Buy used:
$26.17
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime
FREE delivery Wednesday, May 15 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Used: Good | Details
Sold by BelleCityBooks
Fulfilled by Amazon
Condition: Used: Good

Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) is a service we offer sellers that lets them store their products in Amazon's fulfillment centers, and we directly pack, ship, and provide customer service for these products. Something we hope you'll especially enjoy: FBA items qualify for FREE Shipping and Amazon Prime.

If you're a seller, Fulfillment by Amazon can help you grow your business. Learn more about the program.

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Sali Hughes
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Pretty Iconic: A Personal Look at the Beauty Products that Changed the World Hardcover – October 24, 2017

by Sali Hughes (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 503 ratings
See all formats and editions

Over 200 iconic products that are among the best and most influential in the beauty world – past, present and future.

‘Sali Hughes has created a universe filled with galaxies of beauty secrets’ Charlotte Tilbury

Packed full of beauty wisdom, Pretty Iconic takes us from the evocative smell of Johnson’s baby lotion through to Simple Face wipes, NARS Orgasm and beyond, looking at the formative role beauty plays in our lives.

Considering which much-hyped beauty buys are worth the buzz, and who they might be best suited for, in Pretty Iconic Sali Hughes uses her witty, inclusive and discerning style to look at some of the most significant products in beauty – from treasured classics such as Chanel No 5, to life-changers such as Babyliss Big Hair, and the more recent releases from Charlotte Tilbury, Sunday Riley and others that are shaping the beauty industry today.

Delving into the products that are simply the best at what they do, the inventions that changed our perception of beauty and the launches that completely broke the mould, Pretty Iconic is a treasure trove of knowledge from Britain’s most trusted beauty writer.

Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Print length
    432 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Fourth Estate
  4. Publication date
    October 24, 2017
  5. Dimensions
    6.31 x 1.18 x 8.69 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0008239541
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0008239541
  8. See all details
Next page
Books with Buzz
Books with Buzz
Discover the latest buzz-worthy books, from mysteries and romance to humor and nonfiction. Explore more

Editorial Reviews

Review

‘Sali's new book is a wonderful mix of beauty nerdery, know-how, nostalgia and memoir’ Lauren Laverne

‘Beauty writing of the highest order’ India Knight

‘Funny, witty and wonderfully engaging, it’s more than an edit – it’s an encyclopaedia of beauty knowledge from one of the most trusted voices in the industry that should take pride of place on any beauty fan’s bookshelf’ Get the Gloss

‘Hughes corners the market in lively, practical advice, remaining as in touch with high-street as high-end brands’ Guardian Guide

‘Compulsive reading’ Alexandra Shulman

‘This book gives me serious nostalgia! Inside this beautiful book you’ll find 200 of the most iconic products to ever grace the world of beauty. It’s full of beautiful photos of some of my most loved lotions and potions, all of which Sali describes and discusses in her signature witty tone of voice. I love this book and I have no doubt that you will too’ Estee Lalonde

About the Author

Sali Hughes is a leading journalist, presenter and broadcaster with over 24 years’ experience. A former magazine editor, she is the beauty editor on the Guardian. In 2018, she co-founded the non-profit collective Beauty Banks and in 2022 she was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from Cardiff University for services to journalism and charity. Sali has a large social media presence and can be found on Twitter and Instagram @salihughes. She lives in Brighton.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Fourth Estate (October 24, 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 432 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0008239541
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0008239541
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.5 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.31 x 1.18 x 8.69 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 503 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Sali Hughes

Sali Hughes

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
503 global ratings
5 stars for tbe book - 0 stars for Amazon. I bought new, book arrived used.
5 Stars
5 stars for tbe book - 0 stars for Amazon. I bought new, book arrived used.
5 stars for tbe book - 0 stars for Amazon and the packing. I bought this to give as a gift and was incredibly disappointed that it came bent, scratched, ripped and dirty. I had to order another one from my local bookstore so I was sure to get a nice new copy. The book itself is fabulous though, and I highly recommended it! Sali is a treasure.
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

Gina
5.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars for tbe book - 0 stars for Amazon. I bought new, book arrived used.
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2023
Verified Purchase
5 stars for tbe book - 0 stars for Amazon and the packing. I bought this to give as a gift and was incredibly disappointed that it came bent, scratched, ripped and dirty. I had to order another one from my local bookstore so I was sure to get a nice new copy. The book itself is fabulous though, and I highly recommended it! Sali is a treasure.
Customer image
Gina
5.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars for tbe book - 0 stars for Amazon. I bought new, book arrived used.
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2023
5 stars for tbe book - 0 stars for Amazon and the packing. I bought this to give as a gift and was incredibly disappointed that it came bent, scratched, ripped and dirty. I had to order another one from my local bookstore so I was sure to get a nice new copy. The book itself is fabulous though, and I highly recommended it! Sali is a treasure.
Images in this review
Customer image Customer image Customer image Customer image
Customer imageCustomer imageCustomer imageCustomer image
Helpful
 Report
Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book for a Beauty Lover!
Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2016
Verified Purchase
This is a book written by a beauty lover, for beauty lovers. It is split into sections, covering true beauty icons, nostalgic products, game changers, rites of passage, and future icons. Each product is accompanied by a short essay about why it was chosen, what is so iconic about it, and Sali’s personal thoughts about it. It is accompanied by stylish pictures, and a physical copy of the book would look nice on a coffee table. I read this in electronic format, and the pictures and layout were still good.

The strength of this book is Sali’s writing. Her prose is elegant, thoughtful, and polished, and she skilfully combines technical information with personal anecdotes. Pretty Iconic is lovely to read, and I found myself actually limiting the amount of pages I read each day so that I could extend out the experience.

What is unique about this book is that Sali is not a fan of everything she includes, and she isn’t shy to say so. In fact, she actively dislikes some of the products. I think this makes for a more honest and interesting read – she may dislike the product, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not iconic.

I really loved reading this book, and it would make a wonderful gift for a beauty lover. I also ended up finishing the book with a shopping list, which was good for my beauty routine but bad for my wallet!
15 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
sparkle60
5.0 out of 5 stars A Gem of a Book for the Beauty Junkie
Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2017
Verified Purchase
A gem of a book; could not put it down. I love reading about the products from the past (had almost forgotten Cher's 1987 fragrance which was a must-have that Christmas), and the present (always looking for good-value anti-aging products). I enjoy reading the background on a product, such as info about the founder. I also bemoan the passing of many products/brands, such as Flame Glo Kohl eye pencils, Maybelline Cinnamon lip gloss in a pot, and Pond's eye shadows in the lollipop-shaped compact (the applicator was the stick). I have to confess that I keep a notebook (going back 20-plus years) of the monthly directory feature from 'Allure' magazine, so this was a welcome addition to that tome. This book is a must for any beauty junkie or junkie-in-training. A treasure to hold on to.
6 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Jennylafleur
5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful little book
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2017
Verified Purchase
A wonderful little book! Well written and a fun read, I'm really enjoying the little tidbits of info on so many of my favorite beauty products. I'm not as interested in the author's reminisces of her personal experiences with the products, I don't really relate to a lot of them, but I'm okay reading around them to find the gems of history and interest.
4 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Ann E Schmid
5.0 out of 5 stars So many memories!!
Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2021
Verified Purchase
This is an excellent book for gifts. I’m giving it to friends!
Helpful
 Report
Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting
Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2020
Verified Purchase
Plenty info about beauty products. Really enjoyed it.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Sonja
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun to learn about beauty products
Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2019
Verified Purchase
I enjoyed going through the list of "iconic" products and seeing which ones I agreed with.
Helpful
 Report
Melanie wessel
5.0 out of 5 stars A walk down memory lane
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2017
Verified Purchase
A lovely walk through my beauty memories. This book made me smile and laugh so often that my family asked what the heck I was reading.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
Dharmika Tamboli
2.0 out of 5 stars Information are not too usefual they all available
Reviewed in India on January 23, 2021
Verified Purchase
Not good
Report
federica valtolina
2.0 out of 5 stars Stampa incorretta
Reviewed in Italy on December 9, 2020
Verified Purchase
The media could not be loaded.
 Il libro é stato stampato al contrario come allegato nel video.
Report
Patricia D.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
Reviewed in Canada on January 6, 2017
Verified Purchase
I have read and enjoyed Sali's first book, Pretty Honest, and I'm part-way through this one. I'm going slowly just because it is such an enjoyable read! She is an absolutely marvellous writer. I also love her column in The Guardian.
One person found this helpful
 Report
Cliente Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars 5 estrellas
Reviewed in Spain on December 11, 2016
Verified Purchase
Llegó muy rápido y en perfectas condiciones.
Si os gusta Sali esta es una perfecta continuación a su anterior libro. Ahora escribe en formato de enciclopedia sobre los productos más icónicos de la historia del maquillaje/perfume/belleza.
Y además la presentación del libro es una preciosidad.
Report
Joanne Sheppard
5.0 out of 5 stars Warm, witty, nostalgic and moving
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 20, 2016
Verified Purchase
One of the few times I made an exception to my rule of only reviewing fiction on my blog was when I reviewed Sali Hughes' Pretty Honest - and I've decided to make another exception for Sali's second book because Pretty Iconic is such a very special (and I think unique) book that I want to tell people about it.

Image result for pretty iconicSali Hughes is a journalist who writes about a whole range of subjects including politics, film and women's issues and is also well-known for her beauty column in the Guardian and her own website, [...]. Pretty Iconic is a pleasingly solid and chunky book of short essays about iconic beauty products.

Now, this would be a truly lovely read if it were entirely about the obvious candidates - Chanel No5, Crème de la Mer, Touche Éclat and so on - and indeed, all these products do make an appearance. They are written about with warmth, wit and insight and it's a joy to read about them. But where the real genius of this book lies is in the decision to include alongside them many, many more offbeat and less glamorous choices. Rimmel Hide The Blemish, Carmen heated rollers, Immac, Head & Shoulders and even the monstrous scrunchie ... they all turn up here, and they're all written about with every bit as much affection as Mac Ruby Woo lipstick and Eve Lom Hot Cloth Cleanser.

I'm sure not everybody feels the same way as I do about this stuff. I know not everyone is quite as nerdy as me about things you could buy in Boots in 1990, the nail polish Uma Thurman wore in Pulp Fiction or the specific Max Factor face powder worn by Hollywood icons of the 1950s*. But this book honestly moved me to tears. White Musk perfume and Morello Cherry Lip Balm took me instantly back to being 14 and spending my saved-up pocket money at The Body Shop with my friends during London shopping trips. My mum wore Rive Gauche in the 80s and I wear it myself now (and so should you; it will never not be good). I practically squeaked with excitement at the memory of Natrel Plus deodorant, which I made my dad buy me as part of the weekly shop from Tesco in my teens because the colour schemes of the different fragrances matched my bedroom. I wept at the observation that bath cubes have essentially died out with a generation of nans and if you don't cry at Sali's chapter on Old Spice and the memories of her grandad its scent still carries for her, or when she talks about the Revlon lipstick shade worn by her late friend Carey Lander, you probably aren't human. That said, there are plenty of chapters that made me laugh a lot too (Shaders & Toners and Girl's World spring to mind).

I saw yesterday that Nigel Slater, my favourite food writer of all time, was praising Pretty Iconic on Twitter. If you like the way Nigel Slater writes about food (and agree with him that food, whether it's an eye-wateringly expensive lobster or children's penny sweets, means so much more than something to eat) you will also like the way Sali Hughes writes about beauty. It's a very personal take on the subject and a very evocative one.

I should also add that the book is beautifully designed with a lovely font that reminds me of the most stylish, classic glossy magazines and fantastic photography that correctly treats Mr Matey bubble bath with as much reverence as Sisley Black Rose Mask. If there is anyone in your life who is fascinated by beauty and grooming - men's or women's - then buy it for them now, or put it under the tree on Christmas morning.

*Creme Puff, obviously
35 people found this helpful
 Report