The best investment I ever made was a 3-in-1 deal on the following books:
-"The Beauty Bible" What to do and what not to do when taking care of your skin and hair. It tells you what works and what is a waste of time or worse yet, damaging to you. Paula Begoun busts the myths about skin and hair care, and educates you in the cold, hard facts.
-"Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me" Like a Consumer Reports Annual, it lists stuff by brand and tells you what works and what is a big waste of money. Then, in the back, it lists by product category Paula's Picks -- the GOOD stuff! (Tink, if there IS a lengthening-curling-non-clumping mascara, it's listed here!)
-"Don't Go Shopping for Hair Care Products Without Me" Same as above for shampoo/conditioner/hairspray, etc.
Less than 60$ with shipping for the set of three. Already they've guided me to better products (and in most cases, for cheaper. Sometimes she'll list an expensive product because she tested it and it really IS worth it!)
And if that ain't enough, her website has semi-current reviews and rankings of new products. I say 'semi', because she's getting tired of doing all the testing, trying hard to stay ahead of the cosmetics industry. Plus she's concentrating on her own line of cosmetics.
Lest you think I'm shilling for her, you'll have to make like a
cop and do your own google-sleuthing to find her
cosmetics website. Plus, the individual books are available through
amazon.com.
Karen