October in the northeastern U.S. is beautiful: the leaves start turning, the air is crisp and cool…and, best of all, the stores start filling their shelves with lots of beauty goodies benefitting breast cancer research and awareness. Given that my grandmother, with whom I was very close, passed from the disease, I fully support these efforts. Here are nine of the best offers I’ve found for October 2009:
1-2. For the Eyelash-Obsessed: Revitalash ($135.00, Skinstore.com, shown above) and Japonesque Pink Travel Eyelash Curler ($10.50, Amazon.com).
Okay, I’ll admit it: although I am a fan of prescription lumigan-based eyelash treatment Latisse and over-the-counter peptide-enriched powerhouse Marini Lash™, I have heard good-to-great reports about the panthenol (vitamin B5)-based Revitalash. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Revitalash is coming to the market this month in this Revitalash Deluxe Kit with a cute little compact mirror and little pink satchel, so it may be a good time to see just what vitamin B5 can do for your lashes!
For those eyelash-obsessed who want to spend a little less, there’s the Japonesque Pink Travel Eyelash Curler. I think it’s adorable and so compact, it fits right into your make-up case (or TSA-regulated travel bag)! Plus it makes getting those hard-to-reach corner lashes all the easier!
3. For the skin care obsessed: The limited-edition Clarisonic Skin Care Brush Pink System ($195.00, Amazon.com).
I’m a pretty big fan of the Clarisonic Skin Care Brush Pink System, and I’m not alone – according to Sephora, the system was one of the company’s best-sellers last year. According to an eMedicine.com review by dermatologist Dr. Zoe Draelos, the brush was originally made by toothbrush manufacturers, and so its oscillatory sonic motion was accordingly developed to remove more plaque from the teeth than ordinary brushes, but a revision of the enlarged brush head with soft, tufted bristles was made instead to cleanse the face. In the aforementioned eMedicine.com review, it was also mentioned that “the sonic motion of the brush aids in dislodging facial debris, much like the sonic surgical-instrument cleansers that are used to clean liposuction cannulas and reusable injection needles.” In addition, “the bristles of the face brush are designed to traverse facial dermatoglyphics, pores, and scars,” so the Clarisonic Skin Care Brush may be suitable for patients with acne, as unclogging the pores is a common goal of treatment. Further studies, including a 2006 study in the journal Cosmetic Dermatology, showed that the brush may actually help to eliminate certain forms of acne, oscillating in such a way that inelastic comedones (pimples) become loosened and detached from the infundibular wall and are then cleared from the acroinfundibulum of the skin. The 2006 study in the journal Cosmetic Dermatology also affirms that the Clarisonic Skin Care Brush is a “gentle” means of cleansing and prevents the skin from being compromised by acute or chronic infections resulting from inadequate cleansing of the skin. Whew! And as if that wasn’t all enough, the limited-edition version is pretty in pink, comes with a free 2 oz. cleanser, and $10 of each purchase is donated to breast cancer efforts. Pretty amazing! 🙂
4. For Your Favorite Manicure Devotee: Essie Yes We Can, Pink! Breast Cancer Awareness Nail Polish ($8.00, Amazon.com)
In recent years, Essie nail polishes have been gaining fans amongst manicurists and shoppers alike for their ability to layer sheer, yet shiny. Now Essie Yes We Can, Pink! Nail Polish not only goes on sheer and shiny (and makes a great base for a French manicure), but your purchase also supports Living Beyond Breast Cancer, a nonprofit organization devoted to bringing information and support for women with all stages of breast cancer. Definitely a win-win situation!
5. For the Girl on the Go: Boscia Rose Blotting Linens ($10.00, Drugstore.com)
Being on the go means that you might not always have time to eliminate shine with the full powder-concealer monty. Fortunately for us, there are products like Boscia Rose Blotting Linens. Made from abaca leaves and rose water, these leave skin looking drier and smoother. Best of all, with 100 coming in each pack, these are literally a penny each. A portion of sales also is donated to breast cancer research.
6. Best for Hair Care Lovers: Conair 204 Power of Pink Hair Dryer (like Model 1875; $19.99, Amazon.com)
Hair dryers are one of those rare beauty products for me that are a commitment: Do you dry my hair the fastest and keep it the healthiest? If yes, you’re totally going to be my hair dryer for as long as you live! (drumroll, please) With that said, this guy is as good a candidate as any, with 1875 watts (pretty standard), 3 adjustable heat seatings, ionic technology (nice), and the characteristically cute pink color. And with $1.00 of each sale (5%) being given to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, if you are in need of a new hair dryer, now’s as good a time as any!
7. Best for Organic Skin Care Lovers: Korres Quince Body Butter ($27.00, Amazon.com).
When it’s really cold out, Korres Quince Body Butter is sort-of like putting your skin under a big organic blanket, with high concentrations of numerous hydrating ingredients, ranging from cetearyl alcohol to sweet almond oil to shea butter. As for quince, the research on this fruit is limited, with one study demonstrating that quince may accelerate wound healing in the rabbit, and another suggesting that quince may contain beta-carotene. Despite this, given the hydrating properties of this cream and the fact that 5% of sales benefit breast cancer research, it might not be a bad time to try it if you’ve always wanted to!
8-9. For the Eyebrow Shapin’ Sistas: The Tweezerman Breast Cancer Awareness Tweezer ($20.00, Amazon.com, shown abov) and Tweezerman Breast Cancer Awareness Mini Tweezer Set ($25.00, Amazon.com)
Eyebrows make a big difference on a face. (I always know mine are due whenever I look more angry than usual!) Thankfully, Tweezerman makes excellent products that not only get the job done between waxing or threading, but which also have good craftsmanship that lasts for years. Sales from these particular sets are partially donated to the Breast Cancer Aareness Fund.
Overall Opinions
I think that it’s wonderful that these companies are still making the effort to donate to breast cancer research and awareness causes, particularly in light of the lackluster economy. With that said, if you’ve ever wanted to try any of the above products, now is the time to indulge the girly-girl pink-loving side of you and go for it! 🙂 Let me know your thoughts in comments below!