"Pink" Products: Dual-Purpose!
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so it's time to "think pink" again.
On "The Early Show" Wednesday, style contributor Katrina Szish showcased a wide variety of products you can feel really good about buying: You'll not only get to use or wear them, you'll know that a portion of the proceeds from their sales help fund breast cancer charities and research.
WHAT TO ASK BEFORE BUYING PINK
from Think Before You Pink.org
Before you buy a product with a pink ribbon on it to support "the fight against breast cancer," ask a few key questions:
How much money actually goes toward breast cancer programs and services? Can you tell? Is it enough? If not, give directly to the charity instead.
Where is the money going?
What organization will get the money? If you can't tell or you don't know what the organization does, reconsider your purchase.
What types of programs are being supported? If research, what kind? If services, are they reaching the people who need them most? Programs supporting "breast cancer awareness" ignore the fact that we are already aware that cancer is a problem and that we need to act in order to end the epidemic.
PRODUCTS FEATURED ON THE SHOW
BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Armaly Brillo Steel Wool Soap Pads (1 Pink box & 1 Lemon scented box)
Retail Price- $1.79 - $2.99
Available at Brillo.com and retailers across the country
Lulu Guinness Pink Perfume
Retail Price - $39.19
This October, FragranceNet.com will give back when you purchase a femininely-pink fragrance. Choose from Lacoste Touch of Pink($36.19), Alfred Sung Pure ($25.19), Lulu Guinness Pink ($39.19) and Aquolina Pink Sugar ($30.19). Fifteen percent of the proceeds will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Affinitas Intimates "Samantha" Bra
Retail Price - $28.00
Available on HerRoom.com
Reader Pocket Edition Bundle
Retail Price: $179.00
Converse - Chuck Taylor Pink All Star Oxford Sneakers
Retail Price: $45.00
Ann Taylor Loft Garnet Bracelets
Retail Price: $34.50
St. Martin's Press: The Little Pink Book
The Little Pink Book of Ken Ken
Retail Price - $12.99
The Little Pink Book of Crosswords
Retail Price - $12.99
The Little Pink Book Sudoku
Retail Price - $12.99
Karen Neuburger Breast Cancer Items:
Karen Neuburger Limited Edition Pink Socks
Retail Price - $15.00
Karen Neuburger Limited Edition Pink 2pc. Pajama Set
Retail Price - $68.00
Jo Malone Red Roses Collection - Featuring
Home Candle (200g)
Retail Price - $65.00
Red Roses Cologne (100 ml)
Retail Price - $100.00
Red Roses Cologne (30 ml)
Retail Price - $55.00
Red Roses Bath Oil (250 ml)
Retail Price - $60.00
Available at Jo Malone Shops, Bergdorf Goodman and select Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom and select specialty a stores in USA.
Saks Fifth Avenue Limited Edition "Key to the Cure" T-shirt (designed by Donna Karan)
Retail Price - $35.00
Available at Saks Fifth Avenue Stores, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH stores and on Saks.com
All items benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation:
Nina Wexler Free Fingers Gloves
Retail Price: $130.00
Marisa Acocella Marchetto's umbrella
Retail Price - $12.00
Available at any Bloomingdale's store
DKNY sheer cotton jersey sequin tee
Retail Price - $145.00
Available at all Bloomingdale's stores
(Editor's note about Nina Wexler: In 2008, at the age of 50, Nina was diagnosed with breast cancer. Almost immediately, she jumped into high gear, turning to the positive forces of her friends and family, including her two children and her husband of 31 years, Gary.
And she got out her knitting needles. Six months before her diagnosis, Wexler had learned to knit. She's always been good with her hands -- she's done mosaics, played piano and designed handbags, including a line for Bloomingdale's in the early 1980s. She took to knitting instantly, and her new hobby soon became a passion. Wexler began to reflect on her illness as she knit, and felt a strong need to give back to others.
Soon, she had the idea to stitch the most luxurious Italian cashmere into one-of-a-kind fingerless gloves. Her company, Free Fingers, has become known for the unique design. The gloves are handmade by volunteers, including other cancer survivors. "We sit on the living room floor, knitting and talking about our lives," she says. "The women have become my second family." They've also become a team of angels, because 100 percent of Wexler's profits from the gloves go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, an organization recommended by Wexler's close friend and surgeon, Dr. Elisa Port. The handmade quality and thoughtful business practices opened the doors of respected boutiques and stores around the country, including Bloomingdale's, which carries two exclusive styles of gloves online. "Bloomingdale's, like the Empire State Building, is a legendary landmark. I'm extremely honored to be represented by them," Wexler says.
FORD WARRIORS IN PINK APPAREL AND ACCESSORIES
SOLD EXCLUSIVELY ON FORDCARES.COM
100 percent of net proceeds go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure:
Philips Pink Sonicare Essence 5300
2-Handle Pack - Available at Sam's Club - $69.88
1-Handle Pack -Available at Best Buy, Drugstore.com - $59.99
BCBG The "Dream" sunglasses
Retail for $120
Available in select optical stores, BCBGMAXAZRIA boutiques and on bcbg.com
BCBG "Dream" silk scarf
Retail Price: $48.00
Available exclusively at BCBGMAXAZRIA boutiques and on bcbg.com.
New Balance: Lace Up for the Cure (benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure)
Athletic Gear and Sneakers
Retail Price: price varies depending on items purchased.
New Balance has been a Komen Foundation supporter for more than 20 years and has donated more than $8 million dollars since 2000. Its Lace Up for the Cure collection is a full line of footwear, apparel and accessories.
ShoeDazzle Cares
The Hope Bag
The Beth Shoe
The Baila Scarf
Retail Price: $39.95 each item
Available at ShoeDazzle.com
DR. SUSAN LOVE RESEARCH FOUNDATION:
Yogitoes Altruism Pink Skidless
Retail Price: $64.00
Available at Yogitoes.com
Peace, Love, Hope Sigg Water Bottle 0.6L
Retail Price: $24.00
Available at CafePress.com
AHAVA Hope Blossoms Mineral Bath Salts
Through the National Breast Cancer Foundation, AHAVA is helping to find a cure for breast cancer. For every purchase of AHAVA Hope Blossoms, AHAVA will make a donation to the National Breast Cancer Foundation in support of their mission to help fund research and promote education and early detection.
Price: $22, available at AHAVA.com
CITY OF HOPE, BREAST CANCER INITIATIVES:
Joico - "Beauty For A Cure"
Joico - "Beauty For A Cure" K-PAK ReconstRX Vapor Iron for a Cure
JoiMist Firm Sprays
K-PAK ReconstRX for a Cure packs
Available at fine salons nationwide and at Joico.com, where you can find a salonnear you.
Price: Varies
Breast Cancer Crusade Tote
Retail Price - $5.00
Available at the crusade's website.
BRAZILETS
RETAIL PRICE: $5.00
AVAILABLE AT: www.livebrazilian.com
FASHION TARGETS BREAST CANCER:
CFDA Cosmetic Roll
Retail Price: $40.00
Available at: Henri Bendel and www.henribendel.com/shop/makeup_bags/cfda_cosmetic_roll
Orbit White Bubblemint Gum
Retail Price: Big-E-Paks $3.49
Available: Nationwide
This year, each piece of Orbit White Bubblemint gum has a pink ribbon on it. Orbit White Bubblemint is back as a proud sponsor of Bright Pink in 2010 for the third year running. To celebrate national Breast Cancer Awareness Month, ten percent of Orbit White Bubblemint gum sales during September and October will be donated to Bright Pink.
FFANY (Fashion Footwear Association of New York SUPPORTS VARIOUS BREAST CANCER CHARITIES:
Fergie Footwear "The Hope Pump"
QVC's FFANY shoes on sale event on the 15th from 7-10 pm.
Retail: PUMP WILL BE 50 PERCENT OFF OCTOBER 15TH ONLY DURING THE QVC EVENT.
NATIONAL BREAST CANCER:
Unique Vintage Pink Gerbera Daisy Umbrella
Retail Price - $25.00
NATIONAL BREAST CANCER ASSOCIATION:
Sir Alistair Rai Streets of Love Leopard Wrap
Retail Price: $115
Satya Rai The Blush Pinny for BCA
Retail Price: $168
VARIOUS BREAST CANCER INITIATIVES:
China Glaze "Rich and Famous"
Retail Price: $6.50
Available at Sally Beauty Supply locations or spas/salons nationwide and Head2ToeBeauty.com
YSL SHOES WORN BY KATRINA SZISH DURING SEGMENT:
YVES SAINT LAURENT PINK PARTY TRIBUTE HIGH-HEEL
Available Exclusively at The Elyse Walker Boutique
Limited Edition. Retail Price: $995
A $100 donation will be made from the sale of each shoe will be made to the Cedars-Sinai Women's Cancer Research Institute.