If history has shown us anything, it’s that time and again, women make tremendous things happen when we come together. And tomorrow, through the Women’s March and all the sister marches across the country, we’ll show the world what we’re made of: strength, unity, dignity and love.
This positive release of energy will serve as an agent of change. But there’s more afoot than public demonstration. These weeks leading up to the march have shown that something bigger is at play — the movement is also serving as a catalyst to bolster and elevate women-fronted organizations.
The beauty industry is leading the way. Surprised? You shouldn’t be. In 1912, as women in New York participated in a so-called “parade” for the right to vote, entrepreneur Elizabeth Arden helped boost morale by giving red lipstick to participants. Today, a new company called Beautiful Rights is making lipstick in the name of feminism — and donating 20% of sales to organizations that help women.
And that’s just the start: Several other brands are donating funds to equal rights organizations like UN Women Fund for Gender Equality and United Nations Development Program for Women’s Education. Some initiatives were galvanized by the spirit of the march; others are year-round pursuits. Either way, these directives show the real power in beauty: that conviction, unity, and goodwill can help us do and be better. Ahead, see how your next beauty purchase can help fuel equal rights, now and during the next four years.
S.W. Basics, the brand known for using five ingredients or less per product, has created a Women’s March Collection of products — and 100% of all proceeds from each item in the collection will go to the Women’s March. Available through Saturday, the collection includes a Hibiscus Mask (a powdered blend that includes french green clay and lavender), Aloe Vera Powder (which can be mixed into any other skincare product) and Organic Lip Balms, among others. What’s more, the brand is offering items in the collection at a discount in order to help incentivize purchases and drive up the total donation made.
SW. Basics Women’s March Collection, $3-$47, available at S.W. Basics.
Jennifer Behr is known for making the most decadent hair accessories. Now, the designer gives us this solidarity brooch, with 80% of sales going to the Southern Poverty Law Center. Sure, the supersized design covered in glittery, Swarovski crystals would look great affixed to your denim jacket. But we think it would look even cooler pinned alongside an updo.
Jennifer Behr Safety Pin Brooch, $125, available at Jennifer Behr.
Ask your local cool girl: Earth tu Face Coconut Body Butter is a cult favorite because of its natural ingredient list and soothing results. Now, you can get in on the skin-smoothing action and support women's’ reproductive health: Starting tomorrow, Earth Tu Face will donate 5% of Coconut Body Butter sales made through its site and at its Oakland, Ca flagship apothecary to Planned Parenthood. Even better: The promotion will last throughout the 45th president’s term.
Earth tu Face Coconut Body Butter, $42, available at Earth tu Face.
When women marched the streets of New York to secure voting rights in 1912, cosmetics tycoon Elizabeth Arden supplied red lipstick to activists. Now, Beautiful Rights is continuing the tradition with its creation of three lip shades: Gloss Ceiling, Politically Pout, and Pantsuit Pink — the latter of which serves as official lip color for the march.
Developed after November’s election results were called, the lipsticks not only boost confidence, but serve as agents of change: 20% of all sales will be donated to organizations like the ACLU, Emily’s List, Lambda Legal, Legal Momentum, and Planned Parenthood. The figure may be symbolic — women in the U.S. overall continue to be paid 20% less than men for the same work — but the funds themselves will a long way toward fighting for women’s rights and gender justice initiatives. Through Sunday, use the code WOMENSMARCH to get 20% off all orders.
Beautiful Rights Stronger Together Collection, $64, available at Beautiful Rights.
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of its top-selling Oasis Hydrating Treatment, H20+ Beauty will donate 10% of the product’s annual proceeds to organizations that empower underserved women and girls. One such organization? Girls Inc. of Alameda County, which teaches leadership skills to 8,000 girls in the Bay Area. There’s never been a better time to stock up.
H2O+ Beauty Oasis Hydrating Treatment Deluxe 25th Anniversary Edition, $48, available at H20+ Beauty.
You can’t go wrong with a lip balm outfitted in a cute-ass tin. And you really can’t go wrong when all its proceeds go to UN Women Fund for Gender Equality, which supports women in leadership. Enter the L’Occitane Solidarity Balm, created to go to honor International Women’s Day (on March 8), make your lips more smooth, and help women economically and politically.
L’Occitane Solidarity Balm, $6, available February 15 in stores and at L’Occitane
A purifying clay mask not only comes in handy for post-march skin, it becomes an inspired purchase when made today, as Fig+Yarrow will donate 10% of all sales made through its Denver store or website to the Women's March.
Fig+Yarrow Clay Mask, $42, available at Fig+Yarrow.
Senteurs d’Orient not only pulls of the seemingly impossible — making soap on a rope look elegant and feel luxurious — but the company is powered by a strong, woman-led infrastructure. The brand — which creates soaps, essential oils and bath salts from its Beirut atelier — is built on women’s empowerment: It creates jobs for local Lebanese women (and boasts 90% female workforce) and helps foster a stronger community by partnering with the United Nations Development Program for Women’s Education in Lebanon and donates 10% of its proceeds to help Lebanese women.
Senteurs d’Orient Hammam Soap, $38, available at Net-a-Porter.
Like this post? There's more. Get tons of beauty tips, tutorials, and news on the Refinery29 Beauty Facebook page. Like us on Facebook — we'll see you there!
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
This $10 Lip Scrub Might Actually Be Worth It After All
The Craziest (& Coolest) Beauty Products Coming Out Of L.A. This Year