The Beauty Bible: The Ultimate Guide to Smart Beauty

I think this is a very informative book. Paula explains why fashion magazines will never give an honest critique of beauty products - they can't say anything negative and risk angering the cosmetics companies who advertise in their pages - so you will rarely see anything there but glowing reviews. She explains how most moisturizers are the same, and how any claims that they can lift, firm, or tone the skin are a bunch of BS. She explains why so-called "botanicals" or "natural" products have no special benefits for the skin and are only used as a marketing strategy to make products seem more interesting or glamorous. (By the time the "natural" elements are extracted and bottled, there is hardly anything "natural" left in them. Plus they are only added in teeny-tiny amounts, just enough so that the company can say that the product contains natural ingredients.) She explains how toners/astringents and most products that supposedly help acne contain extremely irritating ingredients that can make your pimples worse. She also explains why the terms "hypoallergenic" and "dermatologist tested" are meaningless hype, and how the cosmetic companies can get away with misleading advertizing because cosmetics are not regulated by the FDA.Paula also includes a lot of information on skincare and makeup application. I didn't always agree with her opinions about application, but it's still refreshing to see someone willing to speak out against the downright dishonest claims made by cosmetics companies, and to educate us consumers. Every woman who uses cosmetics or skincare products should read this book, as well as _Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me_. These two books will pay for themselves when they save you time and money. You'll learn to be a smart consumer and see right through the marketing hype and ridiculous claims that the cosmetics companies would have you believe.

Do you find yourself spending your hard earned money on skincare products that do not improve the quality of your skin?Do you find yourself seduced by the t.v. informercials/commercials/ magazine advertisements on the newest & greatest makeup or skincare regime that promises you will look 100% better?Do you have skincare products or cosmetics in your bathroom drawer that has a thin film of dust on them because when you brought it home you found out it did not improve your skin care or cosmetic issues....but it was so expensive that you just could not throw it away?If you answered yes, maybe or even no & you are a consumer of skincare or cosmetic products and want to be an INFORMED CONSUMER this book is for you.I bought this book because I was tired of spending my hard earned money on products with empty promises. I immediately purchased this book a few days after reading DON'T GO TO THE COSMETICS COUNTER WITHOUT ME, 2003 edition. I wanted to get information on how to deal with my oily, acne proned skin. I've been to several dermatologists who told me I had cystic acne (the worst case) and basically told me I had to use Accutane. Well, being the fact that I am in my childbearing years...the risks overpowered the benefits of using such a powerful drug. Then I used an expensive skin care regime (the only one you see on t.v. informercials 2-3x's per day) which improved my skin about 70-80% , but put a dent in my wallet. I knew there had to be a better and cost effective way to treat my skin condition. Needless to say, I used the information that was suggested in the book and you would never be able to tell that I even had skin problems.I will admit that the makeup tips are rather conservative. However, for women working in a professional & business casual environment there are some helpful tips. You can always make modifications to suit your own personal style. When purchasing this book (which you should definitely have in your library) understand that Ms. Begoun is first a Consumer Advocate. So there is alot of information about what the Industry does not want to you know about type stuff. However, all the information crammed in this book beats a yearly subscription to some advertisement filled fashion magazine.I recommend you buy this book along with DONT GO TO THE COSMETICS COUNTER WITHOUT ME, 2003 edition for a holistic view of Ms. Begoun's suggestions.

Does this scenario sound familiar to you? You pick up a copy of you favorite magazine, and when you flip through the pages, you find an article on skin care. In it, you are told that if you have oily skin (and just for the sake of this arguement, let's say you do ), you still need to use a moisturizer, because oil is not a moisturizer, really, and you need to protect your skin. They tell you that you need one that is light and oil free, and usually name one or two that they recommend. So, even though you have never used one, you figure that hey, they are the experts so they should know. You go right out to buy one, start to use it, and notice that your skin seems even oiler than before. Before long, you start to break out. The next month, when you once again pick up this magazine, there is another article on skin care by someone else, only this time, they tell you NOT to use a moisturizer if you have oily skin, because oil is the skin's own natural moisturizer, and if you use one, it can cause problems, like breakouts. Now you are mad, confused, and at a total loss. Just what is going on here? As far-fetched as it sounds, this happens all the time. And until I found this great lady, Paula Begoun, I didn't know what to believe. If you are fed up with conflicting advice, then read this book,and be confused no longer. Paula is not a quack who decided one day to write a book. She has been at this for a long time. She does very thorough research, interviewing cosmetic chemists ( the people who formulate cosmetics ), dermatologists, she reads cosmetic industry journals and papers, medical journals and papers, etc., etc. She really is the Ralph Nader of cosmetics. She cuts through the crap that the magazines and cosmetics companies and their salespeople try to tell you. She gives practical, down to earth advice on skin care for all skin types, and she adds new information or corrects old information found to be outdated in each new addition of her books. She keeps up with everything going on in the industry, and lets you in on the latest news.Most importantly, she will tell you what the cosmetic companies wish she wouldn't: the simple truth. If you're tired of being lied to, tired of being confused, read this book. You'll be doing yourself, your pocketbook, and your skin a big favor!

Every woman should own this book, written by a consumer reporter who has nothing to gain from the cosmetics industry in response to her book. At least, nothing positive to gain from the field! She's had her share of nasty letters from cosmetic companies that want to sell women (and men) a lot of bunk based on sex appeal and fear of looking too old, too young, too wrinkled, having too many blemishes, not being sexy enough ... the list goes on! Paula offers knowledge that beauty does not come in a bottle. I love her advice on taking care of skin. I wish I had this book when I was in my teen years and I tortured my skin because of my acne. I've always had acne, even into my adult years, but listening to her advice has helped reduce breakouts. Her extensive research saves us all the trouble of trying to find out if the "fad" facial cures work -- I wouldn't have known about AHAs and BHAs without this book, and I certainly wouldn't know why and how to use them. She saves millions of women lots of money!

Finally, a book about beauty that presumes women are halfway intelligent. Paula Begoun is not a model. She's not hawking a make-up line. She just gives you the facts about ingredients -- what works, what's hype. Read this book and you'll save your money and your skin. (The hint about using baking soda and Cetaphil to exfoliate, followed by hydrogen peroxide as a toner is worth the price of the book.)