The current beauty landscape is becoming more and more intertwined with philanthropic endeavors, and there is a growing number of beauty brands that give to charity, and foster a discourse that extends far beyond the bounds of the latest palette drop or buzzy new retinol serum. Whether it’s donating a portion of proceeds from a specific product to support reproductive rights , supporting animals displaced by abuse, neglect and natural disasters, or dropping a Pride palette that benefits the LGBTQIA+ community, the latest trend in the beauty space seems to be less focused on a specific color scheme or skin finish, and more concerned with giving back.
For as long as I can remember, the beauty industry has often been clouded by an unspoken notion that loving makeup, adopting a multi-step skincare routine, or getting your hair done every month or so were frivolous self-indulgences promoting vanity and materialism. This stereotype has further underscored the concurrent assumption that those who enjoy beauty are therefore inherently unintelligent and/or uninterested in “real issues.” Fortunately, it seems that this outdated trope is finally starting to lift, with brands and forward-thinking publishers cultivating a discourse surrounding beauty as a means of self care, self-worth, approaching beauty as an opportunity to foster a broader dialogue surrounding (often sociopolitical, body-positive, and pro-female) issues through a shared love of skincare, hair and m...