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: 5.9 x 0.7 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #72,477 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful

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

By Lynne Matsuda

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

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.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Insightful, could be better organized May 16, 2010

By Fortune R. Elkins

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'd heard vaguely of Paula over the years in women's magazines but had never read any of her books. I had the general impression that she was a crusader for truth in beauty advertising. This February I asked an acquaintance of mine what cleanser she used with her Clarisonic face brush because her skin looked great. She told me she used Paula's products. I didn't know Paula had a line of products or books at all! My acquaintance urged me to read this book, saying it had completely changed her beauty outlook.

I purchased the Kindle edition for my Mac, which was easy and pleasant to read on the screen. However I will echo others' calls for an index.

Paula's tone is chatty, but also no-nonsense, like a stern aunt. She relies mostly on peer-reviewed research whenever possible, and tries to explain such research in simple English. Maybe sometimes she simplifies things too much, but overall it's a pretty good approach geared to everywoman. She will recommend other companies' products besides her own, but of course she does mention her own frequently.

Altho' I thought myself a canny beauty consumer, Paula did surprise me a few times, and I confess I learned some important things. For many years I had used witch hazel as a toner to stop my sensitive skin from itching. She explained that witch hazel is actually also an irritant, but stops itching by causing a slight distractive itching that fools the nerves. She argued that the witch hazel was only continuing the irritation in the long run.

It was hard to give up my witch hazel, but I confess that after 3 weeks, much of redness did go away for the first time in many years.... Also, I love the scent of lavender, but Paula pointed me to peer-reviewed research showing that in the test tube, lavender oil had actually been proven to kill skin cells, thus harming the natural skin barrier and causing senstivity. I was shocked, but did use the internet to find the study and was convinced.

Now I've stopped using lavender products, and again, I have to confess that after 6 weeks without any lavender products, my skin does seem less sensitive. I do wish however she spent more time on rosacea and couperose, though.

Not that I would say Paula's perfect. Her makeup advice and approach seems stuck in the early 1990s "matte & nude" period. Also her section on lasers, cosmetic fillers and Botox could be more in-depth and up-to-date. She doesn't go into enough detail on these, and doesn't mention all the downsides. She is honest and admits that she had some small complications with her own filler experience, however.

Also, she doesn't always take allergans and hormone-disrupters seriously enough. In many of her evaluations, she will say that a certain ingredient is regulated and certain products meet government standards. But of course there are legitimate questions as to whether the government standards are strict enough in light of recent science and if even these minimal regulations are adequately enforced. So sometimes I wish she were more skeptical on these points.

However I will say I was impressed enough with this book to sample Paula's products and to stop using lavender, witch hazel, and any alcohol. Her advice has really improved my skin, and her products are better than the "fancy" products than I was using - I must confess. Her advice is good for people with sensitive skin and I have to admit her products have helped mine at a cost much less than I used to pay. Read more ›

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed January 22, 2010

By P. Beavers

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

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. Read more ›

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful

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

By Anncamas

Format: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!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This book might change your skin December 14, 2009

By JAL

Format:Paperback

I wasn't going to write a review for this book, but thought I should in case anyone's thinking about whether or not to purchase/read this book. Go ahead and get it - someone in your family or a work friend will probably also get something out of it. I have found the book absolutely wonderful and interesting and informative about skin care. I saw dermatologists/naturopaths for years for a few different skin issues, but still felt unhelped, and am also interested, aside from those issues, on looking after my skin as I age. Paula's book has helpful and detailed chapters on pretty much every skin type and concern, with a sample of recommended skin care regimes and products she suggests for each skin type/concern. I've been able to cobble together a quite new skin care routine for myself, and am using an exfoliant she recommends (I don't care that it's from her own eponymous range - I've never found anything like it despite looking for something like this on the market for years and years). My skin has never been better. Particularly this book would suit a young person otherwise at the mercy of the skin care and cosmetic industry.