Rating: 
Summary: One long commercial
Review: I have been fascinated by and researched cosmetics for years (I haunt Sephora), so I was eager to sit down with this and leaf through it. Unfortunately, I was disappointed to the point of being irate, so have waited for a while before writing in the heat of the moment.My primary objection is with Ms. Begoun's strong bias against products based on natural ingredients. If one was to believe her, then botanical by-products and extracts are the bane of all skin care, and every one to be considered as dangerous as poison ivy. Taking it a step further, she poo-poos one CEO's assertion as to the danger of petrochemicals (so prevalent in cheaper cosmetics especially), wondering sarcastically if this person does not drive a car, fly a plane, live in a heated home etc. The obvious argument here of course being that one hopefully does not apply toxins like petroleum, gasoline, etc. to their skin on a daily basis, where it is absorbed directly into the system. Remember why "patch" medications work. It is naive to assume that our body is not on some level absorbing/consuming what we put on our skin. Her prejudice also comes through in which studies she chooses to play up (to her convenience), and which are dismissed as though they were conducted in someone's kitchen sink. Either her research is thoroughly lacking, or she only researched tests and studies that support her premise of what's safe and of good quality, and what's not. Despite the well-known concerns of sodium lauryl and laureth sulfates, published by a number of independent groups, she insists these are nothing objectionable. Even if the suspected carcinogenic traits are never proven, it's doubtful that anything that has raised such a question (or even furor) is safe period, cancer-causing or not. Bear in mind, SLS concerns have been noted for decades; this is not a fad, hyped by some company in an effort to elevate their own products. She has a cynical, even snide attitude, for any company with a holistic approach. No, actually she's snide about at least some products in almost every skin care line out there. Predictably, the only skincare line which meets her approval with its every product is...her own. I put the book back on the shelf with the distinct impression that I had stumbled upon a 1000+ page advertisement. Advertisements of course are not to be confused with reference materials, which one figures would be more objective.
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Summary: This is a lot of Information!
Review: Every edition of this book gets thicker and thicker. Paula's information is always updated. This book is a great resource.
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Summary: Almost Perfect, but her line isn't Cruelty Free
Review: I have loved this book and used it constantly over the last 3 editions. I know it has saved me a bundle. Only one complaint... While I personally support some animal testing for medical research, I don't support it for beauty products. Paula's list of products not tested on animals from NAVS isn't great. When I looked up Paula's Choice Cosmetics (Paula Begoun's own line)on the NAVS web site, the line was rated "Questionable" with regard to animal testing. Paula's list of cruelty-free brands doesn't resemble PETA's at all. I see PETA as the gold standard for cruelty-free product info. So... I don't buy her cosmetics anymore, but I do still use her book. It's a shame, because her products are very good.
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Summary: the best book on beauty - the only one you need
Review: I will be short..after having read a handful of supposedly beauty books..this one does it : goes in depth in all hype trends...de-constructs all stupid claims..explains why expensive is not = to results etc......
I have reduced my beauty bills from a lot to not even 50 usd per month all included (make up, creams etc...)
Rating:
Summary: RE: Sunscreen complaint
Review: In regards to the woman who complained about the UVA-ingredient interpretation in this book: Both the American Academy of Dermatologists and the FDA recommend a broad spectrum sunscreen (one that contains ingredients that protect against both UVA and UVB-rays) in preventing sun damage and skin cancer. Paula Begoun is therefore correct in insisting that the sunscreen that you use for yourself and on your child be one that contains UVA-protecting ingredients. UVA protectants are especially important for children, since most sun damage occurs before the age of 18. UVB protection protects the consumer from immeditate sunburn. Because sunscreens with only UVB protection allow you to stay out in the sun longer without burning, you may be increasing your exposure to UVA. According to the FDA and the AAD, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends that everyone use a broad-spectrum sunscreen having an SPF of at least 15, and advises consumers to check for ingredients that screen UVA: benzophenone, oxybenzone, sulisobenzone, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (also called avobenzone and known by the trade name Parsol 1789). Begoun was correct in suggesting that having UVA protectants in suncreen is a must!
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Summary: Disappointed by
Review: I've had editions 4, 5 and now 6 of this book, and have always treated Paula's advice as gospel, especially in the matter of sunscreens. I've spent years hunting down water-resistant sunscreens with an SPF of 15+ and suitable UVA blockers (the ones that Paula claimed were approved by the FDA: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide and avobenzone (called Parsol 1789)). Well, in a fit of consumerism last week I bought a glitter sunscreen from Sungirl without looking at the ingredients. It's a fabulous sunscreen as far as water-resistance and UVB protection - my very pale son Alex shows no sign of burn or tan after 2 weeks of using it - but when I later looked at it, I noticed that none of the so-called by Paula "approved by the FDA" UVA blockers were on there. I wanted to write to the Sungirl makers and ask them to include one of these ingredients, but thought I'd better get an exact FDA web page to quote. Paula merely directs people to the FDA website, not providing any specific web page to look at. Lo and behold - the "FDA has approved a few products containing Parsol 1789 for screening UVA light. The agency is evaluating the UVA light protection provided by other sunscreens, including oxybenzone and titanium dioxide, two of the ingredients approved for screening UVB light. Oxybenzone screens out only part of the UVA light that reaches the Earth's surface and, therefore, its effectiveness in preventing UVA skin damage is debatable. Titanium dioxide, on the other hand, reflects all light and is probably effective in preventing UVA induced skin damage." (Originally I had the exact URL in this review but Amazon deleted it. But believe me, that is the exact text.) I spent more than six hours poking around the FDA website to find this information, and there is no clear list or indication of ingredients that are more "approved" than this. There is a long list of approved active ingredients for sunscreens, but it does not state their UVA-protectability versus their UVB protectability. Having found this, which is sort of a weak version of what Paula has been maintaining, it worries me that other information she touts as "mandatory" is just her interpretation of other skin care "rules." I'm not going to use this book any more, based on this inconsistency. There are also some situations where I've been very, very happy with certain moisturizers for my very dry skin and Paula gives them rather bad reviews. IMHO if they feel good, and my skin feels nice and soft, then it's a good moisturizer.
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Summary: Clever marketing ploy
Review: When I first picked this book up, I was impressed by the wealth of information and product testing... Then I noticed that Paula sells her very own line of products which is conveniently listed but unrated in her book! I have to give her credit for her marketing ploy -- get women to buy a book which criticizes other cosmetic companies, then promote your own line without spending a cent on additional advertising. Begoun complains about fancy packaging and showy cosmetics but seems to forget that makeup IS about fancy packaging and glamour; women don't want utilitarian makeup - cosmetics are about the art of artiface after all. I love makeup and cosmetics but although I am always looking for some 'insider' information on products, I find it hard to take Begoun seriously since she has her own line to promote. Begoun's criticism of pricing IS relevant however; I agree that many women are duped into buying overpriced products which promise impossible results. Overall, her information did not change my cosmetic choices and I will continue to buy the products I enjoy because I use cosmetics for fun - not as a science project.
Rating:
Summary: Worth it
Review: When I found this book I was in heaven! I am a cosmetics junkie-and this book is an eye-opener. Let me start by writing that I have been a cosmetologist for 10 years, so I am always interested in the industry findings. This book catalogs practically every make-up brand you could ever find. Some I have not even heard of before. It was also very informative to know that the department store brands own most of the drugstore brands.
There are only a few things that got on my nerves though about Paula. I'd like to know how she has tested each and every one of the products, I mean, there are well over 30,000 products listed and she has a definite opinion on every one of them? I would have liked to have known a little bit more on how she has set up her rating system and a few more pages on how she tests them.
Then when I found out she has her own cosmetics line, well, I can see how she would have one, but her credibility was lowered with me. It almost seems to make the book a gimmick to buy her own products.
And lastly, her constant complaining about sunscreen. We get the point!!!
Other than that, this is a very informative book you will reach for again and again.
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Summary: I agree with the title!!!
Review: I'm studying beauty therapy, so books like these are of great interest to me. Plus I'm also a bit of a skin care and cosmetics junkie. Its the vanity in me. The thing I like about this book is that its unbiased. Sure there are things that are hard to believe, and things that you think ... sure that makes sense ... but in general, Paula tries to be as objective as she can and substantiates everything that she has written in the book. I may not agree with everything she says, but I can respect what she says and the position she takes and I have learnt more than a few things from the book. Using this book as a reference before going to the cosmetic counter really does help. Sore some people may have different skin types and some things work better than others, but for the most part, this book is worth getting.
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Summary: I'm a Fan of Paula Now
Review: This book has saved me hundreds of dollars. After reading this book, I looked in my bathroom at the drawers of half-used skin care products and realized how much money I wasted over the years following the false promises of the department store salespeople. My skin still looked horrible. Paula focuses her reviews on product ingredients, not the price. I was amazed to discover how many different cosmetics lines are owned by the same companies. I won't buy anything at a drugstore or department store without consulting the book first! I am now using Paula's skin care products (Paula's Choice) almost exclusively. My skin has never looked better. Her products are no-nonsense, no false promises, no fancy packages --just down-to-earth basic skin care. (Just like the book.)
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