What are your New Year’s resolutions? Perhaps your main goal is just to put on pants more frequently? Or maybe you’re feeling a little bit more on top of your game, and you want to add some new reads to your bookshelf? If that’s the case, then look no further. We’ve rounded up the nine best beauty books to read in 2021, including everything from celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin’s new social media-famous novel to the must-have beauty 101 book for makeup novices.
If you want career advice with a hearty side of humor:
This novel is a glorious combination of a self-help book and an addictive page-turner. Jen Atkin doles out life advice and simultaneously shares her unique story about her journey from being raised Mormon in Utah to becoming a celebrity hairstylist and entrepreneur.
if you want a history lesson in one of the world’s leading beauty companies:
For three decades, Leonard Lauder ran his family’s beauty giant, Estée Lauder, as its former CEO. In his book, he recounts his journey of building one of the world’s leading companies. He starts at the very beginning, when his mom, Estée, cooked up face creams on the kitchen stove on the Upper West Side in New York City.
if you live and breathe makeup:
A must-have for makeup lovers, this book is just as awesome to use as a reference as it is for decorating your coffee table. Makeup artist Kevyn Aucoin published it in 1997, but it remains a timeless classic, chock full of photos and sketches.
if you want to learn how your gut affects your skin:
We know you’ve heard that the gut plays an essential role in your skin health, but how much do you know about actually using this knowledge to your benefit? In The Beauty of Dirty Skin, NYC-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe tells readers about the value of “good bacteria” and how to incorporate it into your day-to-day.
if you want all the secrets when it comes to textured hair:
British-Ghanaian hairstylist Charlotte Mensah is a natural hair legend, so it’s no surprise that her book has rave reviews. It’s a must-have for afro, textured, and curly hair—full of product and styling suggestions, nourishing mask recipes, and maintenance tips. In short, it’s deemed the Black hair bible.
if you’re a history buff:
Dive into the history of makeup with makeup artist Lisa Eldridge. Travel as far back as the Egyptian and Victorian eras to see how the art form has evolved. This book is ideal for the curious intellectual with an immense passion for the history-rich beauty space.
if you want to change the way you think about aging:
Renowned cosmetic dermatologist, Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank, wants to help you look and feel your best, whether you’re 17 or 75. His “playbook” offers a new, positive perspective of aging, meant to help you find your confidence and live a life of vitality—all without using the beauty industry-famous phrase, “anti-aging.”
if you want to construct the perfect skincare routine for you:
Dream of healthy, radiant skin? Celebrity facialist Joanna Vargas wants to help make that a reality by schooling you on the fundamentals of a good regimen so you can walk away from it with a clear idea of what you should be doing to care for your specific skin type.
if you’re a foodie:
As mentioned previously, maintaining one’s gut health is vital for caring for your skin. This cookbook contains over 150 recipes to help you cultivate a healthy gut microbiome. The best news is that the recipes are insanely good. Think smoothie bowls for breakfast and sweet-and-sour veggies as a side dish.