From byrdie
We could all use a pick-me-up right about now. To help brighten your day, we’ve rounded up feel-good beauty buys that will make you smile, and not just because of their supremely pampering formulas, refreshingly uplifting scents, and bright mood-boosting hues. On top of that, all of the products in this list are doing their part to provide aid during the global COVID-19 pandemic challenging the world today. From the production and distribution of equipment and essential products to delivering much-needed donations wherever possible, these brands—both large and small—are doing their part in keeping our world healthy, hopeful, and inspired during an otherwise unsettling time. From established industry leaders to indie newbies, these 13 beauty buys will make you smile for so many reasons.
Kate Somerville DeliKate, $30-80
For starters, the new extra-gentle DeliKate collection is a coddling treat for the most sensitive skin types. The trio lineup including serum, cream, and cleanser, is chock full of soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredients like ginger root, Tasmania fruit extract, and grapeseed oil that help to temper and pamper the most fragile of skin (especially post-treatment). And in case you need another excuse to treat yourself to the peptide and ceramide-filled lineup, the brand is donating 15% of sales from the collection (on the brands website or sephora.com during the month of May) to World Central Kitchen’s #ChefsForAmerica COVID-19 Food Relief Effort helping to provide fresh meals to families or first responders in need.
MAC Viva Glam Lipsticks, $19
Leave it to MAC to match their statement Viva Glam Lipsticks with a donation even bolder. The brand recently announced a $10 million dollar donation to 250 front line organizations around the world helping those at higher risk during COVID-19 pandemic. And in case you needed another reason to treat yourself to a perfect deep red, everyday pinky mauve, or classic brown plum lipstick, the brand is donating 100% of the proceeds from Viva Glam lipstick purchases to provide additional COVID-19 support to vulnerable communities.
Eos Shea Butter Hand Cream, $3
Eos redefines a helping (and moisturized) hand with their donation of 100,000 of its Shea Butter Hand Creams to support healthcare workers on the front lines across the United States. From the calming scents like lavender, coconut, and eucalyptus, to the ultra-conditioning formula spiked with a double dose of shea benefits (thanks to shea butter and shea oil), this tube delivers on feel-good benefits for the hands and the soul.
Augustinus Bader The Hand Treatment, $50
Let it be known that this is not just any hand treatment. Like the cult-favorite moisturizer from Augustinus Bader, It’s a reparative, pampering formula rooted in 30 years of stem cell research focused on how to facilitate the skin’s natural healing process. The treatment is formulated with a proprietary TFC8 that help to penetrate the skin’s barrier to treat damage, as well as vitamin E, glycerin, shea butter, and honey which add the healing, antiseptic, and conditioning benefits our hands could really use about now. As for lending their helping hand, the brand donated the full 60,000 unit run of their new hand sanitizer to those in need. They are also part of BeautyUnited, an organization raising money and facilitating product donations to the Frontline Responders Fund (you can read more about Byrdie’s partnership with BeautyUnited here).
Tatcha The Serum Stick, $48
This unique solid serum stick is formulated with Japanese Lemon Balm, a century-old cure for dehydrated skin so effective that it was nicknamed “caring for others”. This notion also rings true of Tatcha founder, Vicky Tsai. Sticking true to her roots both as a philanthropist and former New Yorker, Tsai acted fast in response to the critical shortage of personal protective equipment by putting Tatcha manufacturing and shipping resources to work, funding the production and distribution of 1 million surgical masks donated to New York City front line workers.
RMS Beauty Wild With Desire lipstick in Monterey, $28
In recognizing the complicated times and the challenges faced when launching a new product in the midst of them, RMS-founder Rose-Marie Swift refused to falter from her plan. Instead, she debuted the highly-anticipated “Monterey” lipstick with community in mind, pledging 50% of all proceeds to be donated to Coastal Pet Rescue helping animals being surrendered during the pandemic (a cause dear to her and her mother’s heart). The gorgeous, burnt-coral shade—inspired by her love for her hometown of Savanah, Georgia—is silky smooth on lips with a satin finish perfect for everyday and night.
ONA New York Eye Gels, $7
This New York-based beauty start-up first caught our eye with its impressively chic packaging that pays tribute to New York. Our personal favorite: the slip-free eye gels which have a subtle iridescence that makes you feel extra pretty while hydrating and de-puffing. An added feel-good bonus: the startup brand donated over $10,000 in products to frontline workers in New York City hospitals.
Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Strengthening Treatment Oil, $30
As if you need another reason to jump on the bandwagon of the fastest growing hair brand at Sephora, this beautiful bottle is also responsible for providing 50,000 meals to Food Bank for New York City. The nutrient-rich formula is chock full of ceramides, macadamia nut, and rose flower oil that work to dramatically smooth, soften, and glossify tired, overworked strands in minutes.
Jenny Patinkin Pure Luxury Organic Bamboo Reusable Rounds, $38
This meticulously crafted set of reusable pads is as feel-good as it gets—and not just because of the ultra-soft terry texture. The sustainably sourced bamboo pads are naturally hypoallergenic, anti-bacterial, and feel absolutely delicious when wiped over your face. The set of 14 pads comes with a laundry bag for easy cleaning, and all zipped up in a chic vegan leather carrying case which turns the whole cleansing, toning, makeup-removing process into a total luxury. Added feel-good bonus: a portion of all proceeds from the brand website are being donated to Food Pantries across the country, along with hundreds of makeup brushes donated to front line healthcare workers via Beauty United.
La Roche Posay Anthelios Melt-in Milk Sunscreen for Face and Body SPF 100, $25
On a mission to keep you protected from the sun with a range of conditioning, lightweight sunscreen formulas that also double as a treat for your skin, the beloved La Roche Posay launched their top-rated melt-in milk SPF 60 formula with an added layer of defense: SPF 100. And they’re not just about protecting you from the sun. Hats off to the brand for getting their hands dirty—scratch that—clean, with the production and donation of over one million sanitizing hand gels (200ml) to hospitals and clinics around the world. It does as good a job as any in zapping germs, but in true La Roche Posay fashion, it’s insanely gentle and hydrating, too.
Ole Henriksen Phat Glow Facial Mask, $50
From the brand that has been helping us recreate the signature “Ole glow” for decades, Ole Henriksen is helping to spread the joy during this challenging time with their PHAT Glow mask, a gentle PHA exfoliating mask perfect for that at home facial. Customers who buy the mask, can choose to gift one for $1—a jaw-dropping steal considering the typical $50 price tag. How’s that for a gift that keeps on glowing—I mean giving? The brand also partnered with non-profit Self-Esteem Rising and donated over 3,500 products to nurses in NYC.
Sephora Face Masks, $10, coming June 1
You’ll have to wait until June 1st to get your hands on these exclusive Sephora face masks in which 50% of all proceeds are going to Stronger Together Fund through Tides. But in the meantime, Sephora launched “Project Care” distributing products to over 65,000 frontline healthcare workers and victims of domestic violence across the country. Sephora employees nominated 500 individuals who received 100 kits of Sephora Collection skincare essentials which were distributed and shared among colleagues reaching 50,000 healthcare professionals. In addition, Sephora donated 15,000 Play! beauty boxes to 150 women’s shelters across the country, helping victims of domestic violence whose lives have been disrupted by stay-at-home orders.
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