Yahoo News Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2020: From lipstick to shampoo, these products give back to charity
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK. According to the NHS, one in eight women are diagnosed with it during their lifetime, with a good chance of recovery if it is detected early on.
The survival rate in the UK has also doubled in the past 40 years and research continues to be carried out into prevention and treatment.
Every year, October marks Breast Cancer Awareness month, in which individuals, organisations and brands set out to raise awareness and funds for relevant charities fighting the disease.
Many brands create dedicated products and collections for the cause, donating some or all of the proceeds to various breast cancer charities. This money helps support people affected by the disease, contributes to research and provides education on spotting the disease.
It’s important to regularly check your breasts to look out for changes. According to Cancer Research, signs can range from a new lump or thickening in your breast or armpit, a change in size, shape or feel of your breast, skin changes in the breast such as puckering, dimpling, a rash or redness of the skin, fluid leaking from the nipple in a woman who isn’t pregnant or breastfeeding and changes in the position of the nipple.
While not all lumps are cancerous, it is recommended to get them checked out by your GP.
If you’re very tall or overweight, previously found a benign lump or have a history of breast cancer, you’re also more likely to be at risk, so should often check for any changes.
It’s not just a disease that affects just women either and while not as common, roughly 350 men are diagnosed each year in the UK with about one in 100 cases found in males.
From make-up and fragrance to clothing and furniture, we’ve found the products that are giving back this October.
You can trust our independent roundups. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections. This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent.
Bobbi Brown powerful pinks luxe matte lip colour duo: £38, Bobbi Brown
Beauty brand Bobbi Brown is known for its long-lasting make-up formulas and beautiful packaging, and this October it’s launching its annual limited edition “powerful pinks” luxe matte lip colour duo to raise money for charity.
Since its launch in stores on 7 September, the brand has been donating the full £38, minus VAT, to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and the set will be available online from 1 October.
Both of the shades – “boss pink” and “razzberry” – are matte, full coverage and long lasting, promising 12 hours of wear, perfect for the autumn and winter months. “Boss pink” is a dusty rose shade while “razzberry” is a rich berry tone.
Shabby Story pink felix velvet armchair: £469, Shabby Store
If you’re looking to freshen up your space with some new furniture and want to support a good cause with your purchase, look to Shabby Store’s “think pink” edit. The online store is donating 10 per cent of profits from the collection to the Pink Ribbon Foundation, a trust that funds projects and provides financial support to UK charities that help people suffering, or affected by breast cancer.
We’ve got our eye on this pink felix velvet armchair (Shabby Store, £469) that will make a plush addition to a living room or home office. Cosy up on it with a book or show it off in Zoom meetings with colleagues.
The gold metal legs and millennial pink velvet give a contemporary contrast for a chic finish.
Philip Kingsley no scent no colour shampoo and conditioner: £20 each, Philip Kingsley
While Philip Kingsley’s daughter Anabel is now at the helm of the brand since her father’s death in 2016, he originally formulated the no scent shampoo and conditioner duo to be gentle enough for his wife to use when she was battling breast cancer.
As a result, it’s extra gentle, free from fragrance and colour and suitable to be used daily for women undergoing treatment for cancer, as well as for those who are prone to redness and irritation.
From each bottle sold, 50p goes towards Look Good Feel Better, a charity dedicated to improving the wellbeing and self-confidence of people undergoing cancer treatment, not just for the month of October, but throughout the year.
According to the brand, it has raised £23,707 for the charity since 2016.
ghd gold hair straightener in powder pink: £149, ghd
No one knows hair quite like ghd, from straighteners to hairdryers, the brand is well-loved by pros and novices alike.
It has partnered with Breast Cancer Now to raise awareness of the importance of checking your boobs, and £10 from the sale of each product in its pink collection goes to the charity.
We’re big fans of ghd’s straighteners and the powder pink finish makes us want them even more. They heat up in seconds and deliver sleek, straight strands, soft curls, or beachy waves with minimal damage to your tresses.
Revitalash eternally pink limited edition advanced eyelash conditioner: £125, Revitalash
We’re always on the lookout for something that will transform short lashes with length and curl, so we’ll be stocking up on this eyelash conditioner that promises to last up to six months.
It improves the strength and flexibility of hair, is oil-free and safe to use with eyelash extensions too, while being vegan-friendly and cruelty-free. You simply apply the formula using the wand to the root of your lashes once a day and let it dry before you use any further beauty products.
For every “eternally pink” tube purchased, the brand will donate $2 to cancer research and education initiatives around the world, to honour the legacy of the CEO Michael Brinkenhoff’s wife Gayle, who was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer at the age of 32.
Jo Malone London peony and blush suede cologne 100ml: £98, Jo Malone London
As part of Estee Lauder Companies’s annual breast cancer campaign, one of its coveted brands, Jo Malone London, is donating £20 from every sale of its peony and blush suede cologne 100ml (Jo Malone London, £98) to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation throughout October.
The foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that supports breast cancer research at medical institutions worldwide.
With notes of jasmine, rose, gillyflower and red apple, the fragrance has a fresh scent that’s perfect for crisp autumn days.
Launching online and in store from 1 October, the limited edition bottle is printed with a pink ribbon to mark the cause.
Estee Lauder limited edition advanced night repair synchronised multi-recovery complex with pink ribbon bracelet: £82, Estee Lauder
The bestseller in Estee Lauder’s long line-up of products is its advanced night repair serum, and to support breast cancer awareness, it’s turning pink, as it launches a limited edition advanced night repair synchronised multi-recovery complex (Estee Lauder, £82) with a collectable pink ribbon bracelet.
Delivering long-lasting hydration, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and leaving skin radiant, it’s a must-have for anyone on the hunt for an all-encompassing anti-ageing serum.
Launching online on 30 September and at select Estee Lauder counters nationwide, 20 per cent of the proceeds from each purchase will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation until June 2021.
Girl vs Cancer female form one tit-tee: £32, Girls vs Cancer
Set up by Lauren Mahon, a breast cancer survivor, Girls vs Cancer began as an online community and safe space to support those affected by breast cancer.
Mahon created a line of T-shirts, which have since expanded into hooded sweatshirts and jumpers, when she was ill and unable to work, and has continued to create clothing to spread awareness and support charities since. For every sale, 25 per cent of profits are split equally four ways between its partner charities, which include Coppa Feel! Future Dreams, Trekstock and Look Good, Feel Better.
We love this female form one tit-tee (Girls vs Cancer, £32), a unisex style with a boyfriend fit. It’s made from 100 per cent organic cotton and is adorned with a minimal line drawing of a woman who has had a mastectomy.
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