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The Best Beauty Books Every Beauty Obsessive Will Want On Their Coffee Table
Now this is our kind of reading list.
No matter how much of a beauty obsessive you consider yourself, there's always more to learn, right?
From Pixiwoo to Francois Nars, all of our favourite beauty gurus have transferred their vast knowledge into print, serving up books filled to bursting with tips, tricks, anecdotes and snippets of beauty history, not forgetting a whole host of stunning images you could wonder at pretty much all day.
Check out the beauty bibles no self-respecting coffee table is complete without.
A stunning collection of black and white portraits shot by beauty photographer Jack Eames, 'Hear Me, See Me' celebrates the impactful work Haircuts4Homeless has done over the years. 100% of proceeds will be donated to the charity to help them continue their work empowering the homeless through hair cuts.
The New Beauty: A Modern Look At Beauty, Culture, And Fashion
The New Beauty: A Modern Look At Beauty, Culture, And Fashion
A true celebration of the jubilant, creative and hyper expressive side of beauty, 'The New Beauty' explores how limited beauty standards have prevailed over the years, and how current culture is challenging those outdated boundaries. One for the beauty rebels out there.
This ginormous tome is the ultimate gift for any beauty lover. A collection of avant-garde, cinematic portraits, 'Persona' is a photographic journey through make-up artist Francois Nars' work with Hollywood's finest. Pore over striking images of everyone from Bella Hadid and Linda Evangelista, to Kyle MacLachlan and Sigourney Weaver. That's if you manage to tear your eyes away from Tilda Swinton's 'Girl With A Pearl Earring'-esque gaze on the cover.
Name a hair trend that didn't originate with Sam McKnight. We'll wait... Fashion and celebrity's go-to hairstylist, McKnight has worked with everyone from Princess Diana and Kate Moss, to Vivienne Westwood and more Chanel runway shows than you can shake a quilted bag at. Delve into the archives of hair history with the simply-named 'Hair' that spans McKnight's unrivalled career.
A beauty book first, skincare expert Dija Ayodele has created a comprehensive guide for Black women that provides not only expert information and advice, but also Ayodele's personal take on the social and historical role of Blackness and its relationship with beauty. Consider this a myth-busting tour of all things Black skin.
The original creator of contouring, make-up artist Kevyn Aucoin defined the nineties, painting the faces of supers from Naomi Campbell to Cindy Crawford. A two-part tour of total nostalgia as well as timeless beauty tips, Making Faces is a must-have for any hardcore beauty fan.
Skincare: The Ultimate No-Nonsense Guide by Caroline Hirons
Skincare: The Ultimate No-Nonsense Guide by Caroline Hirons
If there's anything Caroline Hirons doesn't know about skincare (and isn't willing to debunk), then, frankly, it's not worth knowing. Packed full of legit skincare advice written in Hirons' signature no-nonsense tone of voice, this guide strips out the science washing and marketing jargon to give good old fashioned information you can actually use in real life.
The Power of Crystal Healing by Emma Lucy Knowles
The Power of Crystal Healing by Emma Lucy Knowles
Ready to dip your toe in the world of crystal healing but not sure where to start? Let crystal expert, clairvoyant, author and all round epically spiritual human, Emma Lucy Knowles, guide you on your path. Read your way through altering your home's energy, raising your vibrations and cleansing your mind, body and spirit via the pure power of crystals.
Good Hair: The Essential Guide To Afro, Textured And Curly Hair by Charlotte Mensah
Good Hair: The Essential Guide To Afro, Textured And Curly Hair by Charlotte Mensah
Hair legend, artistic director of the Hair Lounge salon, and founder of the Charlotte Mensah Manketti Oil products. if there's anything Charlotte Mensah doesn't know about afro, textured and curly hair, it's not worth knowing. Flick through this feel good tome for expert styling tips, industry anecdotes and imagery celebrating the beauty and uniqueness of Black hair.
The Beauty Brief: An Insider's Guide To Skincare by Katie Service
The Beauty Brief: An Insider's Guide To Skincare by Katie Service
Baffled by bakuchiol? Confused by vitamin C? Perplexed by peptides? This easy to digest guide de-mystifies all things skincare. From decoding the last dermatological treatments to how to read the inkey list and actually know what it means, this is your one stop shop for all future skincare aficionados.
The ultimate Christmas gift for those that love perfume and a quality coffee table book, the latest weighty tome from lFrederic Malle marks the 20th anniversary of the legendary fragrance house and is an art piece in itself. Turn the seriously good quality pages to discover archive illustrations, iconic photoshoots and the stories behind his most successful scents.
Great Skin - Secrets the Beauty Industry Doesn't Tell You by Ingeborg Van Lotringen
Great Skin - Secrets the Beauty Industry Doesn't Tell You by Ingeborg Van Lotringen
If you want skincare advice that's honest, frank and entirely trustworthy then this is the beauty book for you. Let Inge's candid approach to the often baffling world of expert skincare guide you through which products to use, which to avoid, and the ones the beauty industry doesn't want you to know about.
Delve into the mind of game-changing celeb hairstylist Jen Atkin as she divulges the secrets to becoming 'the most influential hair stylist in the world', the hard work behind founding Instagram's hottest hair line and how to smash through the glass ceiling as a woman in a male-dominated industry.
Calling all hardcore Aesop fans! This is the beauty book for you. An epic, 336 page volume bound in Aesop-appropriate linen and filled with images of their iconic products and game-changing store design, this a skincare obsessive's dream gift.
Palette: The Beauty Bible For Women Of Colour by Funmi Fetto
Palette: The Beauty Bible For Women Of Colour by Funmi Fetto
When it comes to make-up, for all skin tones, if anyone knows their stuff, it's journalist Funmi Fetto. In this genius, and pleasingly emerald green and pastel pink beauty bible, Fetto delves deep into her knowledge of the ultimate make-up and skincare essentials for women of colour. Read for the tips, ogle for the illustrations.
Red Lipstick: An Ode To A Beauty Icon by Rachel Felder
Red Lipstick: An Ode To A Beauty Icon by Rachel Felder
An exploration of our obsession with all things red lipstick. From the iconic shades favoured by Marilyn Monroe and Madonna, to the secrets behind Chanel's legendary lipsticks, this is a love letter to the most timeless beauty product of all time.
Open a magazine, turn the pages to any beauty or fashion editorial and chances are, if the nails are next level, they were created by backstage legend and genius manicurist, Marian Newman. Dive into her most weird, wonderful and totally haute couture nail looks whilst reading up on her top tips for creating seriously chic nail art in this new ode to all things Marian.
If you've ever wanted to take a sneak peek inside the mind of backstage legend and fashion's go-to make-up artist Val Garland, then this is the book for you. Packed full of hyper glossy editorial beauty shoots, high fashion make-up direct from backstage at LFW, and hilarious insider quotes from Val herself that reveal what actually goes on during a photoshoot ('It felt completely normal to have Erin smashing the top of a piano wearing a big, fake nose'), this is the ultimate coffee table beauty book.
The ultimate coffee table book for all the perfume lovers out there, Bulgari's beautifully shot tome combines the luxurious worlds of fragrance and precious stones in one feat of ethereal photography. Starting in Ancient Rome with a society obsessed with beauty, you'll travel the Bulgari roadmap around the world following their journey from scent to gems right up to 2018.
If, for some reason, you're still not convinced that Luke Hersheson is the king of cool girl hair, then perhaps Victoria Beckham's foreword in his new book will convince you. Dissecting the secrets to effortless hair and how to recreate that enviable French girl 'do IRL, 'Great Hair Days' is the ideal mix of aspiration and practical application. From essential tips for keeping your hair in good nick ('Never put heat directly onto wet hair'), to where to find the best hair inspo on Instagram, this is your new hair bible.
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