International Women’s Day: Three beauty buys that donate to good causes

The beauty industry can be more style than substance when it comes to supporting the kinds of great causes that International Women’s Day brings much-needed attention to. So ignore the femvertising and support brands that back up their posturing with action. Here are three that deserve a look.

Bobbi Brown's Pretty Powerful Campaign for Women & Girls is linking up with Lulu Guinness, the designer famous for her lip and lipstick motifs, this International Women's Day. The irresistibly sweet Bobbi Brown x Lulu Guinness make-up bag contains two Bobbi Brown bestsellers, its Smokey Eye mascara and Art Stick in Bare, a neutral lip shade that looks chic on skin of any age or tone. The Irish proceeds of the €45 set go to Dress for Success Dublin, which helps get women into the workforce through practical assistance: clothing for interviews, application advice and career mentoring.

If your budget won't stretch to that set, there is always the option of Elizabeth Arden's March On Beautiful Color lipstick in Pink Punch, a shade chosen by Reese Witherspoon. Proceeds from the limited-edition lipstick, which costs €26, will be donated to UN Women.

For a smaller but no less meaningful contribution, you could pick up L'Occitane's Solidarity Balm (€6 at L'Occitane stores around Ireland). The orange-blossom-scented balm, with neroli and vanilla, is useful for dry cuticles, elbows, knuckles or any little patches of dusty-looking dry skin – particularly useful in these recent up-and-down temperatures, which are hard on the extremities. The balm also looks beautiful and would be a lovely gift. All profits go to the L'Occitane Foundation to promote women's leadership in Burkina Faso.