This is not a new release, but I began to take beauty seriously back in 2014. That is when I discovered Sali Hughes and her In the Bathroom series. With the release of Pretty Honest, I was very excited and eager to have my hands on a copy. I've had this book over a few years now, so here's my review on it.
Prior to this, I had never come across 'coffee table books'. Frankly, whatever is on the coffee table is what I'm reading in bed, and it happens to be Tolstoy's War and Peace. Sitting right next to it would be my phone, playing A Year of War and Peace, the podcast. The chapters are short enough and within a year, I'll have read the book, a chapter a day. In any case, I'm not much of a reader of beauty and fashion, or anything with impressive pictures to look at.
Pretty Honest is what you'd dub a coffee table book and it'll look equally as fitting on a dressing table. Just don't put it near your makeup because if you smear anything on it, it won't come off easily. Majority of it is text but it's accompanied by beautiful colour photography.
I loved this book when I first read it. I was a fledging in beauty and had a lot to learn. I loved the balance of personal anecdotes and Sali's voice in her writing. Especially on her stance with makeup and feminism. Makeup is a self-care ritual to many, as it may be the only time you can truly spend for yourself. There is nothing inherently wrong with looking good, because you'll feel good about yourself.
At the end of the day, makeup is a tool. I didn't have a good beginning with makeup: I simply wanted to hide in it. However, when I began to use it for self-expression, I learned of the good things about my features. Eye makeup was a lot easier with my monolids: my eyes could withstand copious amounts of eyeliner and carry a dramatic look. It didn't matter to me anymore that I didn't have double eyelids, a desirable trait in East Asia.
I suppose the question here is how has it aged? Is the information still relevant for a fast-paced world of beauty and technology? Is this a book for everyone?
I spent some time reading through the book again, but this time, as a seasoned beauty enthusiast. Sali wrote this as an attempt to make beauty accessible to women who have no clue where to start. It really is a "straight-talking beauty companion" book, like a guide of everything beauty to the uninitiated. Of the years I've had this book, I've only used it as reference twice, often to answer a friend's question where I cannot.
Most of the information is still relevant as it serves as a basic knowledge for any enthusiast.
This book has a little bit in it for everyone: from salon etiquette to DIY, from teen beauty to mature beauty. The information is not outdated, but it's only been nearly 4 years since its publication. My favourite parts of the book are the troubleshooting parts from skin condition and hair issues to the salon etiquette and post-partum beauty.
Resources and sites: some of which have an international community and can be accessed by anyone anywhere, but things like support programs for cancer patients are UK based. That's fair enough as Sali's also based in the UK. There are some resources that are no longer up-to-date such as Katie Puckrick with her Katie Puckrick Smells blog and videos, but has some valuable information on fragrances that are still sold on the market.
Verdict: Best for the beauty beginner, but still holds valuable information to the enthusiast to cover any time of her life, be it in sickness or in health, or when she will be saying that line because she's bride-to-be. For now, I'll pay it forward and give this book to a friend who deserves this straight-talking companion in her life.
Prior to this, I had never come across 'coffee table books'. Frankly, whatever is on the coffee table is what I'm reading in bed, and it happens to be Tolstoy's War and Peace. Sitting right next to it would be my phone, playing A Year of War and Peace, the podcast. The chapters are short enough and within a year, I'll have read the book, a chapter a day. In any case, I'm not much of a reader of beauty and fashion, or anything with impressive pictures to look at.
Pretty Honest is what you'd dub a coffee table book and it'll look equally as fitting on a dressing table. Just don't put it near your makeup because if you smear anything on it, it won't come off easily. Majority of it is text but it's accompanied by beautiful colour photography.
I loved this book when I first read it. I was a fledging in beauty and had a lot to learn. I loved the balance of personal anecdotes and Sali's voice in her writing. Especially on her stance with makeup and feminism. Makeup is a self-care ritual to many, as it may be the only time you can truly spend for yourself. There is nothing inherently wrong with looking good, because you'll feel good about yourself.
At the end of the day, makeup is a tool. I didn't have a good beginning with makeup: I simply wanted to hide in it. However, when I began to use it for self-expression, I learned of the good things about my features. Eye makeup was a lot easier with my monolids: my eyes could withstand copious amounts of eyeliner and carry a dramatic look. It didn't matter to me anymore that I didn't have double eyelids, a desirable trait in East Asia.
I suppose the question here is how has it aged? Is the information still relevant for a fast-paced world of beauty and technology? Is this a book for everyone?
I spent some time reading through the book again, but this time, as a seasoned beauty enthusiast. Sali wrote this as an attempt to make beauty accessible to women who have no clue where to start. It really is a "straight-talking beauty companion" book, like a guide of everything beauty to the uninitiated. Of the years I've had this book, I've only used it as reference twice, often to answer a friend's question where I cannot.
Most of the information is still relevant as it serves as a basic knowledge for any enthusiast.
This book has a little bit in it for everyone: from salon etiquette to DIY, from teen beauty to mature beauty. The information is not outdated, but it's only been nearly 4 years since its publication. My favourite parts of the book are the troubleshooting parts from skin condition and hair issues to the salon etiquette and post-partum beauty.
Resources and sites: some of which have an international community and can be accessed by anyone anywhere, but things like support programs for cancer patients are UK based. That's fair enough as Sali's also based in the UK. There are some resources that are no longer up-to-date such as Katie Puckrick with her Katie Puckrick Smells blog and videos, but has some valuable information on fragrances that are still sold on the market.
Verdict: Best for the beauty beginner, but still holds valuable information to the enthusiast to cover any time of her life, be it in sickness or in health, or when she will be saying that line because she's bride-to-be. For now, I'll pay it forward and give this book to a friend who deserves this straight-talking companion in her life.
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