11 beauty products that are so gay they support the LGBTQ+ community
It’s no surprise that Pride looks very different this year.
Pride parades across all major cities were either postponed, canceled, or moved to a digital platform due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pride has always been about fostering connection and community between LGBTQ+ members and allies, and so many of those celebrations occur at in-person events like marches, drag shows, and concerts. This year, pride will be celebrated at home instead of in the streets, but the message is the same: celebrating the progress made towards equality and justice for all.
While it’s disappointing to miss out on these important events that are oftentimes the only places people feel safe and comfortable enough to accept and acknowledge who they really are, it’s important to remember that the power of Pride isn’t confined to an event or a month. Even though we can’t show up in droves to support our LGBTQIA+ brothers and sisters at pride parades, there are plenty of other ways to support the LGBTQIA+ community from the comfort of your couch.
One of the most important things you can do to support Pride initiatives is to vote with your dollar and support beauty brands and products that are donating a portion of their proceeds to LGBTQ+ charities in honor of Pride month. Below, we’ve rounded up a list of products that you can feel good about impulse-buying.
Morphe: Free To Be Pride Collection ($69)
This limited-edition Pride 2020 collection includes a 10-pan eyeshadow palette, a 6-piece eye and face brush set, a holographic lip gloss, and their best-selling setting spray in a limited-edition super sweet scent. 100% of the net proceeds from this collection (a minimum of $50,000) will be donated to GLSEN, an organization designed to create a safe and supportive school environment for K-12 students.
Face Halo Love is Love Pack ($25)
The award-winning makeup removing pad got a new look in honor of Pride. Face Halo released a limited-edition three-pack called Love is Love featuring a satin rainbow trim. 5% of the net proceeds from this set will be donated to The Trevor Project, a non-profit organization focused on suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ youth.
Batiste Love is Love Dry Shampoo ($3)
Dry shampoo lovers know that Batiste is the real deal. They’re releasing a limited-edition version of their dry shampoo in super cute rainbow packing and have pledged a $38,000 donation to LGBT Foundation, one of the largest charitable organizations for the LGTBQ+ community in the UK.
NOTO Botanics Agender Oil ($40)
NOTO is a gender-fluid natural beauty brand dedicated to creating high performing skincare products with clean ingredients. The Agender Oil is considered their “giveback product,” which means that a percentage of profits go towards a rotating list of organizations year-round, including Planned Parenthood, LGBT Youth Center, Woman’s Center DTLA and more. This month, 100 percent of each direct sale of the Agender oil will go towards The Okra Project, a nonprofit committed to aiding the Black trans community by bringing home-cooked, healing, culture-specific meals and resources to the individuals that need it most.
Marc Jacobs Enamored (With Pride) Collection ($116)
Marc Jacobs has always been a supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, and this year Marc Jacobs Beauty has pledged a $10,000 donation to two charitable organizations: SAGE, the world’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ older adults, and Le Refuge, a French organization dedicated to preventing the isolation and suicide of LGBTQ+ youth by providing shelter and support. The beauty brand launched Enamored with (Pride) hydrating lip glosses in five new shades and rainbow packaging to celebrate Pride 2020. Pick them up individually for $29 each, or $116 for the set.
Kiehl’s Since 1851
The New York-founded apothecary-inspired skincare brand is known for its legendary Ultra Facial Cream and Midnight Recovery Concentrate, but it’s equally known for its philanthropic endeavors. They’ve been walking the NYC Pride Parade for the last 17 years, and this year, the brand announced a partnership with The Trevor Project, which includes a $100,000 donation and digital and social campaigns to raise awareness for issues facing LGBTQ youth. Support their initiative and The Trevor Project by purchasing any of your favorite Kiehl’s products this month. I recommend the Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado and Daily Reviving Face Oil.
Youth to the People Pride Kit ($34)
Vegan beauty brand Youth to the People is launching a Pride Kit, which includes their best-selling cleanser, mask, and exfoliating cream. YTTP is donating 100% of the proceeds (with a maximum donation of $75,000) to GLSEN, an organization working to create safe and inclusive schools for LGBTQ+ students.
Bathing Culture Love is Rad Enamel Pin ($13)
The sustainable bath and body care brand launched a super cute rainbow Love is Rad pin to spread the message and power of Pride, but Bathing Culture isn’t limiting their Pride donations/celebrations to a month. They’ll be donating $5 for every pin sold through the rest of the year. Proceeds will go towards a local Transgender Employment Program through the SF LGBT Center.
Sigma Beauty x It Gets Better Project F80 Flat Kabuki Pride Makeup Brush
Sigma Beauty launched a limited-edition version of their bestselling F80 Kabuki makeup brush, with 50 percent the proceeds benefitting the It Gets Better Project, which focuses on fostering hope, strength, and confidence in LGBTQ+ youth. The brush is $25 and is made with synthetic bristles and Sigma’s patented waterproofing technology. It’s the PERFECT foundation brush, and the holographic colors will surely add some spice to your makeup bag.
Herbivore Botanicals Prism Pride Kit ($56)
Herbivore Botanicals continued their yearly June Pride initiative with the launch of their limited edition Prism Pride Kit benefiting the Trans Women of Color Collective & The Trevor Project. The kit is a cost-saving duo: Prism 12% AHA + 3%BHA Exfoliating Glow Serum and Prism 20% AHA + 5% BHA Exfoliating Glow Facial for only $56 (a $112 value).
NYX Cosmetics Pride Limited-Edition Products ($7-18)
NYX Cosmetics is famous for its colorful products and drugstore prices. The brand launched three new products for Pride: the Ultimate Shadow palette, Vivid Brights liner, and Shout Loud lipstick. The drugstore-favorite beauty brand made a $30,000 donation to the Los Angeles LGBTQ Center, which provides resources for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the areas of health, social services, housing, and leadership and advocacy. In addition to their generous donation, they also announced a yearlong partnership with the nonprofit, which includes product donations for the Center’s members and the voluntary time and expertise of their makeup artists.