Books are man’s best friend they say. But books act as more than just best friends when it comes to image consultants and training professionals.

Just like soulmates who complement each other, books not only enhance the knowledge of an image consultant but also upskills their ability to cater to a diversified clientele.

With that said, the right set of books would go a long way for any professional working in the Image consulting or soft skills industry.

If you are an Image Consultant or a Soft Skills Trainer, we bring to you this comprehensive list of books that are quintessential along with your practice:

1. The Definitive Book of Body Language by Allan and Barbara Pease

Helping clients moderating and improving their body language is one of the crucial jobs of an Image Consultant or a Soft Skills Trainer. Image professionals must have a thorough understanding of human behavior, especially non-verbal communication.

And, what better a source to refer to than this masterpiece penned by Barbara and Allan Pease. The authors with their exceptional research and combination of insights from psychology, biology, and medicine, provide you with practical instructions to polish gestures, expressions, postures, and much more. Grab a copy of this international bestseller.

2. Color With Style by Fujii Donna

For an Image Consultant, complete knowledge of color is vital. This helps in assisting clients with perfect styling and wardrobe suggestions. Authored by AICI Immie Award-winning Image Consultant, Donna Fujii, the book is perfect to learn color theory and also works as a beginner’s guide to knowing personal color palettes for people of different ethnicities.  

We recommend this incredible resource for budding image consultants, stylists, and individuals interested in knowing more about colors. Explore color charts, skin tones, and many more vivid resources used extensively by image professionals all around the world.

3. Bobbi Brown Make-up Manual

Make-up is an art, and an Image Consultant is an artist that needs to master it well to stand out. Learning make-up is one of the core subjects in Image education yet an extra resource of knowledge never goes awry. Bobbi Brown’s Make-up Manual published in 2008 is a perfect handbook incorporating 25-plus years of experience of professional makeup artist, Bobbi Brown.   

Along with finding the right set of foundation to the minute details of eye make-up, you will also encounter the scientific facts related to skin and guides for overall beauty. A must-read to excel at make-up and deliver to your clientele.

4. The Triumph of Individual Style: A Guide to Dressing Your Body, Your Beauty, Your Self by Carla Mathis and Helen Villa Conner

Also known as the ‘Bible of Image Consultants’ across the globe, the Triumph of Individual Style is your go-to book to gain knowledge about body types, body shapes, and styling. AICI Certified Image Master Carla Mathis and information designer Helen Villa Conner, offer their ‘individual’s design pattern’ to help identify the right set of clothing according to body shapes.

Grab a copy of this incredible handbook and learn more about personal styling, color principles, design teachings, and much more!

5. Power Etiquette: What You Don’t Know Can Kill Your Career by Dana May Casperson

Etiquettes are not just social niceties anymore but are crucial business skills that possess the power to make or break your career. This is the predominant message that author Dana May Casperson wishes to offer with the book named Power Etiquette.

Since Image Professionals and trainers strive to help individuals polish their etiquettes, this book acts as an essential guide with etiquettes ranging from telephone, email, table, and even writing resumes. Hence, it holds a significant spot on this list.

6. AskMen.com Presents The Style Bible: The 11 Rules for Building a Complete and Timeless Wardrobe

If there is one comprehensive guide that teaching you styling for men, then the Style Bible is the right choice. Author James Bassil provides 11 detailed chapters (rules) from staples to timepieces, from suits to grooming, and much more.   

Image professionals that cater to male clients can use this book as a crucial resource and amp up their styling knowledge. A power-packed book, full of illustrations, tips, and how-to guides!  

7. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up By Marie Kondo

Not every self-help book gets its own Netflix series, right? This #1 New York Times bestseller book inspired the hit Netflix series Tidying Up with Marie Kondo: the original guide to decluttering your home once and for all. The author teaches you the well-known Japanese, KonMari Method for wardrobe management.

As an image consultant, this is the right guide to not only learn remarkable wardrobe management skills as a professional but also various organizational skills as a person that can help you in various walks of life.