This book has a very strong christian theme, and I wished it was mentioned in the blurb. And after I read the book, I thought that the cover didn't make much sense. Beauty has become more international and ironically more homogenous because more and more people are trying to look like a Snapchat filter. Plastic surgery is more accessible than ever too. Seeing a book by Kevin Aucoin written in the early 2000s reinforces the fact more than ever: lines are blurring and boundaries in beauty are disappearing. We have always been chasing perfect, beautiful faces since the dawn of time. Talk about an amazing book at its most extreme! This book is a rare gem. You know it's crafted to tear your heart into a million pieces but you still read it anyways 'coz it's beautifully written and heartfelt! I tried to recreate one of Kevyn's looks on Lisa Marie Presley, which has always been one of my favourites. It's a far cry from anything he could do before he passed away, but I felt like sharing for the sake of the review. I should also note that the instructions regarding application are far from ample, but personally I skimmed over these parts. Face … has the compressed appearance, as though someone had squeezed his head in a vise —Woolcott Gibbs, about Thomas Dewey 1940 campaign

After the section on basics, there's a section of "looks" developed for ordinary people (male and female) alongside their own stories, which makes the book very accessible for those who might feel distant from the subject. The next section, which is entirely celebrities, is more "glamorous" but gives you the details of how to acheive those looks as well. I must admit that this story's raw power and heartbreaking scenarios had me in an almost constant fit of tears. But it was a beautiful cry fest. I cried for a Fern — for believing she was so incredibly insignificant because of her unremarkable appearance. I cried for Ambrose's quiet strength, humility, and decency—which was all I saw in both his beautiful and "beastly" state. And for Bailey — who so desperately craved becoming a hero, never realizing he was one all along.In their senior year, the year was 2001, and on September 11, their world was changed. Ambrose felt like he wanted to forge his own path, be his own man. So he convinced his four best friends to come along with him and they enlisted. And as so many of the young men who went off to war to defend our country, four of those young men did not come home. But Ambrose did. Except the Ambrose that came home was not the same man that left. His face was badly disfigured. But the changes were more than what you could see on the outside. Terrible things happen to everyone. Brosey. We’re all just so caught up in our own crap that we don’t see the shit everyone else is wading through.” They had long tired faces. Their yawns, snapping and unsnapping their jaws, made them look like horses —Boris Pasternak

This book had been on my radar for a long time. Let me say that I have never read an Amy Harmon book that I didn't love. So why did I put off reading this one for so long? Well, I honestly just wasn't ready to suffer another heartache at the hands of this incredibly talented author. Her books are always beautiful, but highly emotional. I have to be in the right frame of mind to dive into one of her books, with my tissues handy and ready to shed a few tears. God has given you one face and you make yourself another."-Hamlet Can society stop seeing the exterior and see the interior of a person? "When you really look at them, you stop seeing a perfect nose or straight teeth. You stop seeing the acne scar or the dimple in the chin. Those things start to blur, and suddenly you see them, the colors, the life inside the shell, and beauty takes on a whole new meaning." The obvious aim of this book is to show people how to apply make up, which it does very well. What makes it worthwhile is all the ways it goes above and beyond that basic goal. The photography is beautiful (it's worth looking at just for that). Kevyn Aucoin's story of growing up, the stories of his siblings, and their role in the development of his talent is compelling and inspiring.

But slowly, Fern and Bailey together break through Ambrose’s walls and he opens to them, slowly regaining his self confidence, re-entering society. Making Faces sends a messages to the reader. For me the one word that came to mind is Perception. We all have our own perceptions, when you look at someone how does your perception of them differ from someone else. What constitutes beauty and is our understanding of it flawed. It’s hard to come to terms with the fact that you aren’t ever going to be loved the way you want to be loved.” Needless to say, Amy Harmon is an outstanding writer. She is a story teller, my favorite kind of author. There's so much beauty to be found in this story, and not nearly enough words to adequately honor it. This book starts off simple — discreet even — with an undeniable depth and wisdom that slowly sneaks up and consumes you. Its incredible insight is gently suggested, but powerfully received. With an expertly smooth execution, this author makes it all seem entirely effortless as she strips down life to its bare components, revealing the grace from within. I fell in love with these lovingly broken and perfectly flawed characters, who each represented a unique piece of the same puzzle.