Make Up: Your Life Guide to Beauty, Style, and Success--ONLINE AND OFF is brought to the readers by the Youtube Beauty guru and author of the book herself, Michelle Phan. In this updated "how to" book with tips on guidance on skin care, fashion tips and even modern manners for today's modern girl Phan has created something brilliant.
What It's About
Michelle Phan has
believed in makeup since the first time she was allowed to try eyeliner.
When she looked in the mirror and saw a transformed version of herself
looking back, she fell in love with the sense of confidence that makeup
could give her. Ever since she posted her first makeup tutorial on
YouTube, she has dedicated herself to inspire millions by using makeup
as a tool for transformation and self expression.
Now,Michelle
has compiled all of her best wisdom into Make Up: Your Life Guide to
Beauty, Style, and Success--Online and Off. From creating a gorgeous
smoky eye to understanding contouring to developing an online persona,
Michelle has advice to help you transform every facet of your life. Make
Up is packed with Michelle’s trademark beauty and style tutorials,
stories and pictures from her own life, and advice on the topics she is
asked about most, including etiquette, career, entrepreneurship, and
creativity. From the everyday (such as how to get glowing skin) to the
big picture (such as how to turn your passion into a profession), Make
Up is a practical and empowering resource to help anyone put their best
face forward.
My Thoughts
I love Youtube just as much as the next person and I also love makeup. Put them together and we're in business. I just recently subscribed to Phan's Youtube page and can say I watch with envious eyes as she applies makeup effortlessly. Once I started to read this book I was pleasantly surprised by the little intro she gives to her readers. It's a "how I got to where I am" and I was surprised by how open she was. I felt it bridged any gap I had or any misconceptions. Starting the book off like that was a well thought out plan that pays off big time.
The presentation of the book is great. For one: it's a hardcover book with over 200 pages. The cover is beautiful, simple and elegant and really draws your attention. The book is put together beautifully with helpful hints, little info bubbles about things her readers might not know about or of and as the reader it was enjoyable going from page to page. It feels like Michelle is talking to you through the book. If you watch her videos I think you'll agree. The pages are super glossy and this book screams "elegant". Michelle in no way in this book comes off as the all knower or as a snob. It's not like "this is what you're doing wrong" if anything this book is a helpful GPS to the modern girl when it comes to everyday life.
Phan has outdone herself with this book. There are pages on how to do resumes, making healthy life decisions and even "wardrobe math", yes you read that right. I loved the added element of personal photos, personal stories, and how she thought of every body type and face shape for her readers when she had tips on glasses to outfits. It shows that she cares a lot for her readers and subscribers on Youtube: the platform that skyrocketed her fame. I don't think someone has to be a fan of Phan to really get a lot of use or enjoyment out of this book. It wouldn't hurt, but I think Phan has made something really brilliant, and that's sharing with others what she has learned through the years of bumping and tripping to finding her groove (the smooth path) through style, fashion and life. This is a book I feel I can take with me into my transition from teen girl to growing adult girl who is trying to figure out still what her personal style is. This is something that I will be excited to share with my younger sister. This book can be the perfect gift for that girl graduating from high school or college to someone getting interested in style and makeup. Can't go wrong with this. ;) Well done, Michelle! Thanks for being my first non-fiction book I've ever reviewed, it was a great experience! Rating: 4 out of 5 bookshelves I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
Here are some videos from Michelle Phan's Youtube account.
One about her life called "Draw My Life."
Another video with helpful hints on how to de-stress.
About the Author Michelle Phan is a Youtube beauty guru and an entrepreneur. She has worked with companies such as Lancôme
and L'Oreal and has been featured in numerous magazines. Michelle Phan
has come up with her own makeup brand emCosmetics and has almost 7
million subscribers on Youtube as of September 2014.
In a long awaited review, fellow reiders, I present to you A Most Inconvenient Marriage by Regina Jennings.
If you are in a reading slump make sure to pick up Regina Jennings' newest novel. It's guaranteed to bring a smile to your face and make for an enjoyable read. Saddle up because this read is a wild ride full of mystery, romance, healing and forgiveness.
Goodreads Summary
A Marriage of Convenience Turns Most Inconvenient in this Historical Charmer
Having
fled a difficult home life, Civil War nurse Abigail Stuart feels like
her only friend in the world is sweet but gravely wounded patient
Jeremiah Calhoun. Fearing he won't survive, the Confederate soldier's
last wish is that Abigail look after his sickly sister at home. Marry
him, return to his horse farm, and it'll be hers.
Left with few
choices, Abigail takes him up on his offer and moves to Missouri after
his death, but just as the family learns to accept her, the real
Jeremiah Calhoun appears--puzzled to find a confounding woman posing as
his wife. Jeremiah is determined to have his life back to how it was
before the war, but his own wounds limit what he can do on his own.
Still not fully convinced Abigail isn't duping him, he's left with no
choice but to let the woman stay and help--not admitting to himself she
may provide the healing his entire family needs.
My Thoughts
I started this book last night at around midnight and finished when 4 o'clock started to appear on my phone. Yes, my reading slump went from having not read in the last few months for enjoyment due to school, to binge reading Jennings' novel. I'm not complaining though!
Let's see... This is not my first novel by Jennings that I have read. I really love her novels, she blends so well the themes of comedy, drama and romance and presents it in a package that is perfect for readers both old and new. I love mistaken identity stories, it's just another added element to the story that I know will unfold and keep me guessing because I always try to figure it out before it's revealed. I'm happy to say I caught it (but of course I'm not going to tell you.)
The symbolism with the horse shoe on the cover I thought was minimal. Like "Oh, a horseshoe because she is on a ranch." But once reading, it clicked for me. The horseshoe has so much more meaning that I started to beamed inside with joy knowing how well this cover was put together. When a cover is more than being pretty, but has meaning and parallels well with the story it makes me much happier as the reader! And no, I'm not going to reveal the meaning to you because it's that great, and I want you to have a similar experience and not rob you of it. Abigail Stuart is a likeable character. She is dependable, responsible and deals well with what is given to her. I loved her sense of humor! Nothing is worse than reading with a protagonist that takes on sooooo much responsibility that she starts to become victimizing of herself. I love characters that take a stand and keep walking forward and if they have humorous qualities as well, that is even better. Jeremiah Calhoun is the most stubborn, stuck in his ways, likeable character I have read this year. Definite 180 for him from his entrance to his ending moments in the story: he goes from being stubborn to being more open to the new things happening in his new life, which includes Abigail. When we meet Jeremiah he has a lot to deal with: regret, guilt and a pack of men loose in his land taking animals from his neighbors are just a few things to list. So it is easy to say this guy has a lot on his plate. But with Abigail riding alongside him they balance each other out, and both take on roles that help conquer the hurdles in front of them.
The
character's that accompany these two in the story from the rowdy
neighbor kids, to Jeremiah's mother and ailing sister all have qualities
that make this book that much better. This is not a book you should
miss out on! So put it on your 'MUST BE READ' list, ok?
Truly an enjoyable read from beginning to end. I was smiling, I was crying, I was laughing, I was sighing. This is why I read: for these exact moments! Thank you, Regina! Thank you!
Highly recommended. Wanna read a preview? Click here If you would like to see my review on Jennings' other books here is one and the other one. Rating: 4.75 out of 5 bookshelves I received a free copy from Bethany House Publishers in return for an honest review.
About the Author
Regina Jennings is a graduate
of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a history
minor. She has worked at The Mustang News and First Baptist Church of
Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various
livestock shows. She now lives outside Oklahoma City with her husband
and four children.
Links to Jennings: Facebook, Website, Twitter, and Goodreads Purchase a copy of her book from: Amazon and B&N Thanks for stopping by, oh and MERRY CHRISTMAS! In His Grace, Taylor Reid
