I love watching YouTube video for learning techniques, but it's a given that the gurus that you see online don't have you specifically in mind when they make their videos. So after looking on Amazon for a book that I can selfishly request to teach things that will suit me, I decided on Jemma Kidd's Make-Up Master Class.
This book has so many different sections to teach you everything you need to know about basic beauty. It ranges from skincare, how to shape eyebrows, colours that suit your skintone, what types of products suit your skin (e.g. for oily, dry, normal skin etc.,) looks for specific events, and techniques for every aspect of make up (e.g. blush, eyeliner, eyeshadow, bronzer, foundation etc.,).
I have to admit that a lot of the techniques are things that I had already learnt from YouTube, but I felt that Jemma also had techniques and products that are very different from the 'norm'.
For example, she doesn't just talk about liquid foundation, and talks about the positives and negatives of mineral or creme foundations. It was so refreshing after what I find to be a relatively monotonous pattern of 'basics' in the YouTube world. (i.e. It's assumed that you use liquid foundation, or that you use powder blush, have a lid/crease/outer corner colour for your eyes etc., obviously influenced by the guru's personal taste)
Another way that I felt the book was incredibly unbiased and showed one aspect of beauty through different perspectives, was the fact that I never felt forced to use Jemma's products. You'll find that at the back, she gives you a list of products from skincare, make-up to organic variations of the two that she recommends. A lot of them aren't her stuff :)
My favourite part has to be the little sections where depending on your skintone, Jemma suggests colours for eyes, cheeks and lips. I am so glad I got this before I started my MAC palette, or else I would've filled it all with neutrals! Since I got this book, I've started to use greens and purples on nights out and it's been such a refreshing change :)
This is an example of the event-specific looks that Jemma provides you with. Not only this one, but various looks for parties depending on skintone, for brides, for drinks after work, for the beach, every possible situation imaginable!
As you can see the photography is absolutely phenomenal (not mine, the book's, lol)! The models are all so realistic, the looks are so wearable and do-able and I find I have to remind myself to actually read as well! :)
Overall, I give this book a 9/10 - only missing 1, because there are a lot of basic stuff that I had already known.. that being said, I've spent hours and hours watching YouTube to learn stuff :P The price is also very reasonable - I got this from Amazon fro £12.48 here.
I would recommend this book to anyone because even if you feel like you know a lot of techniques via YouTube it really does give you lots of great ideas to expand your practice with, through new techniques, products, consistencies (like creme, liquid, powder etc.,) and looks :)
<3yu