Rating: 
Summary: I Question Paula's Objectivity
Review: I truly admire what Paula is trying to do, expose the hype and outright lies foisted upon us by the cosmetic industry, which is why I gave it three stars. Personally, I think anyone dumb enough to believe a cream will strip 10 years off your face deserves to be out of $150. But given the fact that she has her own line to hype, I question her objectivity. I don't care for her sarcastic tone and she relies too heavily on the FDA, which is years behind the curve in regulating cosmetic ingredients. I remain absolutely unconvinced that she's tried even a third of the products she reviews. Her review of my favorite cosmetic line, Sage, is riddled with inconsistencies and downright inaccuracies. She bleats about how much companies charge for fancy packaging then slams Sage for its plain packaging and the fact that they don't list ingredients - but ingredients were always available on the web site. Sage is also the most consumer responsive cosmetic company out there which should score points with Paula but obviously doesn't. Again, Paula doesn't consider at all the processing method which does make a difference. I wouldn't touch the cheap mascaras she recommends and cheap blushers and eyeshadows don't have enough pigment and turn orange. Overall, I found Begoin's book filled with bias. Which makes me wonder whether the book isn't the biggest rip-off in the cosmetic industry.
Rating: 
Summary: STILL GOOD - BUT IT'S BECOME MORE CONFUSING
Review: If you're a fan of Paula's previous book - this 5th edition isn't much different than the 4th - except for review of Men's skin care (who cares) and baby products - the Internet Address list is gone - and the "Best" product lists are WAY WAY too long, which makes readers confused. The quality of the paperstock is much poorer than edition #4 and while there are many new reviews -- if you haven't changed products, then your 4th edition will pretty much serve your needs. I am HUGE fan of Paula's - both her books and her products (which incidentially are terrific) but I wasn't swept away by the 5th edition - and for someone like myself (oily-skin), the categories for "bests" are numerous and confusing. There's a huge section on basics of skin care which is good but nothing readers of Paula's books don't already know.
Rating: 
Summary: The absolute BEST beauty book ever!
Review: This book(and all the other "Don't Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me" books)is by far the best beauty book ever! Paula is very honest and reviews which is the best,worst and "so-so" products. She rates all the name brands;Clinique,Revlon,Mary Kay,Estee Lauder,Maybelline,etc.,and the list goes on and on. Everything from facial cleansers,make-up,toners.....she rates them all and really goes into great detail. She also really helps you save money. You will never need another beauty book again! I can't wait until her next one(5th edition)comes out this winter! Thanks for everything you do Paula!
Rating:
Summary: The armor you need
Review: This is the armor you need if you don't want to get ripped off again and again.Thank you, Paula!
Rating:
Summary: Be an informed beauty consumer: read this book!
Review: I wanted to read the book because I'm curious about the product reviews. Before the reviews is 100 pages of other information, some of which it was pretty tempting to skim or skip over in my rush to get to the good stuff. But I read it all--luckily it wasn't difficult because Begoun writes in a fairly entertaining style. It was interesting to read how she got into the cosmetics business (she used to be a freelance makeup artist) and how she went about writing the book (she goes undercover to makeup counters). Now I think there are a few ways to go about reading the product reviews. You can read the whole thing straight through, finding out about every single product in the book, but after awhile it gets a little tiring. You can go through and look up the products you're currently using to see what she says about them (she rates with a happy face, straight face, or sad face). Or you can go straight to chapter four, where she lists the best products in each category, then go look up those products to decide what you think is best for you. I liked the fact that Begoun includes retail prices next to the product name. If it's way out of my price range, then I don't bother reading about it (why torture myself?). And she also puts dollar signs next to products that she would recommend if it weren't for their outrageous prices. I like it that when reviewing certain products, she'll say, "Product X is good, but product Y, at a quarter of the price, works just as well or better." Very important to those of us watching our pennies. There are a few things to keep in mind when reading the book. Probably most important is that this is just one woman's opinion. It's true that she has experience in the cosmetics world, as an artist and a consumer and a businesswoman, but because she doesn't like something doesn't mean you won't. Some points, like products containing irritants, are valid for everyone-who wants to irritate their skin? Other statements, about coverage or shininess/matteness, are more personal preference. For instance, she gives Revlon's ColorStay Lip Tint SPF 15 a sad face because it doesn't contain any of the three ingredients (titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or avobenzone) that actually block out 80-90% UVA radiation. I love ColorStay Lip Tint in Mauvestone and wear it often, not because I think it's a sunscreen but because I like the color and how it feels on my lips. She also gives lower ratings to blushes and eyeshadows that are shiny rather than matte; while I don't wear shiny products all the time, I do wear them occasionally, so I took her statements with a grain of salt. A few times she also seems to be contradicting herself. In the introduction to her Avon reviews, she writes that they have "some incredible bargains, particularly in the lip and eye pencils, mascara . . ." But then she gives Avon's mascaras a straight face and a sad face ratings. Does she consider a straight face an incredible bargain? In the key to ratings she says a straight face means that the product is OK but not impressive. I don't know about you, but I want all my products to be impressive. Keep in mind that she tested these products on her skin; although she makes recommendations for how they would work on other skin types, unless you have the exact same skin type as Begoun you're not going to get the same results. Also remember that Begoun also has her own line of skin care products, many of which are featured in the best products section. Overall I found this to be a great book for anyone who is interested in expanding their knowledge of cosmetics or who is unhappy with the products they're using now and needs a little guidance in how to find something new.
Rating:
Summary: She was right about the cosmetics counter ladies...
Review: I purchased this book & flipped right to the section on my favorite cosmetics line: Chanel. I was surprised to find that she did not recommend many items in the product line. The skin care line that I have purchased many items from (Serious Skin Care) also had many products containing irritants and fraudulent claims. When Paula stated in her book that many people working at the cosmetics counters in department stores didn't really know much about makeup application & skin care, and were taught to simply repeat what they'd been trained to say over & over, I thought she was just being vindictive. Lo & behold, when I went to buy a few of the products in the Chanel line that Paula did recommend, the woman tried to sell me items with "light-reflecting properties" to "reduce the appearance of fine lines, imperfections and wrinkles", just like Paula said! I'm only 30, for heaven's sake, and don't even have any wrinkles (yeah, I know they're coming)! Instead of trying to sell me something with a high enough SPF to protect my skin, this woman sounded like she was reading from a script! It took an amazing amount of control not to laugh right in her face. I really like the fact that Paula gives you a list at the end of the book with all the items she does like for each particular category of skin type. This list includes high-end items (if you like pretty cases and big names like I do) as well as drugstore brands that get the job done if you'd rather not spend the extra cash.
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Summary: EXAUSTIVE REVIEWS OF ALL, AND I MEAN JUST ABOUT ALL PRODUCTS
Review: This is quite a remarkable book. It really takes all the things that cosmetics companies say in their advertisments and just blows it out of the water. Paula is quite honest and her writing style is very good (not text-book-y) The book has an incredible list of products and brands. This will FOR SURE demystify the claims made by major companies! Oh and for anyone interested ....she has a newletter...I think her e-mail is cosmeticscop.com.... my only issue is now she has her own company hawking products and she does it in the book...which i think is a little conflicting.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent beauty book!
Review: I loved cosmetics- I still do. I thought that the cosmetics industry was picture-perfect; it sold products honestly, and openly. What a joke that was. Paula's honest, frank reviews of cosmetics lines and products opened my eyes as to the (sometimes sneaky) ways of the industry! False advertising is common- as is exaggerating the amount of "exotic", "rare", and "patented secret" ingredients in products. However, she also praises products, and thanks companies that have been cooperative and helpful with her dealings with them. So, if you want to get the low-down on a product you already have, or if you're looking for a lipstick that REALLY is matte, this is the book for you!
Rating: 
Summary: Go to your dermatologist
Review: While the book was comprehensive and somewhat informative, I found it to be biased and sometimes irrelevant. Examples of both: Janet Sartin cosmetics are no more expensive than other department store brands, and what does a lawsuit against Mary Kay have to do with whether or not I should buy an eyeshadow? I received much better information from a dermatologist.
Rating:
Summary: A good guide, though use your own judgement
Review: I'm writing this review, after having read the book and all of the 90-some reviews to date. I borrowed my sister's copy of the 4th edition of Paula's book. She insisted adamantly that I read it. While my sister views it as her "beauty bible," I find SOME of her book useful. I do not agree with everything she has to say. She has her opinion and her personal preferences, which is fine. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but opinions and facts are two different things. Fact: she is not an expert in any field of medicine or science, nor is she a doctor, naturepath, homeopath, or dermatologist. She states she is only a consumer reporter, interested in letting women know their options. She isn't The Goddess of Cosmetics Knowledge, so don't be afraid to think for yourself. There isn't any reason to think she Knows It All anymore than the rest of us humans. To err is human, after all. I disagree with her anti-natural-ingredients-statements. Peppermint oil helps stop my scalp from itching after using shampoos containing sodium lauyl/laureth/myreth sulfate. I'm highly sensitive to many soaps and detergents. (I use lotion on my hands like it's going out of style. That's another thing I wish she would evaluate-lotions for hands, feet, body, ect.) She claims tea tree oil to be good, though lacking in quantity in the ingredient labels to be of benefit. It's easy to buy at any health food store. I'm still experimenting with how much to add, but so far, so good. Though Paula is quite adamant against natural oils and aromatherapy, but it DOES work for some people and not for everyone. Each person is a unique individual. SOME people may be allergic to cats, dogs, and some to eggplant or tomatoes. That doesn't mean they are bad for everyone, does it? She has some very valid points about the misleading and dishonest practices of advertising regarding beauty products. Fact: The FDA only regulates the DRUG industry's claims and safety, not cosmetic companies' claims. A DRUG company must do exhaustive tests and research and SHOW that their product is safe. Cosmetic companies are REQUIRED to honestly list what is in the product ON THE LABEL. They don't have to prove to the consumer that their product works or does what they say it does. The FDA cannot do everything; there ARE some safety concerns and QUESTIONS about certain ingredients in some cosmetics. Buyer beware! She mentions an SPF chemical that is illegal in the United States. It hasn't been proven to the FDA that is either safe or effective. (Also read her section about hair dye chemicals.) If the FDA isn't watching these cosmetic companies, they can pretty much say whatever they want to get your DOLLAR. That is the major POINT of Paula's book. I'd like to thank her for her honesty. While she tries to alert the reader of possible irritants, she cannot possibly know what will or will not irritate every reader's skin, therefore, you will have to try it for yourself and find out. She also can't possibly know if there's a particular ingredient that you can't stand. I detest mineral oil and other crude oil refined products. I hate greasy creams and lotions. YUCK! I can't open a door or hold onto a pen, let alone stand the greasy prints it leaves on paper. Some of the foundations she mentioned, such as Revlon Colorstay SPF 6, is quite orangey on me. I did find it true that it's hard to get off. I didn't notice the off-color till I stood in the sunlight. Her advice to check the color in natural light is well worth the ink on the page. I wish I had had a tester available at the drug store! I found the more yellow-toned L'Oreal Color Endure Soft Ivory a much more natural color to my personal skin tone, even though she marked this brand as too yellow. I happen to be an exception to the rule, I guess. I am very, very fair-skinned and burn like a crisp in the sun. I NEVER tan purposely. I heard a medical report on the radio informing the public that tanning causes premature wrinkling, aging, and is a risk for melanoma skin cancer. I heard this before reading her book, so she is correct in that fact. SPF 30 is the strongest I use on myself. I don't mind different or shiny colors of make-up, or shiny lip gloss. I experiment to find what makes me FEEL beautiful. It doesn't matter whether someone else hates my lilac eye shadow if I like it. Use your own common sense, taste, and your personal preferences to make yourself feel great! If you like purple mascara, by all means, help yourself if that's what makes your day. Paula's opinion is conservative but you don't have to agree with her if you don't want to. It's a free country the last time I checked. (smiley) Her position on animal testing comes off as ambigous and ambivalent to my ears, though she does include a list of companies who do and do not test on animals. (You can get an updated list from the National Antivivisection Society's web page, or from PETA.) While I realize products change all the time, I wish she would update her editions more frequently. A more concise arrangement of the Best Products section into categories by skin type for skin care, and 1-10 scale for make-up products would be helpful. I found the alphabetical listing difficult to read. It would be helpful also to have an index in the back for quick referencing. I'm looking forward to browsing the 5th edition next year. My sister told me it is due January 2001 at Barnes and Noble. She called them to ask if they had it yet in August 2000. Despite not agreeing with everything Paula says, she means well. She herself says that you or I don't have to agree. Not everything she suggests will work for everyone. I have to give her and her assistants (yes, she has people help her test all this stuff!) credit for informing consumers of the slick, sugar-coated, misleading advertising claims shouted to the rooftops by the cosmetics industry. Don't believe everything you read or see on television. Check things out for yourself. I think that is a point that Paula also tries to make in her book. I think it would be most fair to have an independent analysis done of her own cosmetics line, since she has declined to do it herself. That may inspire more confidence from those who complained about the omission of her own reviews on her personal cosmetics line. It would be a conflict of interest for her to do her own review on herself.
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