Sonia Kashuk Real Beauty [With DVD]

This book is a totally refreshing approach to makeup. In the style of Bobbi Brown, Sonia Kashuk encourages women to feel beautiful no matter what they look like. Her approach to makeup is natural, but does give you a few tricks on achieving certain looks (i.e. the smoky eye). She also is a little bit more relaxed regarding "makeup rules". Amazingly enough, the best part of the book is the video! I have bought many books on makeup (Bobbi Brown, Kevyn Aucoin, Linda Mason) and I have never learned so many new and completely natural tricks and techniques than from Sonia's video, it is amazing!!! I truly reccomend this book if you want to learn how to look perfect but not "made up".

I read the other reviews and do not agree with the negative ones. I never was taught how to use foundation, loose powder, concealer, etc. After reading this book and watching the included dvd, I completely understand how to use makeup and how to apply it. The dvd included clears up any questions raised in the book (for example- how to use foundation around the lipline before applying lipliner.)I have the bobbi brown books which give some good tips, but Sonia's way is much more approachable and helps you not to be intimidated by the cosmetic counter! She explains in her dvd how to hold makeup brushes, explains why you'd use powder vs cream blush, etc. I Her line at Target is pretty great too if you're looking for a line of make-up, but you don't need to use her line to get all the benefits from this book. Give it a try!

I'm the mom to 3 (4,3, and 6 mos.) and had let myself go, was discouraged about my appearance. I really wanted to turn myself around, in health, weight and appearance. My hubby decreed 2004 the "year of mommy's makeover" and made this one of my Xmas presents (he found it himself). I was a bit skeptical, but once I read it, I was hooked. While I've worn makeup on and off for years, I learned a lot. The chapter on foundation, concealer and powder was worth the book - I finally have a clue how to use concealer properly! Also loved the chapter on eyes and learned how to use eyeliner in a natural way. She has a lot of little tricks of the trade that help when applying makeup (and now seem obvious after reading them!). I'm having a lot of fun playing and trying different products. I also loved the section with the magazine editors - it was great to hear from beauty experts who look at gorgeous women all day. Their views were really neat. I love her attitude about what beauty is, because I feel the same way. It's great to know you don't need to wear 50 products and spend two hours a day to look good. I don't want to be a supermodel, I just want to look more polished and feel better about me, and this book was a great help.

Sonia Kashuk reminds us we all have beauty and it is about being our personal best. I have some facial distortion left over from bells palsy. I felt like a clown in make-up. I quit wearing it. Now I am wearing some again and applying it differently....for my age and my current face thanks to this book. I was stuck in the time machine and now have updated my look. I'm back today ordering this as a gift to my adult daughters.

I was totally surprised about the DVD I found in the back of this book. I was just expecting a book. I love the new book "Real Beauty", she seems to kinda repeats herself alot though. But the DVD is awesome. It shows you some really nice eye looks and she really goes into detail and goes over and over so that you really can master what you are trying to acheive. She goes step by step on how to appy foundation, concealer, powder, lipstick & gloss, blush (both cream and powder) and of course eyes. You get to see Cindy Crawford and Christy Turlington without makeup. You get to see that models are not perfect like we all think. Highly Recommend