Pretty Boys: Legendary Icons Who Redefined Beauty (and How to Glow Up, Too)

· Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
5.0
1 review
Ebook
272
Pages
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About this ebook

In this inclusive, illustrated history and guide to skin care and beauty, journalist and founder of Very Good Light David Yi teaches us that self-care, wellness, and feeling beautiful transcends time, boundaries, and binaries—and that pretty boys can change the world

Chanel and Goop might have seemed ahead of the curve when they launched their men’s beauty and wellness lines, but pharaohs were exfoliating, moisturizing, and masking eons earlier. Thousands of years before Harry Styles strutted down the red carpet with multicolored fingernails, Babylonian army officials had their own personal manicure sets. And BTS might have become an international sensation for their smoky eyes and perfect pouts, but the Korean Hwarang warriors who put on a full face before battle preceded them by centuries.
 
Pretty Boys unearths diverse and surprising beauty icons who have redefined what masculinity and gender expression look like throughout history, to empower us to live and look our truths. Whether you're brand new to beauty, or you already have a ten-step routine, Pretty Boys will inspire and teach you how to find your best self through tutorials, beauty secrets, and advice from the biggest names in the beauty industry, Hollywood, and social media.
 
From Frank Ocean’s skin-care routine to Clark Gable’s perfectly styled hair, Rami Malek’s subtle eyeliner to a face beat to the gods à la Boy George or Kimchi the drag queen, K-Beauty to clean beauty, Pretty Boys will completely change the way we all see gender expression and identity.

Ratings and reviews

5.0
1 review
Leighton Books
April 2, 2021
Pretty Boys is an outstanding history of male beauty. David Yi does an amazing job of combining historical facts with current beauty tips. Each chapter explores a different aspect of beauty and sexuality, from King Tut and ancient rituals of male make-up, all the way to BTS and Korean skincare. At the end of each chapter are tips on how boys and men can improve their own make-up looks. This book would be an amazing gift for the male beauty star or the average man in your life who has never used make-up. I think girls and women would also be interested in this book. Personally, I've rarely used make-up myself, but I was still interested in the rituals and tips provided in the book. The the illustrations at the beginning of each chapter were a nice and beautiful touch. Overall, this is a beautiful and well-researched book, and would make a wonderful gift for anyone.
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About the author

DAVID YI is the founder and editor of Very Good Light, a men’s beauty publication. After beginning his career at publications like People and Women’s Wear Daily, he went on to launch Mashable’s first fashion and beauty verticals. A GLAAD and Webby nominee, his work has also been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Harper's Bazaar, Men’s Health, and Allure, among others.

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