I just bought this book yesterday at Barnes & Noble and WOW, what an amazing book! Over 1,000 pages packed with great reviews of all cosmetic products including makeup, moisturizers, cleaners, toners, wrinkle cream, stretch mark creams, soap, bath and body products, makeup removers, exfoliaters, acne treatments – you name it. She reviews every level of product from very expensive products sold at major department stores to products found at your local drugstore. Even products only your dermatolo
gist would recommend are in here too.
Paula has written several books and is nationally recognized as a consumer advocate, covering the cosmetics and hair-care industry. She has appeared on hundreds of talk shows including, The View, Dateline NBC, Good Morning America, 20/20, Today, Later Today, CBS Morning News, Hard Copy, Canada AM, NPR and dozens of episodes of The Oprah Winfrey Show. Visit her website at www.cosmeticscop.com
Things she looks for:
>SPF – in this day and age all products should have sunscreen
>Product lives up to its claim – specifically, it contains ingredients that can back it up. For example, if a product says it is “alcohol free” – it must be just that – Alcohol Free. Same goes for Fragrance-Free, and does not contain skin irritating ingredients. It’s amazing how many of these products do not live up their claim!
Paula has specific criteria that she looks for and rates them with smiley faces
** 
=Excellent. The best of the best. Surpasses the criteria.
=Very Good. The product is worth checking into and potentially worth buying because of its performance or its impressive formulary characteristics. Great product that meets or surpasses the criteria.
$$$=Very Good, but overpriced. Great product that meets or surpasses the criteria but overpriced. Less expensive products delivery the same effect with less money.
=Average. It is OK, but unimpressive and can cause problems for certain skin types and possibly lacking in some newer non-irritating ingredients.
$$$=Average and overpriced, why bother.
=Poor (don’t buy). A product that is truly a poor choice for skin from almost every standpoint, including price, dated formula, performance, application and texture as well as potential for irritation, skin reactions and breakouts.
While I don’t always agree with her reviews her book is very factual and I highly recommend it. I can’t seem to put it down! It is $19.77 at Amazon
Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me, 7th Edition by Paula Begoun and Bryan Barron (Publisher: Beginning Press) (www.cosmeticscop.com)
