RSSBOOK REVIEW : DON’T GO TO THE COSMETICS COUNTER WITHOUT ME, PART 2
January 24, 2008
You can find Part 1 of the review for this book here.
By the B’s, I’m angry
I’m not angry at the exaggerated claims. I’m used to ignoring that.
I’m not angry at the inflated prices. If you agree to take the saleswoman’s word, without accessing this totally available information, it’s your own fault.
I am infuriated at claims on products made for children that are deceitful by omission. Banana Boat, Coppertone, and other companies that we turn to protect the skin of children make a number of products without UVA protection (see why this matters in The 28 Sun Facts You Must Know).
In Banana Boat’s Babies/Kids and Sport arsenals, 18 products are reviewed. Care to know how many contain both UVA and UVB protection, without chemicals that may irritate or sensitize the skin? 6.
I guess one could become informed about which ingredients provide true protection from UVA rays. There are only 5 after all. It is still shameful that they endanger children for profit. I hope they’re buying another company’s product for their own children.
Do I always agree? Of course not.
I have never disagreed with a review about the skin care. It will perform exactly as Paula says. Some of you will differ on some items. No one is expected to always agree. On the whole, you will still learn and save big money.
When it comes to makeup, no two women alive will have exactly the same opinion about application. It’s not a reflection of the quality, just what you prefer. For example, Paula likes truly matte and long-wearing lipstick. I can’t stand the stuff. I will never buy it again. No big deal.
She’s more generous in her opinion of concealers than I would be. You will figure this out, not by buying new things and regretting it, but by comparing the reviews to products you’ve owned and what you thought of them.
The reviews are completely objective. If the mascara clumps or is too runny to do anything, if the cleanser leaves a film, it will be that way on anyone. You can filter out what you personally don’t like without difficulty.
Better than reality TV
When I’m feeling really contrary, it’s fun to go to Amazon.com’s book reviews and see the attacks on Paula’s credibility, mixed in amongst the great reviews. Anything that stirs up that kind of heat is usually good. It’s the material that doesn’t get any reaction that tends to be the dud.
The silliest comments are the ones that say her findings are not backed by good research or that research in general cannot reflect the efficacy of a product. In fact, she quotes from highly respected journals and publications in the field of skin and cosmetic research. And without independent research, how are you going to know what truly works? Certainly not from the company that made it.
Paula is not a trained biochemist, but this never seems to be a grievance when biochemists join the discussion. If a person cannot learn, grow, in a very real and reliable way, then every single one of us is in trouble. We’re all stuck as no more than what we are right now. That, I can’t live with.
It’s important to understand how significant the words independent study are. They are crucial. If the only research to back a claim for a product comes from those that manufactured it, its relevance is in doubt until it’s confirmed by a third party with no interest in the product. So don’t buy that stuff.
Of course it’s hard to find this material. They make it this way for a reason. Besides, who has time to go looking for it? Well, here’s a place where the research and its interpretation are all done for you.
Some will say her reviews are too negative. That interests me because I think the reviews are too positive, and probably an attempt to be very objective. No company makes ONLY great products or ONLY awful products (well, actually, a few do). You just need to know which are which.
Paula’s Choice Body Mist
Paula’s Choice : skin care
Paula’s Select : makeup
One of the most common platforms for criticism is that her opinions are invalid because she produces her own line of products. Seems to me her own line would be a natural spin-off of what she knows and has seen over the years. In any event, not liking her products, or the fact that she sells them, does not invalidate her reviews.
If you want women to have access to the best of the best and the industry doesn’t make it, why wouldn’t you? And I would hope you’d rate your own products with the highest rating you could give; if you couldn’t, why bother making them?
Is there anyone else out there that openly recommends other companies’ products? Can you name one? I can’t. Whatever conflict of interest might exist in making and reviewing her own products is neutralized by the fact that the products of others are equally strongly recommended.
Empowering women with the truth
I’m not saying to stop buying Clinique. If you want to buy that cream from the Avon lady you’ve known for years, go ahead. What I’m saying is to get informed about them and then buy their products. If Clinique or the Avon lady or anyone else has an issue with that, then you should think seriously about putting your money down at that counter. Any belief system that cannot be challenged is dangerous.
If you don’t want to buy the book, then check out www.beautypedia.com. For $25, or half that if you buy the book, you get online access to everything in the book and a year’s worth of updates on all the new stuff. Either way, you come out on top.
Considering the markup in cosmetic marketing, you’ll get back the cost of the book within 3 purchases of just about anything.
Comments
7 Responses to “BOOK REVIEW : DON’T GO TO THE COSMETICS COUNTER WITHOUT ME, PART 2”
Got something to say? I hope so.
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A Greener Tea
Web Maintenence by Rick Beckman
Thank you for the thoughtful, analytical, and personal review of this book! Between this title and assembling Beautypedia, Paula and her team spent over two years researching, compiling, and writing our findings. The goal is to help consumers make informed decisions, and we hope readers of the book and those who subscribe to Beautypedia will find that goal fulfilled.
Hi, Bryan,
I can tell you that you’ve certainly met (and continue to meet) your goals where this consumer, and many others I know, are concerned.
Your work has saved me more money than I can tell you and allowed me to shop with confidence.
You have my admiration for your dedication and for the quality of your (and Paula’s) work.
I have to tell all of you out there…PAULA KNOWS HER STUFF!! I have been battling the pre-menopausal skin (You know, red blotchy skin with the extra added pimple or 2 for fun that won’t go away! Especially when you have a big function or high school reunion and want to look your best!) for years. I have spent so much money on spas and facials I could have redone my kitchen twice. I discovered Paula’s web site and ordered according to her recommendations. My skin has NEVER looked this good. And I paid the same for the entire line as I would have for 1/2 a product before! And, it came right to my door! Yaaa
Take a look……..It’s worth your time!
You are so right, Jody.
I discovered Paula’s products 10 years ago. I do not believe there is a line out there that could make my skin look better. My children each have their own selection of products now. Think of how we’d look if we’d known then what we know now !
Love the comment about redoing your kitchen twice. The sad thing is, it’s not an exaggeration. That’s the kind of money we’re talking here. I’ve been there myself.
I have been reading her books, newsletters and her new online website since at least 1990. I cannot tell you how much money, time, and effort she’s saved me with everything she knows. She’s liked matte, makeup and eye shadows forever and like you, I don’t. So what? I can read for myself and make a good decision on what I want based on her extensive knowledge that has grown over the years. She is always, always backing up her information with reliable, independent research and let’s you know who’s upfront with her about their products and who isn’t.
As far as her product line goes, I agree with you it was a natural evolution of her work. Nothing was out there that suited what she felt women needed, so she made it herself. Good for her - and if I remember correctly, my feeling is that it was also based on the overwhelming demand of women who were reading her books who wanted one place to buy the best possible products for themselves without all the hype, marketing and outright falsehoods that are so prevalent in the makeup industry.
I’ve loved what she’s done for the past 18 years and hope she’s around to give us many more of the same.
Thanks for the great website, I’ll be back to visit again soon!
Hey, Kim,
High five to every word you said.
Though I don’t know Paula, I’m still very happy for her that her incredible passion and hard work have survived to finally be recognized as they deserve to be.
I also love that the size of her company makes it so much more flexible and able to listen to and respond to real women, in ways that the huge conglomerates never will.