Avon fights to end violence against women

This is a cause very dear to my heart, my beautizens. I have experienced abuse not from just one man but from two men. One from an ex-boyfriend and another from a family member. I used to think that hurting women was just a guy thing. I'm so glad my friends, our pastor's wife and my husband have proven to me that any kind of abuse is never okay, hurting those who are weaker is not a "guy thing", and real men treat their women right.

Repeat after me: 

1. Any kind of abuse is never okay.

2. Hurting those who are weaker is not a "guy thing."

3. Real men treat their women (and children!) right.

 

So I was obviously very happy when Avon celebrated their 125th anniversary with this special announcement: Avon created a $1 million Avon Global Believe Fund that will support women’s domestic violence shelters and agencies all over the world! Part of the work includes providing critical life-saving services for victims of domestic violence and their families. Avon will also fund awareness campaigns so that women everywhere are empowered, and everyone—men, women and children—will know that any kind of abuse against women and children is not normal. 

 Academy Award winner and Avon Global Ambassador Reese Witherspoon was at the kick-off event at Atlanta, Georgia, one of the 16 cities that are part of the Avon Believe World Tour. Reese said, “I am so proud to be working with Avon—a company that is on the forefront of women’s issues around the world. Approximately one in three women globally is likely to experience some type of violence in her lifetime.” 

Reese is sadly correct. In the Philippines alone, there were 10,482 reported cases of domestic abuse in 2009. That’s reported. There is no way of knowing how many women silently suffer abuse in their homes, thinking that abuse is part of being a woman. For example, I never told anyone about the violence I suffered until I was waaaay older and I had claimed back my self-esteem and confidence. I agree with Reese when she said, “I believe we all have an obligation to address this vitally important issue, one of the most prevalent yet under-funded problems in the world.”

 Avon Chairman and CEO Andrea Jung explained why the “company for women”—that’s Avon’s proud motto—is pushing to end violence against women and children: “Avon was founded in 1886, 34 years before women in the United States won the right to vote, on the then-revolutionary concept that women could earn an independent income, and achieve financial freedom and personal empowerment. Decade in and decade out, the ‘Avon lady’ has been at the forefront of the changing role of women.” 

“As the company for women, Avon feels an obligation and responsibility to play a leadership role in helping to improve the lives of women around the world, and we truly believe we can make a difference,” Andrea said. With over six million Avon Representatives in over 100 countries, Avon has made it possible for women to find self-worth, provide for their families and earn independence.

Andrea and Reese present Cathy Willis Spraetz, 

CEO of Partnership Against Domestic Violence, with a $60,00 check 

as part of the Avon Global Believe Fund.

Reese isn’t the only celebrity supporting Avon’s cause. During the Avon Believe World Tour (Manila is one of the stops!), Fergie of The Black Eyed Peas, Patrick Dempsey and Zoe Saldana are among the special guests expected to rally this cause. 

Like these celebrities, you too can help end domestic violence. To know more about this beautiful cause and how you can support it, please go to Avon's website. Buy Avon products, too!

Body Shop donates more than half a million pesos to a good cause

Did you give Body Shop gift sets last Christmas? Well, if you didn't, there's Valentine's Day coming up and instead of flowers and chocolates, why don't you give your loved ones Body Shop products? Not only do they last far longer than flowers and chocolates, these products, with your purchase, can help end the trafficking of children.

I'm a mommy so anytime someone says they're trying to help end child abuse, I am so there. When The Body Shop announced that they will be making a large donation to ECPAT (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes), I had to go see for myself.

This dress is too short suddenly!
I donated it to charity over the holidays.

That dress donation doesn't match what Body Shop gave
these kids! That's over half-a-million pesos!

Thanks, Mike and Billie! You are doing the world a lot of good.

Body Shop will continue to support ECPAT this year so please make an informed choice when buying your beauty and bath products and home scents. It's nice to know that the products we use to beautify ourselves will also help beautify the lives of others.

Mad Men's January Jones and La Mer join forces for cleaner, safer seas

Today is World Oceans Day. And if you haven't cared for the plight of our oceans, now is the time to sit up and be alarmed. In the wake of the ongoing massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, we just can't pretend anymore that our oceans are huge and will be okay on their own. We need to do some cleaning up, we need to change what we use and what we eat, and we need to start saving the sea and the life in it.

Courtesy of The Huffington Post.

For more photos of the world's worst oil spill, click here.

For five years now, beauty brand La Mer has made it their mission to help save the oceans. La Mer, which means "the sea" in French, partnered with Oceana, an organization that advocates ocean awareness; its campaigns are comprehensive--from promoting habitat protection and pollution control to responsible fishing and safe seafood practices.

Over the years, La Mer has donated over half a million dollars to Oceana. Most recently, La Mer donated $200,000 to the group. Considering that the famous Creme de la Mer's ingredients are from the sea--sea kelp, for example--it's only fitting that the luxurious miracle cream is giving back to its main source of income! So for this cause, La Mer came out with a special 100ml jar of their famous cream--a jar as blue as the sea.

Hollywood actress January Jones, also known as the steely housewife of Mad Men, is the spokesperson of Oceana. As you read this, January is in Belize for a deep-sea dive to highlight the beauty and plight of the Belize Barrier Reef. She's also been actively involved in promoting a cleaner and safer environment for marine life, like sharks, which January is especially fond of.

Here's a video of January's dive:

Celebrate World Oceans Day with January Jones from Oceana on Vimeo.


The world needs our help, people! Please do your part in saving the environment!
*interview courtesy of La Mer

These limited edition bottles of Kiehl's Açaí Damage-Protecting Toning Mists can help save the rain forests!

Exciting news, beauty denizens! Kiehl's banded together with three influential artists to create these limited edition bottles of the Açaí Damage-Protecting Toning Mist! 

All of the net proceeds from the sale of this limited edition set will go directly to the Rainforest Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving biodiversity and ensuring sustainable livelihood. Yes, that's right--100% of the net proceeds, people!