The Best Beauty Books To Gift (Or Keep) This Christmas

Line your shelves with these brilliant beauty bibles

Beauty Books

by Emma Stoddart |
Updated on

Calling all beauty junkies from around the world, these are the beauty bibles that deserve to be high up on your reading list. Full to the brim with expert tips and tricks, visual inspiration and so many hilarious anecdotes – we can guarantee that every single one will up your beauty intel. And what better time to get swatting up than now?

Time at home is more than well spent if you can say you've finally pinned down that perfect red lip technique, locked down your Zoom Christmas party beauty look, or even made a wish-list of those cult beauty buys you are still yet to try. The best in the business have collated a generous portion of their own beauty expertise into a beautifully bound pile of papers, just for you. Think renowned make-up artist Val Garland, hair stylist to the stars Luke Hersheson, and even legendary skincare expert Caroline Hirons. They've been legends in the business for years, and their time is in demand. When else are you likely to get such in-depth info straight from the beauty expert's mouth?

There's even a hefty dose of busines acumen on offer from Maria Hatzistefanis, the phenomenally successful lady behind Rodial. If the beauty industry is your version of career heaven, or you're looking for a general boost in motivation, her read How To Be An Overnight Success is right up your street.

Needless to say there's a wealth of beauty focused fodder out there just waiting to be delved into page by page and yes, they're likely to look pretty darned beautiful on your coffee table too which makes them the perfect Christmas gift. Although these smart, informative and inspiring reads are so much more than coffee table catnip. Browse the best of the bunch below....

SHOP: The Best Beauty Books

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Best Beauty Books 2020

Best Beauty Books1 of 12

Back Chat Beauty: The Beauty Guide For Real Life by Sophie Beresiner and Lisa Potter-Dixon, £8.75

Industry experts Sophie (beauty and style director at fashion and lifestyle website Buro) and Lisa (make-up artist) join forces to curate a no-nonsense, straight-talking guide with something for everyone. Packed with brilliant advice, foolproof hacks and even a recipe or two (baked camembert – we're looking at you), think of this as your practical new best friend.

Best Beauty Books2 of 12

Palette: The Beauty Bible For Women Of Colour by Funmi Fetto, £20

Funmi, a beauty editor with 20 years' experience (and perennially glowing skin), talks us through the best beauty buys and advice for women of colour. Spanning skincare, make-up and haircare, this guide includes nearly 200 products, all put through their paces. It's insightful, honest and also 'a rallying cry for beauty brands to recognise the necessity, importance and value of engaging with a diverse range of skin tones and hair textures.' Bravo!

Best Beauty Books3 of 12

Caroline Hirons Skincare: The Ultimate No-Nonsense Guide, £20

If you're looking for straight-talking skincare advice that cuts out the waffle, this is the beauty bible for you. Globally qualified advanced aesthetician (trained in over 100 brands), Caroline Hirons seriously knows her stuff when it comes to skincare. From demystifying ingredients to learning how to create a routine that works for you, Caroline offers frank and sound advice for every skincare concern going. This will totally transform your beauty regime.

Best Beauty Books4 of 12

The Beauty Brief: An Insider's Guide to Skincare, £19.99

With years of experience in the beauty industry, Katie Service (Beauty Director at Harrods) shares her expert advice on morning routines, 'on-the-go' products, evening regimes, SOS skin repair tips and dermatological treatment. Expect to walk away from this book with a bounty of beauty knowledge that will have you declaring yourself as a true skintellectual.

Best Beauty Books5 of 12

Validated! The Makeup Of Val Garland, £35

Famed for her creative eye and boundary-pushing versatility, legendary make-up artist Val reveals her career highlights, from where it all began to the icons she's worked with (Kate Moss, Nick Knight and Vivienne Westwood, to name a few). Her incredible journey is illustrated with catwalk photos, magazine covers, backstage snaps and quotes from industry power players.

Best Beauty Books6 of 12

Nailed It by Marian Newman, £25

Having worked with some of fashion's biggest names including Dior, Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood, nail legend Marian Newman shares her stories behind her creations. Packed with step-by-step techniques, the pro's toolkit and some beautiful imagery – this one is for all those who go mania for manicures.

Best Beauty Books7 of 12

Great Hair Days: & How to Have Them by Luke Hersheson, £20

Experienced one too many dodgy haircuts? Or not sure how to work your hair type? Legendary Hair Stylist and Founder of his eponymous brand, Luke Hersheson, shares all his hair-care knowledge in this handy and practical guide. From how to discover your hair type to asking the right questions to your hairdresser, this book really gets to the root of exactly what your hair needs.

Best Beauty Books8 of 12

Pro Makeup Design Book by Lan Nguyen-Grealis, £15

Bursting with beautiful imagery, top tips and tricks (such as how to use colour, gloss and graphic effects), and a workbook of 30 face charts so you can get creative, this is a lesson in the true art of face painting from make-up artist Lan. It will inspire novices and bona fide beauty experts alike.

Best Beauty Books9 of 12

Pretty Iconic: A Personal Look at the Beauty Products That Changed the World, £26

Beauty columnist, Sali Hughes, digs deep into some of the most iconic products in the beauty industry. From Chanel's No 5 to Babyliss Big Hair, Sali shares how these products and emerging big brands have shaped the beauty industry today. Witty, warm and super interesting – this is a great holiday read.

Best Beauty Books10 of 12

How to Be an Overnight Success by Maria Hatzistefanis, £12

A truly inspiring read, founder of Rodial, Maria Hatzistefanie tells all on how she built her beauty brand from the very beginning. The journey covers all the challenges Maria faced along the way and really proves how hard work, sheer determination and patient are all you need to make your career dreams come true. A must-read for anyone looking for a bit of motivation, Maria's advice and tips do not go amiss.

Best Beauty Books11 of 12

Elements by Jason Hetherington and Mel Arter, £27.20

In a refreshing move away from airbrushed perfection, photographer Jason and make-up artist Mel Arter bring us a collection of serenely beautiful photographs. Inspired by raw materials and nature, the images aim to challenge our fixation with flawlessness and instead focus on make-up representing freedom and creativity.

Best Beauty Books12 of 12

Dior The Art Of Colour, £71.25

Split into 12 chapters categorised by colour, this beautiful book takes us on an incredible journey through the history of Dior cosmetics. It is a feast for the eyes, filled with iconic works from infamous artists, major advertising campaigns and the inspiration behind the creations. Pure coffee table gold.

READ MORE: How To Apply The Ultimate Smoky Eye According To Charlotte Tilbury

READ MORE: Caroline Hirons' 10 Skincare Rules To Live By

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