The Original Beauty Bible: Skin Care Facts for Ageless Beauty [Paperback]

Paula Begoun (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2, 2009

The all-new third edition of The Original Beauty Bible is Paula Begoun’s most comprehensive book yet. Exhaustively researched, this refreshingly honest guide cuts through marketing hype to educate consumers on all aspects of beauty, including how to assemble a state-of-the-art skin-care routine, choose a cosmetic surgeon, and apply makeup like a pro. It provides the latest research and information on every imaginable cosmetic innovation, with a special emphasis on skin-care ingredients, and explains the pros and cons of all types of cosmetic surgery and corrective procedures in an engaging, easy-to-understand style. Covering the most critical topics in beauty in a factual, no-holds-barred manner, and packed with money-saving tips, The Original Beauty Bible affirms Begoun’s reputation as “The Ralph Nader of Rouge.” For readers of all ages, it’s the ultimate guide to smart beauty.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Paula Begoun has been reporting on the beauty industry for more than 25 years. She is an internationally-recognized authority as a consumer advocate for the cosmetics and hair-care industries, and is called on regularly by reporters and producers from television, magazines, and radio. Paula has appeared on hundreds of US talk shows including Oprah, 20/20, the Today Show, and Good Morning America. Paula Begoun is recognized by women all over the world as the most reliable source for answers to all of their beauty-related questions. She lives in Seattle, USA.

Product Details

• Paperback: 500 pages
• Publisher: Beginning Press; Third Edition edition (June 2, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1877988332
• ISBN-13: 978-1877988332
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #112,926 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good but not great., December 2, 2009

By 

Lynne Matsuda - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Original Beauty Bible: Skin Care Facts for Ageless Beauty (Paperback)

The information presented seems very complete. However, how anyone can write a guide such as this and leave out an index is beyond me. Finding the information for which I am looking is hit or miss since the index is nonexistent. I shouldn't have to go page by page through this large book to find the specific facts and products I need.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed, January 22, 2010

By 

P. Beavers - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Original Beauty Bible: Skin Care Facts for Ageless Beauty (Paperback)

The book covers myriad topics and is written in a "chatty" style. This book purports to be such an all encompassing and knowledgeable reference book as to be the "Bible" for the topic. Well, unless it is the Bible of a religion, it needs an index. The author's failure to provide an index coupled with her "chatty" style, makes finding information on a specific condition, ingredient, technology, procedure, solution, whatever -- mind numbing.

Heavy throughout the text -- a shameless hawking of the author's subscription website, other books she has written, and her line of skin care products. A dizzying number of times the author points to one of her other books as a must read to learn product recommendations. There is an embarrassing incidence of the author recommending her skin care products as opposed to rival products - sometimes as much as 3:1. Oh dear! Both authors Dr. Nicholas Perricone, brilliant for groundbreaking anti-aging products and Dr. Susan Taylor, world renowned for her lead in treating skin of color, graciously point to other products with sensitivity to budget. So, Paula Begoun certainly has models.

There appears to be a shortfall in knowledge about skin of color. Or, perhaps it is that the proper level of guidance and warning regarding care is missing. The price many people of color pay for treating our skin incorrectly, using the wrong product, even having a pimple or mosquito bite, et al is hyperpigmentation (excessive pigment) or perhaps unleashing a keloid (excessive tissue repair). For example, when the author speaks of avoiding manually abrasive exfoliation she should add -- for reader's darker than George Hamilton -- the results could be a flat dark scar (hyperpigmentation) or raised fibrous scar (keloid). Also, I did not see keloid covered in the book. Shaving is perilous for those with the trait as is any cut, scrap, bite, incision. An index would confirm if the author did or did not cover keloid. But, alas, no index.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great handbook of unique information..., October 4, 2009

By 

Anncamas (Camas, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Original Beauty Bible: Skin Care Facts for Ageless Beauty (Paperback)

I recently checked out Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me from the library and while I don't always agree with her opinions find it a great resource for sensitive skin and rosacea. Will either purchase the 09 version coming out in December or her online subscription. Back to this book; product reviews are limited to summaries of each categories "best" leaving most of the book to detailed information about almost ever area imaginable of skin and body care. It's the first place I ever heard the term "Ocular Rosacea" although I have researched a fair amount about vascular (comes and goes on face). It amazed me that despite have expressed my concerns about super dry, red, and irritated eyes for years to dermatologists, allergy doctors, ophthalmologists, and opticians (in three states having moved), none ever considered this. So I had to bring it up last week at the dermatologist who wrote out a prescription for a simple antibiotic which has really helped...Goes to show even Google has its limitations : ) So Thank you Paula!