Product Description

This well-organized, authoritative book helps women find products that make them look great without spending a fortune. From drugstores and home shopping to department stores and catalogs, Begoun reviews all the major cosmetic and skin-care lines, product by product.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #262485 in Books
• Published on: 2002-12-31
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 2.87 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 1400 pages

From Amazon.com
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 Counter Without Me strikes fear in cosmetics-counter consultants everywhere. First off, Begoun has deconstructed ingredient lists. Ever wonder what methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben are doing in your mascara? And what is diazolidinyl urea? All four are potential irritants, and the latter is a preservative that can release formaldehyde, a class A carcinogen. Buyer beware.

Begoun also lists which companies are cruelty-free and which continue to conduct animal testing. The majority of the book--and that's nearly 800 pages--is devoted to reviews of thousands of cosmetics, from cleansers, foundations, alpha-hydroxy acids, and moisturizers to lip liners, eye shadows, and concealers, all of which Begoun has personally tested. (There are no hair care products listed, as that warrants another book entirely: Don't Go Shopping for Hair Care Products Without Me.)

She's perfectly frank and tells it like it is. (On Revlon's ColorStay Makeup: "goes far beyond the claim of 'It won't come off on him.' It won't come off when you want it to.") You'll learn how to tell when you're being boondoggled by a salesperson, what's overpriced and overhyped, as well as what's overlooked. More than 200 brands are included, along with a helpful summary at the end that lists the best products for each cosmetic category. It should be noted that not only is Begoun a fine consumer advocate, she's also a self-esteem advocate: she mentions time and again that even the best cosmetics won't necessarily improve your life, and that's a point well taken.

Ingram
A consumer's guide provides a close-up look at a variety of name-brand cosmetics and skincare products, discussing the reality of industry claims, product prices, and cosmetics' effectiveness. Original. 50,000 first printing. $25,000 ad/promo. Tour.

About the Author
PAULA BEGOUN has been reporting on the beauty industry for over 25 years and is recognized internationally as a consumer advocate for the cosmetics and hair-care industries. She has a syndicated column with Knight-Ridder News Tribune Service and has appeared on CNN, Oprah, 20/20, ABC's Primetime, the Today Show and many others. Her books on beauty are bestsellers.