Make Up

July 7, 2014
Entrepreneur, digital pioneer, and self-taught beauty expert Phan offers a lifestyle guide that combines stories from her life with beauty basics, fashion tips, job advice, and modern etiquette how-tos. After gaining fame for her YouTube makeup tutorials (she now has 6.3 million subscribers on her channel), Phan shot beauty videos for Lancôme, launched For All Women Network (FAWN), founded Ipsy (a beauty-sample subscription service), and launched EM, her own makeup line with L’Oréal. The first half of the book concentrates on beauty, with chapters on caring for your skin type, makeup basics, hair and nail care, and wardrobe tips, among other subjects. The second half discusses lifestyle topics, such as: digital etiquette (texting and social media dos and don’ts) and housekeeping (backing up files, digital organization); job-hunting; and entrepreneurship. The modern manners section includes a questionnaire filled out by Phan that is sure to delight readers with factoids about her life. Phan’s warmth and accessibility shines through in this fun and empowering manual. 150 four-color photos. Agent: Cait Hoyt, CAA.

September 1, 2014

More than six million people subscribe to Phan's eponymous YouTube channel where she shares makeup tutorials for everyday and special-occasion looks, as well as ways to use makeup to transform into celebrities (Lady Gaga, Angelina Jolie) or characters (Danerys Targaryen, Sailor Moon). In all of her efforts, Phan, who introduces herself in her videos as "your beauty bestie," encourages viewers' self-confidence and individuality. Her first book brings that point of view and attitude to the page. Makeup instruction is only a small part of the volume, though, and her advice extends to skin, nail, and hair care, as well as expressing oneself through fashion, professional conduct, and manners. The chapter on "Digital Dos and Don'ts" brings a modern touch to this general conduct-of-life guide. VERDICT Phan's entrepreneurial spirit and diligence will inspire readers. Much of the cosmetic and fashion advice is not necessarily new, but the author's fresh approach will especially appeal to younger readers who are drawn to learning more about her life and work.--Meagan Storey, Virginia Beach

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