11 Books to Inspire Your Inner Makeup Artist

Whether you religiously follow along with YouTube tutorials, or you’re still trying to get the hang of applying mascara without poking your eye out, we’ve all got a beauty maven in us. You don’t need a trip to Sephora to gain some in-depth beauty knowledge. Unleash your skills with some fiercely inspiring reads that will teach you how to master all of your makeup brushes.

1. Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual: For Everyone from Beginner to Pro($13): Let the queen of beauty herself, Bobbi Brown, give you some useful lessons on everything from the tools you need to the perfect eyeshadow palettes for your skin tone. This book gives you an easy start to your beauty journey.

2. Making Faces($12): It’s safe to say that the makeup legends do it best. A heavy hitter in the beauty field, Kevyn Aucoin put his highly coveted secrets in writing. Create an endless array of themed looks with easy-to-follow tips, full-page illustrations and before and after transformations that will blow you away.

3.Love, Lashes and Lipstick: My Secrets for a Gorgeous, Happy Life ($20): You may know Mally Roncal for roaming the backstage of runway shows, prettying up the faces of countless models and celebs. The A-list celebrity makeup artist has a seriously positive personality and is all about beauty on the inside as well as the outside.

4. Make Up: Your Life Guide to Beauty, Style and Success — Online and Off ($17): Michelle Phan is a business fiend who has proven herself to be a beauty force to be reckoned with. From edgy costume makeup looks inspired by Game of Thrones characters to rocking a timeless golden glow, Michelle’s got your back.

5. Make-up Masterclass: Beauty Bible of Professional Techniques and Wearable Looks ($16): Jemma Kidd is famous for her trendy take on makeup, but there are some classic tricks in here too. The photography illustrates timeless looks for women of all ages and backgrounds. As the founder of a top UK beauty school, you can bet she knows what she’s talking about.

6. Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me($16): Don’t get too caught up in the title — this easy reader will take you from drugstores to high-end retailers. Paula Begoun, aka the Cosmetics Cop, focuses on educating readers about the harmful and harmless ingredients in some of their favorite products. You will definitely have a new outlook and vocabulary when it comes to shopping for your makeup kit.

7. Alex Box ($130): As the creative director of luxury beauty brand Illamasqua, Alex Box is obsessed with color. A true visionary leader, her namesake book is just as exuberant and vibrant as you would imagine. If you’re more of a visual learner, there’s no doubt you’ll feed off a book like this for your next sensational creations.

8. About Face ($18): With a cover star like JLo, you know you’re in for a treat. Scott Barnes’s epic transformational lesson will take you on a journey of discovery. Got problems contouring, or want to create shadows? Step-by-step photos will make it easy to learn even the most difficult tricks.

9. Lauren Conrad Beauty ($14): Reality queen-turned-style icon Lauren Conrad is serving up classic tips and tricks. With a detailed walk-through of beauty, hair and makeup looks, Lauren Conrad lets you go behind the scenes of some of her best routines.

10. Love, Tanya($20): This tome chronicles the journey of a beauty vlogger. With millions of subscribers and followers, Tanya Burr gives you a sneak peek into her life of love, makeup, friendship and travel. Part dream journal, part beauty guide, Tanya Burr will push you to look and feel glam.

11. How to Look Expensive ($17): Beauty editor Andrea Pomerantz Lustig delivers her must-know secrets to “getting gorgeous without breaking the bank.” Covering everything from skin care to budgeting options, Andrea not only helps you develop fabulous habits, but also keeps you from splurging.

What are some of your favorite beauty books to flip through for inspiration and tips? Tell us in the comments below!

(Featured image via Taylor Hill/Getty)

The first time Lauren Conrad appeared on my TV screen, I immediately liked her. My friend and I watched countless episodes of Laguna Beach to keep up with her life, and when that wasn't enough, we watched her navigate internships for Teen Vogue and Kelly Cutrone's PR company onThe Hills. She was the ultimate definition of career goals, and while I may not be working in the fashion industry per say, I can proudly say LC's inspo definitely lead me to my media career.

This — among other reasons — is why she's forever cemented in my mind as one of the OG definitions of an "It" Girl. If you grew up with LC like I did, you saw her release books, drop epic collections at Kohl's, and introduce a home collection. Throughout it all, here's what made me admire her, from day one.

Lauren's "It" Girl Factor Stood Out On "Laguna Beach"

Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images

From the moment Lauren began narrating Laguna Beach, I was drawn to her. At the time, it seemed like she had the sort of confidence that most popular girls were be born with. I was barely a pre-teen when Season 1 premiered, so my perception of confidence was skewed back then. Still, I admired the way she seemed to speak with authority without being blatantly aggressive.

Today, I can of course pinpoint moments where she was actually being passive-aggressive and my opinions are a little different. But, I would never badmouth her for not being this perfect teenager who had cameras in her face. She stood up for herself — something many young woman (myself included) could stand to learn.

Her Internship At "Teen Vogue" Was Inspirational

Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images

I didn't know a fashion career was even remotely attainable until Lauren Conrad landed her internship at Teen Vogue. She's literally the reason I begged my mom to buy The Teen Vogue Handbook: An Insiders Guide to Careers in Fashion. It didn't matter that she wasn't writing groundbreaking articles throughout the internship — merely seeing her show up to do the tasks required of her made me want to do whatever it took to land my own internship at Teen Vogue.

While that didn't happen either, I can say I was fortunate to attend Teen Vogue's Fashion U in 2015. It was my first time in NY, and I felt that much closer to my very own fashion journalism career. Silly as it may sound to some, but Lauren's internship paved the way for the younger, much more impressionable version of myself. I guess you can say that crazy amount of hope I had is paying off — I'm writing this article, aren't I? 😉

She Became A Multi-Faceted Bestselling Author

Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images

After The Hills, Lauren Conrad set her sights on becoming a published author. She could've easily chosen to step away from the spotlight, but she decided to take her career into her own hands. She wrote both fiction and lifestyle books that not only solidified her pen game, but solidified the beginning of her empire. I vividly remember borrowing my best friend's copies of L.A. Candy and Sweet Little Lies. Aside from them, Lauren went on to write the following:

Fiction

Lifestyle

Lauren Conrad Partnered With Kohl's To Create Her Own Affordable Label

Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for Kohl's

When Lauren Conrad announced she was partnering with Kohl's to create her own label, there was no doubt in my mind that this "It" Girl was a force to be reckoned with. Not only are her clothes affordable, but the pieces can easily be incorporated in your existing wardrobe. Public figures announce a clothing lines left and right, but it's another feat for them to create something that's actually relatable and affordable.

Whenever I visit Kohl's, I always make a beeline to her collection to see what I can find. It's to the point where my mom doesn't bat an eye if she's with me because she just knows how I feel about Lauren Conrad.

She cCreated The Little Market With Her BFF Hannah Skvarla

Photo by Rachel Murray/Getty Images for The Little Market

The Little Market proves that Lauren Conrad and Hannah Skvarla are BFF goals. They joined forces to create a successful wholesale business that's been thriving since 2013. That's 10 years of working side-by-side to highlight handcrafted items from home decor to accessories. The best part of it all? The Little Market focuses on ethical pieces and supporting thoughtful causes and intiatives.

She's Embracing Her Marriage To William Tell

Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for PMK*BNC

While I'm sure her marriage isn't perfect, I still admire the way Lauren Conrad has embraced it in the public eye. After meeting William Tell in 2012 on a blind date, she married him two years later — potential proof that love at first sight does exist. The two seem to support each other, providing a strong structure for their little family.

Honestly, it doesn't matter who I used to root for her to be with during Laguna Beach and The Hills. I'm happy she's with the person she truly wants to be with. And yes, I have filed Lauren and William's love story to the top of my Roman Empire list.

I think what really solidifies Lauren Conrad's status as an OG "It" Girl is the way she's expanded her career. She went from being a teen embroiled in drama to a successful entrepreneur over the course of a decade, and I think that's worth applauding. I may not talk about her as much as I used to, but Lauren will always be one of my sources of inspiration.

It's nice to be at a point where I can recognize the influence of others. Now that I think about it, I guess she counts as one of the first influencers, too — TikTok dances not included. 😘

How do you feel about Lauren Conrad being considered an "It Girl?" Share your comments below and follow the conversation on Facebook!

Lead image via Cindy Ord/Getty Images for Kohl's

We might just be getting into the holiday spirit, but for the Radio City Rockettes, it's been Christmastime since September! In addition to a very enlightening game of This or That, twins Caitlin and Courtney Sullivan gave Brit + Co an inside look at what it's like to be a Rockette — and what they do the rest of the year. Consider this the perfect trivia for your Christmas dinner after you've mastered that Rockette red lip ;).

Here are 12 surprising things about being a Radio City Rockette.

1. Rehearsing for the Christmas season is a full-time job.

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Once the holidays roll around, the Radio City Rockette shows might last 90 minutes, but prepping for the season is a full work week. "The rehearsal season itself is six weeks long, six hours a day, six days a week," Courtney says. "So it is a long process and I feel like the rehearsals itself are like a bonding experience for us."

2. The Radio City Rockettes get some serious bonding time.

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"You spend a lot of time with the girls around you and within Radio City, our dressing rooms too," Courteney says of the Rockette rehearsal schedule. "I feel like that's the time when you really get to form those bonds with your sisters and really create magic that can be seen on stage too."

"Yeah, once we move into Radio City, this becomes your family, truly," Caitlin adds. "We spend every day, day in day out together, we spend the holidays together. So you naturally just become very close with everyone."

Each Rockette dresses up her getting-ready station.

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"Everybody dresses up their station to make it feel very homey," Caitlin says. "I like lots of like decor and festive lights, candles, all that fun stuff."

The women love to have treats in their dressing rooms!

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I'm literally snacking on a chocolate bar as I type this, and I'm not the only one who likes to have sweets on-hand! "I love Christmas cookies," Caitlin says. "We will do something with our dressing room and bring in treats every day. I feel like someone's bringing in something new."

The Radio City Rockettes perform up to 200 shows at Christmas.

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"The Rockettes perform up to 200 shows in a season, and the way that each show feels so special and individual, it's just amazing how you never know who's out in the audience seeing the show for the first time," Courtney says. "And the way the ladies in the line put their best foot forward every single time is so inspiring and made me want to give even more."

"It just really amazes me how dedicated and how hard working all the Rockettes are," Caitlin agrees. "And I think we always knew that, but then once you're in it, you have a whole new level of respect for how hard all these women work."

And each Rockette can perform in up to 4 shows a day!

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"I think sometimes people don't realize we can do up to four shows in the day, which is unreal and amazing," Caitlin says. "That might be a surprise to people when they're coming to a show. They might think we just have that one that day, but we actually might have two, three, or four in the day, which is pretty amazing."

But the Rockettes also find time to goof off.

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The Rockettes might be known for their precision, but Courtney promises their smiles are real! "We are having so much fun," Courtney says. "It's really just an amazing feeling to be on stage and we find times to laugh and joke around, but really obviously give our all to our craft. And I think people don't realize like we are really having an amazing time on and off stage."

The Radio City Rockettes really support one another.

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As you can imagine, a career as a Rockette comes with its challenges, but the ladies on the line always support each other. "I was really proud last year was our first season together and just to complete one full season is such an accomplishment," Courtney says. "I feel like we're ready to take it on again and know like we absolutely can do it. And with the support of everyone around us too, you know, you're going to get through the entire holiday season and you're gonna come out even stronger."

The Radio City Rockettes can work a bunch of jobs during the summer.

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The Rockettes have a busy schedule during Christmas — but that doesn't mean they kick up their feet the rest of the year! "Every person on the line has a very diverse background and they go to different job opportunities throughout the year," Courtney says. "People are pulled in different directions when the holiday season is over. The Rockettes do work year-round [with] different opportunities."

"We're always looking to continue to dance and work on our precision," she continues. "The summer though, our favorite thing is to go to the beach. We're from New Jersey and the Jersey shore is like our home. So if we're not dancing, you can definitely find us relaxing on the sand."

The best thing about performing New York City can also be the most challenging.

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You know how, when people talk about New York, they say, "If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere?" That's because it's hard to live here y'all!

"This is just the city that never sleeps," Caitlin says. "There are people everywhere. It's always alive. There's just something magical about New York and I love that. And I think that could come with the biggest challenge as well: the city that never sleeps. You feel like you're going, going, going at all times. But that's pretty exciting to do at our age, living out our dreams. I feel like that will never get old."

"I feel like we have no complaints here!" Courtney adds.

Even as a Radio City Rockette, the work is never done.

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"I feel like there's always room for improvement," Courtney says. "Even today, as we're living at our dream, we're continuously working on our technique and our precision and going back to our foundation, I think the work is never done and you can continue to dream and accomplish some of those really major goals."

"Yeah, the work is never done is I think is kind of our motto," Caitlin adds. "Just keep, keep pushing, keep driving and just keep dreaming. And never give up."

The Rockettes are like one big family.

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Just like so many of our favorite TV show and movie casts, the Rockettes love to bond! "The Rockettes truly feel like a sisterhood and we are so lucky that we are real sisters on the line together," Caitlin says, adding that to dance "with your sister is everything we always hoped for."

And those connections make a magical experience like New York at Christmas even more magical. "[To] be welcomed with open arms has been such a dream come true for us," Courtney says. "We just love the holiday season and to celebrate it at Radio City, I feel like I can't imagine anything better."

Read 35 Magical Photos Of Christmas In New York To Inspire Wanderlust for even more holiday cheer!

There's one popstar who's ready to get her "love on" — Selena Gomez is engaged! And in addition to Taylor Swift throwing her hat in the ring for flower girl and Hailey Bieber seemingly sending love to the happy couple, Selena continues to feel great as we get closer to the big day. Here's the latest news on Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco's engagement, because I simply can't get enough.

Here's how Selena Gomez's feeling after her engagement to Benny Blanco — and how they celebrated.

Benny Blanco's proposal to Selena Gomez proves how well he knows her.

Benny Blanco reportedly popped the question on December 11, and we know from Selena's photo dump that the engagement began in a park with a Taco Bell picnic. And honestly? I've never had more respect for someone. And ever Selena Gomez's ring found its permanent home on her finger, sources says she's been "glowing."

“They’re so supportive of each other,” a source tells People. “He wants the best for her and she wants the best for him. They’re perfect together. They really are.”

These two know each other inside and out, and considering Benny Blanco grabbed Sel's favorite meal from Taco Bell, the proposal proves it! "It was very her," another source says. "It was a total surprise to Selena."

It's those tiny moments that are the most romantic to me because they prove you're willing to go the extra distance on tiny details other people would overlook. "Benny and Selena were so excited to share the news right away with their loved ones," the source continues, mentioning that the couple had an "impromptu gathering" with some friends and family members after Selena said yes. "It's such a true partnership between them."

And Selena Gomez has talked about how much Benny Blanco means to her.

Selena Gomez has spoken about how much Benny means to her, saying "he is my absolute everything in my heart" in the comments of an Instagram fanpage, while Benny told Howard Stern in May 2024 that he couldn't imagine his life without Selena in it. "I just know that when I look at her, I just say, ‘I don’t know a world where it could be better than this.’ That’s what I always say to her.”

And in March 2024, Selena Gomez posted the sweetest tribute for Benny's birthday, honoring his "emotional endurance, positive disposition, unbelievable talent (that blows me away), undeniable humor and loving, kind heart." Now they get to spend every birthday together!

Check out Hailee Steinfeld and Josh Allen's amazing proposal pictures for more celebrity engagement goodness.

If Gilmore Girls andThe Marvelous Mrs. Maisel have shown me anything, it's that creator Amy Sherman-Palladino always has an incredible story up her sleeve. Her new show Étoile, which is coming to Prime Video, promises to be a beautiful and sophisticated look at the world of dance, and if the fact that it's from Amy wasn't enough reason to watch it, it's also Prime's first new show to get a two-season order! Here's everything we know about the series.

What is the next Sherman Palladino show?

Writer/Producer/Director Amy Sherman-Palladino, Writer/Producer/Director Daniel Palladino seen at Netflix's Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life premiere.Eric Charbonneau/Netflix

Following our beloved Gilmore Girls and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Dan and Amy Sherman-Palladino's next series is Étoile, which is set at two world-famous ballet companies in New York City and Paris. When both companies run into some trouble, the decide to swap their most talented stars in a last-ditch effort to save themselves.

And based on the first set leaks from New York City, it looks like Étoile will definitely be packing on the drama. This short clip shows Luke Kirby standing outside Lincoln Center in a serious conversation (probably about the fate of his ballet company, TBH).

"Well, guess that plan for early retirement will have to wait," Dan and Amy said in a joint statement (via The Hollywood Reporter). "Instead, we’ve decided to embark on an international journey with an unbelievable group of players and the most talented ballet dancers in the world. We will sleep when we’re dead."

But this isn't the first time ASP has forayed into the world of ballet! Her ABC Family series Bunheads (which premiered on June 11, 2012) follows Michelle (Sutton Foster) who moves to her hometown of Paradise and starts working at her mother-in-law's dance studio The Paradise Dance Academy.

Who will star in the new show?

Photo via WB

The best part is that the role of Michelle's mother-in-law is played by Emily Gilmore herself, Kelly Bishop!

When does Étoile premiere?

Anya Juárez Tenorio/Pexels

We don't have an official release date yet, but considering THR recently revealed the show will finish filming soon, we're hoping to see Étoile in 2025. Just like Gilmore Girls is the ultimate fall rewatch, maybe Étoile will be the ultimate winter rewatch!

Who's in the Étoile cast?

Luke Kirby attends the The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Finale Celebration at the Fonda Theater in Los Angeles on Mon, May 22, 2023. Todd Williamson/JanuaryImages/Prime Video

So far, we know that Étoile will star Luke Kirby, Gideon Glick, Camille Cottin, Simon Callow, Lou de Laâge, and David Alvarez. Yanic Truesdale, who played our favorite Gilmore Girls concierge Michel, has also joined the series as a recurring character! I'm so excited to see Yanic working with Amy Sherman-Palladino again — it's like a Gilmore Girls reunion!

What does Étoile mean?

Jeremy Thomas/Unsplash

Étoile translates to "star," and there are so many different connections here! We have the ballet stars themselves, but you also wish upon a star and reach for the stars when you're working towards a dream. If you ask me, Étoile is the perfect name for this series.

How many episodes does Étoile have?

Merve Sehirli Nasir/Unsplash

The first season of Étoile will have eight episodes total, but considering Prime Video ordered two seasons, we'll definitely be getting more episodes.

Are you excited to watch Étoile? Check back here for the latest news on the series, and stay updated on your favorite TV shows and movies on our Facebook!

This post has been updated.