The Best Books for any Beauty Lover - My Top Picks

27/7/2024

Stephen King famously remarked, "Good books don't give up all their secrets at once," which is why I feel Beauty books cannot educate you solely based on their blurb.

A good beauty book can be a strong tool, a beauty bible if you will, for all things cosmetics, skincare, and fashion.

Furthermore, when a beauty book is authored by stalwarts of the beauty industry, the knowledge they share is "Pretty Powerful" as Bobbi Brown would say.

Below, I've listed my best picks for beauty books, a snippet about the author, and a brief synopsis of what each book entails.

Makeup by Hannah Martin

Who is Hannah Martin?

Hannah Martin is a world-class makeup artist and one of the most regarded professionals in the industry. Hannah, described as "the queen of radiant skin and smoky eye tutorials" in British Vogue, has authored her newest book "Makeup" to share her vast amount of expertise with the beauty world.

This book is the one-stop shop for all you need or want to know about makeup, including how to look refreshing while caring for your skin.

About the Book

Hannah shares everything you need to know about Makeup in her new book and I couldn't recommend it enough. I preordered this book months ahead of its official release and was not disappointed. The cover is vibrant and eye-catching, and the writing style is really simple to understand. "Makeup, A Masterclass", which includes step-by-step photographs, quick hints, product lists, and how-to information, will teach you how to create gorgeous makeup applications that will improve your confidence and give you a stunning look.

Where to Buy?

Hannah Martin's "Makeup" book can be purchased from many retailers,
find your nearest one below...

Ireland

USA

The Skin Nerd Philosophy by Jennifer Rock

Who is Jennifer Rock?

Jennifer Rock is a multiple-award-winning dermal facialist and skin educator. She also established The Skin Nerd, which includes Skingredients, the Nerd Network online skin community, and the Cleanse Off Mitt.

Jennifer has a background in several sectors of beauty therapy, including lecturing, holistic treatments, and training. Her mission is to spread the word of skin health around the globe.

About the Book

"When it comes to our journey with skin, The Skin Nerd founder Jennifer Rock has one philosophy: she wants people to feel educated, enlightened and empowered and here, in her new book, she shows us how we can transform the way we think and feel about our skin by understanding what it needs. With advice from experts in the fields of dermatology, healthcare, psychology, nutrition, wellness and beauty, The Skin Nerd Philosophy is your multi-disciplinary guide to accepting the skin you're in while taking care of its health".

Where to Buy?

Jennifer Rock's "The Skin Nerd Philosophy" book can be purchased from many retailers,
find your nearest one below...

Ireland

FacePaint by Lisa Eldridge

Who is Lisa Eldridge?

Lisa Eldridge, one of the world's leading make-up artists, with a very loyal public following of her own, has authored the first true history book on the subject of makeup.

Lisa, previously the global creative director of Lancome, has recently established her own line, which I can not recommend enough.

About the Book

"Make-up, as we know it, has only been commercially available in the last 100 years, but applying decoration to the face and body may be one of the oldest global social practices.. Face Paint will explore the reasons behind make-up's use, the actual materials employed and manufactured through the ages, the icons that people emulate and how they achieved their effects, the impact on women's lives and the present and future of make-up from high profile practitioners artists to cosmetic breakthroughs."

Where to Buy?

Lisa Eldridge's "Facepaint" book can be purchased from many retailers,
find your nearest one below...

Ireland

usa

Pretty Honest by Sali Hughes

Who is Sali Hughes?

Sali Huges is a is a journalist, broadcaster and bestselling author. She also co-founded Beauty Banks, a nonprofit that provides basic hygiene products to those living in poverty.

A former magazine editor, she has written extensively for Grazia, Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, and many more. You may recognise her as the Beauty Editor at The Guardian, where she is known for her educated, straightforward advice and honest reviews of beauty products.

Her book "Pretty Honest" is captivating as well as educational, and her writing style is easy to follow.

About the Book

"A witty, wise and truthful beauty handbook for real women on what works in real life from Sali Hughes, beloved journalist and broadcaster. In Pretty Honest, Sali Hughes draws on over 20 years of wisdom, advice and expertise to show everyone how to make the most of makeup's physically and emotionally transformative powers. Covering everything from teenage skin to mature beauty, botox to bridal make-up, sickness to good health, it's a work that is part instruction manual, part love letter to makeup - in a writing style that combines beauty editor, feminist and painfully funny best friend. "

Where to Buy?

Sali Hughes "Pretty Honest" book can be purchased from many retailers,
find your nearest one below...

ireland

Makeup Manual by Bobbi Brown

Who is Bobbi Brown?

Bobbi Brown is most likely recognised for developing the world-renowned makeup company Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. Despite leaving the brand in 2016, she went on to launch Jones Road, a new brand that emphasises natural beauty.

Bobbi drew on her twenty-five plus years of experience as a makeup artist and compiled her knowledge in this extremely educational book, entitles the "Makeup Manual".

Fun fact: This was the first beauty book I ever owned.

About the Book

This is the book that makeup fans have been waiting for - Bobbi looks at everything from skincare basics to every aspect of facial makeup - from how to find the right colour and type of foundation for any skin tone to how to apply every detail of eye makeup (brows, eyeliner, eye shadow and eyelashes) no matter the eye colour and shape. Bobbi even looks beyond the face with informative chapters on head-to-toe beauty and the science of skin

Where to Buy?

Bobbi Brown's"Makeup Manual" book can be purchased from many retailers,
find your nearest one below...

ireland

usa

Palette by Funmi Fetto

Who is Funmi Fetto?

Funmi Fetto is a former Beauty Director of British Vogue and now a Contributing Beauty Editor and Columnist there.

As a Contributing Beauty Editor at British Vogue, she produces stories for the magazine and website, as well as the first-ever Vogue online beauty column focusing on women of colour.

She has also worked for Glamour, Harper's Bazar, Vanity Fair, Elle, and many more.

About the Book

After years of being asked by friends, family, and strangers on the street for advice on products suitable for women of colour, who are frequently omitted from mainstream beauty coverage, Funmi published the book "Palette". The book is an honest, elegant and engaging style, Fetto covers all the hair, skincare, makeup and body products available today which really work for women of colour.

Where to Buy?

Funmi Fetto's "Palette" book can be purchased from many retailers,
find your nearest one below...

Ireland

usa

The Makeup Manual by Lisa Potter Dixon

Who is Lisa Potter Dixon?

Lisa Potter Dixon is without a doubt one of my fave makeup artists to follow on Instagram. Lisa first became known to me when she was employed by Benefit Cosmetics, where she eventually rose to the position of Global Head of Makeup Artistry.

Lisa's real passion for beauty, fashion, and lifestyle has helped her develop a large social media following and established her as a favourite among beauty brands. In addition, Lisa is a Beauty Backed Trustee and co-founder of The C-List, the first online beauty store for cancer patients.

About the Book

Lisa's book is a comprehensive make-up manual that details all aspects of make-up application, solutions to common problems, as well as tips and tricks for perfecting your look every time. Whether you're looking for a fun and youthful, elegant and sophisticated or one-off look, Lisa will show you how to make the most of your facial features and complexion in this Make-up Manual.

Where to Buy?

Lisa Potter Dixon's book "The Makeup Manual" book can be purchased from many retailers,
find your nearest one below...

Ireland

Usa