Being a makeup artist is a wonderful and creative career path to take. You get to meet a lot of people and see many places you maybe wouldn’t have. If you are into makeup, but also into fashion, beauty, movies, or theatre, you can work on really dynamic and exciting projects. Makeup books are there to show you the first steps into this world. Many of these books are not meant only for makeup artists, they are also for the ones that want to learn more about makeup artistry. But maybe it happens that these books will inspire you to pursue a makeup career, and apply to a makeup school, who knows!
If you want to become a makeup artist and you are not sure where to begin, this article is for you. If you are seeking inspiration, new techniques, again, you’re at the right place. With beautiful imagery, these makeup books also make a great gift or coffee table book that you will come back to again and again.
Makeup books we love:
Makeup Manual – Bobbi Brown
Bobbi Brown’s extensive experience of makeup styling experience distilled into one complete, gorgeous book. Breathtaking photos of an everyday makeup look to exotic runway style along with advice on putting it all together for every woman. From basic beauty equipment and the basics of skincare to the business of makeup and professional artistry. This book is for beginners and it is a perfect gift for someone entering the world of makeup.
Makeup: The Ultimate Guide – Rae Morris
This book has a wonderful collection of achievable looks, with added step-by-step photo instructions. The book covers not just technique but gets into detail about what brush to use where which is key to achieving looks. The author has a chatty, conversational style, and it is almost like you’re having a coffee and a makeover with a friend. Most of the looks are for evening wear, but you can easily tone them down for day look.
Making Faces – Kevyn Aucoin
Don’t let to fool you the year this is published. Kevyn Aucoin believes beauty is always in fashion; trends come and go, but true beauty transcends time. This book is the makeup bible! In the 90’s you had to be credible to get your book published, and this book represents the foundation of makeup artistry. It shows fundamentals and how to use them to create a wide range of different looks.
Make-Up Masterclass – Jemma Kidd
This book shares insights into Jemma’s life in the beauty industry. It also shows a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the prep that goes on before a show or a photoshoot. Jemma explains how she works with the latest trends to create new looks and color schemes. In addition, she shows how extreme looks can be adapted and toned down for everyday wear.
Related: Top 20 Makeup Schools in the World to Propel Your Career
Make Up – Michelle Phan
Phan’s YouTube channel has over 8 million subscribers, so she knows a thing or two about makeup makeovers. Reigning beauty queen shares tips from the everyday stuff such as how to get glowing skin or pull off perfect eyeliner to the big picture (how to turn your passion into a profession). The book is a practical and empowering resource to help anyone put their best face forward.
The Ultimate Guide to Makeup, Skin, and Hair From the Beauty Authority – SEPHORA
If SEPHORA is your favorite store, then you will love this book. In Sephora: The Ultimate Guide to Makeup, Skin, and Hair from the Beauty Authority, fashion and beauty journalist and former Sephora beauty editor Melissa Schweiger personally introduce the people behind some of your favorite brands. Melissa fills this book with the beauty secrets usually reserved for insiders. From an A-to-Z glossary of terms and ingredients, a shopping guide to the best products and detailed explanations on how to use them.
Makeup Makeovers – Robert Jones
It’ll completely change the way you approach makeup, take you from dabbling amateur to the sophisticated artist. The book is filled with step by step illustrated guides and diagrams. The before and after pictures are astounding, I appreciate that Jones brings out the beauty in each woman, without striving to make her look artificial, or like someone else. if you want to learn more about applying makeup beautifully then add this to your collection!
Related: How Makeup Artists Can Get Published in Fashion Magazines
Everything Eyes – Bobbi Brown
Bobbi Brown gives us a breakdown of everything eyes. Tools, techniques, and tips on how to make the most of the eyes care and makeup, even behind the glasses and info on how to choose one for your face type. In a world of easy access to online makeup tutorials, this book comes across as a little limited as far as “look books” go. Also, this book is small and light and makes a perfect vacation read!
Makeup Makeovers: Weddings – Robert Jones
This is THE book for every bride or bridal makeup artist. Every woman will be able to find a look that she can relate to in this book. It finds perfectly good use as a catalog of ideas with many looks to choose from. Create that picture-perfect look of timeless beauty for that Special Day. This book tells you in great detail how to apply your makeup whether you are an expert or someone who doesn’t know the first thing about makeup.
ABOUT FACE – Scott Barnes
Celebrity makeup artist, Scott Barnes, knows how to create an incredible makeup look. There are makeover sections of the book featuring women from different nationalities and different ages. The book is positive and a “feel good” read with wonderful stories, celebrity interviews, and instructions. Presented models have different types of beauty, facial features, and skin colors so each of us can find something for ourselves.
ASIAN FACES – Taylor Chang-Babaian
First beauty book was specifically created to focus on the techniques and styles that enhance the skin tones and facial features of Asian women. The author really gets down to all the things Asian women need to know. This book details tips and tricks to makeup products and tools to achieve the perfect skin tone. Also how to work with one’s face and eye shape, and much more. After the different looks, she has sections on decades and costume make-up. She even includes a nice version of the Japanese Ganguro look.
The Makeup Artist Handbook – Gretchen Davis and Mindy Hall
This book is something more than an essential how-to book. Mindy Hall and Gretchen Davis, award-winning Hollywood makeup artists, will walk you through what it takes to stand out as a makeup artist in the world of entertainment. It covers techniques that only seasoned professionals know. This is an excellent resource for learning more about makeup beyond its day-to-day uses and a real refresher for makeup artists. Includes tips on how to work with the pros and all about set etiquette.
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The Beauty of Color – Iman
All makeup artists and women of color should have this book in their collection. It has helpful information on how to do makeup for different skin tones. Iman breaks down the different face types and shows which product to use for which skin tone. Besides, the good is excellent for everyone from beginners to advanced makeup artists. This should not be your only book you check when it comes to “how to apply to make up”. But it should be your top 2 when it comes to what colors better match your skin tone.
The Mercenary Makeup Artist – Kaylin Johnson
In this book, Kaylin Johnson details how to break into the beauty industry with style. It’s packed with information that will help you in making a career as a makeup artist. Note: This book is NOT about how to do makeup. But rather a guide for you to not get lost. In a plethora of recommended websites, online tutorials, makeup products, it’s easy to get lost. It covers everything from how to protect yourself and your business, what to expect, how to handle unruly clients, makeup application, and much more!
Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself – Francis Nars
From François Nars, one of the most respected and imitated cosmetics designers in fashion today comes this beautiful book about all things beauty. There are so many and versatile looks there with different ethnicities and ages (there are even looks for males). The book is visually stunning and ideal for lazy Sunday read.
Makeup Is Art – Jana Ririnui and Lan Nguyen
The book comes from prestige makeup school – Academy of Freelance Makeup. It doesn’t cover basic makeup application, but it does go into how to give professional and unique results for fashion. It even goes into things like body paint and prosthetic/accessory applications to the face. A beautiful book for makeup artists, for inspiration and makeup book collectors alike.
Face Paint: The Story of Makeup – Lisa Eldridge
We left our current favorite for the end. Face Paint is a big, colorful book – one full of glossy images and real eye candy. Makeup artist and Lancome global creative director Lisa Eldridge drops some severe knowledge in Face Paint: The Story of Makeup. Aside from being an eye-candy, this book is a well-researched book on the history and application of makeup. It is full of enthralling facts and tales for your mind to learn.
