Mirror Mirror: Confessions of a Celebrity Makeup Artist

by Trista Jordan

Mirror Mirror, Confessions of a Celebrity Makeup Artist is the timely story of a single mom in Hollywood leading up to-and during-the #MeToo movement. Trista uses humor, grit, and her makeup brush to rise to the top...and deal with the high-pressure demands that whipsaw her between drama, deadlines, and disasters while working with some of the most colorful characters on the planet.

Genres: Nonfiction

200 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2019

About the author

At an early age she began a diary of her crazy life and continued writing as a college dropout and a single mama with two babies and no family to lean on or money for daycare. When she landed a job in entertainment she was grateful every day was Bring Your Daughters to Work Day and continued to journal her wild career moments behind the scenes of her Hollywood movie escapades.
She has contributed her makeup expertise to 50 feature films, staged events, television and music videos, most notably the Macklemore hit "Downtown" watched over 144 million times on YouTube. Trista is the lover of all things Hollywood, glamor, and family, with a fetish for cooking shows.

Reviews

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sorry, I just was not at all a fan of this book. It read like one long, badly written journal entry from a 1980's middle schooler who was trying to impress you. The name dropping was bad enough, but she just bashes some celebrities and is really off-putting about others. I was really bothered by the way she wrote about an interaction with a famous black actor and how she depicted him. In other cases she seemed too gleeful to gossip, like the way she wrote about Amber Heard and relayed gossip she heard about her dating a woman and her legal trouble (believe me, I'm not a fan of Ms. Heard, but this just felt slimy). She tried to be really cute with words like "wasband" (no longer a husband) in gossiping about other celebrities. It just all left a bad taste in my mouth. Her writing is not high quality and the book really would have benefited from a good editor. The makeup tips at the end are the standard type you've read in a million magazines from decades ago. I made myself finish this book because I committed to reading it for review, but otherwise I would have stopped early on. Sorry, just not for me.

I read a digital ARC of this book via NetGalley.

[Kim Hornsby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading Ms. Jordan's book about being a celebrity makeup artist. Why do we love stories of behind the scene bullies? Jordan has plenty of fun anecdotes about her life of travel, makeup and catering to divas and brings her vulnerability to the page to have us rooting for the makeup lady at all costs.
The book was a fast fun read and it reminded me of the days I'd buy movie magazines for sheer decadent pleasure.

I was given an advanced copy for an honest review.

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Mirror Mirror" is a memoir of a successful makeup artist in the entertainment industry.

What's good: The book is very readable; it moves along quickly. The stories are interesting, and the artist's tips for handling bad behavior are quite useful outside of a makeup artist's chair! I loved that the author showed the range of work she has had as a makeup artist, from movie sets to political ads to even dealing with mannequins and animals.

What's iffier: I'm not keen on the name-dropping of a specific skincare line with the author currently has her own cosmetics brand. It read a bit as an ad (for the skincare), although I suppose it does make sense she'd work with a company she admired. This could just be me side-eyeing the book with the knowledge she now has a cosmetics brand with them.

I also wasn't thrilled with the MLM-like discussion of essential oils. What she's doing is harmless at worst--talking about using lavender to relax people, for example. No big deal there. That said, every time an oil was referred to as having immune-related properties, I, as someone with an immune system disorder, ground my teeth. Just list off the benefits that seem more self-evident, please, and not the inflated MLM-type claims. (To be clear: She's not selling the reader on her oils--I don't mean to accuse her of that at all. I just dislike the repetition of claims that are extremely dodgy.)

Finally, I don't know if this is a valid complaint or not, but I feel I need to say it. The artwork is very much either inspired by, or an absolute copy of, the Stila girls. The stars artwork is *extremely* similar to Stila products; the cover makeup artist feels strongly like an image I've seen on a Stila product. I actually went looking for it, but haven't found anything, just this girl's "sister" on a Stila Day to Night talking palette, as well as some of the stars around her brush. (There are differences, but the comparison is similar enough that I felt like I wasn't crazy for immediately feeling like I'd seen that girl before.) I found this particular image (the cover girl) also on some generic Arabic-language beauty sites, but I can't tell if they lifted it from "Mirror Mirror" or if the reverse happened. Why is this an issue for me? I've tried to find some reference to who did the cover art and I haven't found any credit for it. If someone was hired to do a Stila girl (as a wink and a nod to the makeup industry), they should get credit. If this is a modification of an actual Stila design, I would like to see some credit there, too. (At least a reference to Stila in the text!) The Stila girls are iconic in makeup packaging history, so I'm surprised I didn't see any kind of acknowledgement of the artwork's connection to Stila anywhere in the text.

This unbiased review is based on a copy granted me by Netgalley.

[Connie Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading books that tell stories of how people get where they are. Memoirs and Biographies are some of my favorite things to read. This book made me laugh. I had no idea how many hats a make up artist has to fill. They can be counselers, therapists, make up artists, and so much more. She sheds a light on how Hollywood can be. She gives the good, the bad and the ugly. I love the stories she tells. I would love to sit and have a drink with her.

Thank you to Mascot Books for allowing me to read this book. all thoughts are my own.

[Gail O'Connor · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sure everyone will love this book. I felt it was a little too loose and I felt it needed to be tightened. Much of it just couldn't hold my interest.

[Rick Boal]

I have worked as an actor in Hollywood and on some shoots with Trista in Spokane, WA. In fact, I bought the book from her at her first signing and I read it all in a four-hour airline trip (remember those?). It moves at a brisk pace, moving forward and back in time throughout, as Trista highlights events in her life as a stylist and makeup artist. I worked on many sets in Hollywood in the 80's and 90's and her stories, displaying the love and lunacy, her devotion to craft and so many deviants taking advantage of "the little people", the pressures that are heightened even more by asshole producers and actors, all ring true. I laughed at the absurdities and was touched by the losses she experienced.

[Estherelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

A book centred around the gossip of Hollywood's film sets from the view of a makeup artist.
I'm still not sure if there was a narrative thread, it felt mostly like a compilation of anecdotes, some of them quick and fun to read, others dragged and couldn't relay hold my attention. Sadly some parts felt a more like advertising for skincare product than anything else.

[Mary Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jordan’s Coat of Many Colors!
Trista Jordan’s clever and adventurous spirit comes out in true colors with an incredible rendition of the life of a makeup artist. Who would have known this life exists?
Her ability to categorize Mirror Mirror in chapters of self character roles, fashion an interesting playbook of life travels with directors, actors, support (or lack thereof), friendships, locations, animal (people) behaviors, potions/tools of the trade, and above all personal honesty.
Let Jordan take you behind the scenes to “what really goes on behind the scenes”! Every time I watch a movie now, I will consider more than just the plot and role of the actor. A beautiful actor obviously has nature in their favor but when things can and do go south before a shoot, the hand of a skilled and talented makeup artist can be the one that makes the final scene come to life. A single movie scene set in a blizzard at the top of a mountain doesn’t just magically get shot in the 60 seconds of the actual movie. How long did the crew set stage to makes things happen before frostbite set in?
Her uncanny ability to take us on a journey of turmoil and turn it into comedy or best of all, a life lesson, is pure genius.
Jordan is a superior storyteller and a truly talented writer along side her “last looks” makeup artistry. A Must Read for anyone wanting to escape the norm and live vicariously through the crazy life of a celebrity make-up artist.

[Rutuja Ramteke · Rating 4 out of 5]

🍒I recently got my hands on this fun and very moving memoir of the leading make up artist Trista Jordan and I'm not surprised by the fact that it truly turned good for me. I personally adore stories of personal success and struggles because I know and understand how much it takes to build a new path for yourself.
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I loved the fact that it was so raw and does gets naive which truly kept it real and I was always disocvering new things while I was reading it. The author complied her experiences and stories, the incidents that moved her life and it also gives us the closer look of the glamourous lives the celebrities live.

The tips and tricks have my heart and to me it was fun and sarcastic and does have a quickly moving segments that end within few blinks, so yes it's not monotonous and it will truly turn out interesting for people who are curious and have interest in the field or would wanna closely know the untold stories.

I definitely enjoyed it and I will surely recommend it.
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Rating: 4🌟

[Amelia Storck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mirror Mirror: Confessions of a Celebrity Makeup Artist is a candid, entertaining, and insightful memoir that takes readers behind the scenes of Hollywood through the eyes of Trista Jordan, a single mom navigating the high-stakes world of celebrity beauty. Jordan blends humor, resilience, and sharp observation to share a story that is both personal and culturally resonant, offering a rare glimpse into the industry during the MeToo era.

From the chaotic backstage of red carpets and photo shoots to the intricate demands of working with high-profile clients, Jordan’s narrative captures the glamour, tension, and unpredictability of her profession. Yet beneath the glitz, the memoir explores universal themes of perseverance, self-worth, and balancing career ambitions with personal responsibilities all while raising a child in the spotlight of Hollywood’s intense scrutiny.

What sets this memoir apart is Jordan’s voice: witty, honest, and unflinchingly human. She doesn’t shy away from the difficulties of her path, whether navigating workplace dynamics, public scrutiny, or the pressures of single parenthood. Instead, she turns each challenge into a story of determination, humor, and creative problem-solving, making her journey relatable beyond the confines of the beauty and entertainment industries.

For readers fascinated by celebrity culture, beauty, women’s empowerment, or personal stories of grit and success, Mirror Mirror offers an engaging, illuminating, and inspiring read. Jordan’s memoir is both a window into Hollywood and a testament to resilience, ambition, and authenticity.

[David Bainter · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Trista Jordan's artistry shines with elegance and depth in her book, 'Mirror Mirror; Confessions of a Celebrity Makeup Artist.' https://missliltynbeauty.com.au/ Her writing radiates joy and leaves an indelible impression on the reader's heart. Trista, like a trusted companion, guides us through the intricate dynamics of Hollywood. In this realm, we encounter a vivid tapestry of characters - from monsters and warriors to queens, angels, and rising stars, all navigating the perilous path to fame. 'Mirror Mirror' offers an intimate, authentic glimpse into a world rarely seen, with Trista as a masterful narrator. Her keen observations and life insights illuminate the pages. Filled with stories that are as beautiful as they are honest, her book captivates and enthralls, making it a must-read for those seeking a true, unfiltered journey into the heart of Hollywood."

[Megan Griest · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting stories about the working life of a make up artist and her celebrity clients. The author used a conversational style of writing, making it seem like you were having a conversation with her.

[Melissa Bode · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick & fun read!! My friend's mom is the author- she's a make up artist for celebs!

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read. Need more gossip and while I loved the beauty tips at the end., having one after each chapter could elevate it. Good summer read.

[RYCJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir reads just like the cover looks like... fun, cheeky, gossipy and easy on the eyes. I enjoyed it!