There’s Lead in Your Lipstick is extremely eye opening, informative and empowering. It may not be possible to eliminate all the toxic chemicals we come in contact with, but at least Deacon puts the control back into our own hands, and gives us the ability to make educated decisions about what goes in (and ON) our bodies along with the health risks they involve. 1) Readers learn WHICH chemicals to look out for, WHAT purpose they serve, and WHY they should be avoided 2) The content is organized in a very logical and user-friendly manner - which makes it easy to jump back-and-forth between sections of interest 3) Many DIY (do-it-yourself) options, tips and tricks are included 4) Recommended products and brands are listed at the end of every section, including where you can buy them 5) It is very easy and enjoyable to read It is a great book to keep on hand and I will be sure to refer back to it every now-and-then. To read the full review: http://www.anonymouslytested.com/2012/11/theres-lead-in-your-lipstick-by-gillian.html

Most useful and interesting was the subject of toothpaste. In the chapter discussing the problems with commercial toothpaste it was helpful to find alternate brands and recipes to mass market toothpaste. The book provides further resources for additional research and a list of websites and stores to find alternate products mentioned throughout the book.

This book is filled with information about all of the chemicals we unknowingly expose ourselves to in our everyday lives. It's an eye opener and completely changed how I shop for everything including shampoo and toothpaste.

This is by far the best book out there to learn about the toxins in our everyday beauty products and what we can do about it. Not only does Gillian provide tons of helpful information, she also lists great recommendations and where to get them. And the best part? Writing from a Canadian point of view! This is a must have book for every home. So glad I picked it up. I've been reccomending it to everyone!

I've tried in the last few years to clean up the way I eat - less processed and more whole foods. It's absolutely helped with some of my health concerns. But I picked up a copy of There's Lead in Your Lipstick by Gillian Deacon and realized I really hadn't given much thought to all the personal care products I use. Gill Deacon was reading Stacy Malkan's 'Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of Beauty' while waiting to have an ultrasound to help diagnose her possible breast cancer. It is in Chapter 6 - "Pinkwashing" that the following appears... "More American women have died of breast cancer in the last 20 years than the number of Americans killed in World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War combined." "Many of the big cosmetics corporations that position themselves as leaders in the struggle to eradicate breast cancer - holding annual fundraisers and pink-ribbon campaigns - are in fact, makers and marketers of products that contain many ingredients known or suspected to cause breast cancer." Deacon's diagnosis was positive. There's Lead in Your Lipstick was started before her diagnosis and finished after her treatment. "This is not a cancer survivor's rant against the chemical industry. This book is simply a guide for all those who want to be cautious and considered when choosing the products and ingredients they use in, on and around their bodies. So when I read, and share with you on these pages, that an ingredient is linked to cancer and other health concerns, I don't take it lightly. Neither, dare I suggest, should any of us." Most of us read food labels quite carefully, now that the ingredients and percentages are listed. But how many of us take the time to investigate what's in our shampoo, make up and deodorant etc. before using it? I didn't. After reading Deacon's book, I won't ever take for granted that 'somebody' is making sure that these products are safe for us. They're not. There's Lead in Your Lipstick is an absolutely fascinating, eye opening, educated look at every type product we use to clean, buff, touch up and make up our bodies. Toxic ingredients and ingredients to look out for are described in depth. Many words used on labels and in advertising aren't necessarily what we think. Natural does not equal organic. Indeed I found myself in the bathroom, book in hand, scouring the labels of my shampoo and body wash. (very scary...) Formaldehyde is banned in Canada, Japan and the European Union but is deemed safe for use in cosmetics in the United States, despite the US EPA classifying it as a carcinogen. Deacon provides alternatives - organic and natural suppliers websites with an in depth review of each. I am checking out these lists for sure. She also provides 'recipes' for many products you can make yourself - facial masks and scrubs for example. The title? The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found 61% of lipsticks tested contained detectable levels of lead, but none included lead as an ingredient on the label. There's Lead in Your Lipstick is an excellent resource - one I will be referring to often.