If You Love Makeup, You Will Love These 25 Books

Eyeliner, mascara, blush, highlighter, concealer, bronzer, moisturizer, foundation — these may just be some of the products typically found in a makeup bag, but most makeup lovers' collections might be missing one important component: makeup books. From Bobbi Brown's amazing makeup manuals and Kevyn Aucoin's timeless beauty advice to Anjali Mahto's wonderful wisdom on skin care and Sarah Jane Dowling's eye-opening look at cosmetics through the decades, makeup- and beauty-centric literature not only offers great insight but can also teach a thing (or 10) along the way. Here are 25 makeup- and beauty-focused books every makeup lover should add to their collection.

01
Skin Deep
Amazon

Skin Deep

In New York Times writer Bee Shapiro's Skin Deep: Women on Skin Care, Makeup, and Looking Their Best, she speaks to more than 40 people about their relationships with and opinions on everything from makeup routines to skincare regimens and how their feelings may have changed through the years. Featured celebrities include Gwyneth Paltrow, Priyanka Chopra, Christophe Robin, and more.

02
Making Faces
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Making Faces

Renowned makeup artist Kevyn Aucoin shares some of his secrets and techniques in Making Faces, which also includes more than 200 color photos and sketches.

03
An Atlas of Natural Beauty
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An Atlas of Natural Beauty

An Atlas of Natural Beauty: Botanical Ingredients for Retaining and Enhancing Beauty by the iconic Parisian apothecary L'Officine Universelle Buly is a beautiful guide with simple recipes that use natural ingredients to help enhance one's natural beauty.

04
Beauty and Cosmetics: 1550-1950
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Beauty and Cosmetics: 1550-1950

From Queen Elizabeth's dangerous usage of white lead for her complexion, to Marilyn Monroe's trick of using four different lipstick shades for her signature look, Beauty and Cosmetics: 1550-1950 by Sarah Jane Dowling explores the history and role of makeup from as early as the 1500s.

05
Chanel: Collections and Creations
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Chanel: Collections and Creations

Chanel: Collections and Creations by Daniele Bott navigates some of the famous fashion house's iconic designs and products, including makeup.

06
Classic Beauty: The History of Makeup
Amazon

Classic Beauty: The History of Makeup

Classic Beauty: The History of Makeup by Gabriela Hernandez explores some of the most memorable trends for eyes, lips, and face from each decade.

07
Compacts and Cosmetics
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Compacts and Cosmetics

Vintage accessories expert Madeleine Marsh's Compacts and Cosmetics takes a look at cosmetics and compacts, and some of their hidden secrets throughout the years.

08
​Everything Eyes
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​Everything Eyes

Everything Eyes by Bobbi Brown reveals the world-famous makeup artist's tips and tricks for creating stunning eyes. Not to judge a book by its cover, but how can you resist that visual?

09
Face Paint: The Story of Makeup
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Face Paint: The Story of Makeup

In Face Paint: The Story of Makeup, author Lisa Eldridge analyzes makeup as an art form and how it has transformed throughout the centuries, from Egyptian and classical times all the way to Hollywood.

10
Goop Clean Beauty
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Goop Clean Beauty

The editors of Goop come together for Goop Clean Beauty, sharing some of their beauty advice including nontoxic product recommendations and camera-ready looks.

11
How to Wear Makeup: 75 Tips + Tutorials
Amazon

How to Wear Makeup: 75 Tips + Tutorials

Including advice from what products to keep in your makeup bag to seasonal skin care, How to Wear Makeup: 75 Tips + Tutorials by Mackenzie Wagoner is a a must-have beauty guide for any makeup lover.

12
Love Those Eyes
Amazon

Love Those Eyes

Love Those Eyes by Sarah Ellis includes 50 amazing eye-makeup how-tos, illustrated by fashion illustrator Elisa Mazzone.

13
Make Up: Your Life Guide to Beauty, Style, and Success
Amazon

Make Up: Your Life Guide to Beauty, Style, and Success

From how to achieve glowing skin to how to turn your passion into a career, YouTube sensation Michelle Phan shares some of her best beauty, career, and life wisdom in Make Up: Your Life Guide to Beauty, Style, and Success.

14
Makeup Manual
Amazon

Makeup Manual

Bobbi Brown's Makeup Manual takes readers through easy-to-follow makeup tutorials complete with beautiful imagery. Whether you are a seasoned makeup artist or are just starting to explore the world of beauty, you will be sure pick up on some wonderful tips.

15
Make-up Masterclass: Beauty Bible of Professional Techniques and Wearable Looks
Amazon

Make-up Masterclass: Beauty Bible of Professional Techniques and Wearable Looks

Make-Up Masterclass: Beauty Bible of Professional Techniques and Wearable Looks is a timeless makeup guide for makeup artists and makeup lovers alike to try out new techniques and learn sage advice.

16
Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself
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Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself

Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself is by one of the world's most respected cosmetic designers, Francois Nars. In this book, Nars perfectly combines makeup and photography to develop a makeup guide that will act as the perfect partner for ultimate self-expression.

17
Pretty Honest: The Straight-Talking Beauty Companion
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Pretty Honest: The Straight-Talking Beauty Companion

In Pretty Honest: The Straight-Talking Beauty Companion journalist and broadcaster Sali Hughes uses 20 years of wisdom to help people learn how to use makeup to both physically and emotionally transform themselves. Readers can expect Hughes to cover topics ranging from teenage skin to bridal makeup.

18
Pretty Iconic: A Personal Look at the Beauty Products That Changed the World
Amazon

Pretty Iconic: A Personal Look at the Beauty Products That Changed the World

In Sali Hughes's Pretty Iconic: A Personal Look at the Beauty Products That Changed the World she takes a look at some of the most iconic cosmetics out there – Orgasm by Nars, Chanel No. 5, Simple face wipes – and the many different roles they have in each of our lives.

19
Pretty Powerful
Amazon

Pretty Powerful

Bobbi Brown's Pretty Powerful is a makeup manual that instead of honing in on how you look, focuses instead on who you are. In this book, Bobbi Brown interviews tens of people – ranging from celebrities to athletes and everyone in between – about the role beauty plays in their lives. Included also are hundreds of makeup makeover ideas, secrets for perfect brows and glowing skin, and more.

20
The Beauty of Dirty Skin: The Surprising Science of Looking and Feeling Radiant From the Inside Out
Amazon

The Beauty of Dirty Skin: The Surprising Science of Looking and Feeling Radiant From the Inside Out

The Beauty of Dirty Skin by Whitney Bowe, MD, focuses on one of makeup's most important foundations: the skin. In this book, Dr. Whitney Bowe explains to readers that there is a strong link between skin and gut, and to get healthy, glowing skin on the outside you must first look within.

21
The Little Book of Skin Care
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The Little Book of Skin Care

Recent years have seen the rise in popularity of Korean skin care worldwide. In Charlotte Cho's The Little Book of Skincare she shares with us some of Korean beauty secrets for healthier, glowing skin.

22
The Make-Up Manual: Your Beauty Guide for Brows, Eyes, Skin, Lips, and More
Amazon

The Make-Up Manual: Your Beauty Guide for Brows, Eyes, Skin, Lips, and More

In makeup artist Lisa Potter-Dixon's must-have, The Makeup Manual: Your Beauty Guide for Brows, Eyes, Skin, Lips, and More, she covers everything from perfecting your base, contouring, strobing, bold lips, glittery eyes, and much more.

23
The Skincare Bible: Your No-Nonsense Guide to Great Skin
Amazon

The Skincare Bible: Your No-Nonsense Guide to Great Skin

The Skincare Bible: Your No-Nonsense Guide to Great Skin by Dr. Anjali Mahto, one of the UK's leading consultant dermatologists, walks you through skincare tips and tricks that will help with anything from acne to rosacea. This handy guide cuts through all the noise and shows you which routines and products may work and which may not, while also helping you find your own skincare path.

24
Your Beauty Mark: The Ultimate Guide to Eccentric Glamour
Amazon

Your Beauty Mark: The Ultimate Guide to Eccentric Glamour

In Your Beauty Mark: The Ultimate Guide to Eccentric Glamour, Dita von Teese (along with co-writer Rose Apodaca) walks you through Von Teese's glamour routine. The guide includes advice from some of her famous friends, as well as hundreds of beautiful photographs, step-by-step glamour tutorials, and tons of original illustrations by designer and illustrator Adele Mildred.

25
Face Forward by Kevyn Aucoin
Amazon

Face Forward by Kevyn Aucoin

Focusing on celebrities who have been made up to transform into other celebrities with precision, Kevyn Aucoin's Face Forward truly shows you the transformative power of makeup.