Sweet Charity: Beauty Products for Breast Cancer Awareness

When I look at these television anchors, I see beautiful, fearless breast cancer survivors.

Hoda Kotb, 45, a “Today Show” anchor, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. Lumps were discovered in her breasts after a routine exam at her gynecologists’ office. She readily admits to not having a mammogram prior to that discovery after which, she eventually underwent breast reconstruction surgery following a mastectomy. Rather than going through chemotherapy, Hoda is currently taking the medication, Tamoxifen (which is a five-year treatment). She will be 48 when her treatment plan is done.

At age 46, Robin Roberts, an anchor for “Good Morning America” was diagnosed with breast cancer after she discovered a lump under her armpit during a self-examination. She too, also had a mastectomy. Now 48, Robin says that there no detectable remaining signs of the cancer. She chooses to live without chemotherapy and relies primarily on eating right and minimizing stress, which the medical world believes contributes to cancer.

Hoda and Robin defied the odds against the number one cancer among women according to the American Cancer Society. Both women are dedicated to raising awareness about this disease. And with October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, there are many beauty companies showing their commitment to doing the same by raising funds for the prevention and cure of this disease through the sale of popular beauty products.

Now how can you do your part to increase breast cancer awareness? By spending your beauty dollars on products in which every dollar spent or a percentage spent is given to raise funds for the prevention and cure of breast cancer. Even better, all the products featured are not only perfect items to add to your makeup bag, but are dedicated towards the breast cancer fight.

Check out our picks of beauty products for breast cancer awareness:

There’s nothing better than smelling good while giving back. Maybe you’ll like Donna Karan’s Cashmere Mist Eau Parfum Spray Breast Cancer Awareness (3.4oz, $90, macys.com). If you’re not sure what the perfect scent is for you, then check out Macy’s Fragrance Finder. It’s a quick quiz that you take to find the perfect fragrance for yourself or for someone else. Shopping for fragrances just became that much easier.

Maybe you’re in the mood for a gloss. I know that I’m a broken record when it comes to gloss, but I “just gotta have it.” Thanks for that line, Spike. Balmshell Lipgloss “Ah…the Classic” ($22, sephora.com, balmshell.com) is so special to me for three reasons: it comes in a variety of sparkly and shimmery colors, the packaging seems like a collectors item because of the illustrations and it was created specifically to promote the awareness of breast cancer. This is one of eight designs that represents our diverse beauty. It touches my heart. $1 from every one in eight lipgloss will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

To make sure your gloss is applied properly, you’ll need Estee Lauder’s Golden Mirorred Compact ($55, nordstrom.com) for a mistrake-free application. With this purchase, you’ll help Estee Lauder donate $500,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

I like Clinique’s ‘Dramatically Different’ Moisturizing Lotion ($35, clinique.com) because it doesn’t feel heavy on your skin. Many people I know use this product and are happy with the results. You can’t go wrong here. If you purchase this, then Clinique will donate $10 from each sale to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

A woman’s nails should never go undone, which is why I like Essie’s Yes We Can Nail Polish ($8, apothica.com). My little dirty secret: I obssessively do my nails every 3-4 days. Show your support for survivors when you purchase this sheer, neutral pink shade. A portion of each sale goes to the Living Beyond Breast Cancer Foundation.

Last but not least, I coudn’t pass up on the chance to tell you about the cutest pocket eyelash curler. It’s the Limted Edition Japonesque Pink-Ribboned Pocket Eyelash Curler ($11, ulta.com). With each purchase, 20% of the retail price will be donated for breast cancer research. Japonesque has taken the intimidation factor out of curling your lashes with a super-simple design that doesn’t pinch your outer lashes. That’s a claim I can live with. Just follow these steps:

Position the gripper near the base of your lashes while your eye is open. Next, as you press the base of the lash curler down (holding for about ten seconds), the easel back flips down so you get the leverage you need to get a long-lasting curl.  Tip: Keep your hand steady. If you don’t, then you’ll end up tugging at your lashes and either pulling them out or weakening them.  Next, release the gripper. Repeat if you don’t get the desired curl the first time. And finally, follow these same steps on your other eye.

We can learn a lot from these fearless ladies’ approach to living. A little beauty does go a long way. Now we can look good, smell good, and feel good while giving back. Please show your support.

Hue Knew It? I did, and now, you do, too.

Hoda Kotb Photo Credit: Retna / Robin Roberts Photo Credit: Zuma Press