Paula Begoun

Paula Begoun launched her entrepreneurial career in the beauty sector by opening cosmetics stores in Seattle in 1981, quickly gaining expertise in product evaluation. This hands-on experience led her to a pivotal role in 1982 as a consumer/feature reporter for KIRO-TV in Seattle, Washington. In this capacity, Begoun adopted an investigative journalism approach to scrutinize the beauty industry, rapidly earning her the distinctive title of ‘The Cosmetics Cop’ for her candid and science-backed reporting on product claims and ingredients. This groundbreaking investigative work directly influenced Begoun’s debut literary work, ‘Blue Eyeshadow Should be Illegal.’ After selling her business shares in 1984, she self-published the book in 1985, which garnered national attention.

This ongoing dedication solidifies her position as a leading voice for integrity and efficacy within the global beauty industry.