Shecky’s

The holiday season may be the perfect time to splurge on new makeup for Christmas and Hanukkah soirees, but let’s not forget about the giving part of the season. Ladies need to especially look out for their fellow women this time of year. Women are facing homelessness for a slew of reasons (ex. rampant unemployment and subsequent loss of economic security or running away from abuse and trafficking) and would like nothing more than to get their feet back on the ground.

The next time you’re treating yourself to a new lipstick shade at your fave makeup counter, consider donating your old cosmetics to charity. Need help getting started?

Here’s what you need to know.

What can you donate? Organizations are looking for beauty products, but can be a little picky with what they accept. Consider handing over the following:

• Any cosmetic that has been unopened and/or unused.
• Nail polish of any shade
• Sanitized press powders and shadows
• Partially used products like shampoo/conditioner and hand cream can be okay, but anything that has been in direct contact with your body and put back in the tube (like mascara or lip gloss) is a no-no.
• If your makeup is expired, don’t even think about donating that.

Where can you donate? A few organizations that also willing to pass on donated beauty products and cosmetics include:
• Women-friendly shelters who accept in-kind donations. A helpful directory to find a shelter in your area can be found here.
• The Beauty Bus Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to pampering chronically ill men, women and children with beauty and grooming services/products.
• Our fave charities GEMS (shampoo/conditioner and body lotion) and Dress for Success (unopened cosmetics).

Get your community involved! Why not put a chic twist on the average cosmetics drive? Host a dinner party for the charity you want to support with your donations. Make the admission price to get into your hoppin’ get-together one new or unused beauty product. More tips on how to throw a successful and glam event can be found in this helpful guide.

-Jess Bender for Glamour Gone Good

Jess Bender recently earned her B.A. in Journalism and Environmental Policy from Fordham University. She’s currently a blogger for Glamour Gone Good and has previously written for DoSomething.org. Jess is passionate about women’s advocacy and equality.

Shikha Vasaiwala is the founder and CEO of Glamour Gone Good, Inc. and is committed to women’s and girls’ empowerment and advancement. In 2007, Shikha launched actress and cancer survivor Fran Drescher’s women’s cancer charity, Cancer Schmancer, dedicated to ensuring Stage 1 diagnosis of women’s cancers. Previously, Shikha served as Director of Programs at Do Something, Inc., where she managed social change programs for teens, including the 2005 Kids Tsunami Relief Fund, through which she distributed over $475,000 to NGOs rebuilding schools, children’s camps and health clinics in India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

GIRL TALK TIME: How are you giving thanks/giving back this holiday season? What charitable organizations are you involved in?