Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry by Stacy Malkan
Book Review by Lisa Powell, Green Health Research Contributor
Lauded by scientists, celebrities, and grass-roots organizers alike, Stacy Malkan’s “Not Just a Pretty Face” is not only an informative read, but an interesting one as well. Malkan takes an in-depth look at the cosmetics industry and the harmful chemicals with which many companies fill their products. Malkan provides not only hard data to back up her claims, but also intersperses her writing with real-life accounts from women and men across America who have personally felt the damaging effects of the chemicals we unknowingly take into our bodies every day. Surprisingly, the book is still an easy read, and while it might not be ‘fun’ in the traditional sense, it does provide you with an incredible amount of information without ever becoming dull, overly scientific, or self-righteous. The inside-out look at how health and environmental groups work as well as how major corporations respond to consumer groups is eye-opening.
The Body Toxic: How the Hazardous Chemistry of Everyday Things Threatens Our Health and Well-being by Nena Baker
Review by Andrea Lewis, Green Health Research Contributor
Nena Baker, an investigative journalist who in the past looked at the treatment of workers in Nike’s Indonesian factories, and won awards for doing so, now turns her attention to the chemicals that we all come in to contact with on a daily basis. Baker takes a hard look at how everything from food to cosmetics to clothing is now loaded with chemicals, and how many of these chemicals are making their way into our bodies and damaging our health. Her book also contains helpful appendices that list chemicals to avoid (and why to avoid them), environmental groups you can contact, and government agencies that can provide you with more information.
Living Green: A Practical Guide to Sustainability by Greg Horn
Review by Monica Wesley, Green Health Research Contributor
Greg Horn’s “Living Green” is a truly useful handbook for anyone interested in learning more about the ‘green’ movement and how to live a green life. His book is wide-ranging: offering tips on what products are best to buy organic, how to reduce your carbon footprint, and affordable green options for food and other basic needs. Horn’s recommendations are great for both those just starting a green lifestyle as well people already committed to living green, as his ideas include things like cleaning your refrigerator coils that many green enthusiasts would never think of doing. As a past CEO General Nutrition Centers (GNC), Greg knows first-hand what it takes to live the healthiest life possible, and here he shows you how to do it.
Beauty to Die For: The Cosmetics Consequence by Judi Vance
Review by Madeline Gonzalez, Green Health Research Contributor
After battling numerous physical and neurological problems resulting from the chemicals used in many cosmetic and skin care products, Judi Vance decided to write about her research into the side effects of chemically-laden cosmetics and how these products are damaging our health. Vance includes an extensive bibliography of her sources, so the reader knows that her information is reliable and grounded in scientific fact. Vance’s work is an easy read-she manages to include scientific data without overwhelming the reader or causing boredom. She also provides a list of common cosmetic ingredients and what they do at the end of her book, which is helpful if you wish to do any personal ‘research’ into what’s really in the cosmetics you have at home.
Making Faces by Kevyn Aucoin
Review by Madeline Gonzalez, Green Health Research Contributor
Kevyn Aucoin is a recently departed makeup artist to the stars. Clients included Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman, Cher, Drew Barrymore, and many others. In Making Faces Aucoin shows you step-by-step how to create many different looks modeled by his celebrity clients and the non-famous alike. The book is great for those stuck in a beauty rut or the beauty beginner because it is so full of interesting makeup ideas and carefully outlines how to accomplish every look Aucoin discusses. The book also helps to explain common beauty terms and concepts so you're sure to have a solid base for any and all future beauty endeavors. While Kevyn Aucoin may be gone, this book is a testament to his creative genius and shows his legacy will live on after him.
Milady’s Skin Care & Cosmetic Ingredients Dictionary 2nd Ed. by Natalia Michalun with M. Varinia Michalun
Review by Louise Lemon, Green Health Research Contributor
Natalia and Varinia Michalun’s dictionary of skin care and cosmetic ingredients is extensive. The authors not only provide explanations of what each ingredient is and what it is used for, but they also take the time at the beginning of the book to explain common cosmetic terms, such as emulsifier occlusive ingredients, terms which otherwise would have left readers confused. The Michaluns also explain skin’s structure, how and where they found their sources for the ingredient dictionary, and provide overviews of various skin conditions and complaints.
A Consumer’s Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients, 6th Ed. by Ruth Winter, M.S.
Review by Louise Lemon, Green Health Research Contributor
Ruth Winter’s dictionary of cosmetic ingredients is currently in its sixth edition, and for good reason. The dictionary is extensive, thorough in its description of ingredients and what their function is in cosmetic products, and yet remains very easy to understand. Winter also provides an appendix that explains many of the common warning labels found on beauty products, and why these warning labels should be carefully read and followed. Winter’s introduction is a must-read for anyone interested in cosmetics, as it explains how the FDA regulates cosmetics, why the FDA can’t regulate cosmetics as well as it should, and many other important health issues related to beauty products. As a whole, the “Consumer’s Dictionary” truly should be on the bookshelf of every beauty and skin care product consumer.
The Antioxidant Miracle by Lester Packer, Ph. and Carol Colman
Review by Christine Conrad, Green Health Research Contributor
The Antioxidant Miracle focuses on the benefits of a diet high in antioxidant-rich foods, and explains how antioxidants work within our bodies to fight disease, keep you looking and feeling young, and improve memory and mental focus. Written by Lester Packer, a leading research scientist working at the University of California at Berkeley, and Carol Colman, a New York Times best-selling author, this book is packed with enough valuable information to aid even the biggest health buff, and yet is easy to read, and so is also suitable for those just beginning to explore the benefits of a healthier diet. The book’s chapters each explain a different antioxidant, what it does for the body, and good sources of the antioxidant in foods and supplements. Packer and Colman later go on to provide specific antioxidant diet “plans” based on what health benefits you are looking for. This is very interesting and helpful for those who are trying to address a specific problem or potential problem, and takes the book out the realm of purely informational and makes it applicable and useful for daily life.
The Green Pharmacy by James A. Duke, Ph.D.
Review by Vanessa Davids, Green Health Research Contributor
James A. Duke is one of leading botanists and herbalists in the United States, and has studied and traveled throughout both the U.S. and the rest of the world learning about beneficial plants and herbs. In this book Duke compiles an extensive list of common health complaints and ailments, ranging from heart disease to sexual disfunction to the common cold, and then lists several different plants and herbs that can safely be used to treat the problem. Duke explains what each plant or herb does to help the complaint, where you can find it, and any safety precautions that accompany its use. Duke is able to communicate his vast knowledge of plants and herbs to the lay person in a very easy to understand, trustworthy but relaxed style which makes his book both fun to read and extremely informative and helpful. This book is great to have on hand when looking for natural ways to treat common health problems.