at all but I did not see anything new and I have returned it. The good point is that there are a couple of women of colour, an asian woman and a latina: not only caucasian. This is useful as it adds variety for people with different skintones. The pictures look a little bit clinical (not as good as Nars and rae Morris). Good present for a teenager or someone that wants to learn how to apply make up and does not know where to start.

Seems to cover from basic to more advanced regimes.

Lovely book full of really great ideas. Times are a bit misleading though. They are only for the eyes and don't include the full face. Still good though.

Nothing new but it was only the price of a magazine so good value fo money and some good reminders of how to apply make up

Thank you