Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #121048 in Books
• Published on: 2003-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 1362 pages

Amazon.com Review
Women spend an extraordinary amount of money on cosmetics--$45 billion a year in the U.S. alone. Now in its fourth edition, Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me strikes fear in cosmetics-counter consultants everywhere. First off, Begoun has deconstructed ingredient lists. Ever wonder what methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben are doing in your mascara? And what is diazolidinyl urea? All four are potential irritants, and the latter is a preservative that can release formaldehyde, a class A carcinogen. Buyer beware.

Begoun also lists which companies are cruelty-free and which continue to conduct animal testing. The majority of the book--and that's nearly 800 pages--is devoted to reviews of thousands of cosmetics, from cleansers, foundations, alpha-hydroxy acids, and moisturizers to lip liners, eye shadows, and concealers, all of which Begoun has personally tested. (There are no hair care products listed, as that warrants another book entirely: Don't Go Shopping for Hair Care Products Without Me.)

She's perfectly frank and tells it like it is. (On Revlon's ColorStay Makeup: "goes far beyond the claim of 'It won't come off on him.' It won't come off when you want it to.") You'll learn how to tell when you're being boondoggled by a salesperson, what's overpriced and overhyped, as well as what's overlooked. More than 200 brands are included, along with a helpful summary at the end that lists the best products for each cosmetic category. It should be noted that not only is Begoun a fine consumer advocate, she's also a self-esteem advocate: she mentions time and again that even the best cosmetics won't necessarily improve your life, and that's a point well taken.

Customer Reviews

Wow!
It's great! It reviews almost all products in it. I've been looking for something like this for so long! It's hard to figure out whats really good! There's so much BS out there. Tired of wasting my $$$ but don't mind spending if it really works, you know?

Great Book, Very informative, Great reference resource
I don't usually write reviews, but this book is really great. Much time and research went into this gem and the information can help consumers to make smart choices. Helps identify what's good for your individual skin type. I keep referring back to the book over and over. Now I'm going to buy her book about hair care.

As Good As It Gets
For two decades Paula Begoun has called cosmetics companies on their sensational claims while emphasizing that a ton of bad apples do not spoil the whole bunch in terms of skincare and cosmetics.

In the 8th edition of her cosmetic opus Begoun's catalog of bad and beautiful products is expanded once more. Although her reviews are not always perfect, she is human after all and she makes it clear that her reviews are her opinions after culling current research, overall Begoun's work is second to none. You show me another book that goes as far as Begoun's does and I'll eat my shoes.

Begoun is also clear about her own line of cosmetics and skincare and I feel that she never pushes her own products, she recommends so many competitors products I feel any criticism directed to her in that regard is simply sour grapes.

Essentially, I feel that Begoun's book is required reading for anyone who wants to protect their skin and age as well as possible. As far as I'm concerned if you go to the cosmetics counter having not read Paula Begoun's book you're simply asking to do damage to your skin and that's just not pretty.