Breast cancer patients and survivors often find Breast Cancer Awareness Month hard. Partly because we are all too aware of it, but also because ‘awareness’ alone doesn’t help find a cure – research does.
We don’t just want to see a pink ribbon, we want to know that the products carrying one are actually helping people through diagnosis and treatment, or funding the research that could change what a breast cancer diagnosis looks like in the future.
Which is why, if you’re going to indulge this October, it’s worth choosing something that gives back, too. From investment fashion to beauty treats and lingerie, plenty of our favourite brands are putting their money where the pink is.
So, whether you’re treating yourself or spoiling a newly diagnosed or recovering friend, these are the gorgeous buys that look good, feel good and do some good, too…
1. 3 Love Hearts
If you’re going to invest in a new handbag, it may as well be one that gives something back. British brand 3 Love Hearts Handbags is all about ‘Luxury With Purpose’, donating 10% of every leather handbag sale to the Pink Ribbon Foundation – and not just during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but all year round. Plus, how seriously adorable is it? Bows are cute, but hearts are a welcome addition to the Breast Cancer supporting wardrobe (which is becoming larger by the day). Consider this your excuse for a new bag… 3lovehearts.com/
2. Simone Pérèle
French lingerie house Simone Pérèle is making post-masectomy look that little chicer with a selection of its most beautiful pieces supporting Ruban Rose – the French charity dedicated to breast cancer research and awareness. Alongside a limited-edition collection created especially for the partnership, the brand has selected pieces from its AW26 collection in shades of pink, red and purple, with 10% of profits from sales donated to the charity. Expect beautifully cut lace and rich jewel tones – ooh, la, la, indeed! Simone Pérèle is available at Harrods, Selfridges, Fenwick, Browns and selected lingerie boutiques across the UK. simone-perele.com
3. Next
This one feels particularly special to me, because I’ve actually visited Future Dreams House during my own breast cancer treatment and know what an amazing place it is: they put on incredible events for everyone affected, whether it’s cookery classes, acupuncture, beauty workshops or bra fittings. This year, the Beauty at NEXT advent calendar is supporting the charity close to my heart, with every calendar sold donating £10 to the cause. Even the design is inspired by Future Dreams House itself, so you’re getting a little piece of what makes the place so beautiful – alongside a very lovely stash of beauty products, obviously!
Buy here: next.co.uk
4. ghd
ghd has been doing pink with a purpose for an incredible 23 years, raising more than $25.5 million for breast cancer charities around the world in that time. This year, some of its most-loved tools have had a suitably gorgeous makeover for the limited-edition Dusted Pink collection, including the ghd Chronos with a little love-heart design. For every tool sold, ghd will donate £10 to Breast Cancer Now, while also using the campaign to remind us all to regularly check our boobs. Each one comes with a matching soft pink heat-resistant bag, too. Putting the Good in Good Hair Day! ghdhair.com
5. The Shard
London is turning pink this October – quite literally. The Shard kicked off Breast Cancer Awareness Month by illuminating the top of the capital’s skyline in pink, while Shangri-La The Shard is continuing the theme throughout the month with a suitably luxurious line-up of pink experiences. Think afternoon tea in the clouds at TĪNG, limited-edition pink cocktails 52 floors up at GŎNG and a weekend Sky Brunch complete with a pink chocolate fountain. Best of all, part of the proceeds will be donated to Guy’s Cancer Charity to help fund vital breast cancer research. Cocktails with a view and a very good cause? We’ll drink to that. the-shard.com
6. Pom Pom London
British accessories brand Pom Pom London is thinking pink this Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a gorgeous collection of handbags and interchangeable straps in its signature Azalea Pink. Featuring its bestselling Original and City crossbody bags in a range of leather, suede and patent croc finishes, the collection combines everyday luxury with a meaningful cause – and something you can use every single day! Each purchase from the pink collection includes a donation to Breast Cancer Now, with the brand having already raised more than £90,000 for the charity. Each handcrafted leather bag also comes with two complimentary straps and a keyring, allowing for endless styling possibilities. pompomlondon.com
7. Fairfax & Favor
Luxury British lifestyle brand Fairfax & Favor is marking its 11th year of supporting Breast Cancer Now with a collection of its bestselling accessories, all with a touch of signature pink!
The partnership has raised more than £527,000 to date, helping to fund vital breast cancer research and support services across the UK.
This year, the brand is making its charitable collection a permanent fixture, with two iconic accessories available to shop and regularly restocked throughout the year, allowing customers to support the cause well beyond Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
“Supporting Breast Cancer Now has always been close to our hearts,” says co-founder Marcus Fairfax Fountaine. “We’re incredibly proud of the difference their work makes to people affected by breast cancer across the UK.” fairfaxandfavor.com
8. La Bonne Brosse
French luxury haircare brand La Bonne Brosse has gone pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month with its gorgeous limited-edition Bubble Gum Pink collection. Think beautiful, candy-pink hairbrushes that look just as good on your dressing table as they do in your hand. Having lost a fair amount of my hair during chemotherapy, I’m now treating every new strand like it’s made of gold, so I’m particularly fussy about what I brush it with – and I love the luxury in everyday items! Even better, 100% of profits from the limited-edition brush will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation throughout October, helping fund vital research. A very good excuse to upgrade your hairbrush, if you ask me. labonnebrosse.com
9. Drowsy
If there’s one thing I’ve learnt over the past year, it’s the importance of a good night’s sleep (and how difficult that can be during cancer treatment!). Luxury sleep brand Drowsy is supporting Future Dreams this October by donating 20% of sales from its gorgeous Damask Rose silk sleep mask. And I can confirm the oversized, cloud-like silk masks that block out light actually work. It’s a perfect present for yourself or someone special – because some uninterrupted sleep is a true gift, take it from me. drowsysleepco.com
10. Boux Avenue
Boux Avenue is turning its best-selling lingerie pink for a purpose this October, donating 10% of sales from its Mollie set in Rose Pink and Jessica mastectomy range to CoppaFeel!. The latter feels particularly special: the Jessica Mastectomy Bra was designed in collaboration with someone who has actually been through breast cancer treatment, using her experience to create something specifically for women after surgery. The brand is also handing the mic to four women affected by breast cancer, who are sharing everything from the first changes they noticed to what they wish they’d known before diagnosis. After raising almost £19,000 for CoppaFeel! in stores last year, Boux Avenue is aiming for £20,000 this October. Pretty underwear with a pretty important purpose. bouxavenue.com
11. Salty Mermaid
Florida-based swimwear brand Salty Mermaid is going all-in on pink! Throughout October, the brand is donating an incredible 100% of net sales from its ‘Pink for a Purpose’ collection to the Shula Fund, supporting Moffitt Cancer Center and vital cancer research. Of course, I love that there are plenty of pink pieces, but you’ll also spot some colourful rainbow options too, so there’s something for everyone. saltymermaid.com/
So dig deep in your (pink) purse and make your purchases this month quite literally pink! You could be saving a life, if so.
