Don't Go Shopping for Hair Care Products Without Me [Paperback]

Paula Begoun (Author), Sigrid Asmus (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1999

With thousands of hair care products on supermarket, drugstore, and salon shelves, each with its own grandiose claims, consumers are understandably confused. In this new edition - with over 75 percent new material - the "Ralph Nader of rouge" applies her high standards to shampoos and conditioners, styling gels, mousses, hairsprays, dyes, and permanents, and also devotes a chapter to the concerns women of color may have, from relaxing techniques to braiding and weaving.

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Beginning Press; 2nd edition (November 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 187798826X
• ISBN-13: 978-1877988264
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,440,780 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

104 of 106 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Paula's reviews match my experiences with hair care products, October 2, 2002

By 

Groovy Vegan (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)   

This review is from: Don't Go Shopping for Hair Care Products Without Me (Paperback)

For years I purchased expensive salon shampoos touting moisturizing properties for dry hair, only to have them dry out my hair. Finally I stumbled across a shampoo for dry hair that along with its conditioner, not only doesn't dry out my hair but leaves it looking shining. If I had first consulted Paula Begoun's book, I would have save myself a lot of money and bad hair days! I looked up all those shampoos claiming to moisturize dry hair, and Paula writes that they can dry out hair. I looked up the shampoo that worked and Paula not only gives it a favorable review, she lists it in "The Best Products" chapter under "Dry to very dry scalp and hair of any thickness." I appreciate that her product reviews contain a smiley, frowning or neutral face for quick reference, price per volume, a listing of what's in the product, and a statement or 2 about product, often with a mention of the type of hair it will or will not work well with.

In addition to 362 pages of product reviews and a 62 page section listing the best products for shampooing, conditioning and styling all types of hair, 191 pages provide an education about hair and the hair care industry. Among the topics covered are: Common ingredients in shampoos and why they're there, scientific causes of bad hair days, hair care basics, perming hair, coloring hair, and many more as you can see in the index. I'm not a cosmetologist, but Paula's information basically agrees with what my trusted hair stylist tells me. Also, I appreciate that Paula devoted a chapter to animal testing and gives a 1999 list of companies that do and do not test on animals, along with a website for getting a more up-to-date.

I'm giving 4 stars because of my one reservation about buying the book: as new hair care products become available and old ones go off the market or change their formulas, this book becomes dated. My January 2000 edition is nearly 3 years old and already I couldn't find a new shampoo that I tried, although since she gave all the other shampoos in that line a good rating, I correctly assumed it was good. If you're considering buying this book, I recommend buying a recent edition, or checking Paula's website, cosmeticscop.com, and seeing if a new edition is forthcoming. Other than that one hesitation, I wholeheartly recommend this book to everyone who has hair!

58 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING AS HER COSMETICS BOOK!, September 9, 2000

By 

T. Reinhardt "olivia lee" (east coast) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Don't Go Shopping for Hair Care Products Without Me (Paperback)

I can't understand how she has the time for all this research but I am sure glad she does! This is a very helpful book especially with all the claims made by the hair care companies! Going thru this book trying to find a product that is good for your hair can be daunting sometimes because there are just SO many products reviewed! BUT if you take your time and go thru the book and look thru her suggestion,,, you will find a good product at a great price. Paula has a real issue with over-paying (G-d Bless her :O) This book has saved me mega-bucks trying everything new that promises to cure my frizzes! Well worth the money at twice the price!

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, a real money saver !, December 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Don't Go Shopping for Hair Care Products Without Me (Paperback)

This book is great! I am saving so much money now. She has sifted through all the hype from the hair care companies, and gives honest reviews. Because of this book, I can go into a beauty supply store, or drug store and actually buy something that works on my hair. Some people think that Paula is anti-salon products, but that is far from the truth. In this book, you will see that there are both good and bad salon products as well as good and bad drug store products. There are also many hair care tips in the book for keeping healthy hair. I can honestly say that my hair has never looked better. Thanks Paula!