5 Best Makeup Books

ByCordelia

5 Best Makeup Books

Today I’m sharing my 5 Best Makeup Books with you. This was a reader request. I own a lot of makeup books, some good, some bad, but these are my favorites. I feel the need to point out that 99% of the books that I buy, I buy in kindle format. The notable exception are my makeup books. I buy physical books for makeup because I find that easier to flip through them than trying to flip through looks on my kindle fire. I also share which books I would avoid like the plague.

5 Best Makeup Books

All books purchased by me except Kendra’s book, which was sent for consideration.


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5 Best Makeup Books

1. Makeup Is Art by Academy of Freelance Makeup
These experts offer imaginative ideas, inside knowledge, and a wealth of advice for aspiring artists, along with instructions for a range of inventive looks using specialist techniques-from retro styles and Lady Gaga-inspired designs to underwater makeup and body painting.

2. Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself by François Nars
I really love the before and after pictures with the overlays in this book. I also like that it tells you what products to use to achieve the looks.

3. Making Faces by Kevyn Aucoin
Still relevant today! Kevyn explains makeup techniques, shares tips, and lots of beautiful looks.

4. Jemma Kidd Make-up Masterclass: Beauty Bible of Professional Techniques and Wearable Looks by Jemma Kidd
This covers a lot of different makeup looks. It also has a helpful contouring and highlighting section.

5. 500 Eye Makeup Designs: Inspired and Inventive Looks for Mood and Occasion by Kendra Stanton
My friend Kendra (Citizens of Beauty) created this book and I love it! It’s got so many different eyeshadow looks in it. I find it helpful because it gives me ideas on how to wear colors that I might not normally reach for. This is what I think makes a great makeup book because I want a ton of looks for inspiration! You can find Kendra at Youtube.

I love Kendra's Book

I thought this was kind of cute. Don’t miss out on seeing my eyeshadow hoard.

My Other Makeup Books

Makeup: The Ultimate Guide by Rae Morris
I was hard pressed to decide between this book and the Jemma Kidd book in my top 5, because I love this one a ton, too. I feel like Rae Morris is more edgy with her looks than Jemma Kidd. This book has a lot of great techniques.

Express Makeup by Rae Morris
I like the quick tips in this book. I also think the photography is beautiful.

Eye Candy: 50 Easy Makeup Looks for Glam Lids and Luscious Lashes by Linda Mason
This was the first book I bought solely for eye makeup inspiration.

Face Forward by Kevyn Aucoin
Kevyn Aucoin was incredibly talented and his books are all amazing.

Asian Faces: The Essential Beauty and Makeup Guide for Asian Women by Taylor Chang-Babaian
I picked this up to study techniques for different eye shapes. This is when I realized that hooded eyes and monolids could use some of the same techniques (aka faking a crease on the browbone to add depth).

The Beauty of Color by Iman
This is a beautiful book. I picked it up so that I could answer reader questions and offer better recommendations.

Makeup Makeovers in 5, 10, 15, and 20 Minutes: Expert Secrets for Stunning Transformations by Robert Jones
I found this helpful to see what a makeup artist considers 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 minute looks.

The 5-Minute Face: The Quick & Easy Makeup Guide for Every Woman by Carmindy
I picked this up because it’s helpful for when my friends who don’t wear a lot of makeup ask for recommendations.

Get Positively Beautiful: The Ultimate Guide to Looking and Feeling Gorgeous by Carmindy
This book was recommended to me on Reddit and I found it to be an enjoyable read, but nothing groundbreaking.

Color Me Beautiful Make Up Manual by Colour Me Beautiful.
I liked the seasons for color classification in here. It makes sense when it talks about skintone and coloring by season to make recommendations.

Jemma Kidd Make-Up Secrets: Solutions to Every Woman’s Beauty Issues and Make-Up Dilemmas by Jemma Kidd
I really like the making makeup work for you section in this book.

Other Beauty Related Books

Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me by Paula Begoun
I love Paula’s books even if I don’t agree with them 100% of the time. I also love her skincare line and makeup. Her books are an interesting read. Just take everything with a grain of salt.

It’s OK to have Lead in your Lipstick by Perry Romanowski and Randy Schueller
I love their blog, so I had to buy their book.

Plastic Surgery Without the Surgery: The Miracle of Makeup Techniques by Eve Pearl
I picked this book up but have only flipped through it. It didn’t really grab my attention.

Life in Color: The Visual Therapy Guide to the Perfect Palette–for Fashion, Beauty, and You! by Jesse Garza
I picked this up but haven’t had a chance to read it yet.

How Not to Look Old: Fast and Effortless Ways to Look 10 Years Younger, 10 Pounds Lighter, 10 Times Better by Charla Krupp
Another book I picked up but haven’t yet read. I’m often fascinated by what people think is good advice to offer.

Books I own that I would Skip

Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual: For Everyone from Beginner to Pro by Bobbi Brown
Initially I was excited by this book. I think I just don’t like Bobbi Brown’s style, so it didn’t do much for me.

Makeup Makeovers Beauty Bible: Expert Secrets for Stunning Transformations by Robert Jones
This book is ok, not great.

Face to Face: Amazing New Looks and Inspiration from the Top Celebrity Makeup Artist by Scott Barnes
This book has pretty pictures but was a letdown because of the lack of instructions.

About Face: Amazing Transformations Using the Secrets of the Top Celebrity Makeup Artist by Scott Barnes
Nice pictures but I didn’t find the step-by-steps that useful.

Everything Eyes: Professional Techniques * Essential Tools * Gorgeous Makeup Looks by Bobbi Brown
I had high hopes for this book but it sucked. It was very few looks, lots of glasses. As someone who has to wear either contacts or glasses, I don’t usually consider wearing glasses for fashion. They’re more of a necessity if I want to see. I just didn’t like this and would absolutely not recommend it.

People I Wish Would Write a Makeup Book

Finally, I wanted to include a section on people I wish would write a makeup book, because I’d buy their books!

What are your favorite makeup books? Who would you love to see make a book?

Cordelia Frost is the creative force behind Phyrra, a treasure trove for cruelty-free indie and goth makeup enthusiasts. She's the author of the game-changing 'Hooded Eyes Makeup Manual' a must-read for hooded eyes makeup.

Cordelia's world is a kaleidoscope of alternative beauty, gothic fashion, and life-enhancing tips, making every visit to Phyrra a journey into a more colorful and inspired self.

21 Comments

  1. This is a great post. My sister is in makeup school and I wanted to get her some good books. Kevin Aucoin was a definite but I wasn’t sure what else. Now I have some ideas. Thank you!

  2. I love this post. I need to check out some of the books on your list. Thanks!

  3. Making Faces and Face Forward by Kevin Aucoin are great makeup books. I still have them somewhere. I definitely need to check the others that you recommended. Thanks!

  4. Great list! I definitely need to check out Kendra’s, I’m a big fan of hers! I totally agree, the Kevin Aucoin is a must have: classic and masterful tips and techniques that are still relevant. He was really a true artist! I don’t know if you were a Sex and the City fan but do you remember when he was on the show doing Carrie’s makeup? :):)

  5. I have NARS’ and Kendra’s book, and LOVE them. They hold prize positioning on my bookshelf. I cheered out loud when I saw Rae Morris on your list twice, she is the bomb and I think you two would actually get a long REALLY well.

  13. AMAZING list of helpful books. Kendra’s book is awesome and I am obsessed with all of the Kevyn Aucoin books. I have also got Robert Jones, Bobbi Brown, Jemma Kidd, NARS and Scott barnes books and love each one of them. BTW- you look beautiful in your video <3 and I totally agree I woulod buy a Kandee Johnson book in a heartbeat or PixiWoo.

  14. I have to admit I wasn’t all that into beauty books. But I’ve been seeing them featured more and more and I’m starting to understand the appeal. Particular;y Kendra’s 500 eye looks – you’re absolutely right – inspiration to reach for colours one wouldn’t normally use is definitely worth investing in. 🙂

  15. Kendra’s book looks gorgeous. A dream book really. And I’ve heard great things about all of Kevyn Aucoin’s books.

  18. This is a great post and just in time too! Only yesterday I was thinking I needed some books on cosmetics and application and didn’t know where to start. I have been applying my own makeup for a lot of years, but only learned what I know from Seventeen magazine and then my makeup pretty much stayed the same (in a rut) until I discovered these blogs and you tube tutorials a couple of years ago. Up until 2 years ago, I owned 1 eye shadow palette (the ones with multicolors that you swirled together to get a natural look) 1 blush and 1 lipstick and a lot of lip gloss. My foundation was that magic color changing kind that came out of the tube white and changed as it touched your skin, so was my blush. Those Almay ones that change to suit your skin tone? Yeah, I knew nothing really about makeup. I still struggle with false lashes though and can’t get the hang of them yet. So yeah, I was thinking about buying some books and didn’t know where to start and today here you are with this fabulous post!

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