Cosmetic Cop

From LoveToKnow Makeup

Paula Begoun is the Cosmetic Cop. The former makeup artist has done extensive research pertaining to cosmetics and skin care, and has over twenty five years experience in the beauty industry. She is the author of several beauty books, including: Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me, Blue Eyeshadow Should Be Illegal, The Beauty Bible, and Don't Go Shopping for Hair-Care Products Without Me. Paula also created her own cosmetics and skin care line, Paula's Choice, which avoids unnecessary agents and uses high quality ingredients that are beneficial to the skin.

Paula Begoun talks makeup with LTK.

Paula has received incredible acclaim for her work, and has appeared on CNN, Oprah, The Today Show, 20/20, Dateline NBC, The View, and Primetime. Paula is committed to offering tips, information, and reviews on her website CosmeticsCop.com, the latest information on cosmetics and the beauty industry in her newsletter, The Cosmetics Counter Update, and has worked on six updated editions to date of her best selling Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me. Despite her busy schedule, Paula readily agreed to take the time to answer LoveToKnow's questions about how to look your best this holiday season and every day!

Becoming the Cosmetic Cop

Gel Eyeliner from Paula's Choice.

LoveToKnow (LTK): Dear Paula, you suffered from acne in your younger years and worked as a makeup artist in your early career. Was there any "light bulb” moment of inspiration when you knew you wanted t to establish Cosmetics Cop" and your makeup line "Paula's Choice" or did it grow naturally out of your experiences?

Paula Begoun (PB): I had lots of light bulb moments. Definitely after 15 years of analyzing and reviewing hundreds of cosmetics lines and thousands upon thousands of skin-care and makeup products, the drive to create my own seemed like a natural extension of my work (sort of like when an actor wants to direct their own movie). I had been continually frustrated by the endless array of poorly formulated products or truly problematic products. In addition, even when I did find products that met my criteria for great performance they often fell short in other ways.

For example, many products I otherwise liked contained fragrance (a major cause of skin irritation), coloring agents, problematic preservatives, irritating or sensitizing plant extracts, or packaging that wouldn’t keep the formula stable. More often then not, regardless of the product category, the vast majority of products are just absurdly overpriced and those endless claims, those terrible, misleading, deceptive claims, I could just scream!

I also received a lot of pressure from family and friends, who wanted me to create something that exactly met my criterion for state of the art products. Perhaps the most significant was a letter I got from my sister, who wrote me (one sentence, all caps, sent via Fed Ex) saying: YOU’VE GOT TO MAKE YOUR OWN PRODUCTS AND MAKE MY LIFE EASIER!

Holiday Makeup Tips from Paula

Liquid Diamonds Lip Gloss

Making a Splash

LTK: You offer a comprehensive makeup line that is created to be healthy for your skin and reasonably priced. Are there any specific items you would recommend for women looking for a bit of' 'splash' to their makeup for the holidays?

PB: I love my two shades of red lipsticks, Celebrity Red and Red Carpet Red! But also because shine is just so wonderful in the evening, my Liquid Diamonds High Shine Lip Gloss works beautifully.

Gorgeous Eyes

LTK: Eye makeup is often used to create a great new look for evenings out around the holidays. What colors of your shadow and liner are most popular this season?

PB: A quick flip through any magazine, or a walk along any makeup counter showcases perfectly that anything goes as long as it looks gorgeous. Smoky eyes, charcoal brown or Graphite with our dramatic Constant Color Gel Eye Liner in Earthen, Onyx or Nightfall are some of our favorites.

Concealing Dark Circles

LTK: You are an advocate for healthy skin - in addition to a good skin care routine, what beauty secrets can help a woman look her best during the busy holiday season? Specifically, what do you suggest for dark/under eye circles or shadows?

For shadows/dark circles Paula suggests:

  • Using matte concealor to cover dark shadows.
  • Use a concealor that's light enough to cover the shadows, but not too light as to create a white 'mask' around the eye.
  • Avoid greasy eyeliner and mascara that can be easily smudged (which can exaggerate the darkness).
  • Use only a small amount of powder to accent under the eye, or none at all.

Paula offers more on this topic in her Cosmetic Cop article on 'Dark Circles'.

Five Minute Makeup

LTK: If a woman has five minutes to do her makeup, what basics do you suggest that will make her look polished in minimal time?

PB: Concealer, foundation, blush, lipstick, and mascara! That will get a woman through just about anything in no more then 5 minutes!

Best Travel Beauty Bag

LTK: You have several different types of cosmetic bags available on your site. Which style would you recommend using for traveling to keep your cosmetics in top shape?

PB: My Clutch Makeup Bag is the favorite. Women order these repeatedly because they are so convenient for the new travel restrictions.

Paula's Future Endeavors

A New Venture: Beautypedia.com

LTK: Your new site, www.Beautypedia.com is set to launch in January 2008 (by subscription) and will include your book Don't Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me in its entirety. What prompted you to go into this venture?

PB: I cannot tell you how excited I am to get Beautypedia.com up and running! Rather than waiting for new product reviews in my bi-monthly newsletter or a new book to come out, Beautypedia.com will keep you updated in real time! You’ll be better informed than ever before. Subscribing to Beautypedia.com will give you access to over 35,000 product reviews, full ingredient lists of every skin care product reviewed, plus the latest skin-care research. And new product reviews will be added regularly.

You will also find Dear Paula questions & answers, recent industry news, and a “Beauty Lounge” community forum where you can become part of a growing global network of cosmetics cops!

New Edition of Don't Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me

LTK: Is there anything you'd like to add about your cosmetics line, other products, website, or books?

PB: The completely revised and updated 7th edition of my best-selling book Don’t Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me will be available for purchase in January 2008! We are currently taking pre-orders on my web site, www.CosmeticsCop.com.

Thank You, Paula Begoun!

Thanks to Paula Begoun for sharing her time, insight, and advice for this interview.

For more about Paula Begoun, to buy her cosmetics or skin care products, or to get great information and reviews on cosmetics, visit her sites:

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Comments

Hi Eleanor,

Good question! Usually, folks use toner to ensure that all traces of makeup and cleanser are removed from the face (since anything left behind can cause a breakout). However, this is not a necessary step. Thanks for the questions

-- Contributed by: Jacqueline Dautaj

what is the purpose of a toner?

-- Contributed by: Eleanor

Hi Jennifer,

That's a great question! Please visit one of Ms. Begoun's sites (under "Thank You...") and see if you can post your question there. This way, Ms. Begoun can answer you directly. Thanks for the question!

-- Contributed by: Jacqueline Dautaj
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