October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the goal is to raise awareness of this awful disease and also to raise money for research. I lost an aunt Gladys to breast cancer and two of my other aunts’ are breast cancer survivors. My aunt Gladys and I were very close throughout my childhood. Even though we both lived in New York City we would still write one another long three or four-page letters. We enjoyed a lot of the same things like writing, painting and museums. It was devastating to learn that she had cancer and I will never forget how she suffered through a double mastectomy and ultimately succumbed to this horrible disease.

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), an estimated 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed among women in the United States this year.

Breast cancer effects thousands of women each year and early detection save so many lives. I found several beauty brands that are giving back to breast cancer research by digging deep into their pockets to help find a cure. Here are a few on my favorite Breast Cancer Awareness specials:

Shiseido will generously donate $5 to Cancer and Careers for every unit of Shiseido Makeup Shimmering Rouge Lipstick in Iron Maiden (RS308) sold throughout the month of October.  The Shimmering Rouge Lipstick in Iron Maiden (RS308) retails for $25 and is available for purchase at www.shiseido.com.

e.l.f Cosmetics is generously donating 100% of their profits from two best-selling glosses, Glitter Gloss in Twinkle Pink and Glossy Gloss in Wild Watermelon to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. These  glosses are pretty and affordable at $3 each, $6 set and is available for purchase at eyeslipsface.com

Boscia will generously donate 10% of every sale of their Rose Blotting Linens to the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation. Now I’ve written about my love of boscia linens before so this is a really great product for a really great cause.

Actress Christina Applegate is breast cancer survivor and Jane Iredale Cosmetics created the Christina PureMoist LipColour lipstick in her honor. Jane Iredale also has a lip gloss, In The Pink PureGloss for Lips, that was created for breast cancer awareness. With the purchase of  Christina and In the Pink,  Jane Iredale will donate $2 to Living Beyond Breast Cancer (with a minimum commitment of $25,000).

Has breast cancer affected your life?