Remember how heart disease was known as the big killer a while ago? Well, now it’s officially cancer: the big predator of our times is a shadow that’s gotten too big for us, and we need to join forces and nip this in the bud. Or at least, in the stem.
Nothing can possibly be more shocking to a woman than being told she has breast cancer. Aside from melanoma, the most common form of cancer today is breast cancer in women.
While the statistics have greatly improved, we know that the disease is far from over. So let’s join the beautiful fight to find a cure for this disease, once in for all. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month (otherwise known as BCA) and beauty companies are stepping up to the plate with special product offers. A portion of each sale will be donated to breast cancer research (to various worthy charities), so you definitely can’t say no.
Better grab them now because after October these products go away.
Hair-care company Paul Mitchell is teaming with actress Fran Drescher, who starred in the hit TV series The Nanny, in support of the Cancer Schmancer Foundation. A cancer survivor, Drescher is the guiding force behind Cancer Schmancer’s mission of empowering patients to build better relationships with their physicians, increasing the odds of stage-one cancer diagnosis. In partnership with Drescher, Paul Mitchell is offering the limited-edition Paul Mitchell Pink Express Ion Smooth 1.25, from which a portion of proceeds will benefit the foundation.
Paul Mitchell Pink Express Ion Smooth 1.25 boasts reduced styling time, static control, even heating, and the exclusive Express Ion Complex blend of silicone and ceramic, which works to smooth hair from the inside out, leaving it hydrated, conditioned, and frizz-free.
Paul Mitchell Pink Express Ion Smooth 1.25 retails for $160 and is available in fine salons everywhere.
Kicking off the line-up in mellow way, Origins Peace of Mind On-the-Spot Relief ($10 at www.origins.com) packs a wallop of feel-good aromatherapy into a tiny pale pink bottle. The basil, eucalyptus, and peppermint oils in the lotion help a tired, frazzled brain to calm down and ‘think lovely thoughts’ when applied to the nape of the neck, earlobes, and temples. Origins will use the sales of this product to donate $35,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Evelyn Lauder handpicked a lip collection, as the name of Estee Lauder’s Evelyn Lauder Lip Set ($22 at www.esteelauder.com) might suggest. A lip pencil in Spice Writer, lipstick in Bois de Rose, and a gloss in Blush complement each other to create a dusky pink pout that stays put, plus a handy pick case to store them. Estee Lauder will donate $500,000, generated from this lip collection sales, to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Philosophy’s She Colors My Day pink bubble bath is inspirational, playful, and can be enjoyed by mothers and daughters alike. It generates high-foaming bubbles with a pink bubble-gum scent, lightly tints your bath pink, and helps soothe and moisturize skin. Even better, 100% of Philosophy’s net proceeds goes to the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s Women’s Cancer Research Fund to support the early detection of women’s cancers.
Retailing for $20, She Colors My Day pink bubble bath is available on www.philosophy.com
Bumble and Bumble Classic Hairspray ($21 at www.bumbleandbumble.com) does just what it always has – gives hair soft hold with a little shine. New and different is all well and good, but sometimes it’s nice to contribute to a cause with an old standard you’ll probably buy anyway. The company will donate $1 from the sale of each can to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
As long as we’re talking classics, Donna Karan’s Limited Edition Cashmere Mist Eau de Parfum Spray ($90 at www.donnakaranbeauty.com) will donate $15,000 from the sales of these pink-ribboned bottles of perfume to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The standby scent, with Jasmine, Lily of the Valley, and Bergamot combined with Sandalwood, Amber, and Musk never goes out of style, just like its namesake.
Have one last hurrah with the Prescriptives Pink Ribbon Palette for Cheeks and Eyes ($48.50 at www.prescriptives.com) The cosmetics company, which recently announced it will close its retail counters and stop production, still takes this time to do a good turn by donating $20,000 from the proceeds to, yes, you guessed it, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The sleek compact contains two blushes, three neutral eyeshadows, and one soft pink eyeshadow as a reminder of our cause.
Avon is pitching in with a Breast Cancer Crusade Moisturizing Bar Soap. Gentle and moisturizing, this 4.2 oz. glycerin-based soap for face and body has a refreshing grapefruit scent. It retails for $4.00, of which $3.31 will be a charitable donation.
Designed by Marimekko, the Avon Crusade Tote Bag is made of 100% cotton canvas with a pink ribbon zipper pull. At 16 ½” wide, 13 ½” high, and 6 ½” deep at the base, the bag can easily handle whatever it is you’re schlepping. The bag sells for $10.00, with $6.24 earmarked for charity.
Find these products through an e-representative at Avon.com.
– By Jill Maynard, Katharine McKenzie & Charu Suri
