Access to the most basic hygiene products such a soap and sanitary towels is a right that for some is still out of reach to the many here in the UK, a fact which might shock most of you, perhaps it is something many of you haven't ever thought about or given thought too. Well two people who have are Jo Jones and Sali Hughes with their new organisation and guess what - You can get involved too.
Beauty Banks aims to encourage the beauty community to donate toiletries to people living in serious need and give the hoard of unused products many of us accumulate over time a much more worthwhile purpose. As a beauty blogger and beauty lover, I am fortunate enough to be gifted a lot of items and like many I do love a good 3 for 2 offer and take full advantage of them whenever I need too.
My own local supermarket has a basket for the local pet charity, the food bank and my local church has somewhere for products to be taken for local domestic shelters. It isn't too much of a hardship to shop clever which is how I see it. You need toothpaste? Well look for an offer and donate the other, you need shower gel - same rules apply and so on an so forth. If you look in your cupboards you will have tins of food, still in date, that you don't need want or need... you might even have unopened PR samples that you won't use, isn't your shade, scent or even 'thing' so donate it, clear the clutter.
As Sali Hughes so rightly and poignantly puts it:
Clean hair, skin and teeth are a right, not a privilege. Personal hygiene – while not a matter of life and death – is crucial for our dignity, self-respect, personal pride and mental health.
This isn't just an organisation only some people can get involved in, everyone can do their bit. So how can you get involved? Thankfully it is really simple and very easy. Beauty Banks need items such as:
- Shampoo
- Body Wash
- Soap
- Deodorant
- Shaving Products
- Tampons
- Sanitary Towels
- Wipes
- Hand Sanitiser
- Toothpaste
Literally everything you probably have in your bathroom collecting dust, your hotel miniatures, toothbrushes, combs, hand cream, body cream, hair masks and even toilet roll for some places. There are also some rules to follow and they are quite important - Products need to be unopened, to comply with health and safety rules. Also nail polish, nail polish remover and perfume are restricted solvents, so please don't send these either. Please also don't send money as this is a non-profit organisation and isn't a registered charity but if you really feel you want to send items the you can shop directly from their Amazon wish list and have it sent directly to them.
Where to send your stash
Once you've gathered a decent stash of products, put them in a box and write "Beauty Banks" on each side, addressing the package to the following address:
Beauty Banks
c/o Jo Jones
The Communications Store
2 Kensington Square
London
W8 5EP