Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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).

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!

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.

Finally, a book about beauty that presumes women are halfway intelligent. Paula Begoun is not a model. She's not hawking a make-up line. She just gives you the facts about ingredients -- what works, what's hype. Read this book and you'll save your money and your skin. (The hint about using baking soda and Cetaphil to exfoliate, followed by hydrogen peroxide as a toner is worth the price of the book.)

Some reviewers have mentioned that this book is just a rehash of Paula's other book, _Blue Eyeshadow Should be Illegal_. That is somewhat true because technically _The Beauty Bible_ is a revised/updated version of that book, just with a new name. The name change reflects the fact that, in addition to having information on cosmetics and skin care for the face, it has information on body care as well. So if you already have _Blue Eyeshadow_ you may not be interested in this book, since large parts of _The Beauty Bible_ are similar to it.

That said, I think this is a wonderful book. Paula explains why fashion magazines will never give an honest critique of beauty products (they can't say anything negative and risk angering the cosmetics companies who advertise in their pages). She explains how most moisturizers are the same, and how any claims that they can lift, firm, or tone the skin are a bunch of BS. She explains why so-called "botanicals" or "natural" products have no special benefits for the skin and are only used as a marketing strategy to make products seem more interesting or glamorous. (By the time the "natural" elements are extracted and bottled, there is hardly anything "natural" left in them.) She explains how toners/astringents and most products that supposedly help acne contain extremely irritating ingredients that can make your pimples worse. She also includes a lot of information on skincare and makeup application. I didn't always agree with her opinions about makeup, but it's still refreshing to see someone willing to speak out against the downright dishonest claims made by cosmetics companies, and to educate us consumers. Every woman who uses cosmetics or skincare products should read this book, as well as _Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me_. These two books will pay for themselves when they save you time and money. You'll learn to be a smart consumer and see right through the marketing hype and ridiculous claims that the cosmetics companies would have you believe.

I'm a woman about to turn 30 and I am suddenly worried about my skin, wearing makeup, etc. Being completely ignorant about these matters I decided to pick up a book on it.

While the title "Beauty Bible" is a bit misleading, it is jam-packed with well-written information focused mainly on skin care, followed by makeup. This won't tell you anything about exercise, healthy diet, etc. which are also essential components of beauty. It will dispel so many skincare myths and point you in the right direction. I am really enjoying reading it.

For those of you who love reading exposes on various industries, this is an excellent book on how the cosmetics industry separates women from their money! You will be innoculated to all the hype the cosmetics companies throw at you.

Of course I have to point out that Paula puts herself in that place (taking your money) - if you go to her website you can buy her skincare and makeup products (among other things) and a subscription to her newsletter. However if anyone's going to make money off of me, it might as well be a well-meaning businesswoman on her crusade for cosmetic truth, and not a heartless corporation that bases its products on marketing instead of effectiveness.

Thanks to this book I will never again fall for the sales pitch ("even oily skin needs moisturiser") or marketing strategy ("developed by such and such famous doctor/dermatologist/scientist") skin care companies use. All I can say is I wish I bought this book sooner - it is worth its weight in gold.

Yes, it is true that there's no such thing as a miracle beauty product, and there's just no point on wasting your money in slick, pretty-packaged stuff that claims to be the solution to any problem you have. I only wish someone had told me that before. Anyway, better late than never. I found Ms. Begoun's advice most useful, although she focuses a bit too much on the age 40 plus group. The research she has made in beauty products is very thorough and informative, although the colors she recommends are a bit too drab for my taste, but then, I'm nineteen, so I can still get away with green nail polish and body glitter now and then. Thank you Paula, for helping me save my hard-earned bucks instead of throwing them away in hope-in-a-bottle scams.

The Beauty Bible is the first book I've come across that explains skin types in more than just the usual 'oily, dry, combo, acne-prone' categories. Begoun gives straightforward, in-depth advice on sun protection, skincare routines to combat acne, hydroxy acids and much more. Her smart advice will save consumers money and her skincare plan can be used by women of just about every skin type you can imagine. The makeup application instructions are the most detailed I've ever seen. She even touches on subjects such as teens and makeup, cosmetic surgery and permanent makeup, all with a common-sense attitude.

I just finished (and LOVED) Paula's other book, Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me, and this book is just as awesome. The Beauty Bible gives you all the basics that you need to know to take good care of your skin and create a natural look with your makeup. Some of her advice is just common sense but Paula's language is fun to read and easy to follow. She gives sensible, understandable answers to all kinds of skin care and makeup questions. I learned more from this book than any other beauty book I've ever purchased.