Amazinger Face

by Zoë Foster Blake

Sometimes a lady just needs to know the most flattering lipstick for her skin tone, or how to correctly use sunscreen, or a very quick hairstyle to conceal her unwashed hair. And there's no reason she shouldn't know which foundation or mascara is best for her, either. All the answers are here, in this top-to-toe beauty extravaganza. Former Cosmopolitan and Harper's BAZAAR beauty director, and the founder of Go-To skin care, Zoë Foster (Blake) suggests makeup colours and brands for every occasion, useful, practical skin care routines and products for every age, and step-by-step instructions for winged eyeliner, arresting red lips, foolproof tanning, simple up-dos, sexy second-day hair, and much, much more . . .

Genres: Nonfiction

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 27, 2016

About the author

Zoë Foster Blake is an Australian author and the founder of Go-To skin care. Yes, she is writing this in third person.

Zoë writes mostly for young women, because she thinks they're wonderful and deserve nice books.

Zoë has published five fiction titles, THINGS WILL CALM DOWN SOON, AIR KISSES, PLAYING THE FIELD, THE YOUNGER MAN and THE WRONG GIRL (made into a network TV series in Australia).

Zoë has also written four non-fiction titles: a dating and relationship guide called TEXTBOOK ROMANCE, (written with Hamish Blake), AMAZINGER FACE, a compilation of beauty tips and tricks, BREAK-UP BOSS, (also an app) and LOVE!, essays from a decade spent writing relationship advice. She published CLEAN SLATE, an Audible Original about infidelity in a seemingly perfect marriage in 2020.

She also writes picture books: NO ONE LIKES A FART, which won the ABIA Children’s Picture Book of the Year in 2018 because farts are where it’s AT, BACK TO SLEEP, FART AND BURP ARE SUPERSTINKERS (titled NO ONE LIKES A BURP in the US), SCAREDY BATH, BATTLE MUM, HAPPY FARTER’S DAY, and BEST PRESENT EVER.

When she's not updating her goodreads bio she's writing her new novel, out Oct 2026.

Reviews

[Romany · Rating 1 out of 5]

Look, she's a cute writer. I just feel sad that she's teaching a lot of women to spend a lot of money on a whole heap of chemicals from a range of unethical companies (some of them worse than others). But she has a good blow drying technique. So read the book, learn the lessons, ignore the sales pitch, don't buy any of it.

[jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things I learnt from this book:
1. I have a cool skin tone.
2. I need to get my eyebrows fixed.
3. I should NEVER get a bob cut in fear of looking like Lord Farquad. (no hate to Farquad though, he's literally the best)

My one complaint is that everything in the book (I'm sure) costs an arm and leg. Us readers are too broke to buy makeup/skincare products.

However, as a young teen with no prior makeup experience, I did enjoy this book and learn from it!

[Amanzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the tips, the info, and the humour! I mean, is this book written for an average female / poor uni student / super time poor mum (for example)? Absolutely hecking not. All the super spenny recommendations for fillers, procedures, laser etc had me raising my eyebrows (as well as the very very few drugstore product recommendations). You can take those with a grain of salt though and still enjoy the book. I think I’m actually going to start moisturizing all the way to my chest now. PS. The kindle version of this book suuucks - the text is super tiny and you can’t zoom in very well! Would recommend getting the hardback copy if anything; it would make a great gift for anyone (or yourself)!

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's some really good information and helpful tips and tricks in this book, but 'could I find out most of this by doing my own research online?' I hear you ask. Probably. However, it is super handy to have it all already done for you in one volume by someone with loads of beauty knowledge and it is an absolutely beautiful book.

I can definitely see myself picking this up and flipping through it as needed, but I'm a massive fan of Zoe Foster Blake's skin care line and Zoe Foster Blake's sense of humour and just Zoe Foster Blake in general basically. So in saying that, unless you're also a fan of all of those things too you might want to try picking this up at the library instead of parting with your hard earned dollars to see if this is for you.

[Bridie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little book which would give the clueless a clue and give the more astute makeup/skincare enthusiast a few things they might not have heard before. Mingle the knowledge bombs with a dash of little gems like "eye poo" (the buildup that gathers in the corners of your eyes!) and "your hands do a lot of things...we perform spirit fingers with them when we're drunk which is embarrassing for them" and you've got yourself a hell of a book.

This reads like having a conversation with ZFB herself and motivates you to put in that bit more effort (and also to eat a cinnamon scroll, but that's neither here nor there.)

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this and will keep it on hand as a reference guide, I particularly liked the skin care information and have to give this book credit cause it's definitely changed my behaviour in that department - I now apply SPF30+ Invisible Zinc from my face down to the boobs (to quote the book) every day no matter what the weather and a bit on my hands too. I've also added a face oil to my nightime skin care routine and will be adding a face cream with antioxidants too. I wasn't as interested in the make up section, just because it's not my interest area compared to skin care but it's good to have a reference guide when I need to replace my products.

[Kate Cornfoot · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a bit of a disappointment (if, like me, you are not a member of the Cult of Beauty). I'm inching towards 40 and figured it was high-time I learned something useful (and BASIC and SUSTAINABLE) about maintaining healthy skin. Unless you are willing to go out and buy 10 000 different items (and obviously cashed-up to the eyeballs), this book will leave you feeling the way Cosmo magazine probably does - insecure and overwhelmed. Foster-Blake is a talented writer and her quips throughout were entertaining. But definitely not a book for the uninitiated.

[Cheriese · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have such a crush on Zoë Foster Blake and I personally like her wit and writing style - the main reason I picked this up was to find tips on a new skincare routine, and yes, it was quite helpful, I took lots of notes and have done more research into the brands and steps that she suggests but for real, who's got that kind of money to burn?? I get it, we're worth it, but I'm not sure I can buy into it.

Having said that, I'm headed to Mecca tomorrow...

[S · Rating 2 out of 5]

Amazinger face is amazingly useful with fantastic insider beauty tips. Zoë breaks down a few beauty myths and dispels some invaluable beauty advice, hair and makeup tips that have you perfect for any event or occasion. She's also inclusive with her suggestions for women of all skin tones and skin problems. And all this with a sprinkle of her well known and loved wit.

[Candace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. It's filled with useful tips, tricks and product suggestions for everybody. It's beautifully written and well presented; I'll be using this as my "go to" beauty book for sure.

[Kim Tee Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have NO IDEA about makeup and skin care and so a terrible basic job of it. Lots of handy tips in this book, most which I won't do cause I like the natural approach but a few I will incorporate. Lots of products mentioned but interesting to understand what is in the markets and what they do.

[MiMi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a great little book. Well written and a bit funny. Easy to understand and simple ideas.
It was a little overwhelming with all the information but I took the information I need at the time and have used it quite well, which I am pleased with.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come!

[CL · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the makeup tips and found some helpful. Lost stars because I didn't find the sideline jokes particularly funny, more annoying

[Lauren Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not too much different from the original 'Amazing Face' but still lots of great hints and tips to be reminded of.

[books.withjade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazinger Face is a fun and practical beauty guide full of tips and tricks for hair, makeup, skin, and nails. This book feels more like getting advice from a knowledgeable best friend rather than a dense book on skincare science.

If you’re after a beauty book that’s approachable and lighthearted, this is a good pick. This book has practical insights that are easy to implement, making it a useful resource. However, if you want a deeper scientific knowledge and explanation, especially in skincare, this might not be the most ideal choice. Especially when compared to The Science of Beauty by Dr. Michelle Wong, which is a far more insightful and science-driven book. Amazinger Face contains more accessible and everyday beauty tips rather than detailed dermatological breakdowns.

Overall, it’s a useful read, with straightforward beauty guidance without heavy technical jargon

[Haley Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learnt a lot reading this. A lot of stuff I feel like I should already know but nevertheless I found it helpful.

The humour was grating in parts. Silly jokes every second sentence was a bit tiring. And the product recommendations were completely unrealistic, I started ignoring them very early on in the book.

But still, lots of good tips and tricks. If I look particularly put together in future this is likely why.

[Sari James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally got to the end of this one!

I found some thing I knew in this but a lot of things I didn't know also!
Some great tips on sunscreen and more.
I have stuck sticky notes all through this book!
Definitely a great read for any woman.
There is also some great humour in this book to. Which was a lot of fun.

[Jodie Ansted · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book to find your skincare routine!

I picked up my copy in my late 40s in 2019, and found it really useful. It's well set out and gives loads of advice on skin care products and ingredients, for all ages and skin types.

It also covers makeup, which I'm not as in to, but also appreciated.

A true Beauty Bible!

[Lisa (Insta: serenity.of.books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the updated version of the original Amazing Face published in 2011 by well known author & Go-To skin care founder Zoe Foster Blake. It’s such a fun read filled with lots of practical tips based on Zoe’s experience.

[Josephine Gleeson]

Fabulous book. A great pick-up, flick through and pop back. Full of tips and tricks all packaged in Zoe's trademark wit.

[Charli Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super useful how to and tips and tricks for your average gal, loved it!