(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best grooming & style books

I'm so happy for this thread! In American libraries, go to 646 to find cosmetics. I would totally encourage you to stop in next time you're near your local branch, because free makeup books are awesome.

Sephora's book would be great for beginners, lots of pictures, and has some product suggestions as well.

I also liked Carmindy's books for beginners or easy looks. They're easy, approachable, photo-heavy.

Paula Begoun's Beauty Bible has a very dense chapter about classic makeup and application. I definitely recommend it if you want to learn application for work, or formal or conservative situations. If you're more into fashionable and creative makeup it has less to offer there, though it's probably still worth a skim.

Color Me Beautiful (website) was the 90's classic for finding your undertone.
Life in Color by Jesse Garza is a beautiful newer book, mostly about clothes but it has a chapter on coloring and makeup. I think this one's great for learning about complementary colors.

How to Look Expensive has a fun chapter about makeup, which is not really about looking expensive. It has a couple pretty tutorials and lots of dupes.

Bobbi Brown has a new book, Everything Eyes (2014). I only flipped through it but it looked gorgeous. Check it out for applications for various eye shapes and makeup for glasses. Her books Living Beauty and Beauty Evolution are also great if you're starting with makeup in your 30s or later.

Robert Jones has a kind of specific personal style and uses a limited color palette, but I think I recall his books have a lot about contouring, eye makeup, and formal occasions/photos (edit grammar).

[How to Look Expensive: A Beauty Editor's Secrets to Getting Gorgeous without Breaking the Bank] (http://amzn.com/B007FEFD6A) is my latest favorite, because it has not only makeup tips, but also skincare, hair, and more, and it's all geared toward saving money. It's a quick read.

Also, I agree that [The Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual] (http://amzn.com/B001FA0NZ6 ) is an excellent choice to have in your arsenal. It's a good all-over read with a little bit of information about everything. My only reservation is that Bobbi's makeup style is very natural, so if you're into wild colors or daring looks, it might leave you unfulfilled.

[The Makeup Artist Handbook] (http://amzn.com/B006M9L3PO) is an excellent read if you REALLY like to geek out and learn about the very science of makeup. I still open this a lot and learn something new. :)

[Jemma Kidd Make-Up Secrets] (http://amzn.com/1250010861), or [Jemma Kidd Make-up Masterclass] (http://amzn.com/0312573715) by Jemma Kidd are excellent, for a different perspective.

I would suggest staying away from celebrity books, like Lauren Conrad. These aren't very informative and are more of a "this is how I am so beautiful" narrative. Who cares.

If I can think of any others I will let you know. :)

If your mom is into unique funky polishes I would suggest going the indie route with some polishes that have glitter or are just sort of wacky. Model City Polish, Finger Lickin' Lacquer, Nail Pattern Boldness, and Carpe Noctem Cosmetics on Etsy have some great stuff, as does Lucky 13 Lacquer.

I would also suggest getting in contact with /u/kyoti, /u/ninakasper, or /u/riotcoming about possibly making a custom for your Mom. They are three of the shop owners of the above shops I listed.

Beyond that I think a nice basket of supplies, like a glass nail file or two, some acetone if she has natural nails, maybe some cuticle oils from Emerald&Ash in her favorite scents. (I really recommend the Blood Orange with Cinnamon) Check out Amazon for cute nail decals and gems for added bling and as little extras to add into her basket.

I use this book for nail art inspiration. It's easy to follow and has fun designs.

I hope this helps you out and don't forget to wrap everything well in bubble wrap and in really cute tissue paper and maybe some ribbons. Having something to unwrap that's girly and frilly can lift a mood as well as the present you get!!

Update and give us pictures!!

There are a lot of really good books out there written by professional makeup artists and people in the industry. They are a good source of information for anyone interested in learning more about technique. A lot of makeup is hands on and practicing what works, but there is the side that also needs to know what would work for someone different than your usual test subjest (yourself) and how to fix problems as they happen. Here are a few I really like, but there are so many great ones to choose from, so ask her to looks and see which ones sound the best for what she already knows or knows she wants to learn. Other than that, I think the fact that you are asking here is great and a show of support like that will help her succeed in any endeavor. Best of luck!

Book 1
Book 2
Book 3

Edit: Fixed broken links.

Not exactly what you're asking for, but I found The Thoughtful Dresser by Linda Grant fascinating. It really made me think differently about what I wear and why I wear it.
From Amazon: "The Thoughtful Dresser celebrates the pleasure of adornment and is an elegant meditation on our relationship with what we wear and the significance of clothes as the most intimate but also public expressions of our identity."

I love this question. I'll take a stab at answering with some resources, but I'd appreciate hearing resources from others. Sorry for the urls; I'm on mobile.

The documentary Good Hair https://youtu.be/Hz4lfFS_7fk

The blog Chocolate Care Vanilla Care about a White adoptive mother learning how to care for her Black adoptive daughter's hair. https://www.theroot.com/chocolate-hair-vanilla-care-1790866138

Many of the books you find on Amazon with a "black hair" search such as Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America https://www.amazon.com/dp/1250046572/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_vD1-Ab24QD7G3

Asking your close Black friends if they would feel comfortable talking to you about their hair journey.

What else?

Your sister is so awesome! Congratulations for her and this little angel!

When I first started learning about my natural hair I used Chocolate Hair Vanilla Care. It's a great website that is desgined for people in your sisters situation.

Next I recommend she reads The Science of Black Hair. It's the best book about hair i've ever read and will give her a througouh understanding of African American Hair.

Lastly, I've been telling everybody about The Maximum Hydration Method because it's the best thing since sliced bread. The results have really been phenonemal with me. Plus it is cheap and easy to do. Best of luck!

In regards to Guerlain fragrance, I would recommend that you sift through some of the reviews on Now Smell This Perfume, which I think is one of the more reliable fragrance blogs out there.

Here is a collected list of reviews with Guerlain's grouped under the G's if you scroll down, plus some fun facts about the Guerlain house.

I also ADORE the Perfumes: The Guide by Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez, if not for the helpful reviews but only for the entertainment.

Turin lists Guerlain's Mitsouko as his favorite fragrance of all time, while Sanchez says in the introduction to the book that Guerlain l'Heure Bleue was the first perfume that really got her into perfume. I think many of us have tried Shalimar at Sephora or department stores, but it's not something I've felt bold enough to wear myself.

My favorite way to discover perfume is to read, read, read, read first and then pick up decants from The Perfumed Court. You can order from specific perfumes, or try one of their sets (these ones feature Guerlain fragrances).

Anyway, that response specific-suggestion skimpy, but I hope it illuminates your quest!

This book on making homemade eco-friendly bath products would be perfect. I spend too much money on eco-friendly bath products at Lush and other stores, so learning to make my own bath products would save me a lot of money. It would also be a great skill to learn, and who knows, if I get good at it, maybe I could sell them for money! So I could save money, make money, and earn a new skill! ROI!

Congrats for a new job, makeup is a great career! :)

My personal favorites are this and this.

Both are very informative, from starters to pro.

I am a freelancer makeup artist and have learned a lot from those books also. :)

I don't recommend buying makeup at Sephora for a beginner because their stuff is all high end and expensive. Instead I recommend good drug store brands and the following websites for tutorials, information, etc - other people have recommended some good brands. I recommend getting color matched at a Sephora or MAC counter (MAC has a huge line of foundations/base colors, by the way, and you can find places online where you can find what your MAC color is in other, drugstore foundations [I'm an NC20 in MAC]). Don't buy a makeup "kit" because they are usually cheap and you'll end up with a ton of stuff you don't need or use.

Temptalia Beauty Blog

Purse Buzz Blog

MakeupAlley (they have boards and lots of reviews)

Look up Pixiwoo on YouTube as well - she does good tutorials.

These books might also help you:
Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual (I like this book as a good intro!)

Jemma Kidd Makeup Master Class

Making Faces (I love Kevyn Aucoin books - his stuff is crazy advanced and artistic, but the pictures are so inspirational!)

Well, I knew about three, but since no one recommended any, here they are!

• Classic Beauty: The History of Makeup by Gabriela Hernandez
  
  
• HISTORY OF COMPACTS AND COSMETICS: From Victorian Times to the Present Day by Madeleine Marsh - the author of this book talked about the history of makeup in two of Lisa Eldridge's videos, and it was incredibly interesting! ( Video1 Video 2 )
  
  
• Fashions in Makeup: From Ancient to Modern Times
  by Richard Corson
  
  All of these are on my wishlist, but I hoped to add some cool other books that I hadn't heard of. :)

Do not ever pay for magazines!!!! There are a few ways to get most of the popular magazines online for free you just have to make a new email and sacrifice it for spam. Seriously google it for 15 minutes you will have more magazines then you can dream.

Also, I don’t know if you’re familiar with PurseForum but you should check it out. #pursejunkie haha

There’s a book I have bought but haven’t read yet The Thoughtful Dresser that might interest you.

I've been doing them myself. What got me started with massaging was a book I read in February (https://www.amazon.com/TRUTH-about-Hair-Loss-Prevention-ebook/dp/B07BTKM35N). I've also incorporated the inversion techinique I've seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNICEYoSKUc.

There are other things I'm also doing, like changing my diet incorporating anti-inflammatory foods. I've also recently got a new scalp massager that I've been using that I like a lot: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RRNFW3T. This one I think is good not only to massage and increase blood flow, but it also helps in removing dandruff (which I can greatly benefit from, since I have seborreic dermatitis too, which certainly adds to the hair loss).

Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike

The One Hundred Will help me dress for success.

Thanks for the contest and have a great Hyundaiiiii!

The best thing you can do is learn to appreciate other people's masterpieces before starting on your own. The Guide is good for that.

[Classic Beauty: The History of Makeup] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764336908/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1). It's a good introduction to the history and looks pretty on the bookshelf :)

I just recently finished reading this book on the history of bathing, and it mentions the original introduction of halitosis to the public. It was used in an ad for Listerine. One of the listerine ad people was looking through an old medical book and found the word. It turned out to be such an incredible market success, that many other companies started researching for older forgotten words that they could use to sell their prodcuts. Halitosis is the only one that had any luck in that regard though.
I suggest everyone with an interest in personal hygene take a look at that book though. It was a fascinating read, and very well researched. People used to be very very dirty.

You don't need Accutane. You need an extreme lifestyle overhaul. I'm talking NO sugar or dairy or refined carbs. EVER. Nothing but whole wheat, a shitload of omega-3's and as many fruits and vegetables as you can stuff in your mouth. Salmon is the best kind of meat. Water is your only friend. This along with exercise and all you'll need is soap to wash your face.

Take it from me. I had cystic acne for years and my girlfriend recommended this book. Changed my fucking life.

http://www.amazon.com/Clear-Skin-Prescription-Perricone-Eliminate/dp/0060934360

full or half windsor are fine for most situations.

85 ways to tie a tie is actually a pretty good book. Wow it's so pricey now.

My favorite memories come from sleepovers. I remember us recording radio shows, playing Super Mario 3, and creating outfits from trash bags and foil. And then having waffles with strawberries and chocolate syrup for breakfast! Those were the days.

WOODPECKER

This is not a woodpecker, though.

This book has sat on my toilet tank for almost a decade now, and I've never tired of reading the reviews in it, which are thoroughly saucy and entertaining. I was delighted to discover, just now, that there's a new edition.

Editing to add: I don't even wear perfumes, but something about reading great writing about them just gets me. I don't know.

I see what you mean, but I don't have the knowledge to apply this to my wardrobe in general to manipulate proportion in a successful manner. I found this though which seems to have some good information on the topic.

Well, I'd recommend my books (but I'm obviously biased :) ). There's a big ol' list of em here:

• The Fundamentals of Men's Style: How to be a well-dressed man
  
• Style for Short Guys
  
• Style for Tall Guys
  
• Style for Fat Guys
  
• Style for Strong Guys
  
• Style for Thin Guys
  
  Other than that, Reddit's own /r/malefashionadvice is excellent, there are heaps of extremely knowledgeable gents in there who really know their stuff. Same goes for Style Forum.
  
  I shop anywhere and everywhere. Most of it is done locally here in Australia, but I try to shop online to test out American labels wherever possible. I have some Lands' End stuff on the way, as well as a big order from J.Crew and Dockers. There are lots of sales on in the US at the moment so it's a good time.

Here are all the local Amazon links I could find:


amazon.com

amazon.co.uk

amazon.ca

amazon.com.au

amazon.in

amazon.com.mx

amazon.de

amazon.it

amazon.es

amazon.com.br

amazon.nl

amazon.co.jp

amazon.fr

Beep bloop. I'm a bot to convert Amazon ebook links to local Amazon sites.
I currently look here: amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca, amazon.com.au, amazon.in, amazon.com.mx, amazon.de, amazon.it, amazon.es, amazon.com.br, amazon.nl, amazon.co.jp, amazon.fr, if you would like your local version of Amazon adding please contact my creator.

I really really want This book!! and its cheap enough you could gift someone else too!!! Yay!

I would try to overlap the interests, at least partially. Nail art would be the best way to intersect pink/red. Something like a DIY Nail Art book and a set of nail varnish would be a great first step. Maybe with colors where she can try out to do Hobbit related nail art like the ones here.

For Sex and the City (and again pink/red):

This is outside of the scope of the budget but something similar to the Louboutin nail polish might be something to consider if you can find it cheaper. Or [this].(http://www.amazon.com/Boston-Warehouse-Jeweled-Shaped-Polish/dp/B00L21PGQE/)

Cats the musical, or cats as in cats?

There’s The Politics of Black Women’s Hair,

Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America,

and, bonus politics & social conformity, Plucked: A History of Hair Removal.

You may also like the anthology Me, My Hair, and I: Twenty-seven Women Untangle an Obsession

Since it returned after going off the pill, it sounds like hormonal acne, right? In my experience, antibiotics (oral and topical) don't really work for this kind of acne.

Do you break out at a certain time during your cycle? If you start to get the really painful pimples right around the same time every month, take an anti-inflammatory before/during that time. I've been trying this and it has mostly stopped breakouts. And a diet full of anti-inflammatory food can really help too. Check out Dr. Perricone's Clear Skin Prescription.

Check out acne.org

Proactiv doesn't seem to be very effective for hormonal acne problems. Your doctor might eventually come around to Accutane after you've tried out the antibiotics, but research it before you go on it because it's pretty serious stuff.

I've used and like Alterations and Repairs, and Easy, Easier, Easiest Tailoring as far as resources go, but nothing will teach you tailoring better than simply doing it.

Pick up some cheap clothes at Goodwill (so the fear of "ruining" the garment doesn't paralyze you) and dive in. Yes, you will make mistakes. We all do. But that's part of learning!

Putting darts into blouses and pants is probably the most important and most common tailoring technique, aside from hemming. This no-tie finish for darts literally changed my life.

The Dirt on Clean by Kathrine Ashenburg

About cleanliness habits throughout history, pretty interesting

Wow, atrueamateur, way to be a buzzkill. Once OP learns the basics of cutting on grain and assembling with the machine, there is no reason why you can't try a simple unlined jacket. There are a ton of patterns out there for these kinds of jackets. Look at sewingpatterns.com and search on jackets. Don't try it without a pattern, and buy the pattern according to your measurements, not your RTW size. Once you get a little practice, you can look at on-line sources for instruction and at a book called Easy, Easier, Easiest Tailoring from http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Easier-Easiest-Tailoring-Palmer/dp/0935278095/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396641608&sr=8-1&keywords=easy+easier+easiest+tailoring It's old but the basics are there and the authors really demystify what atrueamateur is talking about. Go fo it!

The Science of Black Hair: A Comprehensive Guide to Textured Hair Care https://www.amazon.com/dp/0984518428/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_8mFhzbXWHV9V2

If products don't seem to help your acne check out Dr. Perricone's skin diet I believe that's the correct book. I saw this book back in 2006 before all the anti-inflammatory diets really started to become popular. Basically this doctor suggested inflammation in the body could cause acne, since he was getting sooo many clients with acne in their 30s who had dry skin or lacked some qualities normally attributed to acne. This is more commonly accepted now, but was a more fringe idea at the time. Anyways, he his clients cut out inflammatory foods (ex: bread, cheese) and found it made a difference. One of my close friends followed the diet for a few years and it helped her acne quite a bit. I imagine even doing a whole 30 type diet would have the same effect.

Here is an interesting book for anyone who is into perfumes. Apparently before the authors came along, there was no such thing as really impartial perfume critics who sometimes would write negative reviews, only fawning editorials from magazines who relied on advertising money. The authors have interesting ways to describe all the different perfumes, and are really bitchy and funny about the ones they don't like.

Perfumes: The Guide

Supposedly, no matter what the brand, the actual perfume only costs about 2$, the rest (advertising, bottle, packaging) brings the price up to 60$ or whatever the retail cost is.

Also, since perfume is a luxury good, it is one of those items where you can keep raising the price, and demand will actually increase once it is perceived as a high-end status item. So I am sure a lot of retailers make a conscious choice to set the price of their perfume at $100 or more, even though they would earn a profit at 50$ or something.

Per 85 ways to Tie a Tie, the four in hand knot is not symmetrical.

Perfumes: The A to Z Guide - good stuff!

This article might be of interest to you.

EDIT: And this book, too... It's mentioned in the article.

My favourites are Rae Morris's Makeup: The Ultimate Guide and Express Makeup! I'd like to get Makeup Manual, Making Faces and Face Forward in the future.

Acne: Just Another Four-Letter Word, for anyone who is sick of acne running their life. Kindle free today.

Link and description: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FPMBDBX

Reclaim your life from acne.

Are you tired of wasting money and time on creams, pills, supplements, and diets that don't improve your acne? Maybe you've been dreaming of the day when a miracle product will appear that'll actually work. In the meantime, you've been frustrated by the ongoing battle with your skin and having to revolve your life around breakouts.

What the skincare and medical industries don't tell you is that the mind is a powerful tool that can help you defend your skin against acne, as well as boost your confidence and self-image. Why spend another second changing your whole routine around for acne when you can mentally and practically walk away from it, starting now?

Acne: Just Another Four-Letter Word is a book that will show you how to do just that. You'll learn how acne is not only a physical symptom, but also a bully that you can stand up to using a unique mind-body approach. Step by step, Dr. Patel explains how to separate your identity from acne, strengthen both your skin and social boundaries, and take back control of your life. Your full-time job shouldn't have to be tending to this four-letter word. Start writing your goodbye letter to acne today.

Makeup: the Ultimate Guide is on sale on Amazon. That ought to help you build a solid foundation for your rouges to work.

OH you're talking about Rogues. Check out The Lies of Locke Lamora.

This one below. I apologize in advance if the link is wonky. I'm on mobile.

http://www.amazon.com/Perfumes-The-Guide-Luca-Turin/dp/0143115014/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411087713&sr=8-1&keywords=perfume+guide

The definitive book on tying your tie was written by a physicist. Here it is: The 85 Ways to Tie a Tie: The Science and Aesthetics of Tie Knots.

> Out of curiosity, how many knot options are there for tying a tie?

85.

Here are other, less-expensive tie-related resources.

I have this book on my bookshelf about perfume and it says that with the exception of some very cheap fragrances, they do indeed last a very long time.

The Science of Black Hair there is also a kindle addition

This is $13.05! http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1440545170/ref=aw_ls__4?colid=33TESZHJT1R64&coliid=I1HETQIRSUN1GQ

I heard Rae Morris' book was amazing... and not intro like makeup manuals.

They haven't always been, not at all. Read The Dirt on Clean for more information than you probably wanted about how people have regarded baths and bathing throughout history.

Most recommended book, which can be found at local library:

https://www.amazon.com/Perfumes-Z-Guide-Luca-Turin/dp/0143115014

You should check /u/bostonphototourist 's reviews of eau de parfums and eau de colognes. Not sure if there has been a compiled list.

Different soaps? Irish Springs based on Green Irish Tweed by Creed. Can't think of any others that aren't clones.

You can sign up for the Traveling Box over at B&B:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/346050-Traveling-Fragrance-Sample-Box/page22

You can buy some samples over at surrendertochance.com. My go-to for samples.

My recommendations would be YSL L'Homme, Dior Eau Savage, and Guerlain Mitsouko. Throw-ins would be Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine - Collection Originale, Acqua di Parma Colonia Leather, and Le Labo Santal 33.

Once you start dabbling in the EdP and Edt fragrances, it's hard to go back to scented soaps that mimic classic/popular parfumes. Not to say they aren't great soaps inspired by parfumes....just... apples and oranges.