I’ve been a voracious reader since my early teens. Alternating between the Harry Potter series and Neil Gaimans’ fantastical stories, I got a taste for having a book on me at all times. But even a relentless reader like me has her limits, and on library section that I avoided for the the longest time were lifestyle guides. Yep, denying myself non-fiction works had its perks, I could read more Stephen King. But when I became a beauty journalist, beauty books became my default introduction to the genre. And while many will agree that beauty education is just a click away these days, there is something special about pouring through expert guides. You can use them as manuals; dog-earing your favourite routines and cutting down on the clutter of the internet. I have read my share of beauty books and here are the ones that I couldn’t put down!
Beauty Books To Read!
1. Skin Sense: Dr Kiran’s Guide To Being Beautiful by Dr Kiran Sethi
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Delhi-Based Aesthetic Dermatologist and Wellness Expert Dr Kiran Sethi’s beauty philosophy is focused on constant learning. Innovation is a central theme in both her work globally and at home via her luxury clinic Isya. A young industry expert, Dr Kiran understands the challenges urban living poses for the skin. In her book Skin Sense, she tackles topics like pollution, weather, a fast-paced lifestyle and fighting signs of ageing. I especially love her deep dive into trendy ingredients and find myself reaching out to her explanations whenever I am intrigued about trying something new.
2. Skin Rules: Your 6-week Plan to Radiant Skin by Dr Jaishree Sharad
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Mumbai-based Celebrity Cosmetic Dermatologist Dr Jaishree Sharad believes there is so much more to skin care than just acquainting yourself with products and trends. Her book, which claims to help you achieve glowing skin in six weeks, opened my understanding of skincare beyond what’s trending on Instagram. The text works as a beginner’s guide to identifying skin type, reading ingredient labels, demystifying home remedies, upgrading make-up routines and the latest advancements in skincare treatments. The innovative, revolutionary six-week plan is deeply rooted in skin science. It plays heavily on the idea of staying consistent with one’s routine. And with a literal guide to mark your progress, you will soon find yourself sleeping with this book under your pillow.
3. Essentially Mira: The Extraordinary Journey Behind Forest Essentials by Mira Kulkarni
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An outlier on this list of beauty books that talk specifically about skincare, Mira Kulkarni’s semi-autobiographical account of how she overcame adversities to build an Ayurvedic Beaty empire is an inspiring read. The book is filled with fascinating anecdotes relating to her personal struggles and one that you’ll have to tackle while rebranding Ayurvedic formulations to cater to a modern consumer. The text is insightful for people interested in the business of beauty. It is also a tale of the resilience of a female entrepreneur going against all odds to show creative genius in the beauty industry.
4. The French Beauty Solution: Time-Tested Secrets to Look and Feel Beautiful Inside and Out by Mathilde Thomas
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The French have a similar approach to beauty to desis – it’s all about taking the time and effort to nurture your skin for long-term good health; instead of a quick fix. Mathilde Thomas, Co-founder of the globally known beauty brand Caudalíe, explores this philosophy in depth in The French Beauty Solution. The insights presented in the book range from using natural ingredients for skin the right way to enhancing one’s diet and lifestyle for healthier skin, hair and nails. Mathilde also reveals centuries-old beauty rituals used by the French. Coming from the brains behind one of America’s most prominent beauty brands, Mathilde’s CV is incentive enough for you to add this book to your reading list.
5. The Skincare Bible: Your No-Nonsense Guide to Great Skin by Dr Anjali Mahto
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I was a subscriber to Dr Anjali Mahto’s no-nonsense beauty education long before I laid my hands on The Skincare Bible. One of the top dermatologists working in the UK, Dr Mahto’s book is filled with clear and concise instructions on tackling common complaints such as acne, dryness, rosacea and ageing. The witty text that asks beauty enthusiasts that avoid drenching their skin with lavender water to get rid of acne scars consists of many such truth bombs. She believes in accessible and affordable skincare, making her book relatable and easy to incorporate into one’s day-to-day life.
6. Glow: Indian Foods, Recipes and Rituals for Beauty, Inside and Out By Vasudha Rai
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Sure this is a tired cliche, but it’s true – beauty isn’t just skin deep. And if you’re healthy on the inside, that’s likely to reflect on your skin. Vasudha Rai’s book is based on this philosophy and it’s packed with many types of recipes, ingredient combinations and home remedies that deliver beauty giving goodness. I practically devoured her book (not literally) and I am smarter and glow-ier for it.
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