This post is about books authored by black makeup artists. It celebrates the opportunity to learn from them as they share their experiences and techniques through books. I hope you enjoy this post.
Author: Alfred Fornay
When I was the beauty advisor for Revlon’s The Polished Amber Collection, Mr. Fornay was the creative director. This is how I first learned about him. His vast experience in the world of beauty is impressive, representing brands including Clairol, Essence, Ebony and Revlon in addition to writing books to help black women look good, feel great and be proud of who they are as people.
Described as the Ultimate Guide to Successful Skin Care and Makeup for every woman of color who wants to look and feel her best. This book not only gives great advice, you get products, tools and techniques that help you create your best look.
“”This is the book we’ve been waiting for. Fornay is a master.””
-Susan Taylor, Essence magazine
Get your copy on Amazon. This book is available Kindle, paperback and hardcover formats
Born Beautiful is easy to follow with great details and examples. It gives helpful information about skin care, makeup, hair and nails. You will love and appreciate the beauty tips. This book written for the African American Teenager.
Get your copy on Amazon. This book is available in Kindle, paperback and hardcover formats.
Providing an indispensable map through the maze of cosmetic products, techniques, and services offered in today’s multimillion-dollar cosmetic industry, this guide teaches women of color of all ages how to achieve and maintain great skin and beautiful makeup.
This newest edition of this national best-seller is the most comprehensive book on make-up and skin care ever written for and about women of African descent. Called the Ultimate Guide to Successful Make-up and Skin Care for every woman of color who wants to look and feel her best, this 192-page book has a complete listing of cosmetic products, tools to use, and professional techniques to design your ‘best’ look, before and after pictures, instructional illustrations and a color chart. It is about the health and beauty of your skin, its maintenance, its treatment.
This book discusses skin types, blemishes, skin problems, and the aging process, tells how to select makeup and hairstyle, and helps identify one’s most flattering colors
Author: Reggie Wells
Known as Oprah’s makeup artist for more than 12 years, Mr. Wells is a living legend. He is a 2 time Emmy Award Winner and once of the most amazing people I have ever met. Reggie Wells began his career as an artist. He earned his Masters in Art Education and taught art in Baltimore public schools before becoming a makeup artist. He moved to New York, got a job at a makeup counter and his career blossomed. In his book, Face Painting, he shares his celebrity secrets about beauty.
This wonderfully lavish yet practical book discusses the beauty secrets of some of America’s most beautiful and popular African-American celebrities. It tells us how vocalist Leontyne Price colors her lips to enhance their glorious size and how actress Robin Givens shades her cheekbones to make them her most exquisite feature.
Get your copy on Amazon. This book is available in hardcover and paperback .
Author: Sam Fine
Makeup Artist Sam Fine loved art at an early age. In elementary and high school, he won many drawing competitions that impressed many. He later focused on a career as a fashion illustrator after winning a scholarship to attend a summer program at the Art Institute of Chicago. His career pivoted to beauty after working with Naomi Sims Cosmetics, he moved to NY and his makeup career began. Mr. Fine is known for the “go to artist” for black women. This is due to his ability to work with all skin tones from light to dark with impeccable skill. His book Fine Beauty: Beauty Basics and Beyond for African-American Women is filled with information and techniques that can be used every day.
Sam Fine, celebrity makeup artist to top black models, singers and actresses from Tyra Banks to Patti Labelle, shares his secrets to achieve beautiful makeup application with helpful techniques you can use right now. This book demonstrates the artistic talent and knowledge of working with African-American Women.
Author: Joey Mills
The makeup artist who worked creating looks for Brook Shields, Melba Moore, Diana Ross, Raquel Welch, Joey Mills was I believe to be the first celebrity black celebrity makeup artist. He was a fashion and editorial artist who’s work graced the covers of Vogue, Elle, Essence, Glamour and a host of other major publications. He was also the man behind huge campaigns including Calvin Klein and the iconic eyebrows of Brook Shields. His book, New Classic Beauty: A Step by Step Guide to Naturally Glamorous Makeup is a reference you want to have.
Joey Mills reveals his techniques of how to achieve and understated natural, and elegant looks. This book in that features lots of photographs and illustrations, as well as special sections for black women and women over forty.
I hope you enjoyed reading this post and discovering books that are available. If there is a book that should be included in this list, please let me know so that I can update it.
As a makeup artist, history is important. As a black woman, knowing artists who paved the way is valuable.
It’s been extremely helpful for me to have these books in my library. I’m also fortunate to have met both Reggie Wells and Sam Fine. To see in person the creative energy of these artists is a priceless experience.
All of the books do link to Amazon. Should you use my link to purchase I may receive a small commission. Regardless, I just hope that you will find these books and share them to help celebrate black makeup artists.
xoxo
Lorrie
