9 Gifts That Give Back

Step away from the ugly Christmas sweater and forget the gift certificate that they will either lose or never use. Instead, give your loved ones holiday presents that will not only give them a beauty boost, but also contribute much-needed funds to benefit people and animals in need.

Added bonus: Doing good deeds increases your happiness, too.

1Chantecaille

Pick up this stunning Chantecaille 15-Year Anniversary Eye Shade Trio, $68, and the beauty brand will donate the proceeds to The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Monarch Butterfly Fund and Widecast to help protect endangered elephants, butterflies and sea turtles, respectively.

2Carrots

Like all Yes To products, Yes To Carrots Nourishing Starter Set, $60, gives back a portion of its profits to the Yes To Seed Fund, which provides 50,000 meals to kids around the world. The gift set, which is perfect for normal-to-dry skin, includes Yes to Carrots Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15, Daily Cream Facial Cleanser, Fragrance Free Wipes, Super Rich Body Butter, Nourishing Body Wash, and a set of four lip butters. Yes To products, which are made with recyclable materials, are at least 95% natural and are free of parabens, petroleum, phthalates and sodium lauryl sulfate.

3FEED

This makeup bag will do more than just hold eyeliner and blush. Pick up the FEED Friendship Pouch, $25, for your BFF and FEED will provide 25 school meals to children in need. To date, the company has provided more than 85 million meals across the globe through the United Nations World Food Programme and Feeding America.

4OPI

OPI partnered with Sandy Hook Promise, the nonprofit organization founded by community members and family who lost loved ones in the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, to launch a limited-edited nail polish in a gorgeous green. When you donate $26 to Sandy Hook Promise, you’ll receive OPI’s Sandy Hook Green nail polish.

5Laura Mercier

The Laura Mercier Ovarian Cancer Fund (LMOCF) raises awareness and funds research to help diagnose, treat and support women with ovarian cancer. Laura Mercier Bonne Mine Palette, $48, and Lip Glacé in Peach Hope, $25, are two products that give back 100% to the fund.

6Jane Cosmetics’

It will be hard to choose between Jane Cosmetics’ three eye shadow sets that come with four flattering shades each: Naughty or NiceMingling in Mocha or Sugarplum Dreams, $22 each. You’ll likely want to scoop them all up, since when you buy one Jane Cosmetics product, another one gets donated to a women’s shelter.

7Kiehl’s

Kiehl’s has partnered with iconic American painter and illustrator Norman Rockwell for limited-edition products, including Crème de Corps body lotion, $18; Crème de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Polish, $38; and the Kiehl’s Greatest Hits Collection Gift Set, $45, which is stocked with Kiehl’s favorites, including their Amino Acid Shampoo and Ultimate Strength Hand Salve. Purchase any of these products and Kiehl’s will donate 100% of net profits, up to $100,000, to the domestic hunger-relief charity Feeding America. This will provide one million meals to families over the holiday season.

8Philosophy

The beauty brand philosophy recently launched the hope & grace initiative to support mental health and wellbeing. For all products sold on philosophy.com, 1 percent of sales will go towards community-based mental health organizations. There are many products to choose from, but we love the Spirit of Miracles gift set, $70, which contains philosophy’s miracle worker anti-aging moisturizer; miracle worker overnight age-resetting, anti-wrinkle moisturizer; and miracle worker miraculous anti-aging retinoid eye repair. Because we could all use a little miracle in our lives.

9Williams-Sonoma

Every Williams-Sonoma Orange Chef Co. Cutting Board with iPad® stand, $75, purchased at NoKidHungry.org/HolidayGift will mean 450 meals for kids in need. No Kid Hungry is a national non-profit dedicated to ending childhood hunger in America. You’ll feel especially good prepping meals on this cutting board knowing that you’re feeding others as well!