Rating: 
Summary: excellent
Review: I think she tells the truth and nothing but the truth. Someone might find hard to believe but if you follow her advice you will get results. Atleast I did. The book reduces a lot of confusion and makes you more knowledgeble about the products. Its clear that she has rated other products good and even though she supported sun protection she has not introduced in her makeup line. So you will have to buy from someone else if you want sun protection in your makeup. She has given a wide range of products to choose from with their prices and has broken down according to your skin type. Having academic degrees does not neccessarily means knowledge. Expereience counts too. The book is long but I guess if you were not interested in your skin care you will not read this in first place.
Rating: 
Summary: She needs a lesson from Consumer Reports
Review: I am an avid Consumer Guide reader and always searching for the best products, but I don't have time to sift through over 30,000 products. I simply want someone else to test it for me and tell me what is the best in a concise table like format. There is no way I would lug that great big book to every cosmetic counter I visited.That said, I do think this is about the best resource available for cosmetics, just plan on using it as reference with little guidance on what is best. There are extensive lists in the Appendix on her favorites under each product, but there is no indication or order according to price or which might be better. In Oppenheim Toy Portfolio's book they only include those items which have won awards. The only reason I can see to include every item tested is then you know for sure if she has tested it, and to fight Mary Kay sales reps, then you know why she doesn't care for their direct sales products. But, for a quick what should I get for this, look at "Beauty" by Rona Berg.
Rating: 
Summary: not impressed
Review: I found the first 100 or so pages of this book interesting. However, her product reviews, although sometimes helpful, seemed more opinion based than fact based, and nearly any time she gave a product a favorable review, she added a "but" with a negative or derogatory criticism. Except of course, with her own products, which she did not have to rate since they were made according to her "standards." What dismayed me even more was the fact that she identified no formal education in a health, science, or skin care related field, but she is expecting the consumer to trust her advice on products that are filled with sometimes complex combinations of chemicals, etc. I realize you don't always have to be formally trained to understand a field. However, I was not convinced that she had a good BASIS of understanding in chemistry or dermatology. When I finished this book, I wondered if I had... to listen to her complaints (although some are well founded) and to be convinced to go online and purchase products from her skin care and makeup line. I also felt like Ms. Begoun had a personal war against cosmetic companies beyond just trying to be helpful to the consumer. For good, upbeat skin care advice, I enjoyed Carolyn Ash's book "Timeless Skin" much more. She does not advise on specific products, but does give tips on what to look for in a product. And as a licensed aesthetician, Ms. Ash gives advice within her understanding and refers to other books when a subject goes beyond her realm of expertise.
Rating: 
Summary: The bible of skin care!
Review: this book changed my outlook on skin care and what I thought i knew. Its a great resource and I read over and over. You will spend so much less on skin care products after reading this book!
Rating:
Summary: Basic Info, but nothing special....
Review: I have read two copies of this book and considered buying the third--but primarily because I enjoy reading the book. I find it interesting to hear what Paula says about alot of the products I use--even though I disagree with alot of the stuff that she says. I also do not believe that she has sampled all of the products she lists in this book. It would be physically impossible--so I assume she makes a large portion of her judgements based strictly upon the ingredient list. Many of the products she writes off as being a waste of money, have worked wonders for my skin. And believe me: I've tried EVERYTHING! Don't let Paula's opinion influence you. Just because a product didn't work (supposedly) for her, does not mean you should not at least give it a chance. Also, I have a major problem with someone who touts herself as an objective "cosmetics cop", yet has her own skincare line. She can't expect to maintain much credibility in doing that.
Rating:
Summary: WOW! Talk about an eye opener!
Review: After years of being one of the people who believed that "the more you spent on a product the better it was" imagine my surprise when I read this book! Paulas no-nonsense tell it like it is approach as a NEUTRAL person in the cosmetic world is a wonderful change to what we're accustomed to hearing in print and in the stores. Just basic things like Lancome and L'Oreal being owned by the same parent company and Estee Lauder owning most of it's competition was interesting! This book outlines which products live up to their claims and which are a waste of money. BUY THIS BOOK and share it with your friends, Mom and sister!
Rating:
Summary: Allure Readers, Mary Kay reps, everyone will enjoy
Review: Paula's experience working behind the counter and as a makeup artist gave her an inside look at the industry. She spends a lot of money and time on researching everything. If you like reading Allure magazine you'll love this book. It is interesting reading for product junkies. It is also interesting reading about her experiences with the salespeople from the different companies. Mary Kay reps will find her review of the products and sales techniques interesting. Paula really cares about her research. I wrote her with a question one time and she and one of her assistants wrote me back. I just got done reading Deadly Persuasion which is about how the advertising industry keeps women in a constant state of disdain with their looks. It reminded me of one of Paula's messages which is: no product can transform your life, no matter what the advertising conveys. Paula disregards the slick ads and fancy packaging and studies the actual ingredients in the products. It is great to read about cheap drugstore products being as good as pricey department store items. However, even after reading her book over and over, I still prefer some of the department store items. I like the classy smells of pricier products and feel they are "affordable luxuries." ...
Rating:
Summary: Don't consider this a 'bible' for your needs...
Review: I've read about three editions of this book. I think that if I was uneducated in the area of cosmetics, I'd find them to be slightly useful. But let the READER beware! I found the information on certain ingredients which aren't understood by most people to be useful. However, I lost a little respect when she made a comment to 'avoid' particular shades of foundations from one of the lines she reviewed in her book. Her reason was because they've got pink in them..or orange...etc. Now how does the person who swears by those shades feel? Anyone who knows anything about their skin, is well aware that your undertones are composed of several different pigments. some people HAVE more pink then yellow...or more orange than green, etc... Basically what she's saying is that because the shade didn't match 'her' skin, it's not any good. After reading that portion of her reviews, I thought, hmm, suppose every single one of these products she talks about are just not working for HER? Again, there is some useful information in the book, but try to use your better judgment before considering her the martyr for all us, 'clueless' cosmetic junkies.
Rating:
Summary: A Waste of Time
Review: I've bought previous editions of this book and found them to be very helpful. This version, however, left me disappointed. First of all, she dismisses certain cosmetics out of hand simply because some of their colors are "too pink, too peach, too ashy". Well, what is that happens to be a woman's actual skin tone? And what does she mean by the term "shiny"?? Glossy? Iridescent? Wet? Radio-active??? Regardless, numerous products were similarly dismissed by virtue of their being "shiny". She also rejects products that are simply not to her personal taste-- colored eyeshadows (as opposed to neutrals), glossy lipsticks, etc., many of which happen to be in this season's "hot list" with most fashion/makeup editors. If she doesn't like them, fine. But to write off a product on the basis of personal taste? Second, I did notice that her comments were much much more negative in this edition than they were previously. No one got all-around good marks! I kept wondering just what had changed until I got to-- you guessed it-- her *own* line of products. With a two page introduction to them, no less. At that point she lost a lot of credibility with me, and I immediately understood why other products were so roundly panned. No credibility here... Save your money.
Rating:
Summary: Worth every penny
Review: This very fat book (1083 pages) is worth its weight in gold. For every woman who is concerned about her skin, or perhaps even more concerned about the amount of money she forks out for products hoping they'll do something to help her skin, this book is a gem. Paula spends the first 112 pages of the book giving you information about things like the importance of the appropriate pH levels, information about AHAs, vitamins, Retinol, etc. and what these things can and cannot do for you. She dispels misinformation that the cosmetics industry foists upon people who are desperate to cure wrinkles, acne, rosacea, dark circles, pigmentation changes, etc. The book is an alphabetical listing of cosmetics and skin care product manufacturers. Each section lists a rating (in the form of smiling, neutral and frowning faces) of the various product areas (such as cleansers, exfoliants, moisturizers, foundation, mascara, blush). It also gives a description of the product's pros and cons, sometimes listing helpful things like "mascara tends to clump" or "stay away from foundation shade 'ivory beige' - too peach". In the listing is Paula's own line of products (Paula's Choice). Before you raise a carefully plucked brow, don't worry: She doesn't give a rating, realizing how skeptical the reader would be. She gives some basic information, and doesn't make her section of the book larger than any other company's. The author also seems to be very honest in her ratings. She highly recommends many products from many other manufacturers and isn't using this book as a tool to push her products on you. Furthermore, the back of the book contains an invaluable section on recommended products in each category. Paula's are not always listed in every category as you might suspect or fear. The recommended product listing in the back of the book is an eye opener. You may see a $2.99 drug store mascara recommended right along with an $15 department store brand. If you use this book, you could save yourself a lot of money that you're wasting as a result of buying into an advertising blitz.
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