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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
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Extremely useful reference
I got Paula's 2003 edition in 2006, but was sorry that it was rather outdated and in that edition she said she wouldn't be doing another one. So I was happily surprised to find a brand new edition in Barnes & Noble, and after perusing it I plan to order it from Amazon. A few comments: Some reviewers claim Paula gives negative reviews to most product so she can push her own line. I don't agree with that. In fact, in the 2003 edition which I have, she includes descriptions of her products but decided not to even rate them. I think in the new edition she DOES rate them finally. As someone who has really been a makeup junkie, particularly with trying out skin care products, I found her descriptions and evaluations extremely useful. I have tried cheap products and very expensive ones, and have found things I loved in both categories. One thing I DO believe is that the highly expensive products cannot really justify the high price tags. My own experience has shown that more expensive is not necessarily better. And cheap isn't necessarily bad. My own favorite cleanser, discovered by accident many years ago, is Cetaphil, and Paula rates that one highly. I just ordered a bunch of Paula's own product samples, and from what I can tell from small samples, I like them a lot, particularly her concealers. None of them irritated my skin. I've had a lot of trouble with sensitivity and skin scrubs, so I'm anxious to try her AHA gels instead of using granular type scrubs. By the way, the information on her website is useful and her lectures are interesting. Paula knows a lot and she has been studying and evaluating skin care for a long time. This book represents an enormous compilation of work, and there is nothing else like it out there. You may not agree with all of her opinions (for example, although I had hoped I wouldn't like it, I really do like Creme de la Mer despite its outrageous price, and I've found it soothing to my skin when it is in a reddish, upset state. I'd like to find a cheap clone of it, but thus far have not found one). The point is, you can use her reviews as a starting place for your cosmetics purchases. The fact is, cosmetics companies really do take advantage of us all and our desire to look good. I think we'd all admit that there are some truly outrageous prices out there, and after years of trying things, I have to admit I haven't found any miracles yet. It's a full circle, and I'm back to the point of trying to find products to cleanse and moisturize without irritating my skin. Nothing fancy is really needed. One interesting thing Paula provides is information where there is huge product overlap (example: all Olay's lines, with older ones now being cheaper and the newest ones costing quite a bit more. Yet, considering their ingredients, there is no real difference between them....you just pay more for the newer ones!!). All the beauty magazines feature various products (obviously "paid" by cosmetic companies to do so), and it's nice to find out more details about what these "really" are. In short, this is a great and very useful book if you approach it with the right attitude. For products I like, it's nice to learn exactly what component of the products creates the effect I like, too.
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My wife loves it.
My wife has sensitive skin. She has bad reactions to lots of products. This book has helped her find products that help, rather than hurt, her skin.
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A valuable resource
I checked this book out of the library over and over again and finally broke down and purchased it from Amazon. I am constantly referring to this book when interested in purchasing makeup or skin care products. The information is honest and the product listings are extensive from high end to more affordable products.
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Worth the price
I got this for about $20 and it has certainly already saved me at least that much on products that I generally would have bought and then not used. I think that this is great and I don't even use that much makeup.
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Great book
Received the book in said time. Book in excellent condition. A worthy read for anyone who purchases make-up on any level.
