The most beautiful beauty books

to have and to hold

Actually, I rather like books. I get through about two a day lying on the beach. Unhappily that’s only once a year so this means that I don’t read anything more for the rest of the year. It’s more looking at pictures, I happen to be really good at that. Now I have a favourite book from which I’ve already taken some quotes, and I’ve also just made a list of books that are certainly must-haves to hold onto. Some to browse through and a few to read, but above all, mainly to get inspiration.

Karen van Ede is not just any beauty editor. She is Hollands’ greatest and writes for various magazines, including Vogue. Ask her something and it’s obvious she really knows everything. May once wrote a wonderful children’s book with her, and now Karen has published her own book containing all her expertise. It is a complete reference book with everything you ought to know about your skin and skincare. Of course there are also excellent photos and tips for bringing out your most beautiful self.

Skin, by Karen van Ede, € 16.99

This book is already out a while, but fortunately Bobbi Brown’s vision is unchanged. Bring out your beauty by highlighting just a few tiny points. And it really doesn’t have to be so over-the-top and spectacular. By looking great and feeling good, you can get to feel like a real power woman. Sounds lame, but hey, it is what we want.

Pretty Powerful, by Bobbi Brown, $ 22,46 at Amazon.com
This is the sort of book that you never, ever want to move from the table. It is much too beautiful. Guido Palau works for designers like Calvin Klein, Alexander Wang and Marc Jacobs, and so knows pretty well what works best and most beautifully. He loves being so influential. Comes across as being a bit uppity, but browse through the book and you won’t mind at all.

Hair, by Guido Palau, Andrew Bolton & Tim Blanks, $ 51,09 via Amazon.com

Many really cool hairstyles have been made. You don’t see them much on the street but definitely in fashion magazines and at special events. Brilliant photographers like David LaChapelle, Duane Michals and Helmut Newton have captured them. The result? Very exciting and creative hairstyles in incredibly beautiful photos.

Hair: Fashion and Fantasy, by Laurent Philippon, $ 26,76, via Amazon.com

Francesca Tolot is not your average make-up artist. After providing Beyoncé and Madonna with licks of paint for many years, she now works for M.A.C Cosmetics. And when you work for M.A.C Cosmetics, you can rightly expect the coolest and most exciting and inspirational looks. Tadaa! This book presents all the beautiful faces this woman has created until now.

One Woman 100 Faces, by Francesca Tolot, $ 36,48, via Amazon.com