ALL MADE UP The Power and Pitfalls of Beauty Culture, from Cleopatra to Kim Kardashian

Ann Richardson's clear and nuanced narration lets Nudson's compelling argument shine: The tug of war between beauty and power is here to stay. Many examples throughout history are woven together, complemented by Richardson's well-timed pauses to allow the impact of heavier topics to sink in. Makeup often provides personal agency and freedom for the wearer, but early ingredients caused severe health problems. Cosmetics can be a tool for plaintiffs and defendants alike as jurors form their opinions. The same makeup applied in different contexts, be it time period or gender, can have wildly different meanings. Richardson mainly uses an academic tone as she cites several studies, but occasionally her inflection changes, for example, while reading a sexually suggestive cosmetic ad. A.L.C. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2021]