My Beauty Book Collection!!

This year I'm hoping to take part in a Makeup Artistry course. It's been a line of work I've always wanted to get into for ages. I've always loved makeup, how different products can suit different people and the amazing looks you can come up with.

So in the last little while I've built up a little beauty book collection. I love flicking through them for inspiration for different looks. From reading these books, I get loads of really helpful tips which is a plus.

Some of these books were quite expensive but they were worth the money as there is so much information in them. Are you considering taking part in a Makeup Artistry course?? If yes is your answer, it's a neccessity to get some of these books as they have great tips. There are also step by step guides on how to create certain looks.


 Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual
This book has been in my possesion for so long now. Everytime I look through it I'm still finding new helpful tips. It contains step by step guides on everything from blush application to eyeshadow application. It also has really interesting sections like "Who's Who in Makeup" and if you are already good at makeup there is an "Advanced Section". If you are new to makeup or want to get some more helpful tips, you should definitely check it out.

Making Faces By Kevyn Aucoin
 A while ago I was recommended this book by a MUA at a counter. Making Faces is such a great book to look at for inspiration as the looks created are amazing. I really like how there are before and after pictures of people and how makeup can transform them. There are also step by step guides to creating a tonne of different looks which are accompanied by instructional colour sketches aswell. There are also dozens of fabulous photos of celebrities sporting great looks. This is such a nice book to have in any collection as it just has so much in it.

Face Forward By Kevyn Aucoin
 Shortly after I got Making Faces, I picked up Face Forward. I love this book just to look at the amazing looks created by Aucoin. He transforms celebrities showing how makeup can give anyone a variety of different faces. All the looks in this book are fantastic like Making Faces it gives you a step by step guide on how to create each look. Below is my favourite transformation in the book, Gwyneth Paltrow as James Dean. If her name wasn't written down I probably would never of believed it was her. Would you?

Instyle Ultimate Beauty Secrets 
Instyle Ultimate Beauty Secrets is just full of amazing tips. It's nicely split up into sections ranging from to eyes to lips to face etc. I really like the mini tips in it as their very useful. I think this book is best suited for someone just starting to use makeup as I think the tips are exact and to the point which is good. It's great for someone on the go as they won't have to read too much. I don't think it's available in stores as I bought it on Amazon.

I'm hoping to get more books in the future to add to this collection. The above books are fantastic and I'm glad I purchased them. I really enjoy looking through them now and again. It is definitely worth while picking up beauty books if you are considering starting a makeup course or even if it's just tips your after.

Do you have any of these books in your collection? Any others you'd recommend??

Laura<3

17 Instant Glow Tanning Range

17 Cosmetics launched a new tanning range that really caught my eye recently. I think my local Boots just got ther products in as they had no stand for anything.

 There was so much to choose from, I finally decided on these two products.

First up there's the Instant Glow Bronzing Powder for Face and Body. I had a Gosh Sun Powder like this last year, which I unfortunately broke. The difference between the two products was the price, Gosh's offering was €20 while this cost me €7.49. Not bad at all! The powder is described as a "animal print maxi bronzer" as it's covered in leopard print. The shimmer design on the product is a overspray and comes off after one use. For people that don't like glitter in bronzers, I found that underneath the overspray there was hardly any (almost matte). I also buy bronzers that are always way too dark for me, this shade was perfect. A big thing that I hate about this product is the chalkiness, like it's the worst I've probably seen. You can see in the picture above how bad it is! After two swipes of a brush, that is the amount you get. This factor alone is why I won't be purchasing this product again.

Instant Glow Gold Bronze Shimmer Brick is so beautiful. I've never tried a Bobbi Brown Shimmer brick but I presume this is a cheaper alternative. Straightforward to use, you swirl all four of the shades over your cheekbones and woola your left with a gorgeous glow. Each of the four shades in the brick would make great eyeshadows as they are also very pigmented. I just don't know how well they'll work as shadows after I swirl them altogether. 17 Instant Gold Bronze Shimmer Brick cost €6.59 which in my opinion was a bargain. I seen that it's also available in Pink Bronze shade, I'm going to pick that up on my next visit to Boots.

 Both prices are very reasonable so I can definitely see myself buying more from this range. I have my eye on the bronzing rocks. Only weird thing I seen with both products is that it says "Wash Off" on the front (common sense don't you think?).

Will you be purchasing anything out of 17's new range?

Laura<3