Beauty That Gives Back

I’ve donated much time over my 25 years of life volunteering for several different causes, including animal shelters, homeless shelters, the American Red Cross, the Special Olympics, Goodwill, Girl Scouts and several others. Unfortunately, in the past few years, I haven’t had as much time to give to these causes as I once did. I truly admire the people who make charity their life, who MAKE time to go out of their way to help others. One of my New Year’s Resolutions was to donate my time to at least one charity this year. Yes, one month later and I am still trying to get on track with some of my resolutions. This time around, I would love to get involved with some sort of cause that would help make women feel more beautiful. Several years ago in Girl Scouts, my troop put together toiletry kits for homeless and battered women, and it was a very rewarding experience. Perhaps I will get involved with something similar this year.

In the meantime, while I am bogged down with this heavy hitting spring semester at school, I have chosen to donate funds to charity instead. My first real job (a.k.a first non-camp counselor job) was at The Body Shop, way back in 2004. The thing that has always drawn me to TBS was their fair trade values and the fact that they were always involved in some sort of campaign to better the world around us. Of course, their products were great as well. There were always special products that one could buy and the Body Shop would donate a certain amount of the proceeds to charity. This isn’t a new idea, but it wasn’t quite as common as it is in the cosmetics world nowadays. Today, there are hundreds of beauty companies out there that are involved in charity organizations.

I have made a conscious effort lately to purchase products that will benefit some sort of worthy cause, and I have listed several of these products below. I hope that this post will inspire someone to give something back to their fellow man, because every little bit helps!

Aveda Green Science Firming Face Cream, $55
http://www.aveda.com/product/CATEGORY10562/PROD13357/Skin_Care/Moisturize_Protect/index.tmpl

This award-winning face cream is geared towards mature skin types, as it helps moisturize, firm and smooth fine lines. The key ingredient in this cream is organic argan oil, which comes from Morocco. Aveda is involved in The Targanine Cooperative to produce this oil, which enables the women in Morocco to provide for their families and communities. This co-op supports over 400 families, and your purchase of this cream helps provide for these women, as well as preserve the argan trees in Morocco. A win-win situation for sure!

Kiehl's Jeff Koons Limited Edition Creme de Corps, $27
http://www.kiehls.com/Jeff-Koons-Limited-Edition-Creme-de-Corps/919,default,pd.html?start=2&cgid=body-moisturizers

Kiehl's famous shea butter and sesame seed oil moisturizer has been a cult favorite for many years. It is perfect for that unsightly, flaky winter skin and has really stood out in a sea of moisturizers that claim to do the same. This is a true winner in my book. Kiehl's has teamed up with internationally recognized contemporary artists to help children in need. 100% of the net profits from the sale of this lotion will be donate to the Koons Family Institute, which benefits the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children.

Lush Charity Pot Body Lotion, $20.95
http://www.lushusa.com/shop/products/body/hand-and-body-creams/charity-pot

This chocolate scented cocoa butter and almond oil moisturizer was one of Lush's first lotions, and it is still going strong. Lush donates 100% of the proceeds from this lotion to several grassroots charities around the world, including several animal rights organizations, human rights campaigns and clean ocean initiatives. Each pot will have information on the top explaining which charity your purchase has benefited. Another great product from one of my favorite cosmetics companies of all time!

The Body Shop Soft Hands Kind Heart Hand Cream, $7
http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com/lotions-creams/prod1029823

As I mentioned earlier, the Body Shop has always done a wonderful job giving back to the world. I was a little concerned back when L'Oreal purchased TBS in 2006 because they don't exactly have the most humanistic reputation. Nonetheless, they adhered to The Body Shop's values, and they continue to do a great job with their social activism campaigns. 100% of profits from the sale of this hand cream benefit the ECPAT network, which stands for End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Child Trafficking. Human trafficking is one of the most serious problems our world faces today, and it is commendable that the Body Shop is helping the cause.

Anthony Logistics for Men Products
http://www.anthony.com/about-us/philanthropy-2/

Anthony Logistics are products that are made specifically for men. There are so many men's products on the market nowadays, but these guys were one of the first. In the last decade, around 350,000 men have died from prostate cancer, which is the same number of deaths that were caused by breast cancer in women. Anthony Logistics donates a percentage of the profits from the sale of all their products to not-for-profit charities involved in spreading prostate cancer awareness. In a society that has become very active in breast cancer benefaction, I think we should try to focus equally on this killer of men as well. 

Clairsonic Skincare Brush BCA Pink, $195
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P211002&categoryId=C15188&shouldPaginate=true

The beauty community has been all aflutter lately over the Clairsonic skincare brush. It has helped women overcome several skincare afflictions, and helped those without skin problems achieve an overall clearer and healthier complexion. It is quite pricy, but countless women out there will swear that it is absolutely worth it. This particular version sold by Sephora promises to donate a portion of the proceeds to fund the fight against breast cancer.  

Nest Blue Garden Candle, $32
http://www.candledelirium.com/Nest-Candles/Nest-Blue-Garden-Candle/

This gorgeous candle is a springy mix of blue hydrangea, hyacinth and forget-me-not. This line of candles is done by Laura Slatkin, the wife of famous Bath and Body Works candle mogul Harry Slatkin. When their son was diagnosed with autism, the couple co-founded the New York Center for Autism, which is an organization dedicated to biomedical research for the disease. A portion of the proceeds for each Blue Garden Candle sold will be donated to Autism Speaks, which helps spread awareness of autism spectrum disorders. 

EcoTools Makeup Brushes
http://www.parispresents.com/EcoTools_s/36.htm

These are truly some of the best makeup brushes out there - and the best part is, they are available at your local drugstore! These super soft and luxurious brushes are made from 100% synthetic hair, which is quite rare in the makeup brush industry. EcoTools is part of the 1% for the Planet movement, in which several companies donate 1% of their total sales to a network of global environmental campaigns for clean air, pure water, safe food and wild places. 

Buxom Stay-There Eye Shadow, $17
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P267305&categoryId=B70

Buxom shadows are my newest makeup obsession. They have a wonderfully unique texture, and are named after dog breeds! Unfortunately, there is no daschund one, which is the one fault of this line! Anyways, in honor of each eyeshadow sold, Bare Escentuals (the parent company of Buxom) will make a charitable donation to Canine Companions for Independence, an organization dedicated to providing service dogs to the disabled. A wothy cause and amazing product!

Chantecaille Sea Turtle Palette, $78
http://www.blissworld.com/beauty/shop-by-brand/chantecaille/chantecaille-sea-turtle-palette.aspx

Although this palette isn't widely available quite yet, I had to include it in this post. Chantecaille's upcoming spring palette is absolutely stunning!! Chante's eyeshadows are extremely luxurious, and almost too gorgeous to even use! With this particular sea turtle edition, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to WIDECAST, an organization that helps save sea turtles in North, South and Central America and the Carribean. I can't wait to see this bad boy in person!

Josie Maran GOGO Instant Natural Volume Argan Mascara
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P268208&categoryId=B70

Another product with beneficial argan oil, this mascara conditions and volumizes lashes for water-resistant definition.  For each GOGO mascara purchased, Josie Maran will donate one tube of mascara to a City of Hope cancer patient. After 5000 units are sold, $1 from each purchase will be donated to City of Hope's research and community outreach efforts. 

Trish McEvoy Beauty Emergency Card for Lips in Be Prepared Pink, $32
http://www.trishmcevoy.com/products/tabid/61/productid/237/catid/13/sename/beauty-emergency-card-for-lips-be-prepared-pink/default.aspx

This palette supports a cause that is very near and dear to my heart. It was designed exclusively to benefit the Girl Scouts of America, which is a very worthy cause! I have been a Girl Scout since first grade, and being a part of such an amazing organization helped me become who I am today. 100% of the proceeds of this product go to the GSUSA to develop young women of courage, confidence and character. As a girl scout, I have learned to always Be Prepared, and this is the perfect emergency beauty product to keep stashed in your purse, as you never know when you will need it!

Elizabeth Arden Limited Edition Anniversary Lipstick in Red Door Red, $20
http://shop.elizabetharden.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3993344&cp=2779912.4052003&parentPage=family

This year, Elizabeth Arden is celebrating 100 years in business! That is quite a feat in the ever-changing world of cosmetics and beauty. Red Door Red is a universal red shade that will look good on several different skin tones. Elizabeth Arden will donate 100% of the proceeds from the sale of this lipstick to Look Good...Feel Better, a global organization designed to help cancer patients look good to improve their self-esteem, and in turn, provide a better chance at a successful treatment. 

MAC Viva Glam Lady Gaga Lipstick, $14.50
http://www.maccosmetics.com/whats_new/2424/index.tmpl

This bluish-pink lipstick created by MAC and Lady Gaga is the latest edition in MAC's long-running AIDS charity campaign. Viva Glam is their newest incarnation, teaming up with celebrities to raise money for people around the worlds who are suffering from the deadly illness. 100% of the purchase price of this lipstick, and other Viva Glam products, goes to help men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS.

Hope you guys learned something from this post, and hopefully you will pick up a product or two as well! =)