Beauty and the best cosmetic products for you

(Continued from last week)

Like we promised, here’s more of Paula Begoun and her beauty revelations in her book Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me (call [800] 831-4088 to order or log on to www.cosmetics cop.com). Going more than skin-deep, Paula gives a product-by-product review, unmasking the leading brands on the market today.

Paula sure has a mouthful to say about today’s lipstick brands. Beware, she says, of such claims as "the first lipstick that wouldn’t kiss off." Of course, you and I know that if it’s a real good (passionate) kiss, the lipstick will kiss off.

If we may add, somebody once defined a good lipstick as one that will make your lips look like they’ve just been kissed by your lover.

But before you run to the cosmetics counter and grab any of these products on Paula’s long list of recommendations (which we’ve narrowed down to include only the more familiar ones, some of which are available locally), read and heed these beauty notes (we’re highlighting skin care) from Paula:

Cleanser

• Should be water-soluble and gentle (avoid ingredients such as sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium olefin C14-16 sulfate). Avoid AHAs, BHA or disinfectants in cleansers.

• Avoid wipe-off cleansers (tugging at the skin can promote sagging).

Toners

• Should be irritant-free. No alcohol, menthol, camphor, peppermint, lemon, orange or grapefruit.

• Optional but can be a soothing way to finish the cleansing process.

• Best options are products that include 2.5, 5 or 10% benzoyl peroxide. Start off with the very inexpensive 3% hydrogen peroxide available in drugstores.

Exfoliant

• The best scrub-type exfoliant is still Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser mixed with baking soda.

• For normal to dry, sun-damanged skin, a well-formulated AHA product is best. Look for glycolic acid or lactic acid in the ingredient list.

• For blemish-prone skin, the best topical exfoliant is a BHA (salicylic acid) product.

Moisturizer

• Contrary to popular belief, not everyone needs a moisturizer. There are no miracle products that will erase or alter wrinkles. However, if you have dry skin or wrinkles, your skin will benefit greatly from a good moisturizer.

• Remember, your daytime moisturizer (or foundation) must contain a reliable sunscreen.

And the best products (or products that perform beautifully or work best for you) – in no particular order now – are:

• Best cleansers (for normal to oily/combination and/or blemish-prone skin types): Amway Clarifying Cleansing Gel for Normal to Oily Skin, Avon Purifying Facial Cleansing Gel, Biore Foaming Cleanser, The Body Shop Balancing Cleansing Gel for Normal to Oily Skin, Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser, Clarins Oil-Control Cleansing Gel Oily Skin with Breakout Tendencies, Clean & Clear Sensitive Skin Foaming Facial Cleanser, Elizabeth Arden Modern Skin Care 2-in-1 Cleanser, Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser Soap-Free Cleanser for Combination Skin, Nivea Visage Visage Hydro-Cleansing Gel, Dr. Obagi Nu-Derm Cleanser I, Pond’s Foaming Cleanser & Toner in One, for Normal to Oily Skin.

• Best topical disinfectants (for blemish-prone skin for all skin types): Clean & Clear Extra Strength Persa-Gel 5% and 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Dr. Prescribed Acne Medication Combination Skin Formulation, Mary Kay Acne Treatment Gel, ProActiv Repairing Lotion, Serious Skin Care Clearz-It with 5% Benzoyl Peroxide.

• Best exfoliants (for normal to dry, and/or sensitive skin, the best alphahydroxy acid products are) : Avon Stress Shield Serum, Bobbi Brown Essentials Face Lotion, Color Me Beautiful Visible Results Glycolic Skin Conditioner for All Skin Types, Dr. Obagi Nu-Derm Exfoderm, La Prairie Age Management Night Cream and Age Management Serum, Pond’s Age Defying Complex with Alpha Nutrium, Neutrogena Healthy Skin Face Lotion.

• Best moisturizers (for normal to somewhat dry and dry skin): Amway Eye Balm, Revitalizing Night Treatment and Progressive Emollient, Avon Anew Instant Eye Smoother, Retinol Recovery Complex P.M. Treatment, Moisture Supply Day Cream and Night Cream; Chanel Complexe Intensif Night Lift Cream; Christian Dior Capture Lift Firming Night Treatment for the Face; Clarins Extra-Firming Day Cream All Skin Types; Clinique Advanced Repair System; Coppertone After Sun Aloe & Vitamin E Moisturizing Lotion; Givenchy Nutritive Care; Kiehl’s Original Formula Eye Cream, Panthenol Protein Moisturizing Face Cream; Lancome Expressive Eye Contour Age Treatment Fluide; Mary Kay Balancing Moisturizer, Oil-Control Lotion, Instant Action Eye Cream; Dr. Obagi Nu-Derm Action; Origins Line Chaser Stop Sign for Lines; Prescriptives Px Comfort Lotion; Shiseido Benefiance Revitalizing Cream; Vaseline Intensive Care Aloe Vera Triple Action Formula.

• Best sunscreens (for normal to dry, extra dry, and/or sensitive skin): The Body Shop Facial Sun Stick SPF 30, Clarins Hydration-Plus Moisture Lotion SPF 15 for All Skin Types, Clinique Weather Everything SPF 15, Coppertone Shade UVA Guard SPF 15, Kiehl’s Heidegger’s All-Sport Water-Resistant Skin Protector with SPF 30, La Prairie Soleil Suisse Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Sun Cream SPF 15, Lancome SPF 15 Water-Light Spray and SPF 30 Face Creme with Pure Vitamin E, Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunblock SPF 17, Origins Silent Treatment Instant UV Face Protector SPF 15, Shiseido Gentle Sun Block Cream SPF 22, Pond’s Nourishing Moisture Lotion with SPF 15.

• Best foundations (for normal to dry skin): Chanel Teint Extreme Lumiere with Non-Chemical SPF 8, Clinique Balanced Makeup Base, Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Hydro Light Foundation SPF 10, Estee Lauder Minute Makeup SPF 15, Lancome Maqui Velour Hydrating Foundation, Mary Kay Day Radiance Formula II for Normal to Dry Skin, Shiseido Stick Foundation.

• The best powder blushes come from the following companies: The Body Shop, Christian Dior, Clarins, Clinique, Elizabeth Arden, Estee Lauder, Lancome, Make Up For Ever-Paris, Maybelline, Revlon, Prescriptives, Shiseido, Wet ’n’ Wild, among others.

• The best lipsticks (or lip products with a high SPF and UVA protection) are from L’Oreal, Clinique, Nu Skin, among others.

• The best products to prevent lipstick from bleeding are The Body Shop No Wander, Coty Stop It Anti-Feathering Stick for Lips, Revlon Moon Drops Color Lock Anti-Feathering Lip Base.

See you at the cosmetics counter!