AKON I WANT TO MAKE UP RIGHT NOW

Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me: An Eye-Opening Guide to Brand-Name Cosmetics

A product-by-product guide to cosmetics and beauty supplies offers detailed ratings of more than 150 cosmetics lines, with tips on buying and using makeup, miracle ingredients, and what products work, what don't, and what are bad for you. Original. 40,000 first printing. Tour. IP.

Women spend an extraordinary amount of money on cosmetics--$45 billion a year in the U.S. alone. Now in its fourth edition, Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me strikes fear in cosmetics-counter consultants everywhere. First off, Begoun has deconstructed ingredient lists. Ever wonder what methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben are doing in your mascara? And what is diazolidinyl urea? All four are potential irritants, and the latter is a preservative that can release formaldehyde, a class A carcinogen. Buyer beware.
Begoun also lists which companies are cruelty-free and which continue to conduct animal testing. The majority of the book--and that's nearly 800 pages--is devoted to reviews of thousands of cosmetics, from cleansers, foundations, alpha-hydroxy acids, and moisturizers to lip liners, eye shadows, and concealers, all of which Begoun has personally tested. (There are no hair care products listed, as that warrants another book entirely: Don't Go Shopping for Hair Care Products Without Me.)
She's perfectly frank and tells it like it is. (On Revlon's ColorStay Makeup: "goes far beyond the claim of 'It won't come off on him.' It won't come off when you want it to.") You'll learn how to tell when you're being boondoggled by a salesperson, what's overpriced and overhyped, as well as what's overlooked. More than 200 brands are included, along with a helpful summary at the end that lists the best products for each cosmetic category. It should be noted that not only is Begoun a fine consumer advocate, she's also a self-esteem advocate: she mentions time and again that even the best cosmetics won't necessarily improve your life, and that's a point well taken.

Took this shot of a bus I saw drive past as I stood on a corner waiting to cross. Had to act quick and the result isn't that good but I like the way the grumpy_looking driver glanced over at me. It was one those buses decked-out in a brand name for make-up or some perfume chainstore or other. Also used for casting for an advertising campaign. I thought the whole thing was tremendously tacky and ugly.

Day 81: Hi, my name is Natalie and I'm a makeup junkie...I can't help myself, especially if makeup is on sale, I will buy it. This particular brand came in a huge plastic tray with these little pots of eye shadow...it was 75% at a CVS after Christmas sale...had to have it...and, as luck would have it, it gave me the idea for today's photo :)