Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #373355 in Books
• Published on: 2003-01-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 1362 pages

Customer Reviews

Don't buy that lipstick.Not yet...Read this first
When this mighty tome arrived I wasn't sure what to expect. I'd bought it on the spur of the moment after seeing it recommended on a website. Despite the fact that I'm unlikely ever to heave this weighty book around Boots or SuperDrug, I'm glad I bought it.
Paula Begoun confirms a lot of what were already my suspicions, ie that a lot of beauty counters sell us creams and potions that promise the world and don't come near to delivering.
What's special about 'Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me' is that Paula Begoun has done the ground-work, she's had the ingredients of said creams analysed and tried the make-up out on real people so that what she writes is something we can all relate to.
Obviously there's a certain amount of subjective opinion but that's something she admits to and recommends that we use our own judgement along with hers.
The book has easy to follow icons that guide you along so you can sit and dip in and out of the book or if you're a real make-up freak like me have a good peruse.
My only criticism is that for us Brits a lot of the product we know and love aren't included and there are some which sound great but aren't available in the UK.

Paula- PLEASE BRING OUT A BRITISH VERSION- I think it will be snapped up like the proverbial hot cake or should that be pan-cake (excuse the pun).

For anyone who has ever wondered "Does that really work?"
Paula Begoun is a woman on a mission. That mission is to provide the as much information as possible on cosmetics and skincare. I, for one, think she succeeds.

I have to say, I didn't feel entirely happy after I had read the first two chapters, aimed at demystifying skincare and make-up myths: I realised that I have been entirely taken in by extravagant claims made by cosmetics companies, not to mention the pretty bottles, nice colours and lovely smells that draw you over to make-up counters.

Some of the other reviews have said that Ms Begoun is not completely objective - well, she never claims to be - and that she has an irritating "attitude." I think I'd have an attitude if I had spent twenty years reading claims like "See a 154% improvement in wrinkles in only three days!" when I knew that no such thing was possible!

While Ms Begoun might have some personal biases, such as not recommend using bright colours (apparently a heading from an earlier edition was "Blue Eyeshadow Should Be Illegal"), that doesn't change the fact that if she recommends a certain line's eyeshadow, that eyeshadow is going to have good application and texture whatever colour it is. This book is not the law - the make-up police will not be knocking at your door because you wear metallic green nail varnish! (Yes, that's another of her pet hates.) You don't have to follow her advice to the letter - or even at all.

Admittedly, the product reviews are based on ingredients - but a review of 30 000 products that she has personally tried would be an impossible feat. Besides, what works for one woman does not work for another, as Ms Begoun so often states. What the reviews do help you do is make an informed choice. I was considering spending £22 on a new moisturiser, a treat after the £2.25 stuff I've been using. After checking out the review of the really rather expensive moisturiser, and then looking at the ingredients in my cheapy stuff, well, I've decided to stick with the cheapy stuff - even better, the bottle is four times larger: 200ml as opposed to 50ml, which works out as £88 for an equivalent quantity! This book really makes you think "Am I paying far too much?" and then helps you decide whether you are.

One gripe I've heard is that the book list some products that are available in the United States and not here in Britain - and of course, there are no reviews of Boots' own brands, for example, or a few of the other lines you might come across. But all the major ones that you'd find in Superdrug or at the department store are there - if you still want to pay for them after reading this book! And if you're considering something that isn't reviewed, then there's a list of ingredients that you can check to see whether it's going to irritate, clog your pores, etc, etc.

As for pushing her own line of skincare and make-up products, Ms Begoun is very honest. She sets out what she thinks should be a good skincare regime, and her products follow her recommendations. For those complaining that she didn't use her happy/unhappy face-style rating for her own products - do you think there would be any unhappy faces in that section?! And she does point out that while her products are formulated to be suitable for as many people as possible, there are some that won't find them possible. Anyway, Ms Begoun's line is only available her in Britain if you can be prepared to pay rather steep delivery costs - a shame, as I'd certainly be interested in trying it out!

It should be said, that this book is not the be-all and end-all. I'll say it, and Ms Begoun says it. If you disagree, fine; if a product that works for you but gets a bad review, you don't have to stop using it. This book is invaluable for giving you more information than anywhere else, unless you feel like reading scientific journals to find out whether that extract of oak root will really get rid of your wrinkles.

Buy this book. You will be better informed, and it will undoubtedly save you money.

Read this book before purchasing any more beauty products
I advise all women to read this cosmetics book before purchasing any more beauty products. I bought this book online after reading many positive reviews and I'm glad I did. Paula lays bare all cosmetics companies big and small. The main bulk of the book contains an alphabetical list of all the cosmetic companies and their products that you can think of. By using a key of symbols that you are given at the beginning of the book you can see as you flip through which products are recommended, which are not, which are to expensive for what they are and which are marked as the best (so, for instance, a bad product would have the symbol of an unhappy face next to it).
Paula has spent alot of time and money testing these cosmetics and it shows! My whole skincare routine has changed, and for the better! Her experience shows through the book as she is unbiased with what she says and not only does she tell you which products are better or worse for you she also explains why. A list of ingredients and what they do to you and you skin are given at the back ( I have found this VERY useful when looking for new products) and alot of info. on product companies are laid bare. For instance, if a product states that it is hypoallergenic (it contains no substances that will cause an allergic reaction) it doesn't mean that it actually is, as there is no law stating it has to do so. When or if you ever read this book you will realise how much nonsense you have been fed through marketing and the media. I hope this review was helpful to anyone considering to purchase this book.