New & Noteworthy Books

There’s a little something for everyone this week:

Makeup artist Taylor Chang-Babian is used to working with celebrities like comedian Margaret Cho and Yunjin Kim, from Lost. In her new book, Asian Faces, she shares her tips, techniques and beauty secrets geared specifically for Asian women. The book includes step-by-step guides, tons of “before and after” shots and lots of expert advice. I like how the book has ideas for makeup that ranges from office-appropriate, all the way through to creating over-the-top styles like Victorian goth and ganguro, a Tokyo-inspired trend. This is a thorough, well laid-out and inclusive tome. It’s $24.95 from Perigee Trade Paperback, or see more at www.asianfacesthebook.com.

Glory by the Wayside: The Old Churches of Hawaii came out this spring, and I’ve been flipping through it ever since. Authors William and Susan Ecenbarger take readers on a photo tour of 37 of our state’s most lovely old churches, discussing their architecture and history. These are the kinds of sacred, peaceful spots—like Kalokahi Oka Malalama, the tiny green chapel on Lanai—that I always pull over for when exploring our Islands. The book is $29.95 and you can purchase it at www.booklineshawaii.com.

In Lei in a Bottle, authors and Hawaiiana experts Gwen and Evan Olins introduced me to a world I didn’t know existed: vintage carved-wood perfume bottles. The authors have the largest collection known of this style of bottles, dating from 1935 to 1966. They are gorgeous containers, usually in the form of a flower, carved from wood native to Hawaii, and were designed to hold perfume based on the scent of Island flowers. Available at local stores like Gump’s and Liana of Waikiki, the perfumes were also marketed heavily to a Mainland audience. The book ($24.95) is from Hula Moon Press. You can order it at www.hulaheaven.net.

I’m curious, do any of you remember this kind of carved wooden perfume bottle from your childhood?