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Makeup is Not (Just) Magic: A Manga Guide to Cosmetics and Skin Care
An easy-breezy makeup tutorial in manga form! For anyone intimidated by the world of makeup, you’re in luck--a former beauty consultant turned comic artist is here to walk you through it. Join the author as she breaks down the fundamentals of cosmetics and skin care, guided by common questions from her online followers! Learn the basics and develop your own signature style! The perfect illustrated how-to book for fans of makeup tutorials online.
136 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2020
27 people are currently reading
280 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
May 27, 2020
"I love makeup more than I love food"
"Makeup isn't just magic It takes time,money and discipline to master "
Makeup its something that I am very passionate about so thank you so much to edelweiss and Macmillan for this Arc in exchange for an honest review.
In this manga Ikumi Rotta introduces us to Rokka Narumi, a beauty consultant who posts beauty tips on social media
For someone like me who spends hours watching makeup and skin care videos on YouTube, I learned new techniques and methods to apply different products that I didn't know until now.
If you are someone who wants to learn basic makeup and skin care, you will love this Manga.
"Makeup isn't just magic It takes time,money and discipline to master "
Makeup its something that I am very passionate about so thank you so much to edelweiss and Macmillan for this Arc in exchange for an honest review.
In this manga Ikumi Rotta introduces us to Rokka Narumi, a beauty consultant who posts beauty tips on social media
For someone like me who spends hours watching makeup and skin care videos on YouTube, I learned new techniques and methods to apply different products that I didn't know until now.
If you are someone who wants to learn basic makeup and skin care, you will love this Manga.
July 17, 2022
2/5 Stars
A decent manga that goes over the basics of cosmetics and skincare. However, I really feel like this is:
1. Propaganda for the beauty industry because the mangaka INSISTS on the reader buying a plethora of products in order to have great, "youthful" skin when and when not wearing makeup.
2. Treats makeup as a cure-all for self-love. In the beginning, the mangaka makes it explicitly clear that the only reason she has confidence in her appearance now is because of makeup. As I'm almost positive the vast amount of Japanese men do NOT wear makeup (as well as the vast majority of men around the world), this is an incredibly gendered experience and plays into the notion that women can only be beautiful (or even PRESENTABLE) through the use of cosmetics.
3. It's subtle, but there is definitely ageism laced throughout the manga. I know so many people are afraid of getting old and showing signs of age, and maybe this was a bad idea to read this alongside a James Baldwin book, but aging is NATURAL and should be treated as such. Yes, there are things you can do to prevent skin from sagging too much as you age, but wrinkles WILL eventually happen. My advice is to embrace your age and everything that comes with it. When you're confident in how you look and who you are, THAT'S when people take notice.
4. The mangaka treats freckles like blemishes and I'm sorry, that's blasphemy. Freckles are cute and fun and women should be able to embrace them. My mother is one of the most beautiful women on the planet and her whole body was covered in freckles and you know what? It just made her MORE beautiful.
Safe to say this manga was probably not for me. I have a very basic skincare/makeup routine and it's never stirred me wrong. Maybe I can thank good genetics, but I also don't feel like women have to spend hundreds of dollars every year to get great skin or to feel pretty. The mangaka did go over each product and technique in detail though, so for people who are looking to get into makeup, this could be a very useful guide. Hell, I MIGHT actually end up buying a facial toner, which I'm pretty sure was all the beauty industry wanted from this book: profit.
A decent manga that goes over the basics of cosmetics and skincare. However, I really feel like this is:
1. Propaganda for the beauty industry because the mangaka INSISTS on the reader buying a plethora of products in order to have great, "youthful" skin when and when not wearing makeup.
2. Treats makeup as a cure-all for self-love. In the beginning, the mangaka makes it explicitly clear that the only reason she has confidence in her appearance now is because of makeup. As I'm almost positive the vast amount of Japanese men do NOT wear makeup (as well as the vast majority of men around the world), this is an incredibly gendered experience and plays into the notion that women can only be beautiful (or even PRESENTABLE) through the use of cosmetics.
3. It's subtle, but there is definitely ageism laced throughout the manga. I know so many people are afraid of getting old and showing signs of age, and maybe this was a bad idea to read this alongside a James Baldwin book, but aging is NATURAL and should be treated as such. Yes, there are things you can do to prevent skin from sagging too much as you age, but wrinkles WILL eventually happen. My advice is to embrace your age and everything that comes with it. When you're confident in how you look and who you are, THAT'S when people take notice.
4. The mangaka treats freckles like blemishes and I'm sorry, that's blasphemy. Freckles are cute and fun and women should be able to embrace them. My mother is one of the most beautiful women on the planet and her whole body was covered in freckles and you know what? It just made her MORE beautiful.
Safe to say this manga was probably not for me. I have a very basic skincare/makeup routine and it's never stirred me wrong. Maybe I can thank good genetics, but I also don't feel like women have to spend hundreds of dollars every year to get great skin or to feel pretty. The mangaka did go over each product and technique in detail though, so for people who are looking to get into makeup, this could be a very useful guide. Hell, I MIGHT actually end up buying a facial toner, which I'm pretty sure was all the beauty industry wanted from this book: profit.
February 22, 2021
Informative but I had some issue with the way in which makeup was portrayed as a "need" rather than something fun for one's existence as a successful member in society.
November 7, 2020
I haven't read a lot of informational guides in this style before but did enjoy this a lot more than some other books on makeup and skincare just because Manga leans itself to visuals. This is a helpful and fun basic guide to makeup, skin-care and even has a small section on how to properly cleanse your skin in the morning and night.
It definitely leans to the Japanese audience it was originally written for - the artist and writer Ikumi Rotta was also a professional beauty consultant in Japan so has a history of primarily working on Japanese clientele personally as well - and as such there are references to monolids, a need for light and natural makeup as the "best" makeup and some products shown are more popular there than in the West that this English translation will be marketed towards. However, there is an explanation for things which will be altogether impossible to buy in other countries because of ingredients and none of the kings of products brought up are altogehter unheard of here.
This book is meant to be used as a starting point and used in tandem with a google search or a trawl through some beauty magazines and if it's used in that way I see this as a very good product. I look forward to the Technique book she has written following this one also being translated.
It definitely leans to the Japanese audience it was originally written for - the artist and writer Ikumi Rotta was also a professional beauty consultant in Japan so has a history of primarily working on Japanese clientele personally as well - and as such there are references to monolids, a need for light and natural makeup as the "best" makeup and some products shown are more popular there than in the West that this English translation will be marketed towards. However, there is an explanation for things which will be altogether impossible to buy in other countries because of ingredients and none of the kings of products brought up are altogehter unheard of here.
This book is meant to be used as a starting point and used in tandem with a google search or a trawl through some beauty magazines and if it's used in that way I see this as a very good product. I look forward to the Technique book she has written following this one also being translated.
July 27, 2020
This is a really great visual guide to some beginner (and even intermediate and advanced) make-up tips! There are great explanations of different types of make-up, like liquid vs cream vs powder foundation and why you might use each of them. The section on identifying your skin type was super helpful and explained in a way I'd never heard it before. The illustrations are cute and lovely, and also really help to demonstrate the various techniques. I might need a physical copy of this book to keep near my make-up just to use from time to time as a refresher on a few things!!
A digital ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss+ for review. All opinions are unbiased and my own.
Like this review?
Check out more of my reviews on my blog, Elley the Book Otter
A digital ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss+ for review. All opinions are unbiased and my own.
Like this review?
Check out more of my reviews on my blog, Elley the Book Otter
September 28, 2022
I mostly skimmed this, as it was more a thing I randomly picked up at the library and was curious about than a book I planned to read for makeup tips. It's a bit too cute for me, but that's how it's advertised, so no surprise there. The friendly upbeat tone might appeal to some younger folks who are nervous about trying makeup, though. I am more of a kinesthetic learner so seeing a demo is better for me than seeing it illustrated.
Mostly what this made me want to do was see what other books there are about makeup out there, especially those that take into account issues related to race and the cost of makeup.
Mostly what this made me want to do was see what other books there are about makeup out there, especially those that take into account issues related to race and the cost of makeup.
September 30, 2020
2020 Read #605
3.5 stars
I would definitely recommend this to young women (preteen to young adult) who are looking to up their make-up game! This was a very cute guide for make-up tips and practices.
3.5 stars
I would definitely recommend this to young women (preteen to young adult) who are looking to up their make-up game! This was a very cute guide for make-up tips and practices.
May 9, 2024
genuinely helpful :)
August 19, 2024
Cutesy manga and I could learn a lot of stuff. It was fun to read as well!
October 30, 2024
3.5
I have never really messed with skincare or makeup much in my life. I have always thought makeup look fun, but I never saw it as a need. I became interested in skincare recently as I have been working on my self care. In turn I became interested in trying out makeup for fun.
Let me get what I didn't like out of the way: This book does teeter into the territory of "makeup is necessary", which is what stopped from interacting with personal care at all for the longest time. I think makeup should be about things like fun, personal style, enhancing your favorite features, and the like. I don't like being told that I have to wear makeup or else I won't be pretty, fit in, or be "professional". I feel like a lot of the messages this book fell into the latter territory.
However, I did find the actual information itself to be helpful and took away a lot of the mystery I was feeling when trying to figure out what products to get and how to use them. Some of the explanations felt a little confusing in manga form so I had to look up additional pictures/videos, but for the most part I felt a bit more confident in my makeup and skincare after reading this. It some super indepth resource, and you are still going to probably want to learn more about makeup application. That being said, I do think this was a fun little book and gave me a solid foundation to start on.
I have never really messed with skincare or makeup much in my life. I have always thought makeup look fun, but I never saw it as a need. I became interested in skincare recently as I have been working on my self care. In turn I became interested in trying out makeup for fun.
Let me get what I didn't like out of the way: This book does teeter into the territory of "makeup is necessary", which is what stopped from interacting with personal care at all for the longest time. I think makeup should be about things like fun, personal style, enhancing your favorite features, and the like. I don't like being told that I have to wear makeup or else I won't be pretty, fit in, or be "professional". I feel like a lot of the messages this book fell into the latter territory.
However, I did find the actual information itself to be helpful and took away a lot of the mystery I was feeling when trying to figure out what products to get and how to use them. Some of the explanations felt a little confusing in manga form so I had to look up additional pictures/videos, but for the most part I felt a bit more confident in my makeup and skincare after reading this. It some super indepth resource, and you are still going to probably want to learn more about makeup application. That being said, I do think this was a fun little book and gave me a solid foundation to start on.
September 23, 2025
I thought it was a very fun and girly manga with good tips for beginners with makeup. Geared towards the more natural Japanese makeup style ( think Seventeen and Nan-no, and less ageha/Vivi ). Some from different cultures may not understand all the references in skincare and certain advice but please remember every culture is different and every country sells different products. This fit Japanese cosmetic culture to a T, down to reference to cosme and the typical life in the department stores, fude brushes.. I even learned one tip I hadn’t thought of in here, as a very senior and experienced individual in makeup, and in Japanese cosmetics as well. There were fun cosmetic drawing notions towards some recognizable shapes such as Dior, YSL, Suqqu, canmake, etc - really did bring me joy, even if I already knew a lot of it. It is a good reminder that even some adults never really had time, interest or money to get into this hobby, and that we all need somewhere to start from!
January 1, 2025
This book is such a hidden gem! As someone who doesn't know much about makeup (and some skincare things), I often found myself surprised by all the new things I discovered from this book. The visuals, as well as the explanations, make it easy to understand and easy to go back to (as the chapters are sections off based on your needs). Now that I've read this book, I can make more informed decisions of what I should purchase skincare wise and makeup wise if I feel the need to purchase. My only critique is that I think I agree with others when they say that at the beginning, it seemed as makeup was being shown as a way to hide insecurities pr something of that sort which could discourage others a little, other than that great book!
July 31, 2022
A very quick read and informative for someone like me who doesn't know anything technical about makeup. It does feel a little like it adds to pressure for women to wear makeup but ,then again, I did pick it up. There are some areas where I felt the pressure but there were also areas where it felt like the author was wanting to help the reader find more self confidence by using makeup as a tool. I would read this again for the basics of skincare/makeup technique and would recommend to young ones in my life that show interest in makeup though of course no one should feel like they have to wear makeup!
January 17, 2024
i learned how to finally curl my lashes correctly (and they looked so, so, much better and no longer painful) thanks to this book and that i don't need a heated eyelash curler.
i also learned that i don't need to buy an expensive oil cleanser since i don't wear heavy makeup and i would be better suited to using a gentle cleanser based on my skintype / lip + eye makeup remover instead. i'm really excited to finally get better at using eye makeup thanks to this book.
it's a great start for complete beginners to makeup and skincare as the author was previously a beauty consultant and is vast in her knowledge on the topic.
i also learned that i don't need to buy an expensive oil cleanser since i don't wear heavy makeup and i would be better suited to using a gentle cleanser based on my skintype / lip + eye makeup remover instead. i'm really excited to finally get better at using eye makeup thanks to this book.
it's a great start for complete beginners to makeup and skincare as the author was previously a beauty consultant and is vast in her knowledge on the topic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2021
I stuck a young adult tag on here but it's equally helpful no matter your age. I think this is a pretty good primer (no pun intended) for someone who doesn't know anything about makeup. The one frustrating thing is that in many cases, there are soooo many product types and choices and the advice on what to choose is usually "it depends on what you want to do." She does try to give some basic recommendations for people just starting out.
I hardly even wear makeup, but at least I feel like I know a little more about it now.
I hardly even wear makeup, but at least I feel like I know a little more about it now.
October 19, 2020
My daughter loves manga and has been asking about makeup, so this manga came along at just the right time. This is a simple, basic guide for makeup beginners which is very easy to understand. Now we’re armed with our weekend shopping list. We’ll start with establishing face cleaning habits before moving to base makeup practice. I’m sure there’s nothing like daddy and daughter makeup time (though I still have more hair braiding skills to work on).
January 16, 2021
Cute art & helpful tipps. Maybe nothing new if you're a makeup addict but still an enjoyable read. If you're a makeup newbie, this might encourage you to get started.
I know it's about makeup but when touching the subject of skincare, the author could have emphasised on the importance of a strong routine, e.g. foundation with SPF is NOT a substitute for sunscreen.
I know it's about makeup but when touching the subject of skincare, the author could have emphasised on the importance of a strong routine, e.g. foundation with SPF is NOT a substitute for sunscreen.
March 17, 2021
I LIKED IT. Very cute book. This is perfect if you know nothing about makeup. I think people with experience would find this boring as it covers the basics for pretty much about everything. I myself have only been doing makeup for less than a year so I felt this was perfect for me. I'm going to look for more self-help mangas.
January 6, 2024
I bought this because it was recommended in the same branch of Manga I read. It’s really cute and really informative on different types of make up and how to figure stuff out regarding skincare.
Definitely would recommend to people who are just getting into Makeup, regardless of it being for “normal” wear or “cosplay” wear.
Definitely would recommend to people who are just getting into Makeup, regardless of it being for “normal” wear or “cosplay” wear.
December 25, 2020
Cute & helpful! I wound up giving copies as gifts to my teenage niece and my sister-in-law so we can all try out Rotta's makeup tips & looks. For once it kind of pays to be a noob when the benefit is everyone gets to enjoy experimenting and learning together! :)
July 8, 2024
Really cute little book with some helpful tips! I’m really loving the trend of semi-autobiographical fashion/beauty manga (‘Embrace Your Size’ being another recent example). There’s just something very uplifting and comforting about these little works.
Want to read
June 6, 2020Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
September 20, 2020
The art is adorable in this manga. The information is solid, and great for beginners. This autobiographical manga was a sweet look at a passion of a mangaka for something they love.
October 20, 2020
How do you come up with a new way to write a make-up how-to book? Make it manga! It is interesting way to teach facial cosmetics.
December 11, 2020
A really helpful and fun read!
July 1, 2021
Comprehensive and easily-understandable, this is a fun graphic instructional for all ages!
August 30, 2021
Really good for beginners and for everyone who loves makeup and skincare.
May 21, 2023
I read Makeup Is Not (just) Magic and loved it. Learned a lot of useful makeup and skincare tips. Will definitely be using them.
July 3, 2023
Read this a few weeks ago forgot to mark as read
September 14, 2023
😊 nice, está lindo y es perfecto para quien no sabe nada de maquillaje 💄, tiene buenos tips y lindo arte del manga
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews