5 Beauty Gifts that Give EVERYTHING Back to Charity

by Alexandra Samuel


courtesy images
courtesy images

I don't know if it's the fact that it's snowing perfect, fluffy white flakes outside in NYC or if it's because my boyfriend and I set up our tiny little Christmas tree last night (it is pretty cute), but I am feeling especially festive. And something about this time of year makes me want to volunteer and donate and just be a better person.


While I'd love to write a big fat check to my favorite charity, I've still got to get Christmas gifts to give to some of my favorite peeps. But I figured there was a way to make both happen, kinda, at least? So, I did a little digging and found five gorgeous gifts that give 100 percent of proceeds to charity for the beauty-lovers in your life. Now that's some feel-good gift giving, am I right?!

1. Kiehl's Creme de Corps is amazing. I literally shower at the gym just so I can use it, which is why I'll definitely be scooping up a jar of the Kiehl's Limited Edition "Grapefruit" Whipped Body Butter ($38). It's the yummiest, cleanest scent of all-time, and Kiehl's gives 100 percent of their net profits from this amaze body butter to Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign to help end childhood hunger in America -- which we should all be thinking about while we chow down this holiday season.

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2. Laura Mercier is the queen of the no-makeup makeup glow, which is why the Laura Mercier Bonne Mine Palette ($48) is so perfectly gorgeous. It's got a creamy bronzer veil and five cream blushes that work just as well on your skin as they do on your eyes. Plus, Laura gives 100 percent of the profits from each palette to the Laura Mercier Ovarian Cancer Fund. Good deal, right?


3. You may have already heard of Lush's Charity Pot ($23), which has been responsible for $4,000,000 of donations from Lush since 2007. But have you actually tried the stuff? It's so, so good. And super hydrating. Last winter, I kept a jar in my bag at all times and slathered over my hands and elbows -- even my face occasionally. They donate every penny of the price (minus tax) to small grassroots organizations, so not only are you getting softer hands, you're lending a hand. (Couldn't help myself.)

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4. I'm a sucker for a good makeup case (even I use them for everything but), so I'm super into the Oversized FEED Guatemala Pouch ($35), which will fund 70 micronutrient packs for kids in Guatamala. I mean, when was the last time you heard $35 covering 70 people's meals! Plus, the pouches are super cute and super roomy. I'm definitely picking up the green one before my Christmas trip to Cali.


5. And, if you're feeling especially generous, check out the Gems for GEMS hair accessories from Beauty.com. Beauty.com will give 100 percent of proceeds from each of these four super-glam, Erickson Beamon-designed hair accessories (which range from $60 to $130), to GEMS (Girls Educational and Mentoring Services), which helps young women who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking. Worth every. Single. Penny.

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