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On average, eight women in Ireland are diagnosed with breast cancer every single day. Charities including the Irish Cancer Society and the Marie Keating Foundation are doing excellent work to support women through this illness, as well as raising much-needed funds for research. But there is so much more to be done. Here’s what the beauty industry is doing to help.
In the October issue of IMAGE magazine (on shelves from 28th September), beauty writer Holly O’Neill speaks to designer Lulu Guinness about her recent ghd collaboration. The limited edition ghd stylers feature Lulu’s iconic lip print, and €10 from every purchase will go to the Irish Cancer Society’s Action Breast Cancer programme.
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Lulu told Holly, “What really appealed to me about working with the ghd charity campaign is that, really, my mission in life through my brand is to cheer women up, give them a moment of humour when maybe they’re going through a difficult time, and to feel pretty and feminine.”
With that in mind, we got to thinking about other brands supporting breast cancer awareness. Brilliantly, there’s quite a few. October is breast cancer awareness month and these companies are doing their bit to help.
Earlier this year, the people at Elemis said they are “proud to support breast cancer care for the 18th year with the launch of a limited edition pro-collagen rose cleansing balm, and through giving £25,000 to support people affected by breast cancer.” Their statement added, “We hope the bright pink packaging serves as a reminder, a mental post-it note, to do a regular self-check. Checking your breasts should be as natural as applying your daily moisturiser.”
Described by the brand as “our most colourful way to support breast cancer research,” this set includes everything you need to look and feel your best. It features the Sumptuous Knockout Defining Lift and Fan Mascara, plus the Double Wear Stay-in-Place Eye Pencil in Onyx. It also has a one-of-a-kind eight-colour eyeshadow palette with a range of everyday nudes, plus a few night-out worthy smokey shades. It all comes in a 25th-anniversary commemorative illustrated clutch, and 100% of the retail price goes to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
This limited edition ghd gold styler heats up in just 25 seconds and comes with a heat resistant bag. It’s a multi-purpose tool thanks its rounder barrel; so you can straighten, curl and wave with ease. What’s more, €10 of the sale goes to the Irish Cancer Society’s Action Breast Cancer programme.
Ingot has once again signed up to take part in the Irish Cancer Society’s Think Pink campaign. Last year, the cosmetics company donated €2 for every pink product sold on 14th October; including lipsticks, eyeshadows and blush. While their 2018 ’Think Pink’ event hasn’t been confirmed yet, they are nonetheless taking part to raise awareness.
Every year during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Aveda releases a limited-edition of their best-selling hand cream. The packaging is marked with the pink breast cancer ribbon, and part of the purchase price from each sale goes towards the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Since first launching the charity campaign in 2001, Aveda has given more than $3.9 million to the cause.
Irish skin health brand Modern Botany will donate the profits of all online sales from their site for a 24-hour period on Saturday 29th September as their way of giving back for Irish Cancer Week, which runs until September 30th.
Modern Botany is Ireland’s only headquartered cosmetics brand to achieve Leaping Bunny certification (against animal testing). All products are 100% natural so are kind to the most sensitive of skin, making them especially safe for those undergoing cancer treatment.
The Petermarkathon is back and coming to a salon near you. The annual fundraiser by Ireland’s largest hairdressing group takes place from 26th – 28th October 2018 in salons across the country.
This year the Peter Mark team will be raising vital funds for the Irish Cancer Society to help support its Cancer Nurseline, a free helpline staffed by trained cancer nurses to offer a listening ear and practical advice to anyone who has concerns or questions about cancer.
Each salon across the country is tasked with coming up with its own unique way to raise money, so visitors to their local Peter Mark salon can expect bake sales, pyjamas parties, fancy dress and lots of other fun events over the weekend.
Although it’s not a beauty product, this diffuser has the power to boost our moods; all the while contributing to charity. During the month of October, Centra aims to sell over 6,000 of these in selected stores around Ireland. It costs just €5, with all proceeds going to the Irish Cancer Society.
Stella & Dot are bringing back its bestselling Tribute Bracelet (€29) in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A pave bar with a rose gold finish anchors a delicate band of faceted hematite beads. The jewellery brand will donate 20% of all Tribute bracelet sales in October to the Marie Keating Foundation.
MAD Flowers have designed a very special ‘pink wink’ bouquet for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The bouquet would usually retail at €79 but will be on sale for the special price of just €49 for the month of October. For every bouquet sold, MAD Flowers will donate €3 to the Marie Keating Foundation.
Photo: Ian Dooley via Unsplash