Paula Beguon~Haircare Products Critic
Printed From: HairBoutique.com
Category: Hair Talk
Forum Name: Hair Color
Forum Description: The tricks and tribulations of changing your hair color
URL: https://talk.hairboutique.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=38938
Printed Date: October 31 2025 at 7:49am
Topic: Paula Beguon~Haircare Products Critic
Posted By: Blondie1972
Subject: Paula Beguon~Haircare Products Critic
Date Posted: January 10 2006 at 6:58pm
|
Don't Go Shopping for Hair Care Products Without Me by Paula Beguon Has anyone read/bought the book 'Don't Go Shopping for Hair Care Products Without Me' by Paula Begoun? She's the same author who wrote 'Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me' and 'The Beauty Bible'. I just bought the Third Edition of the 'Don't Go Shopping...Hair Care Products' one. I'm really happy with the book and have found it very interesting. In fact I had trouble putting it down for a few nights after I first got it. Overall though~ I'm not completely sure what I think. It seems like Paula Begoun has done an impressive and huge amount of research. She has covered pretty much every single hair care product currently on the market. There was only one product line that I looked up that wasn't in there ~and in all fairness, the line that wasn't included in this recent edition is very, very recent to the market. Her reviews are very down to earth and easy to follow~ if a bit repetitive~ although I guess many of the hair care products out there are pretty repetitive too. The author's reasoning behind her opinions when reviewing all the hair care products is very sound and fact based~ but it did seem to me that she is stating that a lot of the hair care products currently on the market are either not worth the money being charged (and I agree that most hair products ARE over priced) or she seems to be saying that many products out there are basically nothing special to downright crap :) Although I really enjoy this book and will probably now refer to it prior to spending a lot of money on expensive hair products~ I do have to say that I question her reviews ~a bit. Admittedly, part of her review of each product is based on the product ingredients and the scientific benefit of these products on hair~ so I guess there isn't a lot of room to argue there, BUT~ it seemed like a great number of products that are well known as being 'excellent' hair care products seemed to be rated by her as 'not so hot'. Who knows~ maybe they aren't as great as the hype *shrugging* :) The hair care product reviews that I looked up first were products and product lines that I love and currently use. Then I looked up products that I have heard were fabulous and that have been recomended to me. It also seemed like many of those products were also reviewedby the author as being 'not good' to only 'average' at best. Many of these products were ones that I have personally had excellent results from and some of the others were ones that many people had highly recommend~? Anyway, if anyone wants me to look up the reviews on any specific products or products lines, just post the name of it here and I'd be happy to post the review and what she says is good and bad about that particular product! Cheers~ Taunya |
Replies:
Posted By: Blondie1972
Date Posted: January 10 2006 at 7:44pm
|
I thought I would also post a couple of the 'Best Products on the Market' summaries from the above noted book, so y'all could see which hair care products are 'supposed' to be the best out there. The book determines which products are listed as 'Best Products' based on the following criteria (according to the author)~ Ingredients~ and what sort of benefit those ingredients are supposed to have on the hair. Whether a product contains ingredient(s) that are good for hair. If a special ingredient was showcased in the product, how much of the ingredient does the product contain. Is there enough to actually benefit the hair? Does the product contain problematic ingredients~ fragrance, preservatives or other questionable items. Are the products claims farfetched~ can they be/have they been substantiated by research or trials? How does it differ from other products~ and other products in the actual product line. If a product is said to be moisturizing or good for sensitive skin/scalp, etc~ did it in fact contain irritants, skin sensitizers or drying ingredients? Marketing~ and whether it is accurate or deceptive;
Best Volumizing/Conditioning Shampoos for Hair that is Normal to Dry and of any Thickness that Cost More than $8.00
Best Volumizing/Conditioning Shampoos for Dry to very Dry Hair that is Normal to to Fine or Thin that Cost More than $8.00
Best Volumizing/Conditioning Shampoos for Dry to Very Dry Hair that is Normal to Fine or Thin that Cost Less than $8.00
Best Volumizing/Conditioning Shampoos for Dry to Very Dry Hair that is Thick or Coarse That Cost More than $8.00
It's a start~I'll post more later! t.
|
Posted By: Blondie1972
Date Posted: January 10 2006 at 9:00pm
|
Thought I'd post some conditioners for y'all as well~ :) Best Conditioners for Normal or Normal to Dry Hair of Any Thickness that Cost More than $8.00
Best Leave In Conditioners for Normal to Fine or Thin Hair that Cost $8.00 or Less
Best Leave In Conditioners for Normal to Fine or Thin Hair that Cost More Than $8.00
|
Posted By: Alayney
Date Posted: January 11 2006 at 2:34am
But WHOSE saying that all these (well known) products are "excellent"? The cosmetologists? They just want to make money. I think it's total brainwashing on the part of the hair industry. If Paula has really done the SCIENTIFIC resesarch, how can it not be true? Yes, I've gotten those books from the library a couple of times and yes, as it stands, I believe what Paula has to say. I also think that just because she says a product is mediocre or crap, doesn't mean that YOU are not going to like it. Just like with medicine or vitamins -- even if it's only PSYCHOLOGICALLY working, so what -- go for it if it makes you happy. As for product -- it's sold by MOSTLY advertising and packaging. If everything was in black and white, how would you choose which to buy? I'm not saying we NEED advertising and fancy packaging, what I'm saying is try to look beyond all that when determining what to buy. It's all mostly a racket! Oh, and thanks for doing all that work! I'd much rather look at your list than dig that big book out again!  |
Blondie1972 wrote:Posted By: Blondie1972
Date Posted: January 11 2006 at 11:52am
|
I agree fully with all the points you made Alayney~ (No problem typing some of the products lists out either~ I thought it would be great if all our fellow hair colour addicts could see what is supposed be good for their hair. I also thought it would be interesting to see what others thought about some of these so called 'best products'.) The research Paula did is very extensive and fact based~ difficult to argue. Also, like you said~ the people creating all the buzz on certain products are the ones making all the cash off it. The last point you made is excellent too~ if you THINK something is working for you and it makes you feel happy and confident about your hair~ that is something in itself. The happier and more confident we are, the more beautiful we will be inside and out. The only concern I have is this~ If I find a product that I love ~and feel it makes my hair appear very healthy and protected, that's great. But what if that product is acually damaging my hair more than I know and the ingredients that are making me think my hair is softer, healthier looking is actually doing unseen damage. Is that possible? Because of that though~ I WILL try to use th eproducts that Paula has stated are excellent. (And she does rate many as just fine~ even if theu didn't make her 'best products' list). Some may not simply because the are too expensive or they have potential to irritae the scalp~ but doesn't bother me or most people, etc.
t. |
Posted By: Blondie1972
Date Posted: January 11 2006 at 9:13pm
|
I thought I would post some more 'Best Products' for y'all (and before you ask~ Yes, I DO seem to have far too much time on my hands! :) I've been in bed for two days with a horrible, nasty cold (just took the rest of the week off work~ Yay!) So I'm just sitting in bed with my laptop ~a teeny bit bored as you can see. Okay~ I will post more 'Best Products' that are related to hair that has been colour treated~ or needs nourishment and moisture, etc... I also wanted to mention that Paula Begoun (the author) states that rinse out conditioners are far better than leave in cond. for hair that is in need of moisture. I would have though otherwise, but apparently leave in Conditioners have so little of the good, moisturizing ingredients (a good thing or else hair would be heavy and greasy) that they cannot do much for dry and damaged hair~ Best Leave In Conditioners for Dry to Very Dry or Coarse Hair that Cost $8.00 of Less
Best Leave In Conditioners for Dry to Very Dry or Coarse Hair that Cost More Than $8.00
|
Posted By: Blondie1972
Date Posted: January 11 2006 at 10:06pm
|
Okay, I'll post some 'Best Products' Leave In Conditioners here~tb
Best Conditioners for Normal to Dry Hair that is Normal to Fine or Thin that Cost $8.00 or Less
Best Conditioners for Normal to Dry Hair that is Normal to Fine or Thin that Cost More than $8.00
Best Conditioners for Dry to Ver Dry Hair that is Normal to Fine or Thin That Cost More than $8.00
Best Conditioners for Dry to Very Dry Hair that is Normal to Thick or Coarse That Cost More Than $8.00
|
Posted By: KellyH
Date Posted: January 11 2006 at 10:26pm
|
Thanks for all your efforts. I'll be checking some of these out. ------------- 
|
Posted By: Blondie1972
Date Posted: January 11 2006 at 10:30pm
|
"Don't Go Shopping for Hair-Care Products Without Me" ~by Paula Begoun Best Products Guide ~ Styling Products Best Silicone Sprays for All Hair Types ~especially Normal to Fine or Thin Hair~ That Cost More THan $12
Best Silicone Sprays for Dry to Very Dry Hair That is Normal to Coarse or Thick That Cost More Than $12
Best Silicone SERUMS for All Hair Types~ Particularly Normal to Fine or Thin Hair~ That Cost More THan $12
Best Silicone Serums for Dry to Very Dry Hair That is Normal to Coarse or Thick and Cost More Than $12
|
Posted By: Blondie1972
Date Posted: January 11 2006 at 10:40pm
|
Best Styling Sprays With Light Hold~ More Than $12
Best Styling Sprays with Light to Medium Hold~ More Than $12
Best Styling Sprays with Medium to Firm Hold~ More Than $12
|
Posted By: Blondie1972
Date Posted: January 11 2006 at 10:55pm
|
BEST STYLING CREAMS AND LOTIONS Best Styling Creams and Lotions for Normal to Fine or Thin Hair That Cost More Than $10
Best Styling Creams and Lotions for Thick or Coarse Hair~ More Than $10
|
Posted By: Alayney
Date Posted: January 12 2006 at 1:01am
|
THAT is a tough one. I really don't know if that's possible. I would say that would have to be a judgment call on the part of the individual. Myself, if I like something A LOT but then I hear it's bad, I would probably do more research and ask around, and then decide if I still want to use the product. If it was a shampoo, for example, I probably would continue using it, realizing that if something bad happened, I was forewarned -- I'm willing to take that chance. It's just SO hard to know who or what to believe. I am a HUGE skeptic when it comes to hair products; by skeptic I mean when I hear people saying "Don't use THAT; it will RUIN your hair." NOTHING has ever ruined my hair. I had been hearing A LOT that you shouldn't use products with "cones" (silicones), that they were BAD, but I always have and with good results. But then I find out here on this site that they work for some people and not for others ... What's important to me is getting the most/best for my money. What I like about Paula's books is I can find out if that more expensive product is just as good as a lesser priced one. Myself, chances are I'd go for the less expensive item. I also like knowing that certain ingredients that are "hyped up" through advertising might just be "ordinary." Another thing I find interesting is how we realize, after reading her books, that advertising has CHANGED (or reared) our thinking. I mean, I'll see it right there, the SCIENTIFIC evidence, in black and white and I'll still cling to my bottle of "X." It's like I've been programmed or something. I guess I/we have. That was interesting about the leave-in not being as good as the washout. I use both. I like the result MUCH better when I do; plus it helps get the comb through -- if I didn't use a leave-in I'd be left with a serious rat's next on my head (LOL). So I guess it's still good for me. Hmmmm, I suppose I'm not REALLY using it as a "conditioner" as I am more a "detangler." I think I'll close as it's starting to get philosophical. P.S. I noticed that with this second round of product listings you did all the ones "over" a certain price and none "less" than. (In the first round you did the less thans.) I was just wondering if that was a mistake. OF COURSE, beggars can't be choosy; I don't expect you to anymore work on this! Just curious! |
Posted By: Alayney
Date Posted: January 12 2006 at 1:39am
|
"Best Volumizing/Conditioning Shampoos for Dry to very Dry Hair that is Normal to to Fine or Thin" Hey -- this always perplexes me: Is it possible to MOISTURIZE and VOLUMIZE? It seems to me something volumizing would be more drying. What does everybody think (or know)? |
Posted By: Blondie1972
Date Posted: January 12 2006 at 12:56pm
Yeah~ I guess I did do that, I didn't really even realize it~ *laughing* Tonight when I post more I will edit my previous posts and put the 'matching' products right above or below the other similar products. That way we can easily compare the same type of products that are over a certain price to the ones under a certain price. t |
Posted By: Tinkerbelle
Date Posted: January 12 2006 at 8:38pm
-------------  
|
Posted By: Rebekah
Date Posted: January 14 2006 at 3:59pm
|
Okay, I gotta post here I was buying the salon products from Supercuts, big mistake. Dried my hair out. Needless to say I no longer buy hair care products from there. Anyway, I like her book, and found it very informative. |
Posted By: eatgreenjello
Date Posted: January 15 2006 at 11:49am
|
I am a HUGE fan of her hair book and her cosmetics book. It's really like a business/marketing book because the whole hair and cosmetic industry is run off of advertising (usually false). Don't get me wrong, I don't like monopolies and love the right to choose. She's helped me figure out fact from false advertising, what to look for in a products ingredient list, what certain ingredients are etc. The funniest and most ironic part of the hair and cosmetics industry is that some of the high high end lines like Kerastase are owned by L'Oreal, and the drugstore products are the same thing, but some people swear that the expensive products work better! The laugh is on them on this one. |
Posted By: eatgreenjello
Date Posted: January 15 2006 at 11:51am
| Also, I wanted to thank you so much for taking the time to post a lot of her findings regarding which shampoos/ conditioners are better than others! That was a lot of work!! I am like you, when I first found and bought her books, I couldn't put them down. I still refer to them very often. |