Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me: A Unique Guide to Over 35,000 Products, Plus the Latest Skin-Care Research (Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter ... Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me)

"I found this book very helpful for seeing past all the hype cosmetics companies generate about their products. Just because a product is expensive doesn't mean its good! In fact, some of the most costly ones are extremely damaging to skin. This book has completely changed the way I take care of my skin, and what I look for in a skin product. My only criticism is that this book was last edited in 2003, which means that new products that have come on the market since then aren't in it. Also, cosmetics companies sometimes change the ingredients in their products, which means that some of the reviews may no longer be valid. Nonetheless, a very helpful book."
~ Written on 2006-06-28

"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)."
~ Written on 2004-08-06

"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."
~ Written on 2004-03-17

"First of all, it should be noted that Paula clearly admits that the reviews in her book are her opinions. However, I've been reading her books for over a decade, and her opinions are based on solid, thorough, scientific research NOT funded by anyone other than herself. I don't know of another book that can make that claim. She mixes her opinions with facts that few others dare because she has nothing to lose in the process. When she tells the truth, we all benefit. Articles in women's magazines stand to lose an enormous amount of advertising revenue if any editorials threaten to blow Estee Lauder, Lancome, Clinique, Maybelline, or any cosmetics company that spends literally millions of dollars in ads off their solid gold pedestals. Paula also states quite clearly that if a certain regime or product works for the consumer, then the consumer should stick with it.

However, for the rest of us who need guidance in choosing what is best for our skin and make-up routines, this book is a godsend. She rates products on the ingredients they contain, their effect on the skin, and how well they work. She never claims that all products purchased in a drugstore are as good as those purchased at expensive prices in department stores. She freely acknowledges some poor products that are inexpensive do exist. And she also acknowledges that some poor products which are expensive also exist. In other words, the price of the cosmetic has nothing to do with its effectiveness, safety, or application.

What this book really does is give facts to help the consumer separate fact from fiction. One time when I was shopping for a toner, the cosmetics woman at the department store told me that the alcohol contained in her product was "cosmetic" alcohol - not the alcohol that would dry the skin. Sounded good to me....until I thought about it. Paula cuts through the sales talk to which too many of us have ignorantly submitted and taken as gospel.

The book breaks through the "natural" myth, as well. Of course, we all want as natural as products as possible. What the natural companies don't often tell us, however, is that besides all those wonderful-sounding names are some very basic (harmless) chemicals that actually perform the task of the product. I personally like Aveda's hair products, but it isn't the natural products that are cleaning my hair - it's the chemicals. Paula helps us differentiate between what chemicals are harmful and which ones are beneficial. It often has little to do with brand name. Some products in a certain line are highly rated, and some are not recommended.

The piece of advice that I garnered from the book, for which I shall forever be indebted, is the use of BHA (beta hydroxy acid) on my face. It has given my skin a brand-new look and made my skin healthier and better-looking than when I was a teenager back in the 1980s! I'd tried different ways of exfoliating but her recommendations of BHA for skin that is blemish prone and of the exact percentage (1% for me) was probably the best skin care advice I've ever received. I was nearly ready for a (completely unnecessary!) chemical peel costing an obscene amount of money and committing unknown damage to my skin when I learned about BHAs from Paula's book.

It's true that Paula does have a line of both cosmetics and make-up. However, for anyone who's read her books, she does not push them at all. She speaks generally about ingredients and about what to avoid and what to seek. Her products are simply listed with the other 200+ brands! I do admit that I love her products because I know I can count on them not to contain perfumes, dyes, and other extraneous items that are used to sell most cosmetics. As someone with extremely sensitive skin, her skin care products are magnificent.

I think the biggest boon to Paula's credibility is that she is not immune to changing her mind or advice, based on new research. She demonstrates a true ability to learn and grow with the rest of us. Too many "beauty" books contain a lot of fluff and little substance to really help the reader. This book contains a lot of raw facts and arms the reader with an arsenal of knowledge to help her (or him!) make the best choices she can for herself. Whether or not many people will admit it, a lot of cosmetics and skin care companies have been forced to revise their products in our favor due to the information contained in Paula's books. We owe her a lot."
~ Written on 2003-08-25

"This has to be the definitive book about present day cosmetics.Written in plain and simple English it explains why we pay so much for our beauty products.The truth revealed in this book is what I have always believed - there is no difference between a £50 face cream and £5 face cream except the price!An must read for any self confessed beauty junkie!"
~ Written on 2003-05-05