Drop-Dead Gorgeous: Protecting Yourself from the Hidden Dangers of Cosmetics

Your first reaction to Drop-Dead Gorgeous may be never to wash your hair again. After a closer inspection, the reaction might change to vowing never to use a standard beauty product ever again, coupled with a serious distaste for manufacturers who claim to be "natural" but use the same harsh ingredients as any generic brand. Author Kim Erickson has done her homework, and the results are disturbing.

Erickson has determined that chemicals such as sodium lauryl sulfate and propylene glycol are found in all sorts of cleansers for hair and skin, and little regulation exists within the industry. Some of these issues point to potential toxicity for all users, while others mention a single, if severe, possible allergic reaction. Clearly, this difference is important, but the book doesn't differentiate between potential or accidental harm to one and known test results pointing to health concerns for millions. Still, it's probably better to be aware of all the possibilities lurking in that bottle of bath gel.

As part of your cosmetic education, you'll learn how to whip up your own simple recipes for shampoos, bath salts, lotions, and hair dyes. If that sounds like too much effort, each section includes specific manufacturers and products that contain no damaging substances. Either way, you'll open the door to all sorts of fun beauty products that won't harm you or the world you live in. --Jill Lightner