I love this book….must get it out and refresh again. I actually bought it for my daughter who is about to turn 26 and, contrary to what might think India, she really liked it. I think that there is good advice in here for everyone actually even if the target audience is more mature. I am ignoring the US election for the next couple of days until it’s all over bar the shouting…. and there will be shouting!! Thank you India for your valiant attempt to distract.
India, I'm just reading your Sunday Times column. When you say "no one attempted to change the shape of their face", I have to tell you that I vividly remember my older sister, in the late 60s, taking 3 hours to do her makeup, and in the process using a Mary Quant product called "Face Shapers" which was (if I remember correctly) a palette of two colours, one very pale (maybe white?) and one dark (sort of taupey brown) and doing a pretty good if rather dramatic version of what we now call contouring. I am older than you, of course, but I also remember giant lashes. None of it was particularly natural-looking, of course, but that was the 60s aesthetic!
India, I'm just reading your Sunday Times column. When you say "no one attempted to change the shape of their face", I have to tell you that I vividly remember my older sister, in the late 60s, taking 3 hours to do her makeup, and in the process using a Mary Quant product called "Face Shapers" which was (if I remember correctly) a palette of two colours, one very pale (maybe white?) and one dark (sort of taupey brown) and doing a pretty good if rather dramatic version of what we now call contouring. I am older than you, of course, but I also remember giant lashes. None of it was particularly natural-looking, of course, but that was the 60s aesthetic!
Omg omg just read your Sunday times column 😊John Gustafson was a total god -
I found him by total chance through a magazine article and he did my wedding make up !!!! I went to him once a year afterwards to Fenwick for make up refresh - a real treat that I saved for - he was extraordinary and we had the best laugh - I often wonder where he is now - would love to see him over a lipstick again 💄😊
I am a slave to your beauty recommendations. I have a box of your Sunday Times column clippings (very old fashioned old lady thing to do) I rifle through them regularly so of course bought the book & it is brilliant. I love dipping in & out of it. Don’t mean to gush all over you but your writing always has me nodding and smiling, laughing too 😊
Every time I read your introduction, I just want to punch the air with joy!!! As the song goes 'sisters' are doing it for themselves!' The day I realised I didn't have to wear make up for anyone else but me was so freeing.
I got a special gift for Christmas last year - COVID - so spent Christmas Day lying in bed with a fever watching my family open their gifts in another room over FaceTime. Your book was a very good cheerer-upper during a rubbish few days! (Also I then had a load of lovely parcels delivered due to feverish online beauty shopping).
I do love this book - must read it again for much-needed comfort.
As with everyone normal, I am phenomenally stressed over the situ over the pond. If… *he*… prevails, I shudder to think what will happen to the world: I don’t think that is being over-dramatic.
The programme focusing on Trump’s ‘Front Row Joes’ was terrifying. That poor man (if you saw it, you’d know) was genuinely unhinged, not at all well. It was both horrible and sad.
Trump’s grassroots 50% (HOW???) are loathsome in their ignorance and bigotry, but the genuinely terrifying ones are the high-level supporters. They despise him, but know that he is the portal to cash and power beyond their wildest imaginings. (Musk is in it for the prospect of free rein in shaping government policy in his favour.) Yet, Agent Orange basks in the faux adoration because he’s moronic enough not to understand what’s really going on.
I feel very, very sorry for the US.
In other matters, I LOVE make up, but I’m in a hell-hole right now. If you’re into this sort of thing, I’m vaguely a ‘summer’, of the ‘soft’ and/or ‘true’ variety.
But I’m also a little old lady. So… I have grey hair (at the front - when I wear it up or tied back, it looks completely grey, which was a huge shock when I saw it in a photograph), grey eyes and (increasingly) grey skin. I’m led to believe that my best colour is… grey, or greyed-down shades of other colours. The result is a misshapen grey blob, like an elephant’s arse. (I’m not supposed to wear black, but I bloody well do and I like it.)
A weak chin (from both parents - thanks, genes) plus a bit of weight loss has resulted in a substantial turkey wattle neck. Unattractive from the front, truly gruesome from the side. A small, mouth located under an abnormally, freakishly long philtrum means that strong lip colours are an impossibility.
All strong, bright colours look absolutely terrible on me. Most blush is ghastly - virtually instant oxidation results in either brick-red or Dutch Dolly pink.
Small and hooded eyes mean I’ve never ever achieved a flicky eyeliner. I keep to neutrals and brown pencil, but the embrace of recommended cool tones has led to purchase of grey eyeliner and greige shadows. They aren’t very nice, but I persevere.
It’s all fantastically tonal and sophis but, fully slapped-up, I resemble a modestly depressed corpse. When I’ve been to a counter for a daub session (even - whisper it - SpaceNK), BINGO! I’m an Aeroflot stewardess from 1973.
When I win the lotto, I’m going to ask Lisa Eldridge to have a go at me!
OMG, so much to say about this. First of all, completely agree on the enormously sinister henchpeople of Agent Orange (thank you!). And Vance, hoping he dies during term and therefore Vance becomes POTUS. It's all too, too awful.
But secondly, on makeup. I bet all that grey is not really necessary. There are lots of soft, almost neutral but lovely colours, like very pale pink/almost cream, without a trace of blue in it, possibly what they now call blush, that I bet would look lovely. But, on the grey skin: you don't say what you've been using, but I think India's advice in the book is stellar. It inspired me to finally try acid exfoliant (I'm hugely allergic, but The Ordinary's 5% lactic acid has been fine and when I finish it I'm going to graduate to 10%), and even the first morning after the night before was noticeably better. And then (also India-related on vitamin C) I tried CeraVe Skin Renewing 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum with Ceramides, and the two together have made a real difference. To be clear, I am 69, have really pretty good skin, but it was starting to look somehow a bit lifeless (perhaps your "grey"?), and now does not. And both those products are really reasonably priced - important to me because apart from anything else I hate shelling out and then having to give stuff away or bin it because it triggers allergies! Good luck...
Hmm, from your description I'm not convinced at all about the cool tones being right. I'd have thought warming things up a bit would be better, but it's hard to say without seeing a pic.
Could not agree more on the usefulness and reliability of the book, but also on the horrific sense of (possibly) impending doom re US election. Am pinning (tiny amount of) hope on reports wives of MAGA men are secretly planning to vote sanely. Driven to incoherent fury, disbelief, and what would be sick amusement (if not so terrible), by interviewed frat boys justifying Trump vote by "he is feared by foreign leaders". Yeah right. The whole UN laughed at him, and the only fear he inspires is the perfectly rational belief that he might pretty much destroy NATO, world climate action and resistance to e.g. Putin. To quote Cassandra Hall, I can't even.
I know, the idea that the UN or anybody else quakes in their boots is so insanely delusional - literally everyone laughing. There was a piece about a Trumpian US and poor Europe in the FT this weekend, would link but it's too depressing. I am secretly not AT ALL sure he'll win. And then I am, and then I'm not....
Hi India, you are very new to me/middle aged American (I think I discovered you here via following Mad About the House), and after loving all of your content and deciding after several weeks that your writing brings me such joy, I became a paid subscriber. I will be ordering your book (thanks for the excellent extract!) now because I cannot possibly take the chance that my family will overlook it on my Christmas list, and why wait - life is too short!!
my beauty bible….love it ❤️
I love this book….must get it out and refresh again. I actually bought it for my daughter who is about to turn 26 and, contrary to what might think India, she really liked it. I think that there is good advice in here for everyone actually even if the target audience is more mature. I am ignoring the US election for the next couple of days until it’s all over bar the shouting…. and there will be shouting!! Thank you India for your valiant attempt to distract.
India, I'm just reading your Sunday Times column. When you say "no one attempted to change the shape of their face", I have to tell you that I vividly remember my older sister, in the late 60s, taking 3 hours to do her makeup, and in the process using a Mary Quant product called "Face Shapers" which was (if I remember correctly) a palette of two colours, one very pale (maybe white?) and one dark (sort of taupey brown) and doing a pretty good if rather dramatic version of what we now call contouring. I am older than you, of course, but I also remember giant lashes. None of it was particularly natural-looking, of course, but that was the 60s aesthetic!
India, I'm just reading your Sunday Times column. When you say "no one attempted to change the shape of their face", I have to tell you that I vividly remember my older sister, in the late 60s, taking 3 hours to do her makeup, and in the process using a Mary Quant product called "Face Shapers" which was (if I remember correctly) a palette of two colours, one very pale (maybe white?) and one dark (sort of taupey brown) and doing a pretty good if rather dramatic version of what we now call contouring. I am older than you, of course, but I also remember giant lashes. None of it was particularly natural-looking, of course, but that was the 60s aesthetic!
Omg omg just read your Sunday times column 😊John Gustafson was a total god -
I found him by total chance through a magazine article and he did my wedding make up !!!! I went to him once a year afterwards to Fenwick for make up refresh - a real treat that I saved for - he was extraordinary and we had the best laugh - I often wonder where he is now - would love to see him over a lipstick again 💄😊
Love, love this book - will flag as well! Gorgeous new cover! 🙌✨
I love this book
I am a slave to your beauty recommendations. I have a box of your Sunday Times column clippings (very old fashioned old lady thing to do) I rifle through them regularly so of course bought the book & it is brilliant. I love dipping in & out of it. Don’t mean to gush all over you but your writing always has me nodding and smiling, laughing too 😊
I have this book and it’s absolutely fab! Thank you, India. Perhaps you should send a copy to Donald Trump with the message: How to look less orange…
Somebody’s got to tell him!
Every time I read your introduction, I just want to punch the air with joy!!! As the song goes 'sisters' are doing it for themselves!' The day I realised I didn't have to wear make up for anyone else but me was so freeing.
It's a proper moment of liberation, isn't it? I wish I'd come to it a bit earlier.
I got a special gift for Christmas last year - COVID - so spent Christmas Day lying in bed with a fever watching my family open their gifts in another room over FaceTime. Your book was a very good cheerer-upper during a rubbish few days! (Also I then had a load of lovely parcels delivered due to feverish online beauty shopping).
Ugh, bleak to get Covid for Christmas. Glad the book cheered you and laughing at the feverish shopping.
I do love this book - must read it again for much-needed comfort.
As with everyone normal, I am phenomenally stressed over the situ over the pond. If… *he*… prevails, I shudder to think what will happen to the world: I don’t think that is being over-dramatic.
The programme focusing on Trump’s ‘Front Row Joes’ was terrifying. That poor man (if you saw it, you’d know) was genuinely unhinged, not at all well. It was both horrible and sad.
Trump’s grassroots 50% (HOW???) are loathsome in their ignorance and bigotry, but the genuinely terrifying ones are the high-level supporters. They despise him, but know that he is the portal to cash and power beyond their wildest imaginings. (Musk is in it for the prospect of free rein in shaping government policy in his favour.) Yet, Agent Orange basks in the faux adoration because he’s moronic enough not to understand what’s really going on.
I feel very, very sorry for the US.
In other matters, I LOVE make up, but I’m in a hell-hole right now. If you’re into this sort of thing, I’m vaguely a ‘summer’, of the ‘soft’ and/or ‘true’ variety.
But I’m also a little old lady. So… I have grey hair (at the front - when I wear it up or tied back, it looks completely grey, which was a huge shock when I saw it in a photograph), grey eyes and (increasingly) grey skin. I’m led to believe that my best colour is… grey, or greyed-down shades of other colours. The result is a misshapen grey blob, like an elephant’s arse. (I’m not supposed to wear black, but I bloody well do and I like it.)
A weak chin (from both parents - thanks, genes) plus a bit of weight loss has resulted in a substantial turkey wattle neck. Unattractive from the front, truly gruesome from the side. A small, mouth located under an abnormally, freakishly long philtrum means that strong lip colours are an impossibility.
All strong, bright colours look absolutely terrible on me. Most blush is ghastly - virtually instant oxidation results in either brick-red or Dutch Dolly pink.
Small and hooded eyes mean I’ve never ever achieved a flicky eyeliner. I keep to neutrals and brown pencil, but the embrace of recommended cool tones has led to purchase of grey eyeliner and greige shadows. They aren’t very nice, but I persevere.
It’s all fantastically tonal and sophis but, fully slapped-up, I resemble a modestly depressed corpse. When I’ve been to a counter for a daub session (even - whisper it - SpaceNK), BINGO! I’m an Aeroflot stewardess from 1973.
When I win the lotto, I’m going to ask Lisa Eldridge to have a go at me!
OMG, so much to say about this. First of all, completely agree on the enormously sinister henchpeople of Agent Orange (thank you!). And Vance, hoping he dies during term and therefore Vance becomes POTUS. It's all too, too awful.
But secondly, on makeup. I bet all that grey is not really necessary. There are lots of soft, almost neutral but lovely colours, like very pale pink/almost cream, without a trace of blue in it, possibly what they now call blush, that I bet would look lovely. But, on the grey skin: you don't say what you've been using, but I think India's advice in the book is stellar. It inspired me to finally try acid exfoliant (I'm hugely allergic, but The Ordinary's 5% lactic acid has been fine and when I finish it I'm going to graduate to 10%), and even the first morning after the night before was noticeably better. And then (also India-related on vitamin C) I tried CeraVe Skin Renewing 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum with Ceramides, and the two together have made a real difference. To be clear, I am 69, have really pretty good skin, but it was starting to look somehow a bit lifeless (perhaps your "grey"?), and now does not. And both those products are really reasonably priced - important to me because apart from anything else I hate shelling out and then having to give stuff away or bin it because it triggers allergies! Good luck...
Hmm, from your description I'm not convinced at all about the cool tones being right. I'd have thought warming things up a bit would be better, but it's hard to say without seeing a pic.
Could not agree more on the usefulness and reliability of the book, but also on the horrific sense of (possibly) impending doom re US election. Am pinning (tiny amount of) hope on reports wives of MAGA men are secretly planning to vote sanely. Driven to incoherent fury, disbelief, and what would be sick amusement (if not so terrible), by interviewed frat boys justifying Trump vote by "he is feared by foreign leaders". Yeah right. The whole UN laughed at him, and the only fear he inspires is the perfectly rational belief that he might pretty much destroy NATO, world climate action and resistance to e.g. Putin. To quote Cassandra Hall, I can't even.
I know, the idea that the UN or anybody else quakes in their boots is so insanely delusional - literally everyone laughing. There was a piece about a Trumpian US and poor Europe in the FT this weekend, would link but it's too depressing. I am secretly not AT ALL sure he'll win. And then I am, and then I'm not....
Bought this when it came out and it’s a mine of info and advice…I’m constantly dipping into it!
That's really nice to hear!
Love your book, India. Also: the “jazzy” earrings took me out 😂
Hahaha, we always laugh at exactly the same thing.
Yes 😆
Hi India, you are very new to me/middle aged American (I think I discovered you here via following Mad About the House), and after loving all of your content and deciding after several weeks that your writing brings me such joy, I became a paid subscriber. I will be ordering your book (thanks for the excellent extract!) now because I cannot possibly take the chance that my family will overlook it on my Christmas list, and why wait - life is too short!!
HELLO! And thank you very much for your very kind words. I do hope you like the book!