Paula Begoun
Paula Begoun | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 14, 1953 Chicago suburb, Illinois, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, author, talk radio personality |
| Known for | Creator of Paula's Choice; founder of Beginning Press Publishing; author of beauty industry books |
Paula Beth Begoun (born November 14, 1953), widely recognized as "The Cosmetics Cop," is an American entrepreneur, author, and talk radio personality. She is the creator of Paula's Choice and founder of Beginning Press Publishing.
Career
Originating from a suburb of Chicago, Illinois, Begoun pursued scientific studies at Northern Illinois University. Relocating to Washington D.C. in 1978, she established herself professionally as a makeup artist and esthetician. By 1981, she partnered to launch cosmetics retail outlets in Seattle. The following year, KIRO-TV hired her as a consumer and feature reporter, where she began scrutinizing the beauty sector and commenced writing her debut book, Blue Eyeshadow Should be Illegal.
In 1984, she divested her business interests and independently published Blue Eyeshadow Should Be Illegal in 1985. The book garnered nationwide recognition, earning her spots on shows such as The Oprah Winfrey Show. Begoun also penned a widely syndicated advice column titled "Dear Paula," which attracted thousands of reader questions and inspired her 1992 publication Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me.
Begoun introduced Beautypedia.com in 2008, an extensive online platform reviewing over 45,000 products from upwards of 300 brands.
During the early 1990s, she collaborated with cosmetic scientists to formulate a skincare and cosmetics line grounded in peer-reviewed scientific data. Paula's Choice began selling products online in 1995. Despite some skepticism regarding the impartiality of her evaluations due to owning a product line, Begoun asserts that Paula's Choice distinctively recommends items beyond its own offerings.
She remains active as a consultant for dermatologists, plastic surgeons, leading cosmetics corporations, and industry professionals. Internationally acknowledged as a consumer advocate and expert in beauty and hair care, she frequently appears on prominent news and talk programs including CNN, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Dr. Oz Show, and The View.
Writing
Begoun has self-published eighteen books addressing the beauty industry, among them Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me, The Original Beauty Bible, and Blue Eyeshadow Should Be Illegal. Her publications have reached nearly three million copies sold worldwide and have been translated into eight different languages.
Radio show
She formerly hosted a podcast centered on cosmetics, skincare, and hair care topics, featuring updates on beauty industry trends, product evaluations, and interviews with experts such as dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons. The program encouraged audience participation through call-ins and product giveaways. As of 2013, this podcast has been placed on indefinite hiatus.
Publications
- The Best Places to Kiss in Northern California
- The Best Places to Kiss in Southern California
- The Best Places to Kiss in The Northwest
- The Best Places to Kiss in New York City
- 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 (1995; final edition 2004)
- Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me (1991; 9th edition 2012)
- The Best Skin of Your Life Starts Here: Busting Beauty Myths so You Know What to Use And Why (2015)
- 40 Beauty Myths Busted: What Really Works for Clear, Younger-Looking Skin (2018)