Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me: A Unique Guide to Skin Care and Makeup Products from Today's Hottest Brands a Shop Smarter and Find Prod

I couldn't put this book down! It is continuously useful! If you are tired of being confused about products, so called power ingredients, getting ripped off, or you just want to know how to make a saavy purchase, YOU NEED THIS BOOK!

Wow, what an amazing book! It's chock-full of information on THOUSANDS of skin care and makeup products. The reviews are organized by product line, and you will find everything from celebrity indulgences like La Mer to department store staples like Lancome to mass merchandisers like Maybelline to drugstore bargain brands like Wet -n- Wild. At the start of the book, Paula describes exactly how she evaluates and rates the products. Although she hasn't personally tested every product (some of her recommendations are based mainly on the product's ingredients), with her makeup reviews in particular, the extremely specific nature of her comments makes it clear that she's actually tried the many of the items. She includes her own line, Paula's Choice, in her reviews, but other than recommending her products (along with many others), I didn't feel that she was self-advertising. I also found her general information on skin care to be very helpful--for example, I now have a much better understanding of the different factors involved in acne prevention. Similarly, her explanations and glossary vastly increased my knowledge of various ingredients and product claims, such as the difference between AHAs and BHAs, the truth behind terms like "non-comedegenic," and the usefulness of miscellaneous exotic contents. I believe that this book has made me a much more informed consumer: I am now better able to read product labels and to select the best product for my needs. I particularly like the "Paula's Picks" feature, and I definitely plan to try some of her recommendations. An indispensible and unique reference book!

There are a lot of ingredients in skin care products and cosmetics that are bad for ANYONE'S skin and Paula lets you know which ingredients these are and which products contain these ingredients. I like the way she's not afraid to tell it like it is and be honest (some people would refer to this as sarcasm). She also points out which expensive products and reasonably priced products have the SAME ingredients so you don't waste a lot of money. The first cosmetic purchase I made after reading Paula's book I saved enough so that the book paid for itself. I have to say that the cheaper brand is doing just as good a job as the more expensive brand. Also since I'm sure she knows what she's talking about, I purchased her skin care routine. I LOVE it. My skin looks and feels better than it has in a long time and my makeup looks great because of her opinions. Now every time I need to buy something I refer to her book.

This book is a must have if you've ever bought any product that claims to "lift" or "renew" or fight wrinkles, etc., etc. Paula tells you HOW products that work work, and properly bashes products that are only trying to steal your money. Most of the people who are complaining that the book lacks value, are probably those who are reading nothing but the opinions on specific cosmetics, such as a specific mascara or eye liner. I, also, do not always agree with Paula's assessment of a particular costmetic item. I have used her recommendations, however, to winnow out which ones I want to try. People who work for the companies who's products are reviewed are frequently displeased with her comments. But, if you've read Paula's "The Beauty Bible", you'd know that Paula begs companies for ingredient lists and factual information. For example, if your advertising states that a "study" showed xxx result, wouldn't an inquiring mind want to know who performed the study and what was the control? Paula subscribes to the cosmetic scientists/industries magazines, and if there's any REAL studies, she knows about them. Ms Begoun does not expect people to consider her infallible. Her goal is to get women to THINK before they buy!

This book has saved me hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars! Paula's quick reviews and easy little rating system make shopping for makeup and skin care products as easy as whipping out the "Personal Beauty Guide" at the back of the book and heading to the store. (There's a great little pull-out at the back of this book that you can make your own notes in--the information in this huge book is so extensive that it's nice to have your own place to keep track of various things to try.) From this book, I've learned that there are good and bad products in every line and now I use just a couple department store products and the rest is inexpensive stuff from the drug store. I'm finally off the very expensive cosmetics roller coaster! I only wish I had found her books sooner--maybe I would have a down payment for a house saved up by now! If you are a "cosmetics junkie" and are sick of buying products that just don't work, slow down and read this book--I don't mean to sound corny but it will change your life!