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Women's Fiction
Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me

Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me

List Price: $27.95
Your Price: $18.45
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 1 stars
Summary: If you loved her first book you'll hate this one!
Review: If you are expecting the type of information you got in Ms Begoun's first book, you want get it in this one.

For instance, I used the BEST BUYS list in the first book extensively and found it to be reliable. This edition has thirty or so items in each category with no mention of the best prices. Also, in her first book I often disagreed with Ms. Begoun on products I have personally used as did many of the blind test groups. There are no test groups in this edition just facts, formulas and ingredients.

I also found her own product line in the book a little too self promoting.

Unless you are in need of a list of ingredients in cosmetics I can't see any point in this book as a reference.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Fantastic guide for cosmetic junkies
Review: As a self-confessed cosmetics junkie,and a person who has to take extra-special care of my skin,I found this book to be the utterly perfect guide.I agree with Ms. Begoun's views on matte,realistic colors,but even if I didn't,the information on the efficacy of both cosmetics and skincare would be enough reason to buy this book. She states right from the beginning that her views on cosmetics colors are her own,and I agree that the trend towards shiny and/or bright colors has taken over the industry almost to the exclusion of more sophisticated colors.The factual information on ingredients is wonderful-I always had an instinct of doubt about the trend to "natural" ingredients and new-agey ad copy,and now I know why.
As far as Ms Begoun's own product line,I am looking forward to trying it. I think it's wonderful that she put her money where her mouth is and came up with a product line that will meet the shortcomings of the products she reviewed. To me,that only makes sense.If this line meets its claims(which are not unrealistic and don't promise to give you "inner serenity" or eternal youth),then she has done many women a service.And the point she makes of sunscreen is wonderful. Scientists have noted that it's not so much the natural aging process that destroys skin,it's the effect of the sun over time that plays the biggest role.Our great great great grandmothers were ahead of us in this respect!
I know I'll still buy some high-end products,just for the "luxury" aspect of them(Trish McEvoy's lipgloss compact is one-there's hardly anything in there,but the credit-card size of the compact got me,and the tiny lipbrush in there is actually quite workable). But I'll do so forewarned and forearmed with knowledge,not because I've been taken by hopelessly unrealistic hype.
Oh,and I ESPECIALLY appreciated the info on foundation and powder tones. My skintone,like that of the largest percentage of women,is indeed based on yellow tones,and it's only in recent years that cosmetic companies have even begun to acknowledge this.What took them so long? I want to enhance and refine my face,not change or mask it.(The book reinforced many things concerning this that I'd already found to be so,ie Aveda,amongst a very few others,having a decent range of foundations and powders with yellow tones.And Prestige and Jane,two drugstore lines,having a good selection of colors and textures-I was actually very surprised and pleased with Prestige,as I usually scorn low-end makeup.)
Great book,can't wait for the update!(I'm looking forward to the review of "KissMe" mascara by Blinc-I hope it's safe, as I love this stuff,LOL).

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Interesting reading!
Review: Although I don't agree on all points in this book, I found this to be an interesting read! I have tried numerous cosmetics and skin products and have found some of her recommendations were great and some disappointing. The one thing I wholeheartedly agree on in this book is how so many companies try to rip us off by using fancy French words. Some people actually do feel great when they know they've spend an extraordinary amount for a product. Why pay $38 for lipgloss when you can buy something very similar for $15 or $6?! Ooo! Ooo! Probably because the product must be great if it's $38 and all the movie stars use it! Pretty soon word spreads about the GREAT $38 gloss, well it MUST be great because EVERYONE is talking about it! Give me a break!

Yes, it's true, you will not agree on everything you read in this book since we all have our own tastes, opinions and infuences. But Paula does have an extensive list of recommendations for each category which is definitely helpful. As stated in an earlier review, Paula does have her biases, but I still think anyone who loves buying cosmetics or anyone who is starting to buy cosmetics should at least read this book once to get some ideas.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Scientific? I don't think so.
Review: As others have mentioned, the section on ingredients is the most useful portion of this book.

Her reviews, otoh, are completely biased. Paula likes matte finishes and "natural" colors, and she lets you know it. I bought the book on the recommendation of an acquaintance, and at first glance, the heft of this book seemed impressive: over 1000 pages and she gives a nice overview of each brand, which is interesting as well as educational.

Two things irritated me:

1) Inconsistency-- some other reviewer had noted this before; how in the intro section, she advocated "always put on sunscreen last" as part of your daily skincare routine, while in other portions, she recommends putting on sunscreen underneath foundation. Okay, this didn't resonate with me at first, until I actually got the book and found the inconsistency on page 337. Hello, blatant contradiction. Now, this wouldn't bother me quite as much, except...

2) This book purports to be "scientific" (i.e. backed up by research) and therefore objective. As far as I can tell, Paula's certainly done her homework on the ingredients listed, no question, but as far as her reviews go, it seems like she takes a few basic sound principles (like, alcohol is drying) and just runs with it, using them to justify her favorites and pan her nonfavs...

For example, she pans the whole Shiseido line, and claims that antioxidants (like arbutin) found in their skincare line either don't work or are present in too minute quantities to work... Okay, Shiseido is the largest cosmetics company in Japan and has a fantastic research and development team of scientists... am I supposed to trust Paula's opinions on arbutin ? If you read through her reviews on the line, I think you will get more of the sense that basically, she simply dislikes Shiseido's advertising and image.

That's not the only reason I found her book unscientific. Given the format of the book and this (holier-than-thou) tone of objectivity she uses, I expected that products which consistently received low marks would get poor reviews from her... wrong. Okay, if 100 users consistently pan a product for its gloppy consistency, etc... I would expect a tome of this kind to reflect that viewpoint-- I mean, what exactly is the point, otherwise?

Bottomline:

What this book really is, is one educated woman's opinion of a bunch of products. if you share Paula's tastes and you are interested in matte, creamy makeup in "natural"-looking colors, then go get this book. You will probably find her recommendations useful and her reviews are definitely a good way to find new products to try out. However, don't expect this book to be the "beauty encyclopedia" of products that it purports to be... nor is her research all that relevant when it comes to actual product reviews... they are colored too much by her biases.

Actually, I think a more "scientific" way to go about it, is via consensus... if 100 people consistently offer up raves on one product, isn't it likely that you will like it as well? I would rather pick out new products that way rather than trust the judgement of one woman (who gives high marks to Estee Lauder's goopy lip glosses while panning Shiseido's eyeshadows ??)... that makes a lot more sense to me. And for that, thankfully I've found:

http://www.makeupalley.com

Reviews from your peers on most of the beauty products available out there. And, since it's ongoing, it won't ever become out of date... unlike Paula's tome.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Many thanks to Paula for this fabulous book!
Review: I am very impressed with the enormous task Paula Begoun completed! Her commitment iz amazing! The book is filled with valuable information on skin care, makeup quality and ingredients. You will find information about almost any cosmetic company's products (including such giants as Estee Lauder and L'Oreal as well as those with limited distribution, like Serious Skin Care and Morgen Schick). Paula's attitude is honest and straightforward - she exposes useless, overpriced and sometimes even harmful products along with praising those that deserve it. I have been working in cosmetics sales for two years and personally agree with her on many accounts. Unfortunately, in the preface Paula claims that the current 6th edition of "Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me" is going to be the last one... Anyways, go ahead, get this book, you deserve to know exactly what you are you applying to your face daily!

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Scientific?
Review: Paula Begoun has built up an amazing business and marketing machine based on very little actual scientific fact and mostly biased opinion. If you've ever seen this woman give an interview ... well, let's just say her poor complexion and 80's makeup job speaks for itself. This is like the portly Dr. Phil writing a diet book and everyone flocking to read it.

You've got to give the woman credit though. She's taken her opinion, common sense and sketchy science background and turned it into a very lucrative business.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Money and time save
Review: I love this book. It not only gives you well written useable reviews of products, but it gives you peace of mind. Peace of mind because I really trusted what she was saying. I feel armed with information so I can be a savvy consumer. Never again will I feel like I HAVE to spend $40 on a 1 oz jar of moisturizer in order to know it's working. Paula set me straight. Oh, and I gave out the book as bridesmaid's gifts...what a big hit!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: If I only knew before I spent all that money!!!!
Review: I discovered Paula's book while in a bookstore just browsing through the shelves. I had just forked over big bucks for a popular skincare line and I was curious to see how she would rate it. She hated it! But I didn't take her opinion very seriously, until after I started using it. My skin went into total havoc and I was so upset that I had spent almost 80 dollars on cleanser, toner, and moisturizer that did everything it WAS NOT supposed to do. I HAD been duped...I ended up going back to the counter and telling them my experience with their products. I haven't been back since! So I ended up at Paula's website. I only use two of her products (2% Beta Hydroxy solution and the Blemish Control lotion) for almost 2 years now...and go to other brands for everything else but my skin is amazing now! I always "cross it with Paula" before I buy anything at the cosmetics counter, from make-up to what ingredients I should avoid because of my oily skin. I appreciated that her book didn't push her products. She balances her opinion...and she doesn't only use her own products either.
I highly highly highly recommend this book. You will never fall for the "counter schpiel." you'll be informed on what you can put on your face and most likely know more than the counterperson does!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Even cheap products work
Review: Some people think that the more expensive a product is, the better the product is. Paula's book proves otherwise. I love the way she bashes cosmetics brands that sells overly expensive beauty products (La Mer) that aren't neccessarily better than cheaper products (Cetaphil- still pretty expensive but as the book says it is non-irritant and saves your skin) . The book suggests cheaper products and ingrediants that can also be good as any other widely- know brand beauty products.

As for being biased, I don't think so. Paula's line of product was not evaluated but just listed.

I admire that she could help us, cosmetic junkies, save money and become more sensible when buying a product.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great for helping you make informed skin care/makeup choices
Review: Wow, what an amazing book! It's chock-full of information on THOUSANDS of skin care and makeup products. The reviews are organized by product line, and you will find everything from celebrity indulgences like La Mer to department store staples like Lancome to mass merchandisers like Maybelline to drugstore bargain brands like Wet -n- Wild. At the start of the book, Paula describes exactly how she evaluates and rates the products. Although she hasn't personally tested every product (some of her recommendations are based mainly on the product's ingredients), with her makeup reviews in particular, the extremely specific nature of her comments makes it clear that she's actually tried the many of the items. She includes her own line, Paula's Choice, in her reviews, but other than recommending her products (along with many others), I didn't feel that she was self-advertising. I also found her general information on skin care to be very helpful--for example, I now have a much better understanding of the different factors involved in acne prevention. Similarly, her explanations and glossary vastly increased my knowledge of various ingredients and product claims, such as the difference between AHAs and BHAs, the truth behind terms like "non-comedegenic," and the usefulness of miscellaneous exotic contents. I believe that this book has made me a much more informed consumer: I am now better able to read product labels and to select the best product for my needs. I particularly like the "Paula's Picks" feature, and I definitely plan to try some of her recommendations. An indispensible and unique reference book!


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