7 coffee table beauty books that every girl needs

Perfume: A Century of Scents by Lizzie Ostrom, £16.99

Perfume expert Lizzie Ostrom gives us an exciting history lesson (no seriously- we promise!) on the most iconic scents of the past century and the incredible stories behind them. Discover the origins of ‘signature scents’, quirky fads like scents for the eyelid and the wacky advertising campaigns that accompanied them. Who knew that samples of Carven’s Ma Griffe were parachuted into Paris?  

Face by Pixiwoo, £20

A practical beauty guide to making up every part of your face, Face covers all bases. So if you want to know how to create a perfect cat-eye or how to apply fake lashes and get it right first time, this is a great reference point. As an added bonus, the book is accompanied by a free app with useful behind the scenes video tutorials.    

Art & Makeup by Lan Nguyen-Grealis, £28

A beautiful showcase of work from award-winning makeup artist, Lan Nguyen-Greal. Expect over 200 stunning images from the likes of Rankin, plus looks inspired by Picasso and Warhol. For those looking to break into the industry, there’s also an invaluable insider's guide with quotes from renowned makeup artists,fashion designers, photographers and stylists. Interesting and educational!  

Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual by Bobbi Brown, £20  

Published almost 8 years ago, Makeup Manual still tops the bestsellers lists time and time again and it’s clear to see why. It essentially contains Bobbi Brown’s 25+ years of makeup expertise in one easy to follow manual. Discover how to find the right foundation for your skin tone, expert application techniques and essential equipment to add to your makeup kit.

Face Paint: The Story of Makeup by Lisa Eldridge, £18.99

As all beauty lovers will know, Lisa Eldridge (makeup artist, Youtuber and creative director at Lancôme) is a very big deal. Which is why we were thrilled when she released her debut book last year. A fascinating look at makeup through the ages, Face Paint explores the reasons behind why we wear makeup, the impact it has had on women’s lives and charts beauty icons from Cleopatra to Kate Moss.

Hair by Sam McKnight, £34.98

Alongside his much-anticipated exhibition at Somerset House, hair legend Sam McKnight has a newly-released book celebrating his stellar 40-year career. He reveals personal stories from his time spent creating iconic looks for Princess Diana and Kate Moss, alongside a chronological history of his work. As you’d expect, the pages are lined with a beautiful mix of fashion editorials and candid backstage shots. It’s a great insight into the man behind the magic and if you love hair, this is the book for you.  

SKIN by Liz Earle, £25

As much as we love makeup, a beautiful base is the first step to a flawless complexion and skincare is the starting point. This is a beauty book with a difference, encouraging you to eat your way to better skin. And as it comes from the queen of skincare, you know it’s advice worth listening to. It contains a 6-week plan with each week focusing on a different element, from detoxing and cleansing to healing and balancing. If something promises to help us on our quest to beautiful skin, we’re all ears.