Comments on: What Is Paula’s Choice?

By: Susan R Frank

Susan R Frank — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 08:14:52 +0000

If I owned your company,I would describe it as,”a no bull shit cosmetic company.”

As the questions came in, I would reveal my interest in medically proven formulations that really work, with no grandiose fantasies attached.

A bit later I would describe myself as the “Cosmetic Cop” and give an example of how I’ve infuriated the traditional cosmetic industry.

And I would smile with pride!

By: Elena

Elena — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 16:36:04 +0000

When people ask me what I use (Paula’s choice) and why it’s different, I can’t really give them the long winded story about science and proof (you wouldn’t believe how many people also genuinely believe that science is a crock of poo, it’s stunning). What I find works best, is saying I like it because the products work well with my skin’s natural functions and simply help it function better overall.

They usually ask me where to buy it after that!

By: Linda

Linda — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:56:12 +0000

An easy tagline, which gets to the *essence* of Paula’s work over the years might be the simplest way to explain Paula’s product line. Something like:

Paula’s Choice, skincare and cosmetics based on science, not advertising.

By: Lynn O

Lynn O — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:37:28 +0000

Dear Paula,

What you wrote is a mouthful that doesn’t come out naturally when talking to someone – and unfortunately it doesn’t sound much different than what everybody else says.

Why not say that you built your reputaion as the “Cosmetics Cop” analyzing products from a scientific point of view based on their ingredients and effectiveness. That you happily recommend some and expose others as unable to meet their claims. Your readers relied on your no-nonsense approach, but begged you to just make products that worked as well as possible. So now you do and thousands of people trust Paula’s Choice products and buy them online.

By: ann

ann — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:18:05 +0000

Hi Paula,

Dont know if you actually read these comments but thought I would share anyway. I’ve always been into make up and skin care and very fussy about products and curious about ingredients and hype. I worked at the Cliniue counter for several years and in that time went through every single product on the market. I have problematic skin so I was always on the look out for -products -that- work-. Now my skin is great. EVERYONE asks me what I use. I tell them and they ALWAYS say they have never heard of Paula’s choice. SO I explain it like this:

“Paula’s choice is like the Choice Magazine version of cosmetics. She reviews and audits products and explains why they do and dont work.

Paulas choice skin care is a range of products that contain all the best ingredients and technology without frills, colours or hype. ”

and then they go and buy the Dior anyway becauase of the pretty packaging!

Anyhow – for skin all I know is, Paula’s choice simply works!

By: sara

sara — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:06:57 +0000

i think one of the biggest aspects about your brand is the focus on educating your customers–not on your brand per say, but on skincare itself. the more knowledge i have, the more i can think and make decisions for myself, which leads me as a consumer to feel confident and in control. it is extremely apparent that you want to educate people to be able to know how to take care of their skin, and your dedication to that over making money or selling your products (though i’m sure that is still important) makes you trustworthy as a person and as a brand. that is how i found your site–i was looking up information because i wanted to know. Also, and this is huge–i fell as though you trust your customers; you see them as intelligent, curious, and able to participate in and understand the science and research behind skincare. you give your customers credit. i can’t think of any reason why people don’t use your products other than they don’t know about them! and i like the fact that your “store” is online.)

By: Scarlett

Scarlett — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 01:35:07 +0000

Paula, if it wasn’t for you I’d be a lonely spinster wearing heavy blue eyeshadow by day and cleaning what was left of my my face with mentholated linseed oil by night. Fortunately, I’ve been a devoted fan since the Illegal Blue Eyeshadow days, so I’m a reasonably attractive 44-year-old with very healthy skin. When I tell people about your products (people always ask me what skin care I use), I tell them that you are a Consumer Advocate reporter and consultant who used her years of exposure and experience to create products based on first hand understanding of “the best of the best of What Really Works.” I don’t think many of us want to use cosmetics that make us feel like we’re test subjects. We don’t want to invest in something that may turn out to have long-term negative effects. We want to know that we have the ability to choose beneficial skin care products in the same way that we choose to eat foods based on their proven ability to be healthy; i.e. apples, soybeans, etc. Your skin care provides a comprehensive range of everything a consumer’s skin may need or want, with products formulated with beneficial and safe ingredients, as determined by the most credible, up-to-date dermatological sources. That’s too wordy for the average airplane-seat-mate. I suppose you could say, “No snake oil here. Just good ingedients your dermatologist digs.”

By: Lynn

Lynn — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 19:50:21 +0000

I tell people that you are a kind of Consumer Reports for skin care, with emphasis on your writing (which I have always loved and looked forward to). From there, you started formulating your own products to meet your own standards, and branched out into an online encyclopedia for beauty products, newspaper and TV, etc.
I think what initially sets you apart is the intelligence and writing skills that you bring to a very confusing marketplace. And of course you have a very loyal following, too!

By: Christen Stewart

Christen Stewart — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:51:18 +0000

I have spoken to lots of people about your products and although your explanation is very professional and exact, possibly consider the viewpoint of hanging out in a “Mommies” group. We are intelligent/educated mothers yet we speak in simpler terms while relaxing and hanging out together with our children. I explain your products to be the best product for my money! You have designed a line to address a wide variety of skin issues without adding more irritation and harm to the skin. Not only do you offer irritant free products but you don’t try to make money off people’s hopes for a miracle product that just doesn’t exist, and in today’s economy that is a must!! In my little group keeping our skin clean, dealing safely and effectively with skins constant fluctuations,and protecting ourselves from sun damage (hence aging issues) are our primary concerns. There are too many products out there promising the “Fountain of Youth” while maintaining beautiful skin and they can drain the wallet. I refer people to your website constantly!! What a wonderful and giving concept to sift through the hype and deliver real information and products without focusing on getting wealthy first. In a nutshell…”Paulas Choice products are safe, cost-effective products geared towards keeping the skin clean and healthy without harming the skin further or promising claims that we as women already should know are just not possible. If you take care of your skin properly now, you will age beautifully down the road. Thanks so much Paula, your website and products are a must in our family!

By: Diane

Diane — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:53:39 +0000

Since you’ve been a cosmetic industry consumer reporter first & foremost, I think you should start off with that (in a nutshell) and proceed to state that based on what you’ve learned from years of experience that you developed your own line in an effort to cut through the marketing hype to offer quality, comprehensive & well-formulated products based on the latest published research. I, too, have an issue with words like synergistically & state-of-the-art (right off the bat). I, for one, based on my knowledge of Paula’s Choice, would be turned off by someone else starting out that way. Introduce yourself & start on a conversational level. I think people will be more interested hearing about who you are first, rather than simply coming up with a string of adjectives to describe your business. THEN you can move on to your products, and amp up the adjectives as you go along.