April is Earth Month, and beauty brands are getting into the giving spirit. Bond No. 9 has created a special floral scent for the occasion called I Love New York For Earth Day ($105), and a portion of the proceeds will go back to help fund the city's parks and preservation efforts. Find out other ways you can get involved this month with just a trip to your local beauty counter.
With Earth Day right around the corner, Kiehl's has partnered up with stars Zachary Quinto and Alanis Morissette to benefit Recycle Across America. Both Zachary and Alanis have designed a limited-edition label for Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream ($47) to depict their vision of social responsibility, which will be available April 20. All of the proceeds from the celebrity-designed products will be donated to Recycle Across America. What's more, Kiehl's will also be donating an additional $50,000 to the organization. Talk about philanthropy.
Kiehl's is also using Earth Month to reinforce their Recycle and Be Rewarded in-store program. Haven't heard of it? Kiehl's encourages customers to return their used product containers back to their brick-and-mortar stores for recycling. In return, Kiehl's will gift customers a complimentary product for their recycling efforts.
Look for Zachary's and Alanis's limited-edition containers online and in stores starting April 20, and watch Zachary and Alanis talk about the cause below.
While Kiehl's is known for its dedication to charitable initiatives, the beauty giant is embarking on what may be its most creative philanthropic effort to date. In conjunction with DonorsChoose.org, Kiehl's is donating $50,000 to science education nationwide. But the impressive aspect of the campaign is that Kiehl's is allowing its customers to choose where their money is going to.
It breaks down like this: public school teachers post requests to DonorsChoose.org for their classroom. From March 11 to April 15, a quantity of Kiehl's new jumbo-size Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate (which will retail at $100) will be available in Kiehl's brick-and-mortar stores and online. When purchased, customers will receive a $50 gift code, which they can redeem at www.DonorsChoose.com/Kiehls to be applied to the teacher's request of their choice. Easy as that.
All of the requests will be science-based to align with Kiehl's pharmaceutical and scientific heritage. The projects will also be located in areas where Kiehl's customers live, giving donors the opportunity to give locally. Choosing your own adventure never felt this good.
'Tis the time for giving, and let the latest collaboration from Kiehl's be at the top of your shopping list. This year, the iconic brand has teamed up with pop surrealist Kenny Scharf to donate $200,000 to children's charities worldwide. Scharf created a new work called "Globo Mundo" for the project, which he described as "representing the whole world or globe; inspired by Kiehl's, its patrons, and their work in communities around the world."
When you purchase the limited-edition Creme de Corps lotion ($30-$75) or the Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter ($38) wrapped in the colorful design, 100 percent of net US profits will benefit RxArt, an organization that focuses on placing fine art in hospitals to inspire patients.
In the past, Kiehl's has collaborated with artistic stars like Jeff Koons and Brian Donnelly to outfit its Creme de Corps collection for charity. And this year the collection has Scharf's legendary comic imagery flair. Every vanity deserves a piece of this pop art, especially with such a worthy cause attached.
Oils get a bad rap when it comes to putting them on the face, but really, there's nothing to be afraid of. In fact, embracing facial oils will lead to supple, dewy skin that stays hydrated throughout the day — which is perfect for dry Winter weather. For those still a little leery of the oil-to-face movement, here's an explanation of why you'll love them (plus, check out three to try).
This isn't your typical beauty tour: Kiehl's is giving you the chance to channel your inner biker babe. Tomorrow, the brand brings back its annual LifeRide. The charity motorcycle tour kicks off in Miami on Friday and will speed up the East Coast, raising $115,000 for amfAR along the way. Celebrities such as John Corbett, Tyson Beckford, Tricia Helfer, and Katee Sackhoff will be biking and attending events sprinkled along the stops, where shoppers can shave 15 percent off the day's purchases. After hitting cities including Atlanta and Jacksonville, it all culminates with a celebration in DC before the International AIDS Conference begins. There, the Kiehl's panel of the AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on display for participants to sign — all while rubbing elbows with the likes of Sharon Stone, amfAR's Global Fundraising Chairman.
Don't live near one of the tour stops, but want to help the cause? Pick up Kiehl's Limited Edition Active Lifestyle Essentials Kit ($74). Kiehl's will donate 100 percent of the net profits of these kits to amfAR. Get the scoop and tour dates at the Kiehl's Facebook page. So stick on some temporary tattoos, embrace your helmet hair, and join the ride.
Ever wonder why Kiehl's stores have a skeleton on display? Originally, "Mr. Bones" was used to educate people about their ailments (and, of course, on how the onetime pharmacy's offerings could help them). Now, Mr. Bones is getting a makeover — 13 of them, to be exact — as photographers, designers, singers, and other artistic types lend their talents for a good cause. Alicia Keys, Zach Galifianakis, Terry Richardson, Padma Lakshmi, and other creatives have designed their own skeletons for the project; in return, Kiehl's is donating $200,000 to organizations supporting children, the environment, and HIV/AIDS causes of their choosing. The skeletons will be on display in New York-area Kiehl's boutiques, but if you can't see them in person, hop online for photos and videos — along with the chance to design your own virtual Mr. Bones for a chance to win prizes. Read on to see all of the skeletal artworks, plus information on the charities and organizations that are benefiting from Mr. Bones.
Photographs: Sam Hall
Over the past four years, bighearted beauty brand Kiehl's has been partnering with various charitable organizations in honor of Earth Month. And for 2012, the company is linking up with Recycle Across America (RAA), a nonprofit that works to make recycling easier for the masses. In fact, 100 percent of the profits (up to $100,000) from the sale of its limited-edition Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masques ($23) will go to RAA so that select schools throughout the US can strengthen their recycling programs.
Better yet, four stars — Florence Welch, Rosario Dawson, Mark Ruffalo, and Spike Lee — have designed earth-inspired packaging for these masks, made with fair-traded Amazonian white clay. Like what you hear? You'll like these celebrities' do-good artwork, too. See it in detail now.
Can't make it to the events but want to contribute to the cause? A motorcycle-themed version of the brand's popular Ultra Facial Cream ($46) will be sold to raise $25,000; buy it on Kiehls.com with the code liferide and you'll score free ground shipping and a week's supply of Creme de Corps lotion — not to mention the good feeling of helping support AIDS research. It's a win-win situation.
Exciting news from Kiehl's: next month, the 160-year-old brand is opening its first-ever spa. Spa 1851, located on the second floor of a new store in New York City, will feature treatments for hair, skin, and body. Naturally, all will incorporate the same Kiehl's products that have earned a cult following — after all, what would a body treatment be without the classic Creme de Corps lotion? — but guests can expect added perks like customized, hand-blended masks used in facials.
The spa and men's grooming lounge, set to open mid-July, is likely to appeal to both women and men. It has a private entrance separate from the store, iPads for guest use, eco-friendly robes, and exclusive Havaianas sandals for wear during treatments. In building the spa, Kiehl's incorporated sustainable woods, subway tile accents, countertops made with recycled paper, and reclaimed tin ceilings. The three treatment rooms feature chandeliers inspired by the original Kiehl's apothecary, along with art such as a rainforest photo mural by famed photographer David LaChapelle. Pretty fresh for a 160-year-old, we say. Score what's sure to be a coveted appointment by calling (888) SPA-1851.
Spa 1851, 157 East 64th St., New York, NY
