book data
104 ratings,
4.17
average rating, 33 reviews
(more data...)
edit
published
January 4th 2007
(first published 1000)
by Beginning Press
binding
Paperback, 1100 pages
isbn
1877988324
(isbn13: 9781877988325)
description
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 ...more
Sign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of this book.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »
friend reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
This book is currently not featured on any Listopia lists.
Add this book to your favorite list »
other reviews (showing 1-20 of 137)
All ratings
|
5 stars (48)
|
4 stars (32)
|
3 stars (20)
|
2 stars (2)
|
1 star (2)
|
avg 4.17
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
Read in January, 2009
The biggest obstacle for finding a quality beauty product is interpreting the glossy marketing which generates most of the cost. Begoun helped me develop a healthy skepticism and got me into the habit of reading the back label before the front.
Once I realized every bottle of goo is made up of mostly water and promises, I was willing to let go of all the pathos and begin to understand what I'm buying. The book begins with a broad spectrum chapter designed to educate about t...more
Once I realized every bottle of goo is made up of mostly water and promises, I was willing to let go of all the pathos and begin to understand what I'm buying. The book begins with a broad spectrum chapter designed to educate about t...more
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
Read in June, 2008
This is Begoun's second book that I've read. I am so not into makeup and all that, but maybe because I am not, I feel like I don't have a clue sometimes what to do, wear, or buy. She is so helpful in cutting through hype, and again, I learned so much. Loved the reviews and found some new (affordable!) products to try. (Btw, I read the 7th edition, just realeased this year.)
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
2 comments
Read in January, 2009
I found out about all of the products I was using and found some better products to use instead. No wonder I wasn't liking my face wash - when tested it doesn't remove makeup, but that's not on the label. No wonder I wasn't happy with my moisturizer - it didn't have any skin identical ingredients.
This book was fantastic. I'm amazed at the level of research that went into each brand and product. She covered all major lines available in department stores as well as stores like Targ...more
This book was fantastic. I'm amazed at the level of research that went into each brand and product. She covered all major lines available in department stores as well as stores like Targ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
flawed and quite un-scientific. Most of her claims are blown out of proportion or just taken out of context when you look at the actual studies.
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
Read in January, 2007
I found this book very helpful when it came to learning ingredients in cosmetics and that is this book's main focus. The book has a good layout to it and offers reviews on a fair list of products. That being said, I wish it told more about finished results of the products and who they're best used for. It seems as if they based all of their research on the product's ingredient lists and didn't have any hands on testing.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in May, 2009
They should do a larger review of products in categories so you can choose the best moisturizer, eye product and so on. THere is a brief one - but it's not very good or comprehensive. The book is also poorly written and is all opinion - I want science & clinical trials!!!! This is the 7th edition and you still don't have things down right - this had so much potential - but fell flat.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in October, 2008
Thanks to Alison's review I requested this book months ago. It finally came just before I left on a trip so I had to return it after only reading the first chapter and requested it again. It became available again just before another trip. So I went through it very quickly-took notes while sitting in the library parking lot! I thought the basic information was very informative and helpful, but she doesn't like cleansers with natural roughage and instead recommends ones with polyester beads in th...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in June, 2008
I borrowed this book from the library because I thought it would be a good resource to check beauty products I'm using to see if the claims they make about their effectiveness is accurate. Not surprisingly, most products make completely false claims, and according to this book, many of the products irritate your skin and actually make it worse. I still remember all of those oxy and noxzema products I used in junior high school that claimed "the burning sensation let's you know its working...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
There is a more updated 7th Edition out by this author but it has great ideas for beauty products that truly work for your personal needs. It helps to not waste money on products that don't work.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
I got this book because I didn't want to waste my money on buying cosmetic products. I really find this book to be quite handy and I refer to it before buying a lot of my products.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
I absolutely, completely love Paula Begoun. She does an incredibly job reviewing different cosmetics (and hair care products in other books) and she gives very good advice on which ingredients to avoid. She has been physically removed from stores while trying to read the ingredients labels in department stores, but she doesn't give up in her pursuit to lead consumers to better skin care choices. It can be very difficult to find products that treat sensitive skin kindly, and my skin has loved me ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
This is a great reference book for skin care and cosmetics. I use all of her products and often look up her rating on products I may want to try. A must have book.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2004
I love this book so much, I eventually bought it. It sorts out all the myths and crap surrounding beauty products. I am a firm believer in using things that actually work, no matter the price. Who cares if it's only a dollar-if it works then great! (I should have been a beauty editor!) I am not hard core into high end crap unless I've tried something and it actually works for me. (like MAC eyeshadows!!) So this book is a great guide in helping you find the best products in all price ranges. I...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
I have an older version of this book and have found the analyses fascinating. Begoun gets past the marketing for cosmetics and gives information on choosing skin care products and make-up wisely. Since reading this, I have subscribed to her periodic updates via the internet. (Google "Cosmetics Cop") There is a recent edition just out and I would suggest that anyone who is interested should buy the most current edition as the cosmetics industry is continually adding new lines. It's...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in February, 2008
When my friend Katie said that these books are life altering, I figured I should check them out. They did not dissappoint. They are written by a consumer reporter and she basically cracks the ingredient code for you. The book is HUGE, but don't be scared when you see it, you don't have to read the whole thing to have a happier face. Just read the first few chapters that apply to you and then read the list of "Best Products" in the back. I am telling you, these books really will change ...more
So incredibly illuminating. I've learned so much. One complaint is that I felt in some places she used the book to advertise her own line of products.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in March, 2009
Absolutely fascinating. I read this because I'm sick of spending so much money on skincare, (aren't we all trying to find areas we can cut back our spending??) and I'm thrilled to find that there are really great products on the shelves at Target. I would suggest reading the next edition, since there are new products available.
Read in January, 2001
I started reading her books and using her cosmetics years ago. This is a great resource to know what you're buying and to make sure you're not getting totally ripped off on beauty products. Whether or not I went with the recommendations, I found that having some chemical understanding (though simplistic) made me feel a lot more informed.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in October, 2008
recommends it for:
people who want a good skin care regimine and makeup without wasting $$ and hype.
Well this is awesome saves me money without trying out stuff that won't work. Tells you who does animal testing so you can stay away from it. Tells you what is really helping your skin and what is hype!
Great great book. I got it from the library and now I am trying Paula's skin care line Paula's Choice.
Great great book. I got it from the library and now I am trying Paula's skin care line Paula's Choice.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in April, 2008
I was hoping this book would have more information on organic products, products not tested on animals, etc rather than the couple of pages at the end of the book addressing these issues. Otherwise, it's a decent reference book.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
