"Learn to Save over $500 per year on beauty products"

A very good reminder that one doesn’t need to spend a lot on beauty products to get quality, and on how not to fall prey to clever advertising claims. A good read, even though the regular Beauty Brains reader will already be familiar with all these issues –
kudos for one of the best (and best-informed) blog ever written!

I like this report very much.It’s useful.I used to eat beauty supplement.
But i don’t know whether an kind of ingredient is really effective. How to find the truth. For example,mushroom extract from ORIGINS and Parsley Seed from Aesop claimed they are best antioxidant ingredient. ..maybe you can tell us some effective ingredients.

Enjoyed the report and now am armed with lots of knowledge when I go shopping for cosmetics. Unfortunately I find myself wishing that something would “cure” my wrinkles and sagging jaw line and do often fall for the cosmetic companys’ tricks.

Enjoyed the report and now am armed with lots of knowledge when I go shopping for cosmetics. Unfortunately I find myself wishing that something would “cure” my wrinkles and snagging jaw line and do often fall for the cosmetic companies tricks.

I agree with a comment below, I´d like to see the topic of sunscreen claims & true efficacy being covered in a future report. I truly enjoyed reading it, and I´m a big fan of Paula Begoun as well, so I was happy to see a reference to her work in this report. Keep up the great work!

very happy to find this report. Found it very informative. Can,t wait for the next one. Can you be specific about what will really help, or are we all destined to just grow old and wrinkly if we’re not ready to have plastic surgery!

I know quite a bit about bogus cosmetics company claims — but this report revealed several new tricks. This report is truly informative and well worth reading.

Hi Beauty Brains! I enjoyed the report, it was very informative and presented in an organized way that I could easily read. I had a hunch about some of the things you mentioned, but I am glad to have confirmation about it from you guys.

What I thought was most useful was your explanation of how big corporate brands of products differ from smaller boutique/salon brands in the amount of research, testing, etc. I have always forked out the extra cash for those pricier boutique products because I believed were better and contained better quality ingredients their drugstore counterparts. But now I know that I am most likely wasting my money (as a college student I shouldn’t be spending that much money anyway!). Same goes for expensive makeup brands or the “all natural” product lines. It’s reassuring to know that I can buy products that are just as effective for way less money.

One thing that I would like to see in your next report is a list of key ingredients that are listed in different products and their function. For example, “x, y and z” chemicals do this, that and the other… if your hairspray contains these, then you know you have a quality product. Or ingredients “a and b” are what make an effective makeup primer. I’d like to see a list of all those difficult-to-pronounce ingredients so that I can go to the store and determine whether a product is worth my money or if it will actually do what it is advertised as. Then maybe perhaps list the more expensive products with their lesser expensive drugstore equivalents. That would be extremely helpful.

Keep up the good work!

I loved your report. Although I already knew some of the information from Cosmetics Cop, this is still great information. I look forward to more in depth reports on how to choose products that work with particular skin and hair types. In other words, what anti-aging ingredients work best? Or how do you choose a shampoo that works well for fine, colored hair. Some of them, for example, may be designed for colored hair (at least they so so in their marketing) but they weight your hair down.

I really enjoyed reading the report – very interesting and definitely an eye-opener in some cases. I am glad I stumbled across the beauty brains website and I read it regularly.

The report is informative, easy to read even if one doesn’t have a perfect english knowledge. It helps to clear our advertisement-strucked brains. Lot’s of useful informations, thanks!

Thank you. I found the report to be very informative. I knew some of it already from reading Cosmeticscop.co, but it is info that everyone who buys beauty products should know. I think too many people assume that higher end brands are automatically better.

As for new reports, I would really appreciate good info on sunscreens. You read so much about the importance of everyday usage, but then a lot of articles say that most chemical sunscreen formulations are photo unstable. Are there any good ones out there for the face? Any good moisturizers with sunscreen? Or should we stick with a good moisturizer and put a separate suncreen on top? Thanks for all the good info on the website.

Hi guys,

I totally agree when you say that big companies have more money to spend in researches.
I use Lancôme products, Clinique, Anna Pegova and La Praire.
Well after reading a magazine with some points that Paula made from the book “Don’t go the the counter without me” (or something like that) I’ve decided to try myself and see if it was reaaaly true. I bought L’Oreal Derma Genesis… found myself totally disappointed as the creams and serum didn’t work at all. Worse, made skin oily – So, though I know that L’Oreal has many brands such as Lancôme, La Roche Posay, Shiseido, Vicky and so many others, I guess they put more money in the luxury brands and make a better cream than the one you can buy cheaper. They might have the same substances but not the same quantities. So, all in all, the more expensive are indeed the best ones. The absolue cream Bx eyes + Genifique eyes are wonderful together. I’ve tried La Praire but it’s not as good.
So the Report by Beauty Brains actually reafirms what I thought: Big companies do have more money to do better researches and use the edge technology.
Excelent work!

Hi brains,

Great article! Very easy to read and informative. I already knew a lot of the stuff but that is thanks to you guys and your website. I’ve also been a reader of the cosmetics cop since I was 16 (I’m 28 now) and consider myself a fairly well informed consumer, at least in terms of cosmetics products. This article does a good job compiling a lot of that useful info. One part I found especially interesting was the bit on the “clever comma” now I see how they protect themselves from getting sued for outrageous claims! The semi-permanent split end mending technology sounds cool. Oh and like another reader mentioned, the stuff on how MLM’s work was interesting.

Keep up the good work!

Jenn

I read the report thoroughly and discussed it along with the women in my family.
We found it useful and interesting. There are many facts that we actually took in consideration before buying our next “stock” of beauty products. Thanks.

Just finished reading your report, and I completely agree with what you’ve mentioned in it. As a cosmetic dermatology student I always look at such offers with surprise at times, many of the ads are be-fooling most of the time. I highly appreciate your project, and yes I take Paula as my guru! Thumbs up for thebeautybrains!

Love,
Ana M.

a good reading on the way MLM tries to sell you there exclusivity on there line of cosmetic.
It is always nice to know some people still do there homework and not believe everything they
hear or read. I like how simple the reading is and important tips to be aware of.
thanks for the info

Very informative and helpful

It was rite on the money!!! from a colleague to another your language was great for those who need to have science explained in simple plain English. I tell all my clients, that they need to be an educated consumer, some time I have to tel them to Do you want to pay for the marketing campaign? or the actual product? Would you like to see results for $$$$$ or $$ maybe $? Without a doubt if, I am going to spend my money would be with a certified Physician and a prescription (proven) regime. Happy cosmetics shopping!!

THANKS FOR THE GREAT BOOK .I LIKE THE COMPAIRING WITH THE SHAMPOOS HEABAL ESSENCES VS PANTENE GUEST WHAT I BOUGHT HERBAL ESSENCES ,NOW I CAN SWITCH BRANDS WITH IT & YOUR BOOK WORDS IS IN MY HEART .I AM WAITING FOR THE NEXT BOOK SEE YA.

as professional in the cosmetic business I have apreciated the simplicity and the syntesis of some explanations. I use to operate in the european market but some of the cosmetic nonsense are the same in all over the world.

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thanks for your report. I did have contacted you about to work together for the new product ( dry shampoo) but didn’t get any feedback. What’s going on?

Please check your email about the issue I sent you. Thanks a lot.

Beauty Brains – your book on cosmetics and being smart to buy value (not just brands) is amazing. You put things in very straight forward terms and smash the myths of “expensive is always better” or “big companies can’t make good products”. I have shared it with all of my friends – so we will all be better consumers while being more beautiful along the way.
I also love your message on Multi Level Marketing – as I have had several friends duped by these endeavors only to lose hundreds if not thousands of dollars in start up fees. Thank you!

Brainy is beautiful!

thank you for providing the download,
but, there were few items of which i was not aware.

i am, however, interested in chemical percentages of ingredients
used in currently manufactured facial products.

A good read. Regular Beauty Brains readers might not get a whole lot of new information

There is one important area that you fail to put into context and that is “Claims Modifiers.” The FDA, Health Canada, and other regulatory agencies stipulate the terminology that can be used to describe cosmetic products. Therefore, it is proper for brands to use “claims modifiers” to avoid making “medical claims” for cosmetic products when they products have have not been subjected to proper clinical trials.

The education that you offer is valuable because it is important to evaluate the scientific merits of a product first, then one can consider the social, psychological, and cosmetic benefits of packaging, dispensing, fragrance, etc. Like purchasing a luxury automobile, consumers often perceive psychic benefits that go beyond technical performance.

The reason that most marketing works is not because it teaches us new beliefs. Good marketing reinforces existing beliefs. More knowledge and facts allows us to make decisions based on facts, not belief.

It takes a lot of work to be smart and competent consumer. Frankly, most people would prefer to be lead than do the work necessary to take responsibility for their consumer decisions.

I did read the entire report, and I really liked it. I was familiar with some things, but I also learned some things. I like to stay on top of all the products and how well they work.
I also get a lot of good information from Paula Begoun.
I already left a comment before, when I first read your report.

Thank you for the report, which I think will help a lot of people to buy beauty products sensibly rather than go by the outlandish claims. I did know most of the material already, but have learnt a lot from the Beauty Brains website, and it’s good to be reminded of scientific principles as they apply to what we put on ourselves. I would suggest that more mention be made of animal testing for those of us who buy products based not only on what’s in the products, but also how ‘cruelty-free’ they are. I would prefer to go without a product altogether rather than buy something that was tested on animals unnecessarily; price is not the prime factor for me in choosing products.

I really appreciated the explanations of why dermatologists aren’t the best source of information for basically healthy skin. I agree. I have found, for example, that nurses often know more than doctors about the actual day-to-day stuff–doctors are great in a medical crisis.

I have long known that stylists know less than I do about what works for my hair–they can make my hair look fabulous–the angle of blowdrying they can achieve alone is a great improvement over what you can do for yourself….and if the point was to take a photo now, they’d win. In reality, though, my oily, fine, thin, limp hair often looks terrible a few hours later. Little old me knows what will actually work in the long haul, and with the help of the Beauty Brains, I can find effective products for less. Now if Pantene would only offer fragrance free options instead of that heavy stuff they insist on!

I found the article informative but I would really appreciate if you mentioned more product names. Unfortunately I do not have the time to read every label I buy and look up every brand name on the internet. that is the main reason why I appreciate sites like EWG to find out about products.

I really enjoyed reading this (haven’t read it all yet), good information to be taken.
Good to know that some brands are owned by bigger brands, so you’ll be better off just buying the cheaper product.
Was really surprised to hear that Herbal Essences was bought by Pantene and that now they have changed the herbal Essences formula, meaning that it’s not the same as before… Now I get it why it doesn’t “feel” the same.
Good job!

I enjoyed reading your report. I already knew a lot of it, but your swift kick(s) to the marketing claims and Arbonne especially made me smile.

I am a lotion “do-it-youselfer”, not because any particular product is “bad”, but because my sensitive skin so often has a reaction to the fragrances in it. I use essential oils in my lotions for their properties but refuse to buy fragrances from manufacturers because they won’t tell me what is in it (the fragrance).

What is/are in these fragrances anyway? I hear some of them are full of formaldehyde and other nasty chemicals. All I know is that some of them make me break out in a rash, in some in facial moisturizers I can actually taste fragrance the moment I apply it, some make me sneeze, some make my eyes swell, and others have sent me running for the sink! This applies to make-up as well. Then with other products I don’t have any problems at all, but they are usually the more expensive ones. What gives with that?

Have enjoyed reading your books too. Someday, I would like my password back to the beauty-brains forum. I keep requesting it and a message says it will be sent to my email, but it is never sent.

Keep up the good work!

I like this report and I am a fan of your site. Your report really hit the mark on many issues and thoughts I’ve long held. However, I must take issue with the statement :”Unpronounceable ingredients that you don’t understand”. I keep reading and hearing this very phrase from the NGOs/Cosmetic Crusaders when they go on their “unsafe cosmetics in the USA” rants. I was very surprised to read it here, coming from Chemists/Cosmetic Formulators. Here’s why: As the proper labeling for cosmetics sold in the US is the INCI (with common name secondarily listed), which uses Latin for the botanical names, this statement is a continuing disservice and an incorrect assertion to make about “Unpronounceable ingredients that you don’t understand”. The majority of people in the US and I’d bet most of the world (excluding those of us in the cosmetic industry, agri/horticulture and most other Life Sciences) has very little knowledge of, use of, or use for Latin. It is a “dead” language, after all. However, as it was a universal language back in the day and it is still used as such because it serves a very unique and important purpose in this modern day: It harmonizes all across the board, the board also meaning this planet. Most people can’t pronounce the words of any foreign language -dead or current- unless taught how. This includes Latin. That doesn’t make the ingredients confusing or something one can’t understand, it just means one can’t pronounce them -yet. Once people are taught the pronunciation and what it is (and the common botanical name for their region) and the whys of why it’s done in Latin, the light bulb comes on and they get it. And realize that no matter where they may be in the world, they would be able to recgonize and know what is on the label.

Other than this nit pic, I enjoyed your report.

I really enjoyed reading the report. Although I was originally expecting a “what to buy/what not to buy” sort of thing, I really liked that you focused on a more general perspective. Giving the truth about beauty myths, giving us tools on how we can evaluate products and claims and sort through all the hype out there is, in the end, much more useful than saying “buy this/don’t buy that.”

One complaint: The report is a little lacking with some spelling and grammar things in a few places. It’s not too bad, but it is distracting and takes away from the professionalism of the report at times. I’m a professional grammar stickler, so I notice such things.

If you’d like someone to read through and make corrections for you, let me know and we can work something out.

The report was very helpfull. The Beauty Brains website has been a great source of information and I look forward to future reports and advice!

I thought the information on how to find the parent company was very helpful. Also, sorting out what’s really possible and not.

I will talk to my dermatologist about the latest laser treatments for collagen.

I’ll be checking out your website more often.

Thanks!

I am an avid reader of the Beauty Brains Blog and I am so glad that I had the chance to read this eBook! I found it very easy to understand and clear. Thanks for the great advice, and I look forward to any and all Beauty Brains content I can get my hands on!

I feel that this eBook was well worth my time. I am very glad that I can now identify some of the tricks played on me by beauty companies looking to make a few extra bucks. I know now that my money can stretch farther than I previously thought! Can’t wait to read the next edition!

Thought this was a very helpful guide to saving money! I never realized how much I was wasting on the stupid stuff…
You’ve done it again, Beauty Brains!

You provided good basic information to enable wise use of money when purchasing cosmetics. The information can be obtained from other sources but this presentation was fast and easy to digest.

The explanations about the marketing are really interesting to help understand how easy it is to be influenced by the use of language and the claims of improvement.

I thought you provided some good information. I especially liked your views on so called “natural” products and all the propaganda surrounding parabens…savvy marketing strategies at best!

I really lliked the report. It was interesting as well as informing. I found that I learned some things also, that I wasn’t aware of. Looking forward to the next one.

I really enjoyed reading the Beauty Report. It has a lot of very interesting information which is not available elsewhere. I look forward to reading the next edition!

To begin with, I was already familiar with many of the points in the report.
I love your site and I always look forward to your daily blogs that you send out.
Also, I love Paula Begoun – she is always stating the same things as the Beauty Brains. So one can not help but be educated properly, by the two of you.

I have to admit that I wasn’t as knowledgeable about MLM products and all that they entail – very enlightening.

And I like the part where you mentioned what well-known companies are owned by other companies – Aveeda owned by Estee Lauder, as an example.

All in all, I thought it was a great report – very well written yet quite easy to understand.

Very informative.
I’ll be saving a lot of money from now on!
Gratefully,
Myrna

Found one very useful item regarding anti-aging products, however, the rest of the report leaves the impression that more research is required and will be forthcoming..

Dear Beauty Brain

I have gain invaluable insight to about the cosmetic world. I now look at beauty products with a different light and would not believe whatever the cosmetic company claim their products can perform miracle. Now I realised that price doesnt always equal to quality. Everything is about marketing and advertising by those big companies to make people believe their products are the best when that may no be the case. Bulk of the price actually goes to advertising.

I am really grateful to be given the opportunity to get such a wonderful read! I hope to get more in the future. Excellent work done and bravo!

Your no 1 supporter!

Pls send a copy of the report

While I always suspected that cosmetic companies played word games with claims, I had no idea that common grammar was so important to understanding what they are saying versus what they REALLY mean. Thanks for being so honest.

Wow, I didn’t expect to get so much free information, thank you! I can’t wait to start putting all of this knowledge to good use.

I really liked the easy way to figure out which beauty companies really make the products that I like. My only problem was that I tried to use your methods to figure out who makes Joico salon products but I couldn’t tell if it was really Joico or not. Do you have any suggestions?