When restocking on your favorite beauty item or testing out a new one, there are several consideration points you may examine in your mind. How much is it? Does it come highly recommended? Will it fulfill my needs? And although your needs may be cosmetic based at first, you might want to consider: What about your humanitarian needs? After all, it is always a great feeling when you purchase a product and you know that your money will be used for a greater cause.
Here are 5 beauty brands (and their products) that you won’t feel guilty splurging on:
IMAN COSMETICS
IMAN Afterglow Sheer Bronzing Powder | Retails for $16.99
World renowned supermodel Iman launched the IMAN Cosmetics line in 1994 with products "designed for African American, Asian, Latina and multicultural women with skin tones in a myriad of shade(s)." The cosmetic brand gives back to several causes including: Santa Monica College Business Department Career Closet, My Dream Speaks, Shoe 4 Africa and more. Also, in 2011, for every purchase of IMAN Afterglow Sheer Bronzing Powder (pictured above) during the month October, $1 was donated to the Intercultural Cancer Council. They also had a similar donation effort in 2012 with the IMAN Pink luxury Lip Stain; 20% of every sale was donated to fight breast cancer during the month of October.
SHEA MOISTURE
Kukui Nut & Grapeseed Oils Youth-Infusing Cream Cleanser | Retails for $10.99
Shea Moisture began as a legacy company and has blossomed into a multi-product beauty go-to brand. What started as Sofi Tucker selling shea nuts in Sierra Leone in 1912 is now a global black-owned company that stands for: Being inclusively exclusive, sharing modern wisdom, finding sensory solutions and cultivating cultures. With Shea Moisture’s Community Commerce program, the brand is giving 10% of Community Commerce sales to "women-led businesses, to support communities that supply ingredients for (their) products." The proceeds also go to The Sofi Tucker Foundation. The product lines that allow buyers to support the program/foundation are: Argan Oil & Almond Milk, Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil, Kukui Nut & Grapeseed Oils and Peace Rose Oil Complex.
FENTY BEAUTY
PHOTO: Twitter | Killawatt Diamond Ball-Out | Retails for $34
From the revolutionary 40 shades of foundations to the now holy grail Killawatt Highlighter and Fenty Gloss Bomb lip gloss, Fenty Beauty, which was founded by Rihanna, has become a brand to watch in the beauty world. Not only does the brand promote inclusion of all skin types and tones, but it also supports the Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF), founded by Rihanna as well. One of CLF’s causes surrounds girls education in Malawi. By 2021, they hope to impact as many as 7,500 girls for The Campaign for Female Education (Camfed) and the bike sharing platform, ofo. Together, they support students throughout their time in school and help them transition into jobs such as entrepreneurs and community leaders. All proceeds from Killawatt Diamond Ball-Out (pictured above) goes to CLF.
BLK/OPL
EVEN TRUE Flawless Liquid Foundation | Retails for $11.95
Founded for and inspired by the "unique beauty and nuances of black skin," Black Opal was born in 1994 with a hope to be a technologically advanced skincare line for women of color. All of these years later, Black Opal has succeeded in its venture and does not forget to share its success with those less fortunate. With every purchase of an Even True product (like the one pictured above), 25% of the proceeds is donated to Malaika, an organization helping to diminish illiteracy among Congolese girls and help them empower their communities.
FOXIE COSMETICS
Everything Nice | Retails for $19
Foxie Cosmetics was founded in 2015 by Kayla, a 26-year-old vegan with a love of art, helping others and skincare. All of the products found on the Foxie Cosmetic website are vegan, cruelty free and homemade. Kayla gives back to those with chronic illnesses by sending bath products to them. Being apart of that community, she feels that they are often seen as invisible and this is a way for her to support others and give back.
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