If there's anything I learned from working in the beauty industry, except I didn't (learn this in the beauty industry - in fact, it's the industry's best kept dirty little secret), it's setting up my skin-care routine with Paula Begoun. I knew her from the Oprah Show years and years ago, and she came up in my life again lately, somehow. So here goes.
What prompts your decision to buy a beauty product, if only your facial wash? The ad you saw on TV/magazine? Recommendation from a friend? Just something you see down the supermarket aisle as you happen to run out?
If, before my Begoun rediscovery, you asked me how much I spend for my beauty routine, I'd say I try not to spend anything at all. It's the cosmetics vicious cycle that I fear: your skin's just fine, then you need make-up. The make-up damages your skin, so you repair the damage with skincare - just so you can apply make-up again - heavily depleting your savings in the process.
Thankfully, there exists an expert who happens to be on our side. She says, not all cosmetics is worth your every penny. That pricey anti-aging cream you just bought - turns out it's not that great. This gentle cleanser is a bargain, and it's packed with ingredients that are great for your skin. Do not buy skincare in a jar, because most of the active stuff deactivates in contact with air. Great anti-aging is mostly about sun protection. Plus, fragrance in your skincare is not skincare.
Splurge or steal, if I was ever going to spend any dollar on cosmetics, it better be worth every last cent. So how do I get Paula to help me?
It started with a cleanser.
Wow. I started with finding the best cleanser, then toner, then moisturizer, then powder, then lipcare, then lipgloss - and keep on going until my ideal daily beauty routine slowly emerges (and still ever changing). My advice would be making an account on the website so you can mark all your beautypedia favourites and easily come back to your list later for reference. You can even add your own notes. Plus, from her expert's advice, you can find out more about the best hair and body care products for you, cause, you know. It's a shame to limit skincare to your face.
Of course, Paula has not reviewed every single products that's been produced all over the world, but she and her team has covered a huge range of brands that are mostly available in the US.
All that being said, Paula Begoun is not your Beauty Fairy Godmother. I have found her contradict herself sometimes, and, naturally, Paula has her own line of products, which are all rated Best. In the end, the decision is yours to make.
Why settle for less? Find the very best products that's suitable for your skin type AND your beauty budget.
If, before my Begoun rediscovery, you asked me how much I spend for my beauty routine, I'd say I try not to spend anything at all. It's the cosmetics vicious cycle that I fear: your skin's just fine, then you need make-up. The make-up damages your skin, so you repair the damage with skincare - just so you can apply make-up again - heavily depleting your savings in the process.
Thankfully, there exists an expert who happens to be on our side. She says, not all cosmetics is worth your every penny. That pricey anti-aging cream you just bought - turns out it's not that great. This gentle cleanser is a bargain, and it's packed with ingredients that are great for your skin. Do not buy skincare in a jar, because most of the active stuff deactivates in contact with air. Great anti-aging is mostly about sun protection. Plus, fragrance in your skincare is not skincare.
Splurge or steal, if I was ever going to spend any dollar on cosmetics, it better be worth every last cent. So how do I get Paula to help me?
It started with a cleanser.
Wow. I started with finding the best cleanser, then toner, then moisturizer, then powder, then lipcare, then lipgloss - and keep on going until my ideal daily beauty routine slowly emerges (and still ever changing). My advice would be making an account on the website so you can mark all your beautypedia favourites and easily come back to your list later for reference. You can even add your own notes. Plus, from her expert's advice, you can find out more about the best hair and body care products for you, cause, you know. It's a shame to limit skincare to your face.
Of course, Paula has not reviewed every single products that's been produced all over the world, but she and her team has covered a huge range of brands that are mostly available in the US.
All that being said, Paula Begoun is not your Beauty Fairy Godmother. I have found her contradict herself sometimes, and, naturally, Paula has her own line of products, which are all rated Best. In the end, the decision is yours to make.
Why settle for less? Find the very best products that's suitable for your skin type AND your beauty budget.
"there’s no reason to pay extra and settle for less than your skin deserves"