This Friday, ULTA will host 16 scholarship winners at the unofficial flagship store on Chicago’s State Street (114 S. State). High school students from across the country had the opportunity to write an essay discussing what the words “enrich, empower, and enlighten” meant to them. The awardees will receive a $5000 scholarship and are being flown to Chicago to join ULTA CEO, Lyn Kirby, for a luncheon and an afternoon of celebration.

The students in attendance will be treated to makeovers, a shopping spree, along with a tour of the 18,000 sq. ft store! These are some very lucky students! That’s all that I can say about it. Wow.

I will be in attendance tomorrow, so you know that I will provide a recap and photos for all of you! However, I am praying that all the lipglosses and eyeshadows don’t distract me…

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The Body Shop is an advent supporter of various charitable causes. I’ve featured their items which support HIV/AIDS initiative, MTV’s Staying Alive. Did you know that they also have products which support domestic violence organizations?

Hi-Shine Lip Treatment, $13

As a self-diagnosed lip gloss addict, I want you guys to take a look at the gloss to my right. I don’t have this particular color, but I like the glosses from The Body Shop because they aren’t too sticky, but I can still feel something on my lips. Does that make sense to anybody but me?

The Body Shop started the Stop Violence in the Home campaign 10 years ago as a way to raise awareness and funds for domestic violence. For the past six years, the company has partnered with the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and used products to benefit NCADV’s work.

You can purchase this gloss and other products for a cause by visiting www.thebodyshop-usa.com!

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“When you decide to do something for the good of mankind, the universe comes behind you and supports you.” – Jeannette Kravitz Last month, I attended a charity spa event at Juvenesse Spa (520 W. Erie, Chicago). The  proceeds of the event went to a nonprofit organization called Peace Journey. That’s really all that I knew. That is, until I was introduced to the owner of the spa, Jeannette Kravitz. She is full of energy and life, but at the same time is extremely centered. As we sat there talking, I found myself being more and more drawn in to every sentence.

Jeannette Kravitz

Jeannette, like myself, had a background in corporate America and often wondered what was her life purpose. While traveling the world with her husband, she encountered many individuals who slammed the US for its policies without knowing about the many giving and selfless individuals who were proud Americans. In an effort to increase the dialogue between America and the world, she started Peace Journey in 2000.

After 9/11, she decided that she would use this organization to introduce middle schoolers and high schoolers to teens around the world, and build partnerships based on open and honest communication. On Peace Journey’s first overseas trip, students from Chicago high schools, Roberto Clemente, Kennedy, and Latin, participated. “It was like the UN of students,” Jeannette chuckled.

Peace Journey continues to sponsor groups of students and teachers  on trips to select foreign countries. They travel with a computer lab as our gift to each culture, opening doors to communication and lasting friendships online and offline.

With Peace Journey underway, Jeannette came across the opportunity to purchased local Juvenesse Skin Care line in 2006. Within 2 years, the Peace Spa collection was added and Juvenesse Spa opened on International Peace Day in September 2008.

Juvenesse’s motto is “beauty with a conscious,” and it absolutely rings true. The skincare line includes cleansers, toners, masks, and much more. You can also purchase makeup products including mineral eyeshadows, skin primer, and gorgeous glosses. The products can be purchased at the spa or online at www.shopjuvenesse.com. Proceeds from the skincare line, as well as the spa, benefit the great work that Peace Journey is doing around the world.

In the past, Peace Journey has visited countries such as Tanzania, Morocco, and Mexico, and produced a documentary which received a Telly Award for Excellence in 2006. So, what’s next?  Well, all eyes are looking towards 2010 when Peace Journey will mark its 10th anniversary! Celebratory plans include starting an organic farm in Brazil, along hosting with a concert in conjunction with UN International Peace Day.

So, a nonprofit, a skin care line, and a spa? Whew! That’s a lot! With so much going on, I asked Jeannette about her keys to success. Her response? “Reaching out to the right people, not getting caught in an ego, and collaborating with other organizations.”

Sounds like a good strategy to me.

You can learn more about Peace Journey by visiting their website at www.peacejourney.com. To browse the Juvenesse Skincare line and to learn about the spa offerings, be sure to stop by www.shopjuvenesse.com!

(Make sure that you check out the Rescue Gel, for on-the-spot blemish treatments…I’m a fan!)

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On Saturday, I had the pleasure of hosting my favorite ladies for my Johnson and Johnson Cause Party. The idea behind the event was to gather my girlfriends for food, drinks, laughter, and, of course, a great cause.

My ladies gathered at my place around 1:30p, began introducing themselves, and started digging into the snacks! For all of my Chicagoans, if you have not had the fresh salsa and guacamole from Hyde Park Produce (1226 E. 53rd), you have not yet lived! Of course, with me being completely scatterbrained, I was still running around the morning of the party picking up tables, chairs, and other random items. So, I actually spent the first hour and a half of the party in the kitchen cooking with a sweatshirt and baseball cap on. Looking pure crazy! Hahaha!

As far as the menu was concerned, I prepared my take on a Mexican fiesta. You know, fajitas, black beans, rice, etc and the wine was definitely flowing! As we talked and ate, it became clear what the objective of the event was. J&J wanted to our gathering to really focus on nurturing our bonds in a relaxed, comfortable, and fun atmosphere!

In between the girl talk convos which ranged from dating to Beyonce, I gave my guests some background on why J&J believes in these cause parties and some information on the Chicago Women’s AIDS Project, the party’s beneficiary, and women and HIV statistics in Chicago.

If you’re familiar with The Red Pump Project, then you know that Luvvie and I adopted CWAP as our Chicago AIDS organization. The funds that were raised on Saturday will help offset the cost of CWAP’s annual conference for HIV positive women which is this Saturday, the 16th.

My guests were really pleased with their J&J gift bags! They received samples of Johnson and Johnson’s Be Radiant Cocoa and Shea Butter Lotion and Body Wash. I’m smiling because I’m a huge fan of both cocoa and shea butter in itself and have a fetish for any product which includes them in their formulas.

Hours later, when the last guest left, I was super-tired but in a great way. I had a great time catching up with old friends and sharing stories with new ones. Thank you, J&J for sponsoring this event. And, thank you, ladies for coming out and supporting CWAP (and me)!

I’ve included more pictures from the event below! To learn more about Johnson and Johnson’s Body Care line, visit www.johnsonsforyou.com.

A couple of weeks ago, I started following Kiehl’s on Twitter (@kiehlsnyc), and noticed every now and then they would donate 100% of sales of any given item to the Waterkeeper Alliance. They called the campaign “10/10/10,” which essentially meant that for 10 days they sold 10 products for only $10 and donated 100% of the sales to the Waterkeeper Alliance, up to $10K. Got it?

Well, the 10/10/10 campaign is over, but that doesn’t mean that Kiehl’s commitment to charitable causes has ended. While browsing KiehlsGivesBack.com, I learned about two other initiatives that the company is sponsoring.

The first, in continuing support of Waterkeeper Alliance, is the donation of 100% of sales of limited edition bottles of the Superbly Restorative Argan Body Lotion line ($55). Kiehl’s partnered with 3 celebrities (Adrian Grenier, Erykah Badu, Kelly Slater) and Parsons School of Design to develop artsy labels related to each person/institution (Clockwise: Grenier, Badu, Parsons, Slater).

The lotions, developed with argan oil and Vitamin E, are said to create an ultimate barrier of softness for your skin. Knowing Kiehl’s reputation with eco-friendly and amazing products, I don’t doubt this!

In addition, Kiehl’s has partnered with YouthAIDS, an organization committed to reaching and education youth in over 60 countries about HIV/AIDS. The brand has created new limited edition packaging of their Classic Lip Balm ($8.50) to benefit the organization.

So, folks, there you have it! Be sure to pop on over to KiehlsGivesBack.com to learn more about their dedication to the environment and various causes over time! And, if you’re in Chicago, click here to find out details for tonight’s (5/12) screening of Sundance’s new original series Eco Trip: The Real Cost of Living at the West Armitage store (907 West Armitage). Cocktails will be provided AND attendees will receive 10% off of all purchases!

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I’m all about spoiling myself and spoiling others. And, one of my favorite ways to do so lately is with bath products. I used to laugh at people who went overboard with luscious soaps, silky lotions, and fancy scrubs. Now, I can’t get enough of them! I’m always trying something out or adding something to my wish list. Last summer, I got into the habit of incorporating more natural products into my beauty routine. You know, my small yet significant nod to the whole eco-movement

Anyways, I’m wondering if any of you have ever heard of the products from the Basa Body line! The products are all natural and made using organic virgin coconut oil from wild coconuts harvested along the coast of Kenya. Essentially, they are free from harsh chemicals and don’t have any artificial fragrance, color or preservatives. 

Cherry Chocolate Truffle Soap

If that didn’t already earn them a big thumbs up, Basa Body has strong ties to the people and economic future of Kenya. Basa Body (named in honor of the women of Mombasa) uses pure coconut oil from the Coast Coconut Farms, a social business which has provided employment for over 100 Kenyan families. Not only that, but the company donates 10% of their profits back to a variety of humanitarian projects in Kenya to help fight poverty.

There are four signature products for your enjoyment: 

• Mint Chocolate Truffle Soap
• Cherry Chocolate Truffle Soap
• Basa Body Stick
• Basa Body Natural Coconut Oil Body Lotion

You can purchase the lotion and the body stick individually, but the truffle soaps are only available in the Kiss Me (below left, $29.99) or Hug Me (below right) Gift Pack.

The products are currently on sale, so if you’re looking for a great gift or a treat for yourself, now might be the right time to act! Oh, and it is my duty to remind you that although the truffle soaps contain pure dark chocolate, you are not to eat them. No matter how strong your craving

For more information, visit basabody.com.

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P.S. Coast Coconut Farms is a beneficiary of Yehu microfinance loans. Visit yehu.org to learn more.

I stumbled across the Balm website last week and immediately fell in love with two things on the home page: the cheeky 40s/50s pop art and the image of the limited edition eyeshadow for charity. So, embracing my new obsession with beauty products, I decided to take a look at the collection and I found some products that I’m interested in trying (Bahama Mama bronzer and Hot Mama all-in-one). In addition to those products, there are the two which incorporate fabulous giving.

Kiss MS Goodbye – Overshadow Mineral Eye Shimmer ($15)

-Benefits The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, NYC Chapter

the Balm to the Rescue – Vegan Lip Treatment ($16)

-Benefits Pug Rescue

You can learn more about this company and the product offerings on their website at thebalm.com.

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It’s that time of year again. Spa Week has returned! This semi-annual event runs from April 13-19th and allows participants to spoil themselves with awesome spa treatments at a discounted rate of $50! Yep, that’s it!

When you visit SpaWeek.org, you can locate spas in your area and view which services will be offered. And, with the increasing population of recessionistas, I would advise that you make your appointments now! After all, you don’t think that you’re the only person excited about a discounted microdermabrasion treatment, do you?

Like the previous Spa Weeks, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Cancer and Careers, an organization committed to providing support and educational materials for employees with cancer.

Find out more at SpaWeek.org!

P.S. What treatments are on your dream list? I definitely have my favorites

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Viva Glam Spokesperson, Fergie

Earlier in the month, M.A.C. Viva Glam spokesperson, Fergie, rolled out the new collection with an in-store event for the media. The new hues will be available in stores starting today (pics below), and as always, 100% of sales benefit the M.A.C. AIDS Fund!

Viva Glam Lipstick

Viva Glam Lipglass

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Today’s Beauty for the Cause is brought to us by Laura Geller’s Brow Marker…It’s no secret that the key to a great face is a great brow…And, even if you have the best brow specialist on duty, you’ll more than likely need your own artillery of brow supplies. 

For every Brow Marker purchased, Laura Geller donates $1 to Joan’s Legacy: Uniting Against Lung Cancer. Joan’s Legacy is committed to fight lung cancer by funding innovative research and increasing awareness of the world’s leading cancer killer, with a special focus on non-smoking-related lung cancer. You can purchase the Laura Geller’s Brow Marker at Sephora.com.

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