I’ve been involved in some aspect of the cosmetics industry for over a dozen years, and in that time (especially since working with Paula) I have seen, researched and reviewed thousands of products. You’d think that with all I am exposed to that my bathroom would be bursting at the seams with all manner of creams, lotions, scrubs, and serums. Guess what? It isn’t. Admittedly, I use more skin-care products per day than the average soap-and-water guy, but given what I do for a living, I don’t think its overkill.

I tend to be very loyal to products that work. Once I find something that really works for me, I am resistant to change. In contrast, most women I know tend to go from product to product, seemingly at the whim of the cosmetics industry’s next proclamation of the “best” ingredient or product line. Women also tend to be more accepting of a skin-care routine encompassing several products, many of which are superfluous. I get the allure of such a routine and the temptation to try what’s new is undeniably strong. After all, shouldn’t products keep getting better and better? Won’t they eventually work as claimed? As for me, I prefer to stick with what I know works, not only formula-wise, but for my skin’s needs.

My daily routine consists of seven skin-care products, spaced between daytime and evening. See, that’s definitely more than most men use, but not as much as most women following a skin-care routine of some kind. So I guess when it comes to grooming, I’m medium maintenance. At least until you check out my supply of hair-care products. Then there’s no denying that high maintenance is the name of the game!

Before this blog comes to an end, I wanted to share with you the Paula’s Choice products that I have had in my routine for years because they have never failed me. I am a devoted user of our One Step Face Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin, Skin Balancing Moisture Gel, 1% Beta Hydroxy Acid Lotion, and Close Comfort Shave Gel. I do like experimenting with various sunscreens, including those we have in development at Paula’s Choice. And I alternate sunscreens based on their SPF rating, the season, and how long I’ll be exposed…uh-oh….I’m either becoming high maintenance with skin care too or just have too many worthwhile choices!

Over the years my team and my readers have repeatedly asked me to create a blog. Given that I write thousands of pages of content filled with my reviews, opinions, research, outlook, and conclusions, a blog in many respects seemed unnecessary to me. I reasoned that I write enough material already, and worried about overwhelming my audience (and myself). Despite my concerns, I was continually told that a blog would be the perfect format for me to say all the things I hold back saying in my books, my Paulaschoice.com Web site, my Beauty Bulletins, and my new subscriber-based Web site Beautypedia.com (a continually updated, searchable database of thousands of my product reviews-there’s always more and more products to review). So finally, after much resistance, here is my new blog, there is always more to say about the cosmetic industry. This is also a place where you are invited to share you thoughts and critiques with me as well.

You may be wondering what will be different about my blog in comparison to everything else I write and honestly, I’ve wondered the same thing! I am being encouraged to just let it all pour out here on my blog. The objective is to not hold back but instead share the things that drive me up the wall about new products, the bogus or sham studies I come across, the crazy experiences I have at the cosmetic counters or behind the scenes at TV shows, the physicians who sell their souls to get in on the sales of antiwrinkle products, and the overall insanity of the cosmetics industry. Because of what I do and who I know I am privy to a lot of insider secrets. I can at times become vitriolic about egregious violations of a consumer’s trust. Believe it or not, I oftentimes don’t write all these details because I already get a lot of condemnation for being too negative. Well, the gloves are off and I’m ready to share and have a great time doing it! I won’t violate anyone’s trust or confidence, but whenever I can let you in on the unvarnished truth, I will! You’ll also be hearing from several key members of my staff as we build a community of perspectives and shared experiences on this blog. Happy reading, and please don’t forget to leave your comments!