Rating: 
Summary: Use it before making a judgement!
Review: There are many cosmetic companies that put their products on the market. Each company has both good, and less good cosmetic products. Or should I say, "products that need improvement". I do agree that the customers ought to be advised and guided when making a buying decision. This book has its minuses and pluses. The only plus that I saw, was the interesting information given regarding the active and other ingridients found in cosmetic products (found at the end of the book). As for making a judgment on ANY product, I do think the author should revise her statements. I do not see how anyone is able to try all the products, on their own face, and then make a quality judgment about a certain product or line of cosmetics. Not only that products are misjudged, but the language is very ignorant, by using such words as "it's an embarrassment", "it's a waste of time" and so on. For example, the famous Mary Kay cosmetic has the saying, "Try before you buy". Now, if the products are as described in this book, how come there are millions of customers that use these products for over 30 years? And how come the 900,000 consultants (and NOT 300,000 as mentioned in the book!) are still in the business? I think that what is an embarrassment and a waste of time and money, it's this very book. As I said in the title, "use it (the product(s)) before making a judgment".
Rating: 
Summary: Another must have reference book
Review: Paula has done it again. With the 6th edition of "Don't Go..." she has compiled and reviewed almost every single like of cosmetics and skin care out there. This book is a must have for anyone who uses makeup. Each product is tested and reviewed thoroughly. Sadly, Paula says this will be her last edition although she will continue to publish her bimonthly newsletter. Oh, the injustice. It is a shame that she takes so much heat for doing this thankless job when all she is trying to do is help the average consumer. I, for one, have saved much money by reading her reviews and purchasing only what I need based on her comments and recommendations. Thanks to her, I am now an informed consumer and am no longer ignorant of topics such as sun damage, BHA's and Botox. My only (small) complaint is that some cosmetics lines did not make it into this book (ie Mary Kate & Ashley, Becca) I wonder why?
Rating:
Summary: good makeup guide
Review: I thought this was a good guide for buying makeup and skin care. I was using one of the "expensive" skin care lines and read that it was basicly the same thing as a less expensive line. I tried it and switched- saved me some money. There were, however, a few products that were given a "thumbs down" that worked very well on me. It basicly depends on your skin type. Overall, it did save me some cash. I definatly recommend it!
Rating: 
Summary: Almost could'nt Get this book back!!
Review: What a great reference to have. Every woman who wears makeup should get this book! I took it to work with me one day and almost did'nt get it back. So many of my co-workers got helpful info. The author is very easy to understand and so well researched all her material. I was very impressed. I've also changed my own skincare regimen and have seen results. Her own products seem to be very consumer friendly especially to the pocketbook. Can't wait to see the new edition come out!
Rating:
Summary: If you love Makeup you will love this book!
Review: I love make up, but there are just so many products out there to choose from. A friend recommended this book and it really helped me narrow down what foundation to use for my skin type and in my price range. But, as always, go out and TRY the product before you buy it. You can try many department store cosmetics right at the counter and many drug stores have a policy that allows you to try the product and then bring it back with no hassles! (Harmons is a great one for that!) So I highly recommend this book to guide you through the world of cosmetics!
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Summary: Good job, Paula (updated 9/03)
Review: I bought Paula's first book, 2nd and 3rd editions. I also purchased her first Blue Eyeshadow Must Be Illegal book. This was long before she came out with her own line. I learned SO MUCH from those early books, and was able to save alot of money by knowing which products that would be worth trying for my sensitive skin. I am in my 40's now, and have more problems with my skin than when I was a teenager and early 20's. Breakouts with dry skin, sensitive to soaps and harsh ingredients, etc., all starting in my early 30's. I was using alot of the wrong products, and her advice helped me achieve much better looking skin. When Paula came out with her line, I immediately tried her cleanser, beta hydroxy formula, sunscreen, and nighttime moisturizer. Within two weeks, my skin was better than ever. I have been a faithful user for over two years now, and I did try going back to a drugstore product once, and I broke out. While I can see why many people think she's just self-promoting her line, I think it's great that she decided to offer a product of superior quality. She rates other products well, and I've tried many with great success. Her prices are reasonable, also. I have a 16 year old son with severe acne, and using her products have made a huge difference in his skin. His doctor is recommending her products to other patients. They really do work. Her advice is for everyone, not just middle-aged people. I use some of her makeup (eyeshadows,lipsticks), but have had great success with lower priced drugstore lines based on her recommendations. While some of her reviews are a bit harsh, I think she is offering a wonderful service. Take what you can from her advice...there's something good for everyone even if you don't agree with it all. UPDATE 9/03: I had to stop using the sunscreen because my skin had a reaction to avobenzone, one of the ingredients. I still use the cleanser, beta hydroxy, and now the 2.5 benzoyl peroxide. I also use some of the makeup (eyeshadow and blush) which is excellent. Her compact brush set is outstanding. My son's acne has cleared considerably, so he doesn't use the products anymore. That being said, I've also read the newest edition of her book. I still think she offers good advice, but her sarcasm on some of the reviews is annoying. I do believe it is somewhat of a conflict of interest to rate other lines while selling your own. It takes away from her credibility to some extent, but you can still get good information from the book. I took off one star based on my updated observations.
Rating:
Summary: Exhaustive...helpful... if appearing a bit biased
Review: THis is a tough call. I find i keep buying the book and find it helpful and informative. On the otherhand... i think you need to know that while you are getting alot of info that cosmetic companies dont make easy to find...you are also very much getting her opinions. I have found it difficult sometimes to sort out the info. For example, there are many products she dismisses as over-priced and *standard*. Yet...a few of them i have tried and i *do* see differences in how my skin feels using them. There must be something past *standard* if i can notice differences. Perhaps she is a bit biased as most products are *generally* similar but i think she does need perhaps to do some research on how individual users (not just her) evaluate the products. That said... I find the info very helpful when considering a new line. Many are over-priced and if they dont provide samples free, it becomes difficult to assess them without spending HUGE amounts of money first. Some products i have bought after reading abouyt them, and some not. This book is very reasonable priced for all the info it has in it. That said, i dont think there is that much difference between editions. i have the same issues as other people with regards to her *selling* her products *in the book*. I have tried them, actually. Some i like alot...some not at all. All are reasonable priced though. Frankly i like some products that she panned better than hers. Some of hers i like *the best*... but the whole idea of her reviewing other peoples products while selling hers...i dont know...seems a bit conflicted to me. i felt better about this book beofre she started doing that... and she has a website (cosmeticscop.com) that sends out news letters with info on newly reviewed products. Subscribing to the newsletter is very good and keeps your info up to date.
Rating:
Summary: Indispensable!
Review: This is Ms. Begoun's 5th Edition of her beauty guide. I first purchased the 4th edition a few years ago and found it truly invaluable so I happily forked over the money to buy the 5th Edition the moment it was published. The guide reviews virtually every beauty brand you have ever seen, and then each of their major product offerings from department store giants like Estee Lauder to drugstore labels like Jane. The book is arranged with the brands alphabetically, and then a 1 to 3 page overview of the brand and its product history. The "reviews" of each product are extremely brief, rated with a smiley face, neutral face or frowning face followed by just a few lines reviewing the product. Some of Ms. Begoun's reviews are very analytical, with a discussion of the chemical ingredients whereas others are very flippant, "if you believe this claim then I've got a bridge to sell you" type remarks. By far the most useful aspects to me were the introductory chapters on skincare, namely sunscreen protection and the cleansing regimen. After reading those chapters, I felt better armed to find a complete UV sunscreen that would provide more protection for my skin. Even better, I added BHA (salicylic acid) to my regimen and I've had amazingly clear skin ever since. since this worthwhile purchase, I have recommended the regimen from it to many of my friends. This book purchase (both 4th edition and 5th edition) paid for itself many times over.
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Summary: The Only One Who Tells It Like It is
Review: Contrary to what was written in an earlier review, Paula does not trash the competition to make her own products look good. How do I know? First of all, I have been reading her books for years, with her very first book, "Blue Eyeshadow Should Be Illegal". Way back then, she did NOT have her own cosmetics line, in fact that is a very recent developement. Second of all, it is obvious this person did not read her reviews for all of the cosmetic lines, for if she had, she would have seen, plain as day, that Paula likes and recommends many of their products. The fact is, Paula tells the truth, whether it is what you want to hear or not.
I searched for years trying to find a book that would be informative and tell me what I needed to know about cosmetics. When I finally found her book, I was blown out of the water. I had no idea how much the cosmetics companies lie, twist and distort the truth, and that they can get away with it so easily. I was furious,yet I was glad I had found someone who would tell the truth, and I was determined to learn all I could from her. I have not been disappointed, as her help has saved me a lot of time, not to mention money, on products that not only don't work, but that I don't even need.
If you are fed up with the lies in the ads, in the fashion magazines, and at the cosmetics counter (although, to be fair, many of the salespeople only know and believe what the companies tell them ) then this book is for you. I will warn you though, don't actually tote this to the counter with you or even mention Paula unless you have thick skin, as many cosmetic salespeople hate her, for obvious reasons. And if you get facials done, don't mention her there, either. They don't like her because she contends that just because something is high priced and called a "Professional Line", it is not necessarily any better than what is available in a less expensive line (contrary to their claims of "better" or "exclusive" ingredients). If, however, you are ready to save your skin and your money, get this book. It's the best you'll find.
Rating:
Summary: High price doesn't guarentee quality product
Review: I have tried several brands of cosmetics and never knowing why one worked and one didn't until I read this book. I purchased several of her recommendations and found them all to hold true to her research. I felt I was armed with knowledge about a product and not going by what the sales lady told me or by what the ad stated. I didn't feel I was wasting my money experimenting for myself. This book has done the research for you and is definitely worth looking into!
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