These books might not fit in your makeup bag, but you'll wish they did
Stuck in a reading slump? Stretch your eye muscles and tackle a new genre with our curated list of the best books about beauty, spanning makeup, hair and nailcare, and get to know some of the biggest names and trends in the industry today.
The Country & Town House Responsible Buyers’ Guide
Fabulous Books About Beauty To Read Now
Red Lipstick: An Ode to a Beauty Icon by Rachel Felder
‘Lipstick is the one makeup item most women can’t live without – and the most iconic shade is red,’ says Rachel Felder, in her tribute to this makeup bag staple. Diving into the history of the world’s favourite lipstick shade, Felder pulls on some fantastic stories and anecdotes, as well as over 100 images spanning fine art, photography, editorial and advertising. This is a book that is just as pretty as it is entertaining.
READ IT: Red Lipstick: An Ode to a Beauty Icon by Rachel Felder, £18.04, bookshop.org
Marco Antonio x Rankin
World-renowned photographer Rankin teams up with makeup artist Marco Antonio for a celebration of their creative partnerships over the years, brought together in Marco Antonio x Rankin. The book features hundreds of photos exploring the duo’s artistic vision across high-profile campaigns and editorials, as well as ‘in conversation’ excerpts between Rankin and Marco as they discuss their careers and musings on the beauty landscape today.
Black Skin: The Definitive Skincare Guide by Dija Ayodele
Described as a ‘one-stop shop in caring for Black skin’, Dija Ayodele’s recent book Black Skin examines the relationship between Blackness and the beauty industry and how factors of history and ingrained racism intersect. Weaving through these investigations are the common complaints brought up within Black skincare today, from hyperpigmentation and scarring to skincare ingredients.
READ IT: Black Skin: The Definitive Skincare Guide by Dija Ayodele, £19, bookshop.org
Aesop: the book by Dennis Paphitis and Jennifer Down, with photographs by Yutaka Yamamoto
Luxury cosmetics and skincare label Aesop released its debut volume, Aesop: the book, in 2019 – and it’s possibly the perfect coffee table book design aficionados, curious readers and aesthetes alike. It’s a massive 336-page, linen-bound hardback, chronicling the first 33 years of the brand’s history across products and shop spaces through notes, photographs and archival images.
READ IT: Aesop: the book by Dennis Paphitis and Jennifer Down, £57, aesop.com
Nailed It: Nails Fashion Technique by Marian Newman
Written by world-famous nail artist Marian Newman, Nailed It is considered the bible of nail technicians. Inside, Newman tells the stories behind some of her iconic looks, from creations for the likes of Kate Moss and Cara Delevinge to campaigns with Dior and fashion shows for Vivienne Westwood. Its pages are packed with design inspiration, and Newman even lays out how she created some her looks with step-by-step guides and notes on where she finds her tools and products.
READ IT: Nailed It: Nails Fashion Technique by Marian Newman, £23.75, bookshop.org
Hear Me, See Me by Haircuts4Homeless
This book of black-and-white portraits was shot by photographer Jack Eames, and showcases the work of charity Haircuts4Homeless. Set up by veteran hairdresser Stewart Roberts, the charity is a community of skilled hairdresser volunteers who give free haircuts to homeless people. Eames and hairstylist Leigh Keates have been following the charity since 2019, and with the permission of the charity’s clients have been documenting their stories to create this moving book. It’s packed with gorgeous photos and intimate quotes, and will no doubt make you an instant fan of Haircuts4Homeless.
READ IT: Hear Me, See Me by Haircuts4Homeless, £49, haircuts4homeless.com
