 Excellent guide to buying healthier products |
| Review Date: February 4, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Krista Bolan, Az |
I received a copy of this a few months ago and am finding myself referring to it regularly when considering which brands to select in my ongoing effort to rid my household of as many toxic products as possible. It has become one of the more useful guides I own because it actually gives lists of real brands to consider as well as providing all the information a consumer needs to make a better choice if those particular brands are hard to come by.
The book begins with a quick look at trends in makeup throughout history. It then moves into a discussion about how the ingredients in the products we use can affect our health. From the outset, the author reassures the reader that this book is for everyone, no matter how strongly you feel about limiting your exposure to toxins. Burnes accomplishes this by encouraging you to find your "comfort zone" and providing lists of products rated as "good," "better," and "best." I personally find this approach refreshing. It is too easy, with the onslaught of books coming out on this subject, to get obsessed with how toxic the world is. Most of us want to make some changes without dedicating our entire lives to avoiding everything that might harm us.
Deborah Burnes has really done her homework. I appreciate her emphasis on being an informed consumer and the importance of recognizing how companies often limit access to ingredient information, overstate the green-ness of their products, and fool consumers into thinking that because one product is really free of the scary stuff, that their entire product line is just as safe. She urges consumers to do their homework and contact companies for further information when it is either missing or vague. Her opinion on the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep database echoes my own - while it's a great tool, it has a long way to go to give us an accurate comprehensive sense about what's safe and what's not. Not that that's their fault - in many cases, product information is very hard to get, and dissecting all the research done on just one chemical is monumental by itself, let alone for everything that shows up in the things we use every day. The fact that Burnes took the time to try and verify information by tracking down primary sources referred to by the industry about the ingredients tells me she's serious about obtaining and analyzing the facts. Her tips on how to get the best use of the Skin Deep database are valuable to me, as I am someone who has been a bit frustrated by how much it still lacks but haven't yet discovered a better source for researching the safety of a product.
Her top ten lists are full of good tips in small bites. I plan to put them in my pda so they are always with me when I'm shopping.
A solid foundation in media literacy is something I think is a must for everyone, and I consider myself pretty well informed. But Burnes reveals things about personal care products that even I didn't know about - how a manufacturer can leave out ingredients it lists on the product's labels, tricks used in advertising to make a company seem "greener," and how words like "natural" and "organic" lack concrete definitions or FDA laws about how they can be used. I love the real life examples she gives in this book, such as when she takes a bottle of Suave shampoo and summarizes the scientific research on health effects for each ingredient. But health is not her only focus in this book - she is also concerned about sustainability and environmental impacts. The book raises consciousness about the use of resources in packaging, ingredients, and what it takes to actually get it to a store's shelves.
The largest portion of the book is devoted to comparison shopping. It covers brands I see regularly in the places I shop - and sometimes reveals tidbits about those stores themselves. The author isn't shy about difficulties she's had while researching a brand, a product, a store, or an organization, but her concerns are never petty or trivial. Although it could be argued that she does have some self-interest in how this information is presented because she is also has her own line of beauty products, nevertheless, her thorough investigative work makes her a credible source of information. I feel that the author has done a lot of the legwork for me, as a consumer, in writing this book.
One thing I find a little odd is that her section on chemical-free makeovers provides analysis of products from her own company, Sumbody. It reads a bit like advertising camouflaged as strictly-informative text. But in some ways it adds to her credibility as a manufacturer because she writes about how her process of developing a product unfolds, which could be very useful to anyone wanting to start their own product line.
The book concludes with some recipes for natural products, ideas for the engaged activist, a list of resources for doing further research, appendices for both natural and toxic ingredients, a bibliography, and index.
I would have left out the excerpts from the rich and famous - this book doesn't need them. It's as if someone thought adding famous people to the book would make it more appealing, more "sparkly." But the text is solid and valuable on its own; no window dressing is needed.
In sum, this is a treasure of information on a topic the author clearly feels passionate about. I highly recommend it for anyone who wishes to make healthier, better-informed decisions about the products they use every day. |
Handy, if Overwhelming
|
| Review Date: February 5, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Angelle Gullett, Los Angeles, CA USA |
Look Great, Live Green is chock-full of the kind of information about exactly what we're putting on on skin (and our hair and our teeth) that it would take you years to pull together on your own.
Author Deborah Burnes owns her own all-natural (really!) skin care line and she has really gone the extra mile to find out what's in the drugstore and luxury products and how all of those synthetic products add up to a chemical soup on our largest organ - our skin.
The book includes an overview of the current manufactured cosmetic industry and the sorry state of federal regulation of topical products and toxic ingredients. Burnes offers helpful "Good-Better-Best" lists of alternative products, and while most of us may not be ready to make our own deodorant, thinking through the cumulative effects on ourselves and the planet is a good thing.
If you ARE interested in making homemade care products, Burnes includes easy-to-use recipes and handy "What To Avoid When You're Shopping" lists. The wealth of information is sometimes overwhelming, and the book would have benefited from more bulleted lists and a judicious pruning of Burnes' anecdotes. Her publisher also did her no favors in the production department. The paragraphs are way too long for this kind of book and the type is squeezed too close together, giving many pages a "gray" effect that makes them difficult to read.
But Burnes has written a good guide to those looking to make some changes, large or small.
|
This book will change how you look at beauty products!
|
| Review Date: February 4, 2010 |
| Reviewer: A. Kim, |
I had a love/hate relationship with the book the moment I picked it up. Although I try to live a healthy life, I was blissfully ignorant about the chemicals in my beauty products. And while I do continually want to make changes for the better, I wasn't necessarily ready to throw out all the products I currently use.
That being said, I found this book very eye-opening and I would recommend it to everyone. Reading it made me want to throw all my current products in the hazardous waste and start new. She urges you to find your comfort zone with the products you use and provides a list of good, better, best products. I really appreciated the suggestions for safe products to use and especially the chapter with recipes to make your own. I found the author very knowledgeable and down to earth. While she makes a good case for using more natural products, she also lists quite a few resources in the back of the book and always urges you to do your own research.
If you have any interest in living a cleaner, greener life, I would highly recommend this book! |
Make the Change For a Better You and the Planet!!
|
| Review Date: December 27, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Monica Wyant, PA, USA |
When I first started this book I thought it was just going to be someone trying to tell me how I should be using certain types of personal care products and pushing their own products on me. I was truly mistaken. Look Great, Live Green is a book that teaches and informs you of the misconceptions we have been raised to believe. I found the book well written and easy to follow while reading.
If you are trying to figure out why your skin keeps looking older, dryer or just not what you are use it is most likely due to the so called 'natural' products you are currently using. Most of the cosmetics out there are not as natural as you may think. I learned that some of the products that I have now are not as natural as I thought. Anyone that is interested in saving money, time, their skin, and the environment should take a look at this book.
Deborah Burnes has her own line of personal care products that are natural. She did not force her products on you as you read the book. Deborah rates products from, Good, Better and Best. Some categories do just have Better or Best because she felt that was adequate. She also tells you not to try and change everything at once, you need to find your comfort zone and the products that are right for you.
There is a chapter on recipes to create your own natural products which I hope to try sometime. The end of the book lists resources to do research on your own. There is also a section that lists the natural products and there benefits plus a list of toxic ingredients and the cautions on how to handle them, if they are accidentally ingested or make contact with certain parts of the body and some diseases they are linked to. Now just reading those sections makes me not want to use the non natural products just out of fear of really causing severe injuries.
5 stars |
Finally, a green lifestyle book that's realistic!
|
| Review Date: December 21, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Cynthia Schrage, LaGrange, IN USA |
I was most intrigued by the sub-title of this volume, "Choosing Beauty Solutions That Are Planet-Safe and Budget-Smart." All too often, it seems, choosing to live in a manner that is more eco-friendly means choosing to live without something altogether, rather than just choosing a greener alternative (i.e., hybrid cars and solar heating, both of which require a substantial amount of money up front, thus being out of the range of most consumers).
Having worked in the beauty industry as a young woman, I am well aware of both the lure of cosmetics and their often unpleasant ingredients. I read Ruth Winter's book, "A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients," in its first edition, and found it to be quite eye-opening. Then I happened upon Debra Lynn Dadd's "Nontoxic & Natural," another gem.
But what I like most about this recent foray into the world of green beauty is that the author readily admits that she isn't "completely" green herself. She says, "I am not an extremist who things we should all sew all our own clothes and eat only what we grow ourselves. I believe in affecting change through moderation, and I want consumers to have accessible, healthy choices .... I try to be 85 percent healthy and reserve 15 percent for some vitamin J--junk." I like this, because it reflects a healthy attitude, and that allows for a guilt-free, easy-to-swallow approach that prompts readers to make real, and lasting, changes in their lives.
The book is organized into sections beginning with "Beauty Product ABCs," and then venturing into "Let's Go Comparison Shopping," followed by "What's a Busy Woman To Do?" and then "Recipes--and a Dash of Activism." There are comprehensive appendices for resources, ingredients and bibliographical information, as well as an index.
This is a great book. Not too technical, but not too light-weight. I heartily recommend it. |
Makes you look twice at a bottle of shampoo
|
| Review Date: December 1, 2009 |
| Reviewer: M. Tretiakova, Jamestown, NC |
Everyday we are confronted with a host of choices of what to use on our bodies from the start of the day (toothpaste) to the end (facial moisturizer). All of these choices are important and are opportunities to use products that limit our exposure to harmful (wow...are some harmful!!!!) chemicals.
The first part of the book gives readable, useful information about the various chemicals in products that most people are familiar with. The author takes the reader through chemical make-overs -- where she guides people through a process of paring down the number of products they use, choosing less toxic products and making their own products when possible.
There are recipes for making your own bath and beauty products as well and information about what types of ingredients (and the variety of names they have) to look for and to avoid.
Overall, this is a helpful book that isn't too frightening and overbearing. The author is familiar with the issues that face consumers everyday and the variety of ways that companies can make their products look "all natural" when they are far from it. |
*****Eye-Opening BooK!
|
| Review Date: October 5, 2009 |
| Reviewer: J. Stout, |
This was the most eye-opening and informative book I have ever read on the beauty/cosmetic industry.
I learned so much about the products most of use/buy from our local drug, department stores, etc.. (and what I learned about them was not so good, to say the least!).... But, the author of this book has a way of teaching/explaining everything so well and gives a wealth of information on the many economical, eco-conscious/organic alternative body & skin care products that are readily available.
This book is a Must Read for anyone who has any interested in the beauty/cosmetic industry & the products that many of us buy and put in/ on our bodies Everyday. Being aware & informed, as well as eco-conscious in our choices is a Good thing (for ourselves and our planet)... Thankfully, the information & guidance in this book (especially all the "good", "better" & "best" recommendations in it) made me realize it is something I can easily do, while Truly looking & feeling Great about it! |
good to know
|
| Review Date: June 12, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Katherine Thoresen, California |
This book should be in every house as a reference guide. It will definitely change the way you choose products.
Even though the author has a product line of her own she also includes lists of comparable brands. |
Eye-opening book!
|
| Review Date: November 23, 2009 |
| Reviewer: B. Kim, New Mexico |
YIKES! This book really opened my eyes about all the junk I have been putting ON my body -- just when I thought I was safe if I only worried about the stuff I put IN my body. However, I have a child who is very allergic to artificial colors and some artificial flavors, and one day it occurred to me as I was putting on lip stick that she would never be able to wear an artificially colored lipstick just as she can't eat artificially colored foods. When I started cooking all natural for her, and eating along with her, I realized quickly how much better I felt. Now, after reading this book, I can't wait to switch to all natural for all my skin and body care products to see what kind of impact that makes on my skin health and overall health. What is the point of avoiding artificial red dyes (made from coal tar derivatives) to make me feel better if I then smear them all over my lips and "eat" a little red dye every time I eat or drink? I noticed an immediate difference when I stopped eating food with red dye, so why it didn't occur to me to change my lip stick is beyond me!
I appreciated how informative this book was, as well as the science in it, Look Great, Live Green: Choosing Bodycare Products that Are Safe for You, Safe for the Planet especially about the toxic ingredients in my skin/body care products, as well as safer and natural alternatives. At first read I found it a little scary and depressing, but then inspiring as I read on and realized that making this change in my life didn't actually have to be all that hard. I have already learned to read labels for my daughter, and it really won't be that big of a deal, or skip the label reading and just change to the products she recommends. I really loved the recipe section! I can't wait to get started trying to make my own natural body care products! |
Reviewed
|
| Review Date: December 20, 2009 |
| Reviewer: staria, |
| Have you ever thought about what ingredients are used in the make-up we use everyday? Or have you read the ingredient list and realized you don't know what most the ingredients are? These questions and many more don't get easily answered by the cosmetic products companies, still Deborah Burnes sets out to not only answer them in this informative book but also teach us that beauty does not mean sacrifice. At times it borders on preachy and it goes on and on about the harm big companies do, so be prepared to read a lot; this is not a book for light readers. Yet it never stops enlightening the reader about what is good and bad for your skin. What makes this book really great is the make-up recipes that anyone can make at home for a fraction of what we are usually are charged at stores. Overall, I hope that in the near future Burnes will enlighten us (and save us some money) with more recipes to try at hom |
|
No video reviews found for this product.
No comments yet