All for Beauty
Makeup and Hairdressing in Hollywood's Studio Era
By Adrienne L. McLean | Publisher: Rutgers University Press
About the book
Ever wonder why so many stars and featured players, male or female, in movies of Hollywood’s “Golden Age” look like they just stepped out of a beauty parlor even if the story places them in a jungle, a hospital bed, or the ancient past? All for Beauty examines how and why makeup and hairdressing evolved as crafts designed partly to maintain the white flawlessness of men and women as a value in the studio era. The book pays particular attention to the labor force, exploring the power and influence of cosmetics inventor and manufacturer Max Factor and the Westmore dynasty of makeup artists but also the contributions of others, many of them women, whose names are far less known. At the end of the complex, exciting, and at times dismaying chronicle, it is likely that readers will never again watch Hollywood films without thinking about the roles of makeup and hairdressing in creating both fictional characters and stars as emblems of an idealized and undeniably mesmerizing visual perfection.
Editions of All for Beauty
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780813563589
- EBook
- ISBN 9780813575193
- PDF
- ISBN 9780813563602
Read an Excerpt
Ever wonder why so many stars and featured players, male or female, in movies of Hollywood’s “Golden Age” look like they just stepped out of a beauty parlor even if the story places them in a jungle, a hospital bed, or the ancient past? All for Beauty examines how and why makeup and hairdressing evolved as crafts designed partly to maintain the white flawlessness of men and women as a value in the studio era. The book pays particular attention to the labor force, exploring the power and influence of cosmetics inventor and manufacturer Max Factor and the Westmore dynasty of makeup artists but also the contributions of others, many of them women, whose names are far less known. At the end of the complex, exciting, and at times dismaying chronicle, it is likely that readers will never again watch Hollywood films without thinking about the roles of makeup and hairdressing in creating both fictional characters and stars as emblems of an idealized and undeniably mesmerizing visual perfection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is All for Beauty about?
Ever wonder why so many stars and featured players, male or female, in movies of Hollywood’s “Golden Age” look like they just stepped out of a beauty parlor even if the story places them in a jungle, a hospital bed, or the ancient past? All for Beauty examines how and why makeup and hairdressing evolved as crafts designed partly to maintain the white flawlessness of men and women as a value in the studio era. The book pays particular attention to the labor force, exploring the power and influence of cosmetics inventor and manufacturer Max Factor and the Westmore dynasty of makeup artists but also the contributions of others, many of them women, whose names are far less known. At the end of the complex, exciting, and at times dismaying chronicle, it is likely that readers will never again watch Hollywood films without thinking about the roles of makeup and hairdressing in creating both fictional characters and stars as emblems of an idealized and undeniably mesmerizing visual perfection.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in All for Beauty?
The Arts > Performing arts > Films, cinema > Film history, theory or criticism
Where can I read a sample of All for Beauty?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780813563589
Is All for Beauty part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Techniques of the Moving Image
Who is/are the Author/s of the book All for Beauty?
Adrienne L. McLean
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
All for Beauty is available as paperback(ISBN 9780813563589) and ebook(ISBN 9780813575193) and pdf(ISBN 9780813563602)
Where can I buy All for Beauty online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy All for Beauty from below
Where can I buy All for Beauty?