Timeless

by Louise Young, Lou Sheppard

The 1920s faux bob. The 1940s victory rolls and classic red lip. The sixties beehive and the eighties smokey eye. The list of iconic beauty looks from the last century is almost endless. Now, with this book, you can recreate these classic looks at home.

Acclaimed make-up professional Louise Young and leading hairstylist Lou Sheppard bring together their favourite beauty looks of the 20th century to create the ultimate guide to vintage hair and make-up. Arranged by decade and containing beautiful photographs and easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions, this book shows you how the looks are created, and how they still influence current fashions today. This is a must-have for all aspiring make-up artists and hair stylists, or anyone who wants an easy way to achieve a classic look.

Genres: Nonfiction, Fashion, History, Reference

256 pages, Hardcover

Published October 3, 2017

Reviews

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

History is a bit iffy, but the makeup instructions and the diagrams for how layout your hair rollers to get the styles are good, and easy to follow if you know hair and makeup already. I’m going to try a hot set with the layout for the Grace Kelley look when I get a chance.

Black women don’t get any coverage before 1970 (when the Afro is introduced), which is awful in a book from 2017, and frankly doesn’t make sense. Don’t act like Josephine Baker didn’t have one of the most iconic looks of the 1920s. Maybe they didn’t want to get into the issues of most of the Black American hair styles pre 1970 being relaxed hair, but that’s what made the Afro iconic and revolutionary!

[Stephanie Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the idea of this book, but it could’ve been done better. I feel like it’s a make up artist book that just has a few hair tips. But if they really wanted to do more period hair they would’ve talked about the haircut for each period. The Middy haircut was very popular in the 40s and to achieve some of the styles they have in the book it would’ve been easier to have that haircut. I like the book for the most part but I think I need a 1940’s era hair book which are very hard to find anymore.

[Savannah Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m conflicted on a star rating here. Let’s say 3.7.

There is for sure some really fantastic information here. The swatches and photos of historical makeup were my favorite. I think the makeup took a lot of artist influence and I wouldn’t say is the most accurate. The artist is fantastic but the brand of lashes they’d use in the images were odd and drew away from it. Which sounds nit-picky but in a book were we are digging into fashion since passed with tutorial pieces, it just looks off.
The hair tutorials are overall pretty simplistic, to the point and easy to follow. Some do seem to jump steps a bit, leaving the reader a bit lost as to how we got to this point.
I also would have preferred some more diversity, there are two or three very small pieces in the book with POC. I read a lot of historical beauty books and something they all lack is diversity. I am a bit bored of the more white normative looks. I think this is a huge market in text that could be tapped into. If you have suggestions, I’d love them.
Overall glad I purchased and will be looking at some pieces for reference in future “history bounding” and for women’s history reference(in school for women and gender studies).

[Lemonstings · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved being able to use the visual information. It was great for a 12 year old girl. Though I do wish they added details about how history affected makeup. I think It make it more interesting with maybe some historic propaganda and some famous people. Now that I'm almost 14, I have to say I still need pictures to better understand things. It's still a fun book to use. Though I wish it did have more things for poc. I think trying out these hair styles with textures/curly hair would be hard.

[Vivian Wiltshire · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book with lovely photos of different looks during the last century. It was a fun book and glad I read thru it. I gave this book 3.5 out of 5 stars!

[Black Tea Lady ☕️📚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Qué maravilla! Este libro incluye el peinado más famoso de la Belle Epoqué - Gibson Girl/ Edwardian hairstyle. Siempre he querido saber cómo se hace, ya que conservo una foto de mi tatarabuela con este magnífico look. Este libro incluye los peinados de Ginger Rogers, Lauren Bacall, Rita Hayworth, Judy Garland, Betty Grable, Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, Sophia Loren, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn y Farrah Fawcett. No solo incluye cómo lograr el peinado sino también incluye el maquillaje paso a paso. Una magnífica adquisición.

[Jaine & Co · Rating 4 out of 5]

Louise Young est une maquilleuse professionnelle qui travaille sur les plateaux de cinéma hollywoodiens depuis des années. Accompagnée de Loulia Sheppard, coiffeuse renommée à Hollywood, elle nous partage sa passion pour l’Histoire, le cinéma et le maquillage. Un livre riche et instructif qui nous a beaucoup plu !

Pour lire la suite de notre critique c'est par ici !

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! Typically, with a book like this, I will ‘read’ the parts I’m interested in, enjoy the photos & that’s about it. I read this book cover to cover! Straightforward & not overdone. However, great information and beautiful photos. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!♥️ As a stylist I plan on recreating a lot of these styles on any willing client! Wonderful book, I’m so happy I purchased it instead of borrowing.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative and entertaining. Not that I would try these styles daily, I enjoyed the thought of dressing up my tresses for family gatherings or formal events.

Note: I picked up this book to learn more about hairstyles, not makeup.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very detailed instructions with lots of illustrations and photos. The hair-challenged (me) are appreciative. I really enjoyed the background on historical techniques and products. Starts with turn-of-the-century and covers up thru the 70s (emphasis on 40s & 50s) if memory serves.

[Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

This book is absolutely brilliant and informative in the way to get the styles of makeup and hair for the last 100 years. I loved it and will be keeping it on my phone to help me get ideas

[Debra Schoenberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding makeup and hair guide for period costuming.

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

inspirational and educational at the same time

[Heather Key · Rating 2 out of 5]

Would have love to see more color pictures and hair techniques

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Great step by step guide for re-creating iconic time period looks in hair and makeup. I love the included original photographs that each look inspired.

[Noys · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent... but not great. Author states in the introduction that lots of materials make the mistake of using too much of contemporary aesthetics as well as ret-conning looks according to common yet incorrect stereotypes... But still does exactly that herself.

Blush is on all looks applied very similarly to modern blush with only small adjustments towards the era's style.

No mention that a large number of women did not at all follow the eyebrow plucking trend in the 20s, and don't get me started on 40s and 50s - author falls down the stereotype stairs hard.

Yes, they mention that eyeliner was used only occasionally in the 40s and very subtly, but every single look features noticeable or strong eyeliner and falsies - eye makeup for 40s is on most looks stronger than it would have been, and often clearly stronger than on the inspiration images. It's sad because 40s is my favorite era with the subtle gentle eyes, strong lips, and natural yet emphasized brows - unique and distinctive, not 50s-lite.

50s... The most popular lipstick shade of the decade was pink, but every single look has red lips. The Marilyn Monroe "look" is miserably executed. I hope the author watches Lisa Eldridge's Marilyn video and learns a few things.

Otherwise decently researched if still a bit edited for the modern eye.

[Susannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a comprehensive pictorial guide to makeup and hairstyles from the twentieth century. The authors, Young and Sheppard, are professional makeup and hairstylists respectively. The main eras focused on are the 20s - 80s, with the most emphasis on the 1940s. An overview of the makeup used at the time, as well as how it would have been applied, is included for each decade. I had no idea how long some makeup brands had been around, such as Maybelline. Reference images of stars of each error are included, and there are step by step instructions on how to replicate the makeup and hairstyle of each reference image. For added authenticity, all the models are dressed in vintage clothing from the era they are representing.
I really liked this book. I think it would be a great reference for anyone looking to replicate period looks. My only criticism is that I think more looks could have been included for the 80s and 90s.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This caught my eye as I perused the "new book" shelves at the public library. Young goes beyond showing us the timeless styles for hair and makeup. She provides pictorials and sketches of step by step methods for developing your own vintage hair and makeup. It was also interesting to view the various beauty supply products from each decade as well as the color palates that defined the years. A few snapshots of the Hollywood beauties are included with the caveat that housewives and working girls used the same products and techniques with not always the same results. I most enjoyed the memories of my mother preparing for a special evening out as I thumbed through the fifties.

[Gina G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant book with lovely images in it. Definitely inspired me to try some of the vintage make up/ hair looks.

[Tatiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent reference and instruction book with beautiful illustrations and how-to-dos. Highly recommend if you need to recreate a certain era look.