Yesterday on Oprah, Mary J. Blige announced a partnership between her nonprofit organization, Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now , and beauty brand Carol’s Daughter. In celebration, Carol’s Daughter is donating 30% of online sales to FFAWN. FFAWN aims to inspire women to fulfill their potential, and helps us through scholarships, grants and programs. The two-day promotion ends today at midnight! Join the ranks of celebs like Jada Pinkett Smith and Brad Pitt (for Zahara), and get your hands on some of these goodies.

I don’t know what I want to order. In the past, I’ve used the body scrubs and butters, along with a blemish cream. I think that I’m going to buy Some of Marguerite Magic (below). I’m obsessed with growing my hair these days and that means going back to curly hair for the majority of the summer. I need to make sure that my curls are moisturized and strong, and I think this product could do the trick.

Some of Marguerite's Magic, $16.50

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Every now and then, I come across a charity/nonprofit that makes me super giddy, keeps me smiling, and turns me into a lifetime fan/supporter. Glamour Gals is definitely one of those organizations. Launched 10 years ago by Rachel Doyle, the mission of Glamour Gals is to inspire and organize teens to provide ongoing complimentary beauty makeovers to elderly women in nursing homes. *HUGE smile* There are so many positive elements to this organization: the volunteerism, the inter-generational interaction, the belief that beauty knows no age…I could literally go on for awhile.

Rachel and a true glamour gal

Rachel started Glamour Gals when she was 17 as a way to honor her grandmother who’d recently passed. And, ever since then, she and the organization have been featured in publications such as The New York Times, Glamour Magazine, Cosmo Girl, and Newsday. She’s even been on The Oprah Winfrey Show! Glamour Gals continues its work through the participation of many chapters across the country and some awesome volunteers. If you’re in LA, then you should check out GG’s 10th Anniversary Party. Even if you aren’t in sunny LA, the website has a list of ways that you can get involved and show your support.

I spent over two years visiting my mom in a nursing home, and always loved interacting with the other residents. It’s amazing what a visit, kind words, and/or a beauty treatment can do to lift the spirits of those who live in nursing homes. I love, love, love everything about Glamour Gals and look forward to staying in touch with everything this organization has up its beautiful sleeve!

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Ladies, keep your pout kissable and charitable with one of the following lip glosses or lipsticks!

Afterglow Cosmetics

This all-organic cosmetic line promises beauty vixens quality makeup without the harsh chemicals that could be found in other products. The Organic Lip Love lipsticks are made with ingredients such as apricot, grape seed, and pomegranate seed extracts. There are 15 available shades with the soft pink Muse (right) representing the brand’s charitable side. Afterglow will donate $2 from each sale of Muse to Young Survival Coalition (YSC). YSC is the premier international organization dedicated to the critical issues unique to young women (40 and under) and breast cancer.

Organic Lip Love Lipstick in Muse, $24

Bobbi Brown Cosmetics

Bobbi Brown has teamed up with world hunger relief organization, FEED, to create the Feed 10 pouch. The sustainable pouch contains three of Brown’s popular lip glosses. With each purchase, the United Nations World Food Program will be able to feed 10 women. The pouches go on sale at Bloomingdale’s in October.

Mary Kay Cosmetics

This classic brand has been an advocate of women since the first woman signed up to start selling products and earning her Pink Cadillac. But, the support didn’t begin and end with the business aspect. Through the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation, the company supports causes affecting women. These limited-edition lipsticks are part of the “Beauty That Counts” campaign and will support the foundation’s fight against domestic violence.

Limited-Edition Mary Kay Creme Lipsticks, $13

Bare Escentuals

When the product line is called “Buxom,” you know that you’re in for some sexy glosses. Formulated to make your lips seem “voluptuous,” these lip glosses come in 30 flirty shades with names like Candi, Trixie, and Isabella. The star of this post however is Charity, a sizzling red shade benefiting the American Heart Association. Apply this color to get his heart racing and to save someone else’s.

Buxom Lips in Charity, $18

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L’Oréal Paris has a longstanding participant in the fight against ovarian cancer. Since 1997, the company’s efforts have donated over $18 million to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF). This being September and all, the beauty brand is gearing up its “Color of Hope” campaign to provide customers with facts about the disease and ways they can support the cause.

Customers can purchase items from the Color of Hope collection, including eyeshadows and lipsticks. For every item sold, L’Oréal will donate $1 to OCRF. There is also a limited edition cosmetics bag (shown below), with $5 from each bag being donated as well.

Color of Hope Cosmetics Bag

Not just stopping there, L’Oréal has partnered with the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund to rollout the L’Oréal Paris OCRF Hope Line. Women with ovarian cancer can call 877-OV-HOPE1 (877-684-6731) for free telephone counseling and referral services. I think it’s great that the company is not just donating a check. The support line is such a great idea because haveing a long-term illness is such a battle. It’s great to know that there will be someone for these brave women to speak with!

For more information on “The Color of Hope,” check out the website www.lorealcolorofhope.com!

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Are you a beauty junkie? Bionic Beauty is hosting a charity auction of some pretty packages on her site. The proceeds from the auction will benefit two of her favorite charities, the Genesis House and Karma Dogs. So far, over $200 has been raised and she still has 8 packages up for bids. The auction packages include products from Bliss Spa, Revlon, and YBF Skincare. Visit her page for auction details!

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Apparently, carrots are not only good for your eyes, but your skin and the community as well! I was first introduced to “YES to Carrots” products when I received the carrot body scrub in a swag bag from Shecky’s. I love the product because in addition to exfoliating my skin, it also infuses it with beta carotene (three cheers for antioxidants). Over the weekend, I was gifted with some lip balms/glosses from their line, and while looking at the packaging, I noticed that there was a little callout that said “YES to Carrots Seed Fund.”

Hmm…Qu’est-ce que c’est? According to the website, the Seed Fund is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations focused on “providing under-served communities with the resources to develop and sustain an organic food source and access to healthy nutrition.” Projects funded this year include community garden/job training programs in “food deserts,” partial scholarships to sustainable design programs, and youth training/employment programs. Two of the programs are actually in Chicago communities so that’s pretty cool!

To check out the product lineup and learn about the Seed Fund, visit www.yestocarrots.com!

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The beauty brand with sexy product names like Pillow Talk, Striptease, and more want you to have a safe and beautiful “orgasm.” Yes, that is a very intentional pun. The NARS Safer Multiple Orgasm kit contains the creamy Multiple in Orgasm along with two condoms. The Multiple is a creamy stick of color which can be applied to eyes, cheeks, and lips.

A portion of the sales from each kit benefit the global safe sex initiatives of American Foundation for AIDS Research (amFAR). The price of the kit is $37, and can be purchased on the NARS website or at your local Sephora.

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About a week ago, I mentioned that I would be in attendance as ULTA treated its inaugural scholarship recipients to an afternoon of pampering at the 18,000 sq. ft store and salon on Chicago’s State Street. I did and I had an absolute blast meeting some of the young ladies as well as ULTA President and CEO, Lyn Kirby.

Award recipient enjoying her makeover

First of all, if you’ve never been to the ULTA store, then you do not know what you are missing. It’s like a giant candy store, but obviously for beauty. The first floor is all about makeup and as you move upstairs, you pass through hair products and more, before ultimately arriving on the top floor at the ULTA Salon.

The girls were so energetic and in awe of their awards! It was really great to be around such positive energy, especially coming from gals who are already leaders in their community. I had an opportunity to talk with 5-6 girls and they discussed their community involvement. These high school gals volunteer with pediatric cancer patients, teach children in wheelchair how to “ice skate,” teach dance classes, and much more. And, all of this is in addition to their educational achievements.

They most certainly earned the spoils provided by ULTA. Spoils which included a trip to Chicago, lunch on the 96th floor of the Hancock Building, a $100 ULTA gift card, and a hair/makeup makeover! Whew…So much! Next year, ULTA plans to expand the program in order to award more young women across the country. Applications for the 2009-2010 scholarship program will be available this month on ulta.com!

You can read my official take on the celebration in my Examiner article.

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Credit: (AP Photo for ULTA/Stacie Freudnberg)

While treatments such as chemotherapy are an essential part of fighting cancer, no one denies that it can and will change your appearance. And, of course, outer beauty isn’t everything, but things like the loss of hair or skin changes definitely have some effect on the way some women see themselves. And, studies have found that addressing the non-medical effects of cancer can be just as important as addressing the actual physical symptoms.

Look Good…Feel Better started in 1989 when a physician “prescribed” a makeover for a cancer patient who experienced depression related to her change in appearance. Twenty years later, the organization has helped many women offset appearance-related changes from cancer treatment through makeovers and one-on-one beauty sessions.

The cornerstone LGFB small group program is offered in all 50 states and DC. There are also international LGFB programs as well! The show doesn’t stop there. In select cities, individuals can also participate in bilingual (Spanish) or teen programs!

Participants spend two hours in a hands-on workshop that includes a 12-step skin care/make-up application lesson, demonstration of options for dealing with hair loss, and nail care techniques. Additionally, the ladies receive advice on wigs and scarves, along with free cosmetics kits! Each year, More than 50,000 individuals participate in the program. That’s a whole lot of beauty for a great cause

"Hope Is Beautiful" Ad

In celebration of Look Good…Feel Better’s 20th anniversary, the organization just launched the “Women of Hope is Beautiful” campaign and blog which encourages past program participants and cancer survivors to share their stories of hope and survival. You can share your story by clicking here. They’ve also unveiled a great ad campaign! My favorite execution is above, but you can view the rest here.

There are three main organizations which serve as a partners in making all of this happen. There’s the Personal Care Products Council, the nation’s cosmetic industry leaders; the American Cancer Society; and the National Cosmetology Association, which encourages member cosmetologists to volunteer their services. Each year, cosmetic companies, such as Mary Kay, Elizabeth Arden, and Benefit, donate over one million individual products (valued at $10 million) and raise more than $2 million for LGFB.

To celebrate their partnership with LGFB, OPI has designated a portion of the proceeds from the sale of its Bubble Bath Nail Lacquer in July and August to benefit the organization with a minimum $25,000 commitment.

OPI Bubble Bath Nail Lacquer

LGFB is always looking for volunteers. Whether you’re a licensed cosmetologist or just looking to do more general service, there is an opportunity for you. I could probably go on and on about all the great things that Look Good…Feel Better is doing across the country, but I’ll let you explore it for yourself! If you head on over to www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org, you will find studies, videos, photos, beauty tips, and MUCH more!

You can also follow LGFB on Twitter at twitter.com/lgfb! Happy 20th birthday to such a great cause!

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Entrepreneur and beauty maven, Bobbi Brown, is involved in many charitable causes, including Dress for Success. She recently chatted with Forbes.com to discuss how she balances her career with giving back, and why it’s important for women to make a difference.

Here’s an excerpt:

Why did you want to get involved?

Just look at what I do for a living and who I am as a person. I can help a woman take care of herself and help her to get a job. Keeping her looking and feeling confident is what I’m all about.

I heard the stories of the women who were involved with the Dress for Success program and how it was really able to help. I saw that I could make a difference.

What do you say to women who claim they simply don’t have the time, energy or money to give back to their community?

I don’t believe in excuses. I believe in choices. It doesn’t matter what you do. Just do it.

You can read the entire interview on Forbes.com by clicking here. While you’re there, make sure you check out the “Busy Woman’s Guide to Volunteering.” There are some great tips in there for all of my busy Queen bees out there!

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