No More Dirty Looks The Truth about Your Beauty Products--and the Ultimate Guide to Safe and Clean Cosmetics will be a real eye-opener for many readers unfamiliar with the dangers lurking in so-called beauty products.
The journey for the authors starts when they go to get a Brazilian Blow-Out and discover that formaldehyde is an active ingredient in the product. (Formaldehyde is used to embalm dead people, FYI and is considered a carcinogen.) From there, the authors begin research into all kinds of health and beauty products.
They discover that the FDA doesn't do a very good job in protecting the health of people. One of the most disturbing truths discovered is that endocrine disruptive chemicals are found in baby products and products pregnant women use.
What many people do not realize is that the skin is the largest organ and that it is porous. when you apply a products, it goes through the skin and into the bloodstream. All those chemicals found in makeup and perfume and inside your body! And there are literally 1000's of them.
The best art of the book is that safe and effective alternative beauty products are suggested. Ones that are also not tested on animals.
I have been using safe, chemical beauty products (and safe stuff for home, etc) for years now. I am familiar with many of the products suggested and YES they are effective! (Like anything else, you have to test and see for yourself.) Once you get used to these products, you will not miss the chemical-laden ones with their fake smells!
The reason for 4 stars? I was not pleased with the way this book was written at times, with way too casual words--as if these were two girls writing about some silly subject instead of the very serious subject matter that it is. It only serves to make one question their credibility....that said, I have done enough research to know they are on to the facts.
I also recommend IN DEFENSE OF FOOD by Michael Pollen to learn about healthy food( or any of his books,)HARMONIOUS ENVIRONMENT: BEAUTIFY, DETOXIFY & ENERGIZE YOUR LIFE, YOUR HOME & YOUR PLANET to discover how to detoxify all products you use AND find great, healthy alternatives, and HOW TO GROW FRESH AIR to clean your home of toxins.
Highly recommend!
This book is a must-read for anyone who cares about health, beauty and the environment. I was shocked to learn about the cosmetic industry from up close and how little they are protecting my health. This book gave me all the info on the cosmetics I was using that were bad for me and then I got a bunch of ideas about how to change my attitude and my products. I have been using clean and natural beauty products since and my skin feels amazing and I feel better about the industry I am supporting. Great read, I'm giving it to all my loved ones.
Buy No More Dirty Looks: The Truth about Your Beauty Products--and the Ultimate Guide to Safe and Clean Now
I've read this book twice already and consider it essential reading for anyone who wants to take more control over what they're putting on and into their bodies. We blindly assume that cosmetics must be safe if they've made it onto the shelf of our local drugstores, and as O'Connor and Spunt make clear, nothing could be further from the truth. I've been gradually switching my products over to clean ones, but this book helped me complete the transition with concrete tips and amazing suggestions. If you care about your health, the environment, and your looks, then carry this book in your purse whenever you go shopping for products until you've memorized which chemicals to avoid! And make it a gift for any moms (and dads) you know so they can be better informed when they shop for sunscreens and soaps for their babies and children. Thanks to the authors for putting together such a groundbreaking and fun read!! (They also host a fab blog with daily posts and recommendations that will help you stay on top of your health and beauty regimes: )
Read Best Reviews of No More Dirty Looks: The Truth about Your Beauty Products--and the Ultimate Guide to Safe and Clean Here
pros:
1. easy to read/understand delivery. No technical jargon to wade through. Terms That the average person wouldn't know are explained in plain English.
2. Each subject (i.e. lotion, lipstick, acne cream, etc) has only a page or two to read through to get the relevant info.
3. Good organization of the information. I can find exactly what I want without wading through every thing I don't.
4. Good information. Helpful hints. Each chapter has the section "why these products are bad" followed by the section "here are products that are good and where you might find them to buy them, or how to make your own."
5. comprehensive in the types of products covered. Probably a majority I have never used, or only used once or twice in my life.
6. Also covers other ways of making yourself beautiful naturally, (i.e. good health, good lifestyle, etc.)
cons:
1. I found the use of swear words in the book to be flippant and unprofessional. While they don't occur all the time, I am one who believes that strong words should be reserved for special occasions where a strong impact is desired. That didn't happen here. There was no need, and therefore it came off as offensive rather than effective. There were also a few mild references to human sexuality that I thought didn't add to the book.
2.While it's nice not to have to read through a chapter for every cosmetic product, I felt like some things were kind of skimmed over and could have used more detail. In some places it felt more like an overview than a truly informative book. Once again, this is both a pro and a con.
3. I would have liked to see more "make at home" possibilities. Surely there's more out there that you can use to clean your hair than the old "baking soda and vinegar."
Also, they mentioned that Baby Soaps have these "bad" chemicals in them too but offered no alternatives for your little ones, nor discussed the effects of adult "clean" soaps for your little ones.
Over all I thought this book was worth the read, and the information presented was valuable.
-Melissa
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I am a Sephora addict. I love makeup, and love perfume over 180 bottles...you could say I have a problem. I first started seeing tags such as "No parabens" "PABA free" on certain brands of makeup. This got me looking into the makeup I own and all the chemicals that go in them. Reading this book was like removing the wool from my eyes, I now know what propylene glycol is and why phthalates are bad for you. So much of what goes into our cosmetics is completely unregulated by the FDA which leaves the consumer to understand ingredients on their own. That is no simple task, but it can be with No More Dirty Looks. My sister lent me her copy, and I plan on getting a copy for myself, and spreading the word to my fellow females.
If you want to know:
what ingredients are in your makeup,
why those ingredients are bad for you,
what makeup you can replace it with,
then this is the book for you!
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in 1999 I read Nancy SantoPietro's first book, and was so interested that I called her for a consultation. I was very unhappy with job, my home, my health Nancy took the time to explain why Black Hat Sect Feng Shui works and how it worked and gave me a list of things to do. Well since that time, I have a new job, my apt. is always neat no stagnant energy and lo and behold, my bouts with bronchitis have ceased. When this new book came out, I was eager to buy it and read it, because it makes so much sense. It is honest, readable, and you can tell that she wrote the book wanting to help people, not just because Feng Shui is "hot" right now. She is one practitioner that really cares about her clients. I highly recommend her as a Feng Shui practitioner and both her books are very, very easy to read and her advice is also easy to follow. My life has improved tremendously since SantoPietro's Feng Shui expertise touched my life and I hope others will be encouraged to read her books so they too can be helped!
