Rating: 
Summary: Concise,informative, and soooo helpful.
Review: This book was unbelievable in its detail of the myriad of cosmetics. It contained so much useful information that I found myself obsessing over reading it and had to MAKE myself put it down! I did a complete reappraisal of all the expensive products I had been buying over the years, and realized that I could save myself upwards of $300 a year by buying based on performance and ingredients and not the big-name hype. Women should celebrate!
Rating: 
Summary: A superb reference book but with only small downsides
Review: This book is fantastic but i unfortunatly have a couple problems with it that i wish wouldn't get in the way of a five star review.She is "overly passionate"about miniscule cosmetic flaws and other small matters that can drive a person to not buy a cosmetic.Warning:She can haunt you and your every purchase.I recommend to a new reader(or i'd like to say "A Paula Virgin")to listen but not let it get to you if a product you've always been loyal to or have success with she considers sinful because of ingredients,price,look etc.It's okay to disagree with her.I'm not sure this is a common problem among her readers.Overall though,she is insightful,raw,truthful,blunt and to the point and she has helped me amazingly.
Rating:
Summary: Overall, very good but negativity is irritating
Review: I have saved hundreds (if not thousands) from reading Paula's books. But her negative tone gets to me very quickly in this latest edition, I must admit. The advice has changed my attitude towards buying makeup - no longer so extravagant; I mean who knows except yourself what you're wearing - and I discovered I shouldn't use anything with titanium dioxide in it and stopped having BAD breakouts (saving even more money). So overall it's good, especially for those with sensitive skin, oily or dry. Those lucky folks who never react to any ingredients don't need the book, although I think her message that you don't need to spend hundreds on skin care, anyone can use.
Rating:
Summary: Lighten up. It's just a reference.
Review: I believe Ms. Begoun had stated in every edition of this title that it's her OPINION, and the readers certainly do not have to agree with her. Well I don't always agree with her assessment, but this book has definitely helped me in saving some money by pointing out cheaper alternatives that work equally well. If the book has managed to done that, then to me it has served its purpose. And I also believed Ms. Begoun had said if a product works for you (regardless of her own opinion), stick with it by all means. Keep those two points in mind before reading this book. Remember: it's a guide/reference, not the law. Regarding her own skin care line--both me and my sister are currently using her products and they work incredibly well. But again, what works for one person may not work for the next. In no way did I feel this book is one big infomercial as a previous reader claimed. Your run-of-the-mill beauty magazine is a bigger plug of products than this will ever be.
Rating:
Summary: The best guide to avoid getting ripped off!!
Review: I have never read a more valuable book on makeup and the industry. This info will save my face and my pocketbook for years to come. Thank you Paula!!
Rating:
Summary: Get this book now!!!!!
Review: You absolutely have to read this before you buy ANY more cosmetics or skin care products! Paula really cares about us, the consumer, much to the chagrin of the cosmetic manufacturers, a lot of whom rely on misleading facts and outright lies! What you read in this book will surely shock you, and you will be angry at having been a fool for so many years! Go Paula!
Rating:
Summary: Thank you, Paula!
Review: For years I have struggled with mild acne and have tried everything to clear it up. Being 20 years old and still breaking out is a little embarrasing! I read her book and was enlightened by what she said abou the products I was using. Most of them reportedly contained ingredients that irritate skin. The same feeling that I thought meant my face was getting clean, actually meant my skin was bothered. Either way, I quit using them instantly and ordered Paula's own line of skin care products, Paula's Choice. I noticed a difference within a week or so. Other people have commented on how clear my face looks. I love using them and will continue to use them even when I no longer feel that I have an acne problem. I have shared my book with friends and they too have enjoyed reading about what they have thrown their money away on. Although some people may not agree with every review for every product, remember, each and every person is different.
Rating: 
Summary: Ambiguous review
Review: I've got some ambiguous review on this book because of the following:1. She mentioned her own product line in "the best product" list without reviewing it. I feel this as a hidden advertisment. It also made her reviews somewhat more subjective than objective. 2. From many of her review, it seems that if a product contain one specific ingredients that is considered 'bad', all of the other product that contains the same ingredients is also bad. For example, stearic acid can cause pore-clogging if it is used in moisturizer (because the product has to be leave on the skin), but perhaps not so in water-soluble clenser (which has to be rinsed off completely and only leave minute traces of it). The same priciple also applies to other ingredients. 3. In many formulation, the company often uses one ingredients as a part of the reagent, i.e. the ingredient listed could have been reacted with other ingredient to yield a compound -- a totally different substance from the inital ingredients. But the company has to comply to FDA regulation to list all the ingredients on the label. For example, egg, flour, sugar and milk are the ingredients for a cake. But you cannot see or feel traces of egg, flour, sugar and milk on a fully baked cake. The same applies to cosmetics. What's in the label does not reflect or indicate wheather the ingredients are either inactive, active or act as a reagent and has completely reacted to from another substance in the product. And since most of her reviews seem only based on ingredients listed, they are somewhat questionable. Nevertheless, the book mentions why some product works or doesen't work for topical application. This is for those who wants a better understanding and review of cosmetic products. But it's only a review from one person (who has no clinical or chemistry background) and should be consider as it is, not as the ultimate bible.
Rating:
Summary: Engaging and Enlightening--A Wealth of Information
Review: Ladies, if you have not read this book, BUY IT RIGHT NOW!!! "Don't Go" has saved me thousands and thousands of dollars on makeup and skincare products. I will be eternally grateful to Paula Begoun for her honest and accurate reviews. She is the only person in the cosmetics industry who will tell us the truth. Not only is the book informational, it is also well-organized, easy to use, and fun to read. This book is a must-have for every woman's personal library and makes a great gift for teenage girls who are just entering the world of cosmetics (my little sisters LOVE the book!). Before spending another cent at the cosmetics counters, read this book! You will be glad you did!
Rating:
Summary: Be very, very skeptical
Review: As a cosmetics 'enthusiast,' I eagerly read the information in this book, only to be disappointed by some of the products it recommends. I also found myself disagreeing with this author's negative assessment of some of the more expensive cosmetic lines which I have used and continue to use with complete satisfaction. Several of the products Ms. Begoun touts do not live up to her 'hype' and it left me wondering if we were talking about the same stuff. For instance, she recommends a specific Chanel mascara which I found to be clumpy and difficult to use, not to mention expensive. Another foundation that she raved about was sticky and hard to apply as well as remove. I was completely open to her suggestions until I started following them. And what's so great about Cetaphil? Tried it, hated it!
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