Paula Begoun
Encyclopedia
Paula Begoun, also known as The Cosmetics Cop, is an American
author
, and CEO
of Paula’s Choice skin care and cosmetics, and CEO
of Beginning Press Publishing. She is known for her view that skin care and cosmetics should be based on ingredients that have been subjected to peer review
ed research.
Begoun studied Science at Northern Illinois University
, before moving to Washington D.C. to work as a professional makeup artist
and esthetician in 1978. Begoun relocated to Washington and opened her own cosmetics stores in Seattle in 1981, adding a business partner a short time later. In 1982, KIRO-TV
in Seattle, Washington
offered Begoun a consumer/feature reporter position, where she began reporting on the beauty industry as an investigative journalist. At that time she began working on her first book, Blue Eyeshadow Should be Illegal.
Begoun had sold her business shares to her partner in 1984, and at the end of 1985 she self-published Blue Eye Shadow Should Be Illegal. The book gained national attention, and resulted in the first of many appearances for Begoun on The Oprah Winfrey Show. In the following years, Begoun received thousands of letters from women across the nation for her Dear Paula syndicated column, wanting more information on products and her ongoing expose of the cosmetics industry. The constant product review requests from women led Begoun to begin work on the first edition of Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me. The first edition was published in 1992.
In 2008, Paula created an online version of Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me. Beautypedia.com is a product review database with over 45,000 products reviewed from over 300 brands. Products reviewed cover a wide range of skin care and cosmetics from many companies, making Paula Begoun the only cosmetics industry CEO
to recommend products other than her own.
In the early 1990s, Begoun began work with a team of cosmetic chemists to develop her own line. She adhered to the standards that skin care should offer results based on published, peer-reviewed research rather than hype and hyperbole. Begoun’s extensive research of the cosmetic industry earned her the expertise necessary to develop her exceptional, state-of-the-art formulations, relying on proven science to create products unique to the industry: skin care that worked, without exaggerated claims. In 1995, Paula’s Choice began to sell their first products online. Every Paula’s Choice product is free of artificial coloring agents, fragrances and irritating ingredients.
Paula’s Choice products are available worldwide, primarily via the company’s main web site and through a network of international distributors. Begoun remains a consultant for dermatologists, plastic surgeons, major cosmetics companies, news and industry insiders. She is an internationally recognized authority as a consumer advocate for the cosmetics and hair-care industries, and routinely appears on news and talk shows, including CNN
, Oprah, The Dr. Oz Show
, and The View.
of 18 books on the beauty industry, most notably Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me, The Original Beauty Bible and Blue Eyeshadow Should Be Illegal. Her books on skin care, makeup, and critiquing practises of the beauty industry have gained international recognition, and have sold nearly three million copies, and translated into eight languages
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
, and CEO
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of Paula’s Choice skin care and cosmetics, and CEO
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of Beginning Press Publishing. She is known for her view that skin care and cosmetics should be based on ingredients that have been subjected to peer review
Peer review
Peer review is a process of self-regulation by a profession or a process of evaluation involving qualified individuals within the relevant field. Peer review methods are employed to maintain standards, improve performance and provide credibility...
ed research.
Career
Begoun was born in suburban Chicago, Illinois. As a child, Begoun suffered from acne and eczema. After trying numerous skin-care products, and visiting over a dozen dermatologists through her teenage years, she found that nothing worked very well or for very long.Begoun studied Science at Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University is a state university and research institution located in DeKalb, Illinois, with satellite centers in Hoffman Estates, Naperville, Rockford, and Oregon. It was originally founded as Northern Illinois State Normal School on May 22, 1895 by Illinois Governor John P...
, before moving to Washington D.C. to work as a professional makeup artist
Makeup artist
thumb|[[Michelle Camaclang]], an international-certified professional makeup artistthumb|Special effects makeup techniquesA Make-up artist is an artist whose medium is the human body, applying makeup and prosthetics for theatrical, television, film, fashion, magazines and other similar productions...
and esthetician in 1978. Begoun relocated to Washington and opened her own cosmetics stores in Seattle in 1981, adding a business partner a short time later. In 1982, KIRO-TV
KIRO-TV
KIRO-TV, virtual channel 7, is the CBS affiliate television station in Seattle, Washington. It broadcasts on digital channel 39. The station's offices and broadcasting center are located near Seattle Center in Belltown, and its transmitter is located on Queen Anne Hill...
in Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
offered Begoun a consumer/feature reporter position, where she began reporting on the beauty industry as an investigative journalist. At that time she began working on her first book, Blue Eyeshadow Should be Illegal.
Begoun had sold her business shares to her partner in 1984, and at the end of 1985 she self-published Blue Eye Shadow Should Be Illegal. The book gained national attention, and resulted in the first of many appearances for Begoun on The Oprah Winfrey Show. In the following years, Begoun received thousands of letters from women across the nation for her Dear Paula syndicated column, wanting more information on products and her ongoing expose of the cosmetics industry. The constant product review requests from women led Begoun to begin work on the first edition of Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me. The first edition was published in 1992.
In 2008, Paula created an online version of Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me. Beautypedia.com is a product review database with over 45,000 products reviewed from over 300 brands. Products reviewed cover a wide range of skin care and cosmetics from many companies, making Paula Begoun the only cosmetics industry CEO
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
to recommend products other than her own.
In the early 1990s, Begoun began work with a team of cosmetic chemists to develop her own line. She adhered to the standards that skin care should offer results based on published, peer-reviewed research rather than hype and hyperbole. Begoun’s extensive research of the cosmetic industry earned her the expertise necessary to develop her exceptional, state-of-the-art formulations, relying on proven science to create products unique to the industry: skin care that worked, without exaggerated claims. In 1995, Paula’s Choice began to sell their first products online. Every Paula’s Choice product is free of artificial coloring agents, fragrances and irritating ingredients.
Paula’s Choice products are available worldwide, primarily via the company’s main web site and through a network of international distributors. Begoun remains a consultant for dermatologists, plastic surgeons, major cosmetics companies, news and industry insiders. She is an internationally recognized authority as a consumer advocate for the cosmetics and hair-care industries, and routinely appears on news and talk shows, including CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
, Oprah, The Dr. Oz Show
The Dr. Oz Show
The Dr. Oz Show is an American syndicated television talk show, hosted by Dr. Mehmet Oz, a cardiothoracic surgeon and teaching professor at Columbia University who became famous for his appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show from 2004 until 2009....
, and The View.
Skin Care Range
In 1995, Begoun launched Paula’s Choice, Inc skin care, formulated after three decades of research. Paula’s Choice skin care and cosmetics are currently sold in over 42 countries and are available online.Writing
Begoun is a self-published authorAuthor
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
of 18 books on the beauty industry, most notably Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me, The Original Beauty Bible and Blue Eyeshadow Should Be Illegal. Her books on skin care, makeup, and critiquing practises of the beauty industry have gained international recognition, and have sold nearly three million copies, and translated into eight languages
Radio show
Each Thursday, Paula Begoun and her team host The Cosmetics Cop, an hour-long Internet radio show with topics centered on cosmetics, skin and hair care. Topics vary from makeup tips to skin- and hair-care advice, current industry news, beauty industry "myth-busting," best and worst products, and special guests including dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons. The radio show format invites listeners worldwide to call in with questions for Begoun or her co-hosts (The Cosmetics Cop Team) and each show includes product giveaways to callers.Publications
- The Best Places to Kiss in Seattle (1983)
- Blue Eyeshadow Should Be Illegal (1985)
- Blue Eyeshadow Should Absolutely Be Illegal (1991)
- The Beauty Bible (1997)
- The Complete Beauty Bible (2004)
- The Original Beauty Bible: Skin Care Facts for Ageless Beauty (2009)
- Don't Go Shopping for Hair Care Products Without Me (1st edition 1995; final edition 2004)
- Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me (1st Edition, 1991; currently in its 8th edition, 2010)