Last Chance! Five Beauty Buys To Make Before Breast Cancer Awareness Month Ends

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is almost over, and we’ve already done our self-breast exam, shopped for beauty products and fashions benefiting the cause. But before October comes to a close, we found a few more great products that we couldn’t resist.   

Candles are so last season; this October is all about fragrance sticks. All proceeds of the deliciously feminine Antica Farmacista in Peonia Romantico ($58) will go to Gilda's Club, an organization providing support for those living with Breast Cancer and their families. For something a little spicier, try Sweet Grass Farm’s Hope, Courage & Faith Fragrance Stick Set ($29.95), with 10% of the proceeds going to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

 Summer is over, and it’s time to officially retire those strappy sandals and indulge in some soothing foot therapy. Upper Canada will donate 25 cents from every sale of its Peppermint Foot Therapy collection to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. This stuff really works – one night spent with a generous amount of the Cracked Heal Treatment ($7.99) and all evidence of my completely impractical devotion to platform shoes completely vanished.

Created especially in honor of breast Cancer Awareness Month 2007, a portion of the proceeds from the limited edition Blushing Pink Fusion Soft Lights & Brush Set from Smashbox Cosmetics ($59) will benefit the National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund, a grassroots advocacy group dedicated to finding a cure.

I didn't think they could do much to improve upon my favorite beauty tool. Then they went ahead and created the CLARISONIC® Pink Skin Care Brush ($195), and will donate $10 of each sale to fight against breast cancer.

Eco Chic: Organic Bouquet Supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Since we're talking about office accessories this week, let's have a chat about keeping your cube smelling great.  The fumes of nail polish remover and lunch-time curry may not smell neighborly, but a great bouquet of flowers could be just the scent you need to win over that cute boy in accounting. 

And why would you buy anything other than organic when these guys make it so easy (and just as cost competitive) to really go green?  Organic Bouquet encourages both small and large flower growers to initiate organic production while creating widespread trade and consumer awareness of the need for organic flowers. "Our ultimate goal is to protect the environment and improve farm worker safety by eliminating millions of pounds of toxic pesticides from agricultural usage," says the company.  Wow! 

An added plus is the Pink Ribbon Collection with 10% of purchases being donated to support organizations that promote Breast Cancer Awareness.  Lady Bird Johnson quipped that where flowers bloom, so does hope.  We second that sentiment--hope for a cure, and hope that your chiselled co-worker might also waft your way.

Just In: Smart Bra Gives More Intelligent Cleavage?

Well, not quite.  But doctors at the University of Bolton in the U.K. have come one step closer to creating a bra that can actually detect cancer long before the dreaded lump shows up.  How's it work?  We won't get into the gritty details, but the basic function relies on cancerous cells giving off more heat than the surrounding healthy tissue.  When the bra notices a variation in temperature, it sounds the alert.  Although the good doctors are still in the planning stages, we wonder how the smart bra will look and if it will be the "hot" new undergarment within a few years. 

What do you think?  Would you wear a smart bra?

For now, check out the best bras out there.

Would you wear a smart bra?

Total Votes: 36

Absolutely! Anything to help fight breast cancer.

 50% (18)

 

I'm not sure how I feel about medical lingerie.

 42% (15)

 

Not a chance--I'll stick to self-exams and keep my La Perla intact.

 8% (3)

 

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Think Pink Fashion Finds

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is going strong. You’ve stocked up guilt free goodies, now check out some of our favorite fashionably charitable finds, and keep shopping for the cure.

Fidelity: My favorite denim brand, Fidelity Denim, has created a pair of Belladonna BC "Cross Your Heart" Jeans ($198) in conjunction with Rethink Breast Cancer, an innovative charity that reaches out to young people concerned about and affected by cancer. The classic Mid Rise jeans are a flattering fit for everyone, and the exclusive "Cross your Heart" pocket stitch, pink and navy tailor tape on the inside waistband and a fun Fidelity Charm cluster add some special detail. Get a cute butt for a good cause.

Splendid: Fight like a girl in this feminine Splendid Special Edition Breast Cancer PINK Camouflage Tank ($42), and 25 percent of the proceeds will benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Pashmina Shawl: We’ve already told you why we’re such huge fans of the luxurious Pashmina Wrap’s from the Pashmina Store , and now we’ve got another reason to add to our list. Purchase any pink item, like this Pink Zebra Animal Print Pashmina Silk Blend Scarf (on sale for $39.99), and 5% will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Figleaves: Update your underthings with Figleaves.com special selection of pink lingerie. Slip into this slinky Betsey Johnson slip ($68) and Figleaves will donate 30% of the proceeds to Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women affected by breast cancer.

WearEase: Most of the products we’ve introduced support breast cancer awareness financially, WearEase post-mastectomy lingerie literally supports women who have undergone breast surgery.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Think Pink Jewelry Finds

Unless you’ve been in hiding for the last month, you’ve been receiving a deluge of special offers in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. So in addition to sticking to (or starting) your monthly self-exam, shop for a cause this month to help find a cure for this disease that affects so many women like you and me. This week, we’re featuring a few of the fab jewelry finds you can purchase and a portion of all proceeds will be donated to various breast cancer funds.

Angela Moore: Featuring everything from jewelry to ties to hair accessories, 15% of the net proceeds from her breast cancer awareness collection are donated to the Susan G. Komen For the Cure.

Mikimoto: Using the pink ribbon and Akoya pearl as inspiration, this luxury jewelry brand created three precious pieces for the cause. 20% of proceeds will go to the Young Survival Coalition.

Nicole Kidd: Choose from her lovely charm bracelets to 3-ring necklaces and a $15 donation will be made to the Susan G. Komen breast cancer foundation or a breast cancer preventive program of your choice.

Marc by Marc Jacobs: This limited edition charm bracelet is available at shopbop.com and 50% of the sale price will be donated to Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization.

Hidalgo Jewelry: Hidalgo’s breast cancer ring, made from enamel and 18k gold, is something a woman can hold onto and forever embrace.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Think Pink Beauty Finds

So you’ve been inspired and re-committed yourself to doing a monthly self breast exam. Good for you! Now go a step further and start cashing in on some of the superb offers donating a portion of their proceeds to the cause. You’re going to buy anyway, so you might as well allot your monthly shopping budget to those items whose reach will extend beyond your medicine cabinet. Here are a few to get you started:

1. Darphin Rose Aromatic Care ($75) smells so sweet because it’s made with rose, hazelnut, evening primrose, and sweet almond oils. Great for extra dry skin, the soothing essence is available in a limited edition pink bottle through the month of October and Darphin will donate 15% of the proceeds to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

2. As the weather gets colder, I’m happy to give my beloved bronzer a rest in favor of rosy cheeks. VonNatur At First Blush ($16) is the perfect shade of pink for any skin tone to achieve that “I just hopped off the ski lift” glow. 10% of sales from VonNatur’s PINK products will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

3. You don’t have to actually be a mother to appreciate the ultra luxurious vedaMAMA RELAX Body Butter Cream ($50). The chocolate mint cream not only smells good enough to eat, but actually is! Made from completely organic natural ingredients, the cream is actually safe to eat, though it doesn’t taste nearly as good as it smells (I had to try).  Not content to help for only this one specified month, vedaPURE will donate 25% of each sale for an entire year to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

4. Sephora Super Shimmer Lip Gloss Forever Pink ($10) is a shiny, sparkling, shimmering hint of color. This lip gloss delivers luscious lips that will last for hours and hours! $1 of the sale of this item will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

5. Philosophy Shower for the Cure ($20) is a creamy all-in-one formula that can be used as a shampoo, shower gel or bubble bath. This long-time Philosophy favorite contains a touch of milk proteins and fruit essences to provide a delightful experience for your senses. 100% of the Philosophy net proceeds from the Shower for the Cure is donated to the Women's Cancer Research Fund.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Get In Touch

What: The In Touch Breast Self-Exam Glove

Why: Women living in the U.S. have a one in eight lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I may not have the income to donate a hospital wing or the brain power to develop a cure (I’ll leave that to Eva Vertes), but I can do my small part by purchasing some great products in support of the cause.

Just like flossing, self-breast exams are something we know we should do, but too easily brush aside or forget. And at the risk of sounding like a drama queen, those 10 minutes a month could save your life. Each In Touch kit includes detailed instructions in English and Spanish, as well as a monthly reminder calendar and even a travel satchel. The glove itself contains a pink, non-toxic liquid that reduces friction by 50% to allow for heightened sensitivity of your fingertips so any abnormalities will be more easily detected. Early detection is the best defense and for just $9 and 10 minutes, there’s really no excuse to skip a monthly self-exam.

Price: $9

Find It: BathandBodyWorks.com

Make sure to check back through the month of October for more great products supporting Breast Cancer Awareness.