When I was in high school, my best friend’s mother encouraged me to pursue a career in cosmetics. Even though I was only 16 years old, she recognized this skill in me early on. I will forever be grateful to her for this. Unfortunately she lost her life to a deadly disease - breast cancer.

Evelyn Lauder, Senior Corporate VP of The Estee Launder Companies Inc and Founder and Chairman of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, realized the need to spread the word that early detection of breast cancer saves lives. In 1992, The Estee Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign was established to spread awareness about the disease. In that same year, Evelyn Lauder and Alexandra Penney, then Editor of Self magazine, co-created the pink ribbon – an iconic symbol recognized worldwide to remind women to check their breasts and get an annual mammogram if over the age of 40.

Also founded by Evelyn Lauder was The Breast Cancer Research Foundation established in 1993- an independent, non-for-profit 501 (c) (3) dedicated to funding clinical and translational research. Supporting scientists at top universities and academic medical centers worldwide that conduct the most advanced breast cancer research, in October of 2007, $32 million was awarded to 151 scientists across the US, Canada, Latin America, the Middle East, and throughout Europe from the Foundation. The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. is the largest corporate donor and proud sponsor of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

This October (National Breast Cancer Awareness Month), fifteen of The Estee Lauder Companies beauty brands, including Aveda, Bobbi Brown, Bumble and bumble, Clinique, Darphin, Donna Karen Cosmetics, Estee Lauder, Jo Malone, Lab Series Skincare for Men, La Mer, Ojon, Origins, Prescriptives, Sean John Fragrances, and Tommy Hilfiger Toiletries, join together to raise awareness and funds by offering special products in support of their contributions to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The following is a list of my personal favorite products donating to the Foundation:

Aveda Hand Relief

The dry winter months are upon us! Check out the limited edition specially packaged Hand Relief from Aveda complete with pink ribbon design! The incredibly rich moisture therapy soothes dry hands and helps diminish the signs of aging with plant emollients, humectants, exfoliating fruit acids and anti oxidants – including vitamins A and E.

Retail Price: $21.00

Amount of Donation: Aveda will donate $4 from each sale to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation with a maximum donation of $300,000.

www.aveda.com

Bobbi Brown Pink Ribbon Collection

A beautiful limited-edition lip set featuring exclusive Pink Glitter Lip Gloss and Tulle Lip Color packaged in a pink photographic carton.

Retail Price: $40.00

Amount of Donation: Bobbi Brown will be donating $35,000 in connection with the North American sales of Pink Ribbon Collection to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

www.bobbibrown.com

Bumble and Bumble Classic Hairspray

Strong-hold hairspray that adds subtle sheen and a modern softness that brushes out easily!

Retail Price: $11.00 (4 oz) $20.00 (10 oz)

Amount of Donation: $1.00 from every can of Classic Hairspray sold on www.bumbleandbumble.com and its two NYC salons during September and October to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

www.bumbleandbumble.com

Clinique Butter Shine Lipstick in Ribbon Pink

A limited-edition shade of Butter Shine Lipstick in Ribbon Pink- a modern formula that is ultra-shiny!

Retail Price: $16.50

Amount of Donation: $10 per Butter Shine Lipstick in Ribbon Pink sold during the month of October.

www.clinique.com

Estee Lauder Beautiful Eau de Parfum Spray

Part of EL’s Pink Ribbon Collection is America’s number one fragrance is featured in a pink sleeve for Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Retail Price: $63.50

Amount of Donation: $500,000 in connection with the sales of its Pink Ribbon Collection.

Estee Lauder Elizabeth Hurley High Gloss Lip Color Collection

Simply stated, I love lip gloss! What I love more is that Elizabeth Hurley, spokesmodel for The Estee Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Research Foundation, has shared her personal favorite EL glosses and they are packaged in a limited-edition Pink Ribbon Pink case – exclusive for the Pink Ribbon Collection. The set includes 3 promo-size High Gloss tubes.

Retail Price: $16.00

Amount of Donation: $500,000 in connection with the sales of its Pink Ribbon Collection.

www.esteelauder.com

Jo Malone Red Roses Cologne and Bath Oil

My husband is constantly getting after me for buying bottles and bottles of various perfumes! I am a self-proclaimed perfume ADDICT! One of my addictions is Red Roses by Jo Malone. Now I have an excuse to purchase this product because of its connection to an important cause! The beautiful fragrance literally unfolds like a bouquet of freshly cut flowers. An absolutely STUNNING scent!

Red Roses Cologne Retail Price: $55.00 (1 fl. oz) $100.00 (3.4 fl. oz)

Red Roses Bath Oil Retail Price: $60.00

Amount of Donation: Jo Malone will donate $15,000 in connection with Red Roses Cologne and Bath Oil.

www.jomalone.com

La Mer Crème de la Mer

The legendary luxurious miracle crème is packaged in a special pink box for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Retail Price: $220.00 (2oz) $1,350.00 (16.4 oz)

Amount of Donation: La Mer will donate $30,000 in connection with the North American sales of Crème de la Mer.

www.lamer.com

In addition to the lovely products is the jeweled pink Ribbon Pin by Estee Lauder. The pin is covered in deep pink colored crystals and comes in a gold box with a Pink Ribbon Collection sleeve. The small price to remind women to check themselves is $12.50 and is part of EL’s $500,000 donation in connection with its Pink Ribbon Collection sales.

This month be a part of Breast Cancer Awareness, buy a great product and help find a cure! For more information on The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, visit www.bcrfcure.org or call 1.866.FIND.A.CURE.

RawMinerals from Raw Natural Beauty is the latest mineral makeup line to hit the market and the moment you touch, tap, and blend the minerals into your skin you will be in love!Now, I know what you are thinking, what could make this mineral makeup different than the other hundreds of mineral makeup’s that are out there? For the first time, your skin will truly experience a mineral formula made of an all-natural, non-irritating, flawless, lightweight coverage that is packed with botanical ingredients that are going to condition and improve the overall radiance of your skin.

RawMinerals is free of parabens, petrochemicals, talc, alcohol, synthetic dyes and fragrances, and is the answer to anyone who has suffered with problem skin, dry skin, or sensitive skin. This line of minerals will not block your pores and allows your skin to breathe. Talc is usually one of the most concentrated ingredients in mineral makeups; however, this is completely talc free. Many people are allergic to talc which can cause the irritation or make you think mineral makeup is not for you. I have to say, try RawMinerals from Raw Natural Beauty. I feel that I have tried them all, and nothing compares to the look and feel of RawMinerals.

I also love that the line has brushes that feel incredible on the skin, almost weightless and the coverage is buildable and flawless. RawMinerals contains ingredients that no other mineral line has. ActivSilk to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, Natural Corn Extract to promote radiance, Soybean Extract to calm redness, and a VitaFirm Complex to smooth and firm skin. The result is gorgeous glowing skin, but I will let you be the judge. Check out www.RawNaturalBeauty.com and discover the collections that are perfect for you.

I will be back with some tips and techniques on the how to create amazing looks with the high-performance color line so stay tuned!