Customer Reviews

Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry

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Stacy Malkan bravely exposes the link between toxic ingredients in mass produced cosmetics to infertility and breast cancer. It is a call to action for people to join the grassroots movement that has been fighting for change. Malkan questions why the fight against breast cancer is focused on Curing those that have the disease rather than Preventing people from getting cancer in the first place. Numerous medical studies are cited throughout the book. Anyone who wears makeup should educate themselves about what chemicals are in the products they wear, this book gives the resources to do that. It also touts natural alternatives.

Selling skin whiteners, shampoos, lipstick and other products with potentially dangerous ingredients to youth all over the world continues an unfortunate corporate pattern of placing greed over safety and responsibility. Meanwhile, the problem is not just corporate decision-making. Too many consumers continue to accept cosmetic industry propaganda, ignoring the science that says that many of the products we are using to beautify ourselves are poisonous to us and to our offspring as well.

Stacy Malkan's book, "Not Just a Pretty Face," offers an insider's view of the five-year campaign by environmental and health groups to pressure the U.S. cosmetics industry to use safer ingredients. It is a fast read, but very well documented. And the best part is that it does not end by leaving us in a pool of anxiety, scared to touch even a bar of soap.

Readers are uplifted by stories of mothers who organized and fought back on behalf of their children, activists from Women's Voices for the Earth who dressed up as "Miss Treatment" to publicize their concerns, and San Francisco teenagers who wore prom dresses and combat boots at their "Project Prom" rally in Union Square to declare their war on toxic chemicals.

I'm going to order a copy for all of my cosmetics-obsessed younger relatives this holiday season, and you should, too. Even if the only products you use on a regular basis are deodorant and shampoo, you cannot afford to miss this expose on how toxins are hurting our health and the health of our offspring.

Now I have a rational reason why I don't like make-up and other cosmetics. I bought this to give my daughters the first time they come to me asking to wear make-up. The teens in this book are so bold - what a great way to learn independence and empowerment - the cause is real, they are the market, and they will change it. I hope by the time my daughters are actually old enough to buy these products, the market will have transformed and they won't need to worry about chemicals in their shampoos, nail polish, and blush. Get this for everyone you know, male, female, young or old to uncover what's behind the cosmetics industry push to be "pretty."

This book gives users of everyday products information, resources and tools to make informed decisions and motivation for smarter purchasing. It uncovers truths about the lack of regulation for items we apply to our faces, heads, and bodies. Yet it also provides inspiration for making changes at the checkout lines and at the policy level. The book shares the personal stories of consumers affected by undisclosed ingredients, researchers investigating the dangers, and the author herself, who once was a make-up diva, as they are faced with revelations of the beauty industry. It is the book for people wanting to protect their health, make safe choices, and be empowered to do something. It's an easy read and should be in the hands of every teen and adult in America.

Every woman should read, learn and act so they can protect themselves, their families and their friends. Stacy offers compelling incites into a business that could change if the market DEMANDED it to. We must learn from Stacy's experiences so we can change the way our products are manufactured and marketed.

First let me put my biases up front. I do not like the cosmetics industry. I do not like the petroleum industry and I certainly do not like the advertising industry.

Having said that, let me try and and provide a constructive review.

This is a book that proposes to expose the seedy underside of the cosmetics industry. It is very readable and "user friendly". I read it from cover to cover in just a few days and in every chapter learned/was repulsed by something new. Given my biases I do encourage readers to check out the provided sources to determine for themselves the veracity of the information (I did so and was convinced). However, be aware that this is not an unbiased perspective. The author has a definite point of view (which I happen to agree with) but still raise some interesting and important issues that are worthy of further consideration beyond the "preaching to the choir" crowd. It is a well written, entertaining read and encourages you to pause and think a moment without being overly preachy. My wife is now regularly visiting the database the author and the affiliated organization has set up and made self informed choices about makeup, sunscreens and other cosmetics. Not as a reactionary "go all natural" consumer but being able to make reasonable choices about products that work for her and possible alternatives that are less risky/carcinogenic.

I highly recommend this book.

I thought this book was simply shocking. I could not believe all of the controversy regarding carcinogenic chemicals in women's personal products! This book was very informative and gave a very good history and account of several women who have tried their hardest to wake up the cosmetic industry and try to force the industry to make healthier products not only for themselves but for their friends and family as well. However, this book doesn't give too much information regarding things you can do on your own and ingredients to avoid. The book suggests going to a website, cosmeticdatabase.com, to look at what your beauty products contain and try to pick healthier alternatives. However, I found the website slightly confusing and they ranked the products really weird. Even the products that they rank are the best, have huge data gaps and still contain bad ingredients. I personally have found better, healthier alternatives than some of the ones they say are the best. If you are looking for a book that tells you what to avoid and better alternatives, I suggest another book such as Julie Gabriel's. But if you are looking for a very passionate and inspirational book to get you in the "green" movement, then this is the book for you! I have to say that after reading this book, I felt very inspired to take control of my body and cosmetic products.

This book isn't just fascinating because of all the information it provides - it's also full of wonderful stories told with a very personal touch. It's easy to read, interesting, and a must-have for any woman who wants to understand how the cosmetics industry is impacting our health.

For an insider's look at the connections between women's rights, chemical pollution, and consumer safety, this book is a first-rate read!

This book presents, in a very readable and interesting format, some critical information that all women (and men) should have. It's not just about make-up. Cosmetics and toiletries include everyday items that virtually everyone uses, such as soap, shampoo, and deodorant.

While toxins in cosmetics can affect the health of people of all ages, I am particularly concerned that young women of child-bearing age find out how they can protect their unborn children by avoiding the worst toxins.

The book is not a "downer" with a depressing "be very afraid" message. Instead, it empowers us to protect ourselves and our loved ones by chooser safer cosmetics. Of course you can still use soap, shampoo, and makeup. You just need to choose safer alternatives to the toxic stuff that's out there.

I bought 12 copies of this book and gave one to all my young relatives for Christmas. After I gave one to my sister (who is a physician), she was so impressed that she gave copies to her relatives on her husband's side, too.

This is a slim little book but a must-read for anyone who uses soap, shampoo, deodorant, aftershave, makeup, etc.

A friend picked up this book to read with her older sister one day. Less than three monthes later, the pair started their own e-business called The Nature Of Beauty-- carrying all organic cosmetic lines. The truth, exposed in Not Just A Pretty Face shocked them, so they decided to fill the hole in the market for products that contain none of the chemicals mentioned in this book. She promptly gave this book to me to read after infoming me of her new business, and I finished it in one night! Not Just A Pretty Face is a very easy, "user-friendly" book to read, and is a must-read. After reading it, I looked at all of the labels on my cosmetics, and made a life-altering change to what I use. I urge all of you to read this book!