When it comes to purchasing beauty products online, we run a high risk of disappointment. After all, we’re setting ourselves up for a bit of failure since we can’t swatch that makeup product or have a whiff of it (it matters, okay) before hitting the “checkout” button. I, for one, know exactly what it feels like to be utterly repulsed by a cult-favourite lipstick I was so eager to have in my life. Still full of sighs, guys.
But instead of throwing away that barely-used lipstick or returning that wrong shade of foundation, you can donate them to local organisations that will pass your products on to those who need them more. Now, it may sound useless to donate makeup, but you shouldn’t underestimate the power of a beauty routine.
As Sara Tardiff discussed over on nylon.com, beauty routines can be “a necessary supplement to other forms of mental healthcare.” Being able to take a shower, care for your skin, and put on a bit of lipstick is a calming ritual that can give someone that extra boost of confidence and security. So if you’re looking to donate your lightly used beauty products here in Singapore, there are 3 places that welcome them.
Before you drop off a truckload of used beauty items at their doorstep, please think about the individuals who will receive your items and properly sanitise all of your beauty products. No one wants to swipe on makeup that’s home to hordes of bacteria and mould. So, inspect your items, take note of their expiration dates, make sure they’re still in good condition, and pack them neatly into a bag before making a contribution.
1. The Salvation Army
Committed to helping the underprivileged, The Salvation Army accepts donations for a wide variety of things such as furniture, clothes, household items, books, stationery, beauty items, and even used ones. All these items will be checked before they’re retailed at The Salvation Army Family Thrift Store. Proceeds from the sale at the thrift stores will then go to charity.
How to donate:
Drop an email to donor@SMM.salvationarmy.org with a brief description of the items you wish to donate and state your contact number before heading down to a Donation-In-Kind Booth. Once you’ve heard back from them, you can drop off your beauty items at these locations:
1. Praisehaven
500 Upper Bukit Timah Road Singapore 678 106; Operating Hours: Mon – Sun, 24 hours
2. Tanglin Family Hub
356 Tanglin Road Singapore 247674; Operating Hours: Mon – Sun, 24 hours
3. The Salvation Army Hope Centre
7 Upper Changi Road North Singapore 507706 (Beside Family Thrift Store); Operating Hours: Mon – Sun, 7am – 11pm
4. The Salvation Army Headquarters
20 Bishan Street 22 Singapore 579768 (Open car park); Operating Hours: Mon – Sun, 24 hours
5. The Haven
350 Pasir Panjang Road Singapore 118 692; Operating Hours: Mon – Sun, 7am – 9pm
6. IMM Open Car Park
No. 2 Jurong East Street 21 Singapore 609 601 (Beside security guardhouse, unloading bay);Operating Hours: Mon – Sun, 24 hours
7. Mandai Station
Smart Energy Pte Ltd, No. 1 Mandai Link Road Singapore 728650; Operating Hours: Mon – Sun, 24 hours
Visit salvationarmy.org/singapore
2. Metta Welfare Association
Metta is a registered charity that serves over 1,000 beneficiaries regardless of ethnicity and religion and it’s got 9 centres set up across our island. The organisation is also open to donations-in-kind, so likewise, they accept apparel, usable household items, electronic gadgets, and they even have a recycling organisation backing them, so it’s all part of its Green Charity Drive.
How to donate:
Make sure your products and properly sanitised before placing them into a plastic bag. Drop them off into the recycling bin in the basement carpark of this building:
Metta Welfare Association
Metta Building, 32 Simei Street 1, Singapore 529950; Open daily from 7am to 7pm (closed on public holidays)
Visit metta.org.sg
Paper Sculpture Installation, Chng Seok Tin. Image credit: chngseoktin.com
3. Raffles City Lipstick Art Campaign
Raffles City’s latest effort, the Lipstick Art Campaign, aims to involve the public in transforming daily objects into art. The mall has engaged with award-winning multi-media artist Chng Seok Tin as well as artists from Very Special Arts (VSA) to collect unwanted lipsticks as a medium for the artwork. The completed artwork will then be exhibited at Raffles City Singapore for the enjoyment of the public from November.
How to donate:
From now till 31 October, you can drop off your unwanted lipsticks at the collection bins located at these 6 CapitaLand office buildings’ lobbies:
1. CapitaGreen
138 Market Street
2. Capital Tower
168 Robinson Road
3. One George Street
1 George Street
4. Raffles City Tower
Concierge counter, 252 North Bridge Road
5. Six Battery Road
6 Battery Road
6. Twenty Anson
20 Anson Road
Visit capitaland.com
4. Babes Pregnancy Crisis Support Ltd (Babes)
In our society, teen mums are often marginalised and estranged, but Babes Pregnancy Crisis Support proactively reaches out to these young mothers aged 21 and below who require support during their pregnancy. In fact, most of the girls come from low income families and are often financially challenged. In-kind donations are always welcome, but do note that they only accept new and unused beauty products. These beauty items will then be bundled up and presented to the mums as gift sets.
How to donate:
Drop them an email at hello@babes.org.sg 1 – 2 days in advance. State your name, phone number, and number of items you’d like to donate, along with images of the beauty products before you make your way down to the address below.
Babes Pregnancy Crisis Support Ltd
Blk 26, Jalan Klinik #01-42/52 Singapore 160026; Open daily from 10am – 6pm
Visit babes.org.sg
5. Humanitarian Organisation of Migrant Economics (HOME)
Aiming to protect the rights and dignity of migrant workers, HOME provides refuge and social support for abused or trafficked migrant workers. The organisation also allows them to attend a variety of vocational courses through HOME Academy, and provides the workers living in HOME shelters with donated household items and toiletries. Monetary donations can be made online, but you can also donate new beauty products.
How to donate:
Pack your items neatly into a bag and drop the products off at the address below.
HOME Lucky Plaza branch
304 Orchard Road, Lucky Plaza #06-22, Singapore 238863; Open from Monday – Friday, 10am – 6pm.
Visit home.org.sg
6. Pass-It-On
A non-profit project started by Central Singapore CDC and managed by The Helping Hand, Pass-It-On seeks to provide a meaningful way to distribute useful items to benefit the needy. The general public can fulfil requests from the “Grant a Wish” list and make a donation accordingly. For new beauty items, however, it’s better to post your products on the Pass-It-On website, so that individuals from various registered Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs) can reserve the items they need.
How to donate:
Click here to sign up as a member and start donating. Do note that Pass-It-On is NOT a drop-off centre or distribution link. Once someone has reserved your beauty items, the VWO in charge will arrange for a collection date for you to deliver the products over.
Visit passiton.org.sg
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