Going Green

After being reminded by a very good friend of my love for navy nails last fall, I started thinking about what nail colors I'm loving the same way this year.  After a spring and summer where I was very much into bright corals, hot pinks, oranges and other bright colors that were part of spring's color palette for fashion designers, I have come to love another jewel tone this fall.  Partially inspired by my best friend's favorite color, I have moved away from the sapphire and navy nails I adored last fall and now have an eye for emerald.

Know that, in going with this color, I am going against the grain this year.  A review a what's available from various brands shows a heavy focus on red- and pink-toned colors and neutrals this year.  As a result, this year's recommendation isn't nearly as easy to find as last year's was.  Going against the grain doesn't bother me though.  I think that it is always a good thing to mix in a little originality with your on-trend fashion choices.  What better way is there to be original than to use an eye-catching nail color that stands out from what every other woman is wearing?

The recommended colors are NARS in Zulu, ULTA in The Jungle Look, essie in Pretty Edgy, China Glaze in Paper Chase, CND in Green Scene and Zoya in Holly.

Beautiful for the Cure

I considered writing this post on the first day of the month, when I discovered this video and that Commando Underwear was donating $5 of every product sold on their website to Fashion Targets Breast Cancer.  Thinking that I was probably the only one that is a tad bit overzealous about buying things that donate to breast cancer research (since my mother died of the disease when I was a child), I decided against it, opting just to post a few of the more interesting ones on this facebook page when I came across them.  

It was one of these, OPI's "Pink of Hearts", which interested a reader.  I promised to do more extensive research to tell you all about other beauty and fashion products that benefit breast cancer research and awareness and spent that entire day doing so, but wasn't able to write the piece right away.  Though it is the end of the month, there are still quite a few awesome buys.  

Made Her Think Talon Pendant (50% of proceeds to Breast Cancer Network of Strength)

AHAVA Hope Blossoms Bath Salts (Unknown portion is donation to National Breast Cancer Foundation)

Clinique Great Lips, Great Cause Lip Gloss Set and Great Skin, Great Cause Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion or direct donation ($5.00 donation from lip gloss, $20.00 donation from moisturizer or amount of your choice from donation to National Breast Cancer Foundation)

Kim Kardashian Pink Ribbon Rollerball Fragrance (10% donated to Young Survival Coalition) plus 10% discount with coupon code CURE at checkout.

ULTA Windows of Love Campaign (helps fund their $50,000 donation to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation)

Jo Malone Red Roses Bath Oil and Red Roses Cologne or direct donation (helps fund their $14,000 donation to Breast Cancer Research Foundation)

Elemis Sparkling Beauty Skincare Collection (helps funds their £10,000 donation to Breast Cancer Care)


Hatley Pink Elephants Collection (20% of sales supports John Wayne Cancer Institute for Breast Cancer Research)

Limited Edition Clarisonic Plus Sonic Skin Cleansing System (50% of proceeds donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure)

Paul Mitchell Pink Express Ion Dry and Ion Smooth (unknown portion supports the American Cancer Society)

Origins Peace of Mind (helps fund their $35,000 donation to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation)

Philosophy Shower for the Cure (100% of net proceeds donated to the Women's Cancer research Fund)

La Mer Moisturizing Creme (funds their $30,000 donation to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation)

Jane Iredale Sugar and Butter Phoenix Lip Treatment ($2 donated to Living Beyond Breast Cancer) - similar to the one SPiCY mentioned in Sugar Lips yesterday.

Regis Salons Designline (10% of October net proceeds to Regis Foundation for Breast Cancer Research)

Drugstore.com has an entire selection of products that benefits CCosmetic Executive Women's Cancer and Careers

Baccarat Scarabee Pink Pendant Necklace ($40 donation to the breast Cancer Research Foundation)

Gorjana has 5 pieces of jewelry (60% of sales goes to Breast Cancer Connections)

Aveda Hand Relief ($4.00 Breast Cancer Research Foundation)

Shiseido Lip Gloss in Pop Life ($5 to Cosmetic Executive Women's Cancer and Careers)

Trove Tkees Gloss Sandals in Pink Lemonade (15% to Breast Cancer Research Foundation)

Urban Outfitters Young Survival Coalition Tee (100% to Young Survival Coalition)

Beauty for Real Lighthearted Lip Gloss (10% benefits Jackson Cancer Center)

Tory Burch Limited Edition Umbrella (15% to Breast Cancer research Foundation up to a $10,000 donation) 

Coach Breast Cancer Research Foundation Mini Maggie (20% to Breast Cancer Research Foundation)

Dermstore has quite a few products (brands donate various percentages of their proceeds to various organizations; Dermstore donates an additional 5% to Cosmetic Executive Women's Cancer and Careers)

Smashbox Limitless Longwear Lip Gloss (100% of proceeds to Breast Cancer Research Foundation)

Arcona Magic Pink Ice ($2.00 to Cosmetic Executive Women's Cancer and Careers)

Decleor Aromatherapy Aromessence Sets ( Up to 10% to Cosmetic Executive Women's Cancer and Careers)

Bobbi Brown Limited Edition Pink Shimmer Brick (help funds their $35,000 donation to the Breast Caner Research Foundation)

Donna Karan Cashmere Mist (funds their $15,000 donation to the breast Cancer Research Foundation)

Bath and Body Works Sweet Pea Line (50% to American Breast Cancer Foundation)

Dior Limited Edition Couture Palette (unknown portion to American Cancer Society)

Estee Lauder Elizabeth Hurley Lip Design Collection (funds Estee Lauder's $500,000 donation to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation)

CHI Limited Edition Ionic Flatiron Set (unknown portion to breast cancer research)

AVON has quite a few products

Also, if you are not interested in buying a product, but want to help somehow, a friend did the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk at the beginning of November and is a bit short of her goal.  You can donate to her here in whatever amount you choose.  Even small donations help her get closer to her goal.  She must reach her goal by November 3.  In addition, RightatHome.com has a way to turn your profile picture pink to show your support for breast cancer awareness and research.  

Last, but certainly not least, th best way that you can help defeat breast cancer is detection and prevention in yourself.  Be sure to get regularly scheduled mammograms as recommended by your doctor and do your monthly self-exams.  Pick a day of the month that will stick in your head or schedule them on your calendar or enlist the help of your significant other and be sure to do them every month.  Early detection is the best way to stay happy and healthy.  If you have risk factors, you may need to have mammograms at a younger age so be sure to speak with your doctor.  The Estee Lauder companies have a pledge that I really like that each of us should take.  Four very good sources for more information on breast cancer are National Breast Cancer Foundation,  Young Survival Coalition, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the American Cancer Society.