Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter without Me

I have a love/hate relationship with this book. Often when I'm looking into buying a certain product and I really want it, I am hoping Ms. Begoun has something good to say about it, but she often doesn't, lol. But all in all, I think if you're shopping for skin care and make-up, you MUST have this book. I don't always take her word for everything she states about a certain product, but it's nice to have her opinion before making such a expensive purchase.
I highly recommend you have this if you are shopping for cosmetics! Also check out her website, it's also very informative!

As someone who spends a lot of money buying skincare prodcuts this book has been a huge help and a money saver. It tells you what works and what doesn't. Just because it says it is for dry skin, doesn't mean it actually is. Too bad this is her last edition. :(

Paula Begoun has done us all a great service by writing such a well-researched and informative book. Never having read the earlier editions, I was drawn to this one due to some distressing experiences with sunscreen, moisturizer and concealer. She covers it all and then some! This book has a well coveted place near my favourite chair, from which I refer to it often. The cost of the book was easily recouped over a month or so of beauty product purchases. I really can't give it enough praise!

Very informative book. Lots of advice and good explanations on why a product isn't up to pare or why it is. Surprising on how some of the most expensive lines really aren't any better. One comment - not all skin care lines were listed. But I guess there are only so many pages.

Thi book was certainly a huge help. I'm one of those poor infortunate souls who walk around stores, wondering which products would suit me best, and Paula's advice saves me hours of anxiety! I never had a problem with anything Paula recommended and found her jugements very fair.
I would never miss any of her books!

Paula Begoun's "Don't go to the cosmetics counter without me" deserves its title. It is a thorough yet simple analysis of nearly every product available on the market today. I consult it every time I make a purchase, and it has already paid for itself.

Although you are the one who can choose and knows what will work and what will not work on your skin, this is a great book as a refrence if you are not willing to spend a fortune and try the products to find out what's best. I saved a lot of money which would be wasted on not very good and expensive products. I tell you I tried some of these(goodies) but they sure matched the discription in the book. I trust the book and at the same time I try what's best from Paula's choices. Works very well for me.

Many men buy for their wives and need to know if they are getting poison or not. Getting the proper product and one that works is a big deal and this book will help. It is a great quick reference .

Instead, her reviews are presented after thorough scientific research reading coroborated research studies, speaking with dermatolgists and cosmetic chemists. She then compares the known facts of ingredients against the product claims and actual results. I highly recommend any of the advice she gives! As for the reviewer who gave a one star rating,"Sabrina Catania" from Ontario, if I had to take a stab in the dark, I would say she most likely works in the high end cosmetic industry...I find it hard to believe that she would otherwise advise people to ignore Begoun's worthy and truthful recommendations! Shame on that person! Women, (and men) don't need to be encouraged to have the wool pulled over their eyes by the cosmetics industry any further! I encourage everyone to read Begoun's books and take her advice to heart. Also, her website www.cosmeticscop.com is full of good information and fully explains how she comes to her conclusions and conducts research.

I have read all of Begoun's many books, but the Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter series is definitely the best. However, I do wish that people would read about her credentials and how she conducts her research! Her information is NOT just based on pure speculation and personal opinion! If her reviews were based solely on her own use of each individual product, what would be the purpose of you and I reading her reviews? Everyone has differently aged skin and specific skin types! Continued...

It's a wonderful book full of important information the women today can really use. She tells us about the differences and the subsituits to the expensive items. I have to tell you I bought this book for all my friends and they loved it almost more than I did. They told me that with all the money they saved and finally getting the right products they can by me a better present this year.

I don't think that anyone should listen to what this Ms.Begoun has to say.She is certainly not qualified to give any recommendations. Any woman can pick up a cosmetic dictionary and look up ingredients. Apparently, what Ms.Begoun doesn't know is how much of these ingredients are used, what type of delivery systems are used, and certainly has not tried all 10,000 products she reviews. Believe me, if we can put a man on the moon, we can most definitely create products that do work.Have faith in whatever products you choose to use...it's cheaper than plastic surgery.

Every woman who wears makeup should own a copy of this book. It provides readers with comprehensive reviews of best-selling cosmetics. From facial masques to lipstick, this book is bound to save you money on products at both drugstores and cosmetics counters. In fact drugstore lines like L'oreal can compare with high end lines like Lancome. You don't have to spend a small fortune to look great. The makeup application techniques are wonderful and a necessity, especially since I've seen women apply blush below the cheekbones and not on them. Less is more! That is the key for using makeup. Work with your God-given features and play them up. Just remember that golden rule and you're all set!

Her reviews seem to gear to people with sensitive skin. She is very critical of products, even if they earn the happy face review from her. A great book to keep as a reference tool to save money on future purchases.

Paula is the absolute best when it comes to telling the truth on the comsmetics world. She is honest in all aspects of the comsmetic industry, whether you're looking for the right products for your skin, or colors for your make-up, Paula gives you the straight up truth, including which companies use what in their products, which companies are still using animal testing, and which products, you should never put on your skin (yet some companies continue to use these.) This book is the best book for any cosmetic user.

The book is an absolute money saver through its thorough ratings of the best cosmetics and skin care products in North America. Her reviews on skincare products actually allows you to also 'save face', pardon the pun. By providing consumers with the ingredient lists in these products, one is able to avoid allergic reactions. It's wonderful and reassuring to know that one needn't spend an outrageous amount of money to look their best when pharmacy-sold makeup lines like Revlon or Loreal can produce the same effect as designer lines. Why pay more when you don't have to? I strongly urge every woman to pick up a copy of this amazing book before even purchasing their next batch of makeup supplies.

Women should arm themselves with this book when shopping for skin care and cosmetics. This is a must have! I only wish Paula Begoun would sell her products in Canada. I would be the first person in line at the drugstore.

You will never look at make-up the same way again. Paula really sets it straight in this one. Some of her best advice in this book is:

1. The only anti-wrinkle cream is sunscreen.

2. Expensive does not mean better.

She recommends using Cetaphil as a cleanser for the skin, and it is the best cleanser I have put on my face. I'm sure most women who use certain cleansers get that "tight" feeling after washing their face. This product feels like silk!! Go buy it, it's at London Drugs!

What a time and money saver! Finally, I can feel confident approaching the makeup counter. This was the only time I purchased foundation, concealer, lipstick, eye shadow, mascara and blush all in one go and was happy with every single product after I got them home and tested them together. I also found the perfect sunscreen for my husband's skin type. Keep up the good work, Paula!

excellent!! what a money saver! Nice to know that names like Chanel, Guerlain, Lauder, etc. are no better than cover girl or revlon.