Awhile ago, I picked up this book at Powell’s downtown…

The cover grabbed my attention right away, and flipping through its pages provided both quality tips, as well as a few giggles.  The book was written by Ern and Bud Westmore, of the famous Westmore film make-up artists.  Their father, George Westmore, founded the first film make-up department in Hollywood in 1917.  His sons worked with the likes of Rudolph Valentino, and went on to work on such classics as Gone with the Wind, the 1931 Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Universal’s Creature of the Black Lagoon.  The family has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as well.

Beauty, Glamour, and Personality, written in 1947, reveals some of old Hollywood’s tips and tricks for creating that glamorous film star look.  Ern and Bud dedicated the book to their father, claiming it was he who was “the first to lay down the fundamental principles governing the application of make-up as a means of dramatizing the personality and enhancing a woman’s charm.”

I won’t be sharing each and every page with you, but a highlighted selection.  The first few pages include stories of how the brothers transformed everyday ladies into looking more glamorous and then there are a few pages that are simply far too outdated to be helpful.

Each entry will focus on something different…Face shapes, and their do’s and don’ts, including make-up and hair styles, eye make-up, “make-up for that nose”, lip make-up, skin tones, correct way of applying make-up, hands as a part of glamour, exercises, posture, and fashion tips.

Stay tuned!