Rating: 
Summary: I have become more selective in choosing cosmetics
Review: Of course I don’t agree with everything she says and some of the products she rated as average or gave a thumbs down to I felt worked best for me. Because of this book I’ve become more of a label reader and educated myself about certain ingredients on what does and doesn’t work for my skin. I’ve found out why certain foundations that are labeled oil free still cause skin problems and what ingredients cause this. Using myself as a example, I’ve found a concealer contains the same ingredients in a brand that has never given me any problems and I find the concealer works just as well as a foundation on any uneven areas of my skin . As for Paulas line well since not too many people seem to have reviewed it let me let me throw my 2 cents in : I like the skin care line. I’ve finally found a sunscreen that doesn’t look or feel greasy on my oily skin and can be used for the body as well. It is the only day moisturizer I will ever need. The 2 % acne solution is great dries up problem areas without over drying as does the cleanser for oil/combo skin .I still use Dermatologica sometimes but this works as well without the high price tag and with out over drying my skin during the winter months. I would keep using this line of skin care , it has simplified my routine and will save me cash in the long run. On the Paula’s Choice makeup I’ve have only purchased orders sample of the face powder (which I admit wasn’t that impressed I could see the talc on my skin) and the lipsticks . On the lipsticks well I admit I’m ambivalent; it has its pros and cons . It comes in cream formula and matte. Personally I would skip the matte formula, they re too drying and dry looking. The creams are just right though. Good for someone who wants a lipstick to go on smooth but not too greasy feeling or looking. Doesn’t bleed..The colors are wonderful range of neutral brown, red/brown and plum/berry colors that would compliment most skin tones. The only major problem I Have with this is when I ordered the sample lipsticks I noticed that the when the color started to wear off some of the color deposited in the deeper wrinkles in my lower lip and looked a bit weird. I don’t know maybe I just got some old samples. So if you have very noticeable lip deep wrinkles or dry lips you may want to skip this product. ) My advice you want to try this lipstick is to first check out the samples (for color) . I think its ($) for five sample colors that come in either warm or cool color group and matte or crème formula then decide if this product is for you. PS. I finally broke down and ordered a full sized lipstick. The full sized lipstick seem more “fresh” went on smoothly and didn’t leave color deposits in my lips. Although Paula’s says most of her are fragrance free I did notice a slight perfume odor on my lips, This may or may not bother some people .The lipstick case is an exact copy of what Bobbie Brown line has is although I wouldn’t go so far to say they’re as creamy as Bobbie Brown, but it did go on smoothly and covered well. Full sized lipsticks are ($). Like a previous review stated, the book supposed to get women to think about their choices when choosing cosmetics . I still buy department store makeup but now I splurge on the one that truly look and wear well on me and not just purchase because it’s the “hot” or in right now brand.It might even get you stick with a few products that work only for you and maybe clean up that clutter that’s been growing in your make drawer/kit . Or you can keep on believing the women’s magazines that seem push mostly expensive make up brands and skin care products as the ones to buy and stay on the merry go round of being a “cosmetics junkie”. Hope you have a trust fund or have a high five,six figure salary job to pay for your habit. That’s it, but of course the above is just my opinion
Rating: 
Summary: Very Helpful Book
Review: I'm really happy with all the descriptions of different products. I really like how she mentions what's good and what's bad. I bought a few products that were mentioned in her book and I am happy to say that my skin is doing better. I really appreciated her section on how to fight different skin problems...especially acne.
Rating:
Summary: Very useful for anyone
Review: I'm a student makeup artist and I'm tired of spending my money on [not so good] makeup, so I was just pleased as punch to find this book. I agree with most of the cosmetics she test, however, she doesn't seem to like bright bold colours, so she marks them unkindly, even though they're wonderful.
So stop spending your money on [not so good stuff], get this book and it'll save you $$$ in the long run!
Rating:
Summary: Great resource guide!
Review: Great book for anyone looking to start using cosmetics or for the well experienced, thought you knew what you were doing consumer! At 40, I had no idea what my mother never told me about cosmetics.
Rating:
Summary: Loved the book
Review: I found the book informative and well written. I especially enjoyed reading what I've already suspected, finding out that many of the high priced so called miracle cosmetics are definitely not all they claim to be. I'm so glad Paula makes a point to keep emphasizing sunblocking agents to be used in foundations or to simply use an SPF alone. We all need it. I use it everyday.
Rating: 
Summary: Lots of info.
Review: Read a bad spelling of Clinique in their as Cinique. Already emailed that info to them. Asked in that email a few questions. One was the Product by Elizabeth Arden was already reviewed in the 4th edition. But was canceled out in the next edition. WHY?!! I thought one edition was supposed to be an update of the other. With more products added in it, not dropped out! Found out she (Paula) does not review body products. (The new Shiseido silk sponge). Wonder Why. Would of given a 3 star rating! They did not have enough class to answer back completely in my prior email. Like they could of given the review of that soap! But to busy I guess! She also included in the book her own products! Wonder why she even bothers to rate the others, and not hers? Best to read up at the library, take notes their too. Much cheaper! Especially you are on a budget!
Rating:
Summary: My Mom Loves This.
Review: Just as the title says - I sent this to my mom as a gift, and she evidently does just what the title says - she takes it with her to cosmetics counters ranging from the local Rite Aid to Nordstrom.
Rating: 
Summary: A little strict and not consistent
Review: This book is well organized but it is very strict in many spots and not in others. I found the reviews of products inconsistent. I can't believe she has tested all of these products enough to sustain her harsh opinions.
Rating:
Summary: great book, but don't believe eveything she says
Review: This is a great book. Because of it, I have saved lots of money by not buying overrated products. I am very grateful for how educating and eye opening the book was. However, I must say that I only take what she says with a pinch of salt. She has very strong opinions about expensive brands, shiny makeup, moisturizers and blue eye shadows that sometimes, you wonder if she is doing a fair analysis of each product. I agree with several of the others who commented that she seems to hate expensive skin care lines and the cheaper the product, the better. She seems to find whatever she can to attack an expensive product that may not live up to its miraculous claims but may still do wonders for skin. As for her own skin care line, I believe it is a good line based on reviews I've seen, but I was disappointed that she was not confident enough to give her products smiley faces, or truthful enough when reviewing them. Most of the time, her review was "the concentration of ..... here SHOULD be good for ... skin" If there was something not perfect about her product, she should say it, otherwise, go ahead and give it a smiley face. Afterall, isn't plain honesty and unbiasedness what her book is supposed to be about? I was also disappointed that while she was so strict in her review of products, yet when it came to the list of best products, almost every single product with a smiley face made it to the best list. I guess what I was hoping for was the best of the best. My advice is to use her book to educate yourself on the list of ingredients of products, because this will help you to judge for yourself whether a product is worth it or not. Ultimately, you know your skin best and one man's meat is another man's poison. Go ahead, buy the book, because despite all the cons I've mentioned, this really is a useful book and it gives you a second opinion of a product to neutralize all the slick advertising and persuation the sellers of the product will entice you with. Think of it as getting information from two opposing sides and you being the judge to decide.
Rating:
Summary: Every Woman Needs
Review: I came across Paula Begoun's book coincidentally. It is a great composit of just about every popular cosmetics and skin care products on the market. She rates the products based on the ingrediants and compositions, and still tells you if you are getting your money's worth. For instance, if Estee Lauder asks for $... on a small bottle of SPF 15 moisturizer, then Paula lets you know that while the product may be excellent, the price is too steep. Sunscreen! That's one hot topic in every Paula's books. I am personally very thankful for her detailed explanation on the subject. The importance of regular sunscreen use is very important in any skin routine and it is the best way to prevent wrinkles and other skin diseases. Paula has her own line of skin-care products as well as cosmetics. I use her skin-care system for a few years now. Let me just say that I want to personally thank her for making these products so effective. My acne is gone, skin looks radiant, and amazingly my skin doesn't go through the same summer tortures anymore, which is really great. Back to the topic, I recommend you getting this book as an eye opener to the skin related products on the market. Not only will you learn a lot, you'll save a lot of money in the long run by not wasting money on advertising gimmicks of the next cosmetics company. In short, check it out. If you care about your skin, you'll like it.
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