Beautypedia.com is the expanded online version of my Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me book. The key differences between the Web site and the book are that Beautypedia.com includes all the reviews from the book plus an additional 100 product lines that I couldn’t fit in the book. It also has weekly updates with new reviews of current product launches and new product lines. Beautypedia.com is not only practical, it is the perfect way to stay informed and ahead of the cosmetics industry. Beautypedia.com keeps perfect time with the ever-changing face of the cosmetics industry. To find out how to subscribe click here.
One question we frequently get is from people wanting to know how Beautypedia.com differs from my book Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me or if the reviews on Beautypedia.com are different from the reviews available on Cosmeticscop.com? Those are great questions and here are the answers:
Beautypedia.com has:
- Ongoing updates of new product launches and new product lines
- Reviews of hair care lines are included
- Current ingredient research is added
- Every two weeks we send out a Beautypedia Bulletin so you can see all the new product reviews that have been added to the site.
My team’s passion for accurate, current information helps keep you better informed than ever before—and no more waiting for another book to be published or for a newsletter to arrive in your mailbox every couple of months.
Some of my readers want to know why I am now charging for reviews I used to provide for free on my Cosmeticscop.com Web site. Please allow me to clarify this issue: there will always be some free reviews on Cosmeticscop.com but the work it takes to maintain Beautypedia.com as an extension of the book is what gives that resource value. The bottom line is that nothing has changed except for the better: subscribers to Beautypedia enjoy immediate access to my most extensive, current selection of thousands of product reviews based on our extensive research and evaluation process. Those who visit my Cosmeticscop.com site will continue to see a selection of free reviews.
So who’s the perfect candidate for Beautypedia? Anyone interested in finding the best products for their money, and anyone interested in expert reviews based on professional experience and solid science rather than hyperbole and anecdotal use. Is Beautypedia for the cosmetics novice? For the beauty addict? Yes to both questions! Whether you’re exploring the world of skin care and makeup for the first time or can name every shade of M.A.C. lipstick you’ve ever tried, a subscription to Beautypedia.com will save you money and direct you to the best products for your needs.
What about the other Web sites that offer product reviews without a subscription? Although they can be a good resource for some, they simply cannot compare to the breadth of information on Beautypedia. My team and I have decades of experience in the cosmetics industry and our methodology for reviewing products is different from just about anyone else. We base our reviews on published, peer-reviewed studies that determine what cosmetic ingredients can and can’t do, we compare expensive to inexpensive products from a formulary and packaging standpoint, and we have access to insider sources in the fields of dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, marketing, and other critical areas.
With Beautypedia, you’re getting the real deal supported by information (on and off the record) that you’ll find invaluable. If you follow even a small portion of the information on Beautypedia.com I guarantee your skin and budget will feel and look better than ever before. For more information, please visit Beautypedia. Be sure to sign up via email for my Beautypedia Bulletin so you’re kept in the loop about all of the latest reviews added to this exciting database.
 TIGI Bed Head Control Freak Shampoo ($10.96 for 13.5 ounces).
This is a fairly standard shampoo that contains enough film-forming ingredients so that it is more of a volumizing shampoo for someone with fine or thin hair; however, that can cause buildup so it’s best to alternate this with a shampoo that does not contain conditioners or volumizing ingredients. Absolutely nothing about this shampoo can “stomp the curl and fight the frizz”- you need a good conditioner, styling products, and styling tools (e.g., blow dryers, flat irons) for those purposes
 $$$ SKINCEUTICALS A.G.E Interrupter ($150.00 for 1.70 ounces).
The A.G.E. in this product’s name refers to advanced glycation end-products (AGE), which are not good for the body or the skin. AGEs are formed by the body’s major fuel source, namely glucose. This simple sugar is essential for energy, but it also binds strongly to proteins (the body’s fundamental building blocks), forming abnormal structures—AGEs—that progressively damage tissue elasticity. Once generated, AGEs begin a process that prevents many systems from behaving normally by literally causing tissue to cross-link and become hardened (Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, March 14, 2000, pages 2809–2813).
SkinCeuticals’ theory is that by breaking these AGE bonds you can undo or stop the damage they cause. AGEs and free-radical damage may be inextricably linked (Sources: European Journal of Neuroscience, December 2001, page 1961; and Neuroscience Letters, October 2001, pages 29–32), but none of the studies indicate that there are any substances that can be included in skin-care products to affect this process.
Specific to this product, the only ingredient it contains that is known to inhibit the formation of AGEs in skin is one that L’Oreal did the research on. Because L’Oreal owns SkinCeuticals, this research can hardly be considered impartial. Surprisingly, the blueberry extract L’Oreal used in this study (and in this product) did not fare as well as aminoguanidine, another ingredient known to inhibit AGEs (Source: Experimental Gerontology, June 2008, pages 584–588). Knowing this, why would you want to purchase this SkinCeuticals product when the parent company’s own research shows that what they’re including to inhibit AGEs is not as effective as another ingredient that they didn’t include?
If anything, this product is a big step backwards for SkinCeuticals. It’s mostly slip agents, silicones, and wax, plus the questionable AGE-inhibiting blueberry extract, although even if this extract could help, it won’t remain potent for long thanks to the jar packaging (not to mention that there’s hardly any of it in this product). For $150, you have every right to expect a whole lot more than this no-better-than-average product provides.
 BIOELEMENTS V-Neck Smoothing Crème ($59.00 for 1.50 ounces).
Neck creases can become more pronounced with age and cumulative sun damage, and Bioelements is hoping you’ll buy (literally and figuratively) into their claim that this moisturizer is the way to a creaseless neck. The second listed ingredient is a peptide often present in works-like-Botox products because it is said to interrupt the signal pathway that causes muscles to contract. It doesn’t work as claimed (not even Botox works like Botox when applied topically rather than injected). The peptide likely contributes to making dry skin look and feel better, as do the basic emollients in this moisturizer. Just to be clear, using this product won’t change one fold in your neck.
Alpha arbutin is on hand for its role in helping to lighten discolorations. Although an appreciable amount is present, the jar packaging won’t keep it stable long enough for results to become reality. In addition, outside of the crease-reduction and freckle-fading claims is the fact that this product contains several potent fragrant oils. Ironically, one of the oils (lemon) is known to cause a phototoxic reaction when skin is exposed to sunlight (Source: www.naturaldatabase.com). That is not what you want from any product, but especially not from one that’s supposed to fade sun-induced discolorations. What were the people behind this product thinking?
For the latest new product reviews, reference Beautypedia.com, the completely searchable, continually updated version of my book, Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me. It features over 40,000 detailed product reviews for only $24.95/year.
Dear Paula,
I was wondering why some women say they get results from products you say don’t or cannot possibly work. Is it because the cosmetics companies' claims have been so exaggerated and farfetched that women are beginning to experience mind-over-matter and are actually seeing their wrinkles "diminish" in some way? I don't know how that works but I've been on the Web site Epinions.com (that's where I get feedback from other women on horrible products) and other beauty forums where women share their experience with skin-care products. To my surprise, many women say that different anti-wrinkle products work. How can that be?
By the way, thank you for your work. I hope that you continue to prevent women worldwide from damaging their skin by using harmful skin-care products and routines.
Eva, via e-mail
Dear Eva,
The reason some women feel they get benefit from products when they are not well formulated is generally due to one of the following: 1. The product the woman was using previously was terrible and made her skin look bad, and now the new product, though not great, is still better and therefore makes skin look (or feel) better. 2. The placebo response is very strong and occurs a lot in skin care. Women want their new purchase to work (even more so if it was expensive or endorsed by a celebrity) and thus they often experience or perceive a benefit where none really exists. 3. Sometimes, for some unknown reason, a product works for a woman’s skin type and there is no explanation for this, even though the product contains problematic ingredients or lacks any beneficial ingredients. 4. Women can think their skin looks better even when it doesn’t. For example, many women like the feel of steaming their skin, tanning, or using harsh products that leave skin “squeaky clean”, and none of that, at least from a professional, researched perspective, makes your skin look better, but from their viewpoint, it does. You need to take such comments with a bit of skepticism until you experience the same for yourself. I can’t guarantee that you will, especially if you’re considering a product that research hasn’t shown is beneficial for wrinkles, but you may indeed see gradual improvement in wrinkles from using well-formulated, gentle skin-care products and being diligent about protecting skin from sun exposure.
Expert Reviews, Beautiful Results
Looking for more product reviews? Below is a sampling of new product reviews at Beautypedia.com:
- Frederic Fekkai Hair Care
- Prescriptives Motor-Eyes Instant Action Mascara
- Neutrogena Ultimate Sport Sunblack Spray SPF 55
- Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Day Lotion SPF 15
- Dr. Brandt Anti-Irritant Comforting Cleanser
Access over 40,000 reviews at Paula Begoun's Beautypedia.com for only $24.95/year
|
