If you’re a regular scroller on VDM you know by now that I’m partial to a good beauty read. I rarely manage to switch my brain to mute when it comes to the cosmetics world and that does include when I’m snuggled up, head on pillow about 20 minutes prior to deep slumber. In fact it’s perhaps the time at which it is most active given the current wad of makeup-filled pages that are overcrowding my bedside table. There’s barely room for my lamp. So this weekend I thought I’d mull over and share the best of my beauty reads.
Makeup Your Mind Express Yourself by Francois Nars – one of my favourites from my beauty library. It’s a simple concept; on the left a barefaced model, on the right, a model who has been NARS-ed up, with a clear face chart sheet in-between detailing what has been used and where. Genius.
Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual by Bobbi Brown – ah shucks, I just love this book. From base to black liner – this book is a bevy of beauty tips straight from Bobbi’s studio, along with a plethora of pictured step-by-steps. There isn’t a makeup step left unturned by the time you get to the last page. See my latest ode to it here with my must-read pages handily noted down for you.
The Diary of a Nose by Jean-Claude Ellena – I’ve given a nod to this book before here and after completing it I conclude that it’s the perfect ‘tube book’; great for nipping in and out of and with the ability to transport you to another place out of that sardine packed carriage. It’s a year-long look into the daily pennings of Jean-Claude, a ‘parfumer exclusif‘ for Hermès, filled with his inspirations, formula notes and the processes that go in to his vials of work.
Makeup: The Ultimate Guide by Rae Morris – well isn’t this a beautiful book? It may be a few years old now, but the looks are timeless. These pages are a goldmine for makeup tips and Rae’s beauty nuggets: from applying lipgloss without things looking too glossy to the most comprehensive how-to of contouring and highlighting I’ve ever set eyes on. And there’s a ‘Get the Look’ featuring Miranda Kerr – sold.
The Secret of Scent by Luca Turin – my current read. A little bit sciencey, a little bit history based and a whole load of info on perfume. I’m still on the ‘musk’ section but the book covers everything there is to know about perfume according the the contents and so far I’ve picked up some fun facts like, ‘musk was originally derived from deer derriere’ – who knew?Â
Lauren Conrad: Beauty by Lauren Conrad – L.C is the owner of arguably the best hair in the world. Agreed? So when she put pen to paper on the subject of all things beauty, with all my Laguna Beach/The Hills viewing years in me I couldn’t not pick this up. It’s a little fluffy in places and she doesn’t name any actual products nor specific brands that she loves (boo!), but there are some nice how-tos. Her trademark bun step-by-step and nail art looks are worth flicking to.
Six reads and there’s something for everyone; just a makeup magpie mindset is required. Time to make space on your bedside table…
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