The Beauty Bible: From Acne to Wrinkles and Everything in Between [Paperback]

Paula Begoun (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1997

Featuring specifics on caring for 16 different kinds of skin types from head to toe, The Beauty Bible is the perfect skin and makeup guide for women of all ages. From the latest trends to classic styles, Begoun explains it all, using her energetic and effective writing style to separate reliable facts from cosmetic-advertising fantasies. 10 color photos.

Product Details

• Paperback: 387 pages
• Publisher: Beginning Pr (November 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1877988227
• ISBN-13: 978-1877988226
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,001,795 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Advice for Skincare, Good Advice for Cosmetics, April 18, 2000

By 

A. Gray "reader, mother, baker" (NE Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Beauty Bible: From Acne to Wrinkles and Everything in Between (Paperback)

After reading and enjoying Begoun's other book (Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me) I finally got around to checking out The Beauty Bible. As a cosmetics editor, I found most of the information on choosing and applying cosmetics to be a compilation of the best beauty tips I've come across over the years on the web, in magazines, other books, etc. While I disagree with a few of her tidbits (for example, she says not to 'blush' your chin and cheeks and I find that a little well-placed blusher adds a nice glow), she does have good advice for teens wanting to start wearing makeup and for shaping eyebrows, among other topics. I also find the color photos of her step-by-step makeup application more than a little scary-looking; I'm not sure if it's the lighting or what, but she looks much better on the book's cover.

I found the chapters on skincare to be the most helpful, since I've learned that it's easier to learn makeup application than to learn how to take care of your skin correctly, and because skin care products seems to be the area in which most women fall for false claims and spend too much money. Her advice on BHAs and cleansers (combined with her recommendations in 'Don't Go') have resulted in improved skin for myself and my husband. I do think she needs to revise the section on skin types, as I don't fit into any of the categories she mentioned (her definition of combination skin is the typical 'oily t-zone, dry cheeks and jaw'; I have an oily jawline and cheeks and dry skin everywhere else).

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Homework Done, February 3, 2000

By 

Andrea Egger, author of Grave Accusations (Gallup, NM USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Beauty Bible: From Acne to Wrinkles and Everything in Between (Paperback)

Every woman should own this book, written by a consumer reporter who has nothing to gain from the cosmetics industry in response to her book. At least, nothing positive to gain from the field! She's had her share of nasty letters from cosmetic companies that want to sell women (and men) a lot of bunk based on sex appeal and fear of looking too old, too young, too wrinkled, having too many blemishes, not being sexy enough ... the list goes on! Paula offers knowledge that beauty does not come in a bottle. I love her advice on taking care of skin. I wish I had this book when I was in my teen years and I tortured my skin because of my acne. I've always had acne, even into my adult years, but listening to her advice has helped reduce breakouts. Her extensive research saves us all the trouble of trying to find out if the "fad" facial cures work -- I wouldn't have known about AHAs and BHAs without this book, and I certainly wouldn't know why and how to use them. She saves millions of women lots of money!

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource for smart approaches to skin care., August 28, 1999

By 

[e-mail] Inge wolf (Dunellen, NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Beauty Bible: From Acne to Wrinkles and Everything in Between (Paperback)

I was especially impressed with all the time Paula Begoun spends on adult acne-proned skin. I am forty years old with acne-proned skin, and I have tried every skin-care line out there, and spent hundreds of dollars, and nothing worked. Paula's book intellingently explains what causes acne, and the best products to use to treat it. It turns out the best products DON'T cost a small fortune, they're just simple (sometimes surprising!) products you can buy at any drugstore, NOT expensive department stores. The result has been a dramatic improvement in my skin. My acne has cleared up, and the overall texture of my skin is beautiful. The only drawback to the book is it can get a bit complicated & disjointed. I found I had to go back and read a few sections over a few times, and even took notes as I went along. But I found it to be worth the effort. Paula's done her homework, and has been good enough to pass her knowledge on to the public.