Columnist Muriel Stevens: Book offers valuable product tips

Wednesday, May 24, 2000 | 9:29 a.m.

Muriel Stevens' shopping column appears Wednesdays. Her dining column appears Fridays. Reach her at muriel@lasvegassun.com or 259-4080.

What's your shopping weakness? If the answer is cosmetics and skin care products, you're no different than most women (and men). Selling beauty is a multibillion dollar-a-year industry.

Who can resist the promise of looking better just by using a new beauty product? Not just women, but men, too, succumb to the allure of the promises made by companies large and small.

Who wouldn't want to look like those gorgeous magazine models with their flawless skin? Every men's magazine, too, features ads with hunky male models selling the same premise -- if you want to look like us, use the products we use.

I've found a number of products that perform as touted, but even more that don't, so I was pleased to recently come across "Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me," by Paula Begoun. This is the fourth edition, but the first for me.

In this hefty volume Begoun supplies product-by-product reviews for more than 10,000. It's an awesome research job. The story of how she gets the lowdown on each one is fascinating. And she supplies telephone numbers, websites and other useful information.

I especially liked the information supplied for each category of skin care. Begoun doesn't think much of speciality gels, lotions, serums and creams designated for the eyes, throat and neck. "Almost without exception," she says, "their ingredient lists and formulations are identical to other face creams, gels, serums and lotions." So be sure to read labels before buying two products in the same line. They might be basically the same.

Just about every cosmetic company and its products are evaluated. First comes some info on the company, then a listing of every product it makes and the price. Cosmetic colors are also rated. It's an impressive collection of information.

My evaluation of this book came from checking out what Begoun had to say about products I regularly use. I don't use any one line for everything. I've learned on my own what works for me. I also shop for beauty products at a variety of stores, including Neiman Marcus and Wal-Mart.

NM often sends samples from new skin care lines to charge customers. That's how I started to use the exclusive Natura Bisse creams. Begoun says she thinks the products are "overpriced and over-hyped." They are pricey, but I very much enjoy the two products I use.

The Neutrogena makeup base I use costs less than $10 and I buy it at Wal-Mart. It's better for me than the much more costly ones I used to buy that didn't come close to the staying power of this one. Only the Neutrogena skin care line was evaluated by Begoun; the makeup opinion is mine alone.

The last chapter of "Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me," includes an extensive list of what the author considers "the best products." It takes time to read through it, but it's worthwhile. Best products are found in every price range.

Begoun's companion book "Don't Go Shopping for Hair Care Products Without Me" is another good read. Each costs $19.95. Mine came from Costco and were considerably less -- $12.69.