Chapter 3- Ethics and Social Responsiblity

Bobbie Brown Cosmetics is socially responsible by taking part in the organization Dress for Success.  This is an organization to help people who have had a difficult time in finding jobs and provide them with professional work clothes and help them be better prepared for the market. Here Bobbie volunteers once a month, giving makeovers to those women who are applying for jobs as well as those who have recently been hired. In 2009 the company donated 20,000 cosmetic kits to this organization world-wide. Besides volunteering her time she also makes a monetary donation of $25,000 with her QVC appearances. 

     

  The parent company Estee Lauder is also a believer in philanthropy. Their main one is the Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign which raises awareness in many ways such as distributing the pink ribbons along with informational brochures on breast health. During the month of October their companies including Bobbie Brown sell unique pink ribbon products.

Although I could not find controversies or information on lack of ethical or social responsibility on Bobbie Brown Cosmetics I did find one on another makeup line which is owned by the same parent company. MAC Cosmetics was involved in a distasteful name for their nail polishes of their September 2010 collection. The collection was in collaboration with the Rodarte fashion house and was inspired to colors and culture of Mexico. The name that caused all the controversy was Juarez, a frosty nail polish. For those of you that don’t know Juarez is a factory town in Mexico which is notorious for the raping and murdering of many of its female residents. Amelia Parry, the editor-in-chief of TheFrisky.com (a fashion blog) called it “tasteless.” She also said “Naming a secondary nail polish shade "Factory" further indicates the brand's cluelessness, as most of the women and girls who have been murdered in Juarez disappeared on their way to or from work at the town's factories."

Following this incident MAC has extended its apologies “We understand that product names in the MAC Rodarte collection have offended some of our consumers and fans. This was never our intent and we are very sorry,” In order to win back their offended customers MAC stated that they would give a portion of the proceeds to aid those women in need in Juarez and they are investigating the best way to do this. They stated they would offer more information later on.

This caused a positive response from Parry who stated there was no longer the need to boycott the brand.I believe this was a smart move on MACs part after creating such an uproar over a sensitive issue.