Some brands donate proceeds for a day, others do it for a whole month. And some brands are based completely on charitable donation and through their purchase, we the consumer can support an important cause in an ongoing way. That’s what this new category is all about. Every month I’ll be featuring Products With Purpose, beauty, fashion, food and lifestyle brands that dedicate themselves to supporting important charitable causes, so your hard-earned money can go to good causes while you buy cool things!
This month I’m featuring Beelove, a Chicago-based brand of raw honey and honey-infused bath and beauty products that offers full-time transitional jobs for formerly incarcerated individuals and others with significant barriers to employment in a green industry, via the North Lawndale Employment Network.
Brand Name – Beelove
Social Media — Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
What Kind of Products Are These? — All of Beelove’s products are made from honey, which is delicious (obviously) and also one of nature’s oldest moisturizers. Loved by Cleopatra and Madame DuDubarry, honey is not only moisturizing, but also serves as a natural antiseptic.
How Do They Benefit Others? — Beelove is a social enterprise based in Chicago that employs formerly incarcerated folks and trains them in ‘green collar jobs’ working in urban bee farms to produce beelove’s homegrown organic honey-infused skincare line and delicious raw honey ($13). The company manages apiaries (bee farms) throughout Chicagoland including in North Lawndale, at O’Hare International Airport, Roosevelt University Schaumburg campus, and the Forest Preserve District of Cook County Trailside Museum. Since 2008, Sweet Beginnings has employed more than 400 men and women committed to turning their lives around. The recidivism rate for former Sweet Beginnings employees is below 8%, compared to the national average of 40% and the Illinois average of 55%. Click here to learn more.
Tell Us More! – Beelove products are made without parabens, formaldehyde, and other toxics. They’re botanically based and easily absorbed into the skin to help heal, nourish, and refresh.
Bestselling Products —
Beelove recommends the cleanse & refreshing lathering shower gel ($15) to wash away impurities and balance your skin’s pH.
Check out the nourish & smooth body cream ($22), which is made from natural honey, shea butter, botanical oils, and silk proteins to deeply moisturize and pamper skin.
Beelove’s spa collection contains: Chicagoland Raw Natural Honey, Restore Polish & Glow Scrub, Nourish & Smooth Body Cream, Restore & Protect Ultimate Body Balm, and Care and Repair Natural Lip Balm
Afrobella’s Review — I’ve tried Beelove’s incredible honey and I’m a BIG fan — raw, natural, of really good quality. I think it’s really cool that they support the local job market in such an important way. Then I tried some of their skincare products and fell in LOVE! Not only does this brand provide employment and job training, they also create really great body lotion, wonderful body scrub and bomb body balm.
Click here to visit BeeLove and check them out on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Thanks so much for starting this series. I love the mission behind Beelove, I had never head of them before so thank you for sharing! -JP
Chicago your home town And a product of purpose all rolled into one! Great idea!