NEW YORK, Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 30 years ago, L'Oreal Paris coined the phrase "Because I'm Worth It" to celebrate a woman's worth and self-esteem. In 1997, as an extension of this sentiment, L'Oreal Paris began raising money and awareness in the fight against ovarian cancer. Over the past eleven years, L'Oreal Paris has offered hope to the tens of thousands of women afflicted with ovarian cancer, helping raise in excess of $14 million dollars to advance research, increase awareness and ultimately find a cure.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080908/NYM127 )

L'Oreal Paris is proud to further its ongoing commitment to women's health and the fight against ovarian cancer and aims to empower women to feel confident and beautiful both inside and out. This year, L'Oreal Paris is initiating several programs to raise awareness, educate women about the disease and its symptoms, and support survivors and their families. With September being national Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, L'Oreal Paris' multi-pronged initiatives will include:

-- Color of Hope Makeup Collection -- The L'Oreal Paris Color of Hope Makeup Collection is every bit as inspiring, on-trend and fashion-forward, as it is hopeful. Featuring products for eyes, lips and nails, the collection is based on the universally flattering shade of mauve with vibrant teal packaging accents -- the color symbolizing ovarian cancer awareness. Together, these shades represent strength, hope and inspiration. L'Oreal Paris will donate $2.00 to the OCRF from the purchase of each Color of Hope Colour Riche Nurturing & Protective Lipcolour, available in the following shades: Color of Hope, A Lighter Shade of Hope and A Deeper Shade of Hope. The collection will be available during the month of September at mass-market retailers nationwide.

-- Color of Hope Cosmetics Bag -- L'Oreal Paris will be offering The Color of Hope Cosmetics Bag, which includes key products from the Collection. With every purchase of the exclusive Color of Hope Cosmetics Bag, L'Oreal Paris will donate $5.00 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF). This universally flattering collection is yours for only $25 (plus shipping and tax) at L'Oreal Paris retail stores, while supplies last. Please call 888-270-7743 to order.

-- Hope Necklace -- The L'Oreal Paris Hope Necklace is a simple way for women everywhere to visibly and tangibly help in the fight against one of the most deadly women's cancers. The necklace was designed by 2008 Swarovski Award for Accessory Design recipient Philip Crangi and features a double eternity ring design of cubic zirconia set in sterling silver. One ring is worn for remembrance and one ring is worn as a symbol of hope for the future. The Hope Necklace is available for $29.95 at www.lorealcolorofhope.com or by calling 888-270-7743. With every purchase of the L'Oreal Paris Hope Necklace, $5.00 will be donated to OCRF to support life saving research to fight this deadly disease.

Additionally, in conjunction with the upcoming 2008 L'Oreal Legends Gala, a glamorous evening dedicated to hope and fundraising, L'Oreal Paris is creating a special diamond and 14K white gold edition of the Hope Necklace, which many of our celebrity spokespeople will be wearing. The Diamond Edition Hope Necklace will retail for $950.00. For every purchase of the Diamond Edition Hope Necklace, L'Oreal Paris will donate $150.00 to OCRF.

-- Strong Educational Programs -- To promote awareness and early detection, L'Oreal Paris had developed an informative and interactive website www.lorealcolorofhope.com, which provides information about the disease and offers ways to help support the fight against ovarian cancer. In recognition of the nearly 22,000 women annually diagnosed with the disease, L'Oreal Paris hopes to draw 22,000 new visitors to the site during the month of September.

Additionally, L'Oreal Paris is partnering with EHE International to raise awareness for ovarian cancer. L'Oreal spokeswomen Kerry Washington and Eva Longoria Parker, have joined L'Oreal Paris in the fight against ovarian cancer and will be featured in a public service display on the Plaza in Rockefeller Center in New York City. The window will be on display during September in recognition of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and seeks to educate passersby about the disease and its effects on the nearly 22,000 women that will be diagnosed each year. The window at 10 Rockefeller Plaza features a compelling reminder of the signs and symptoms of the disease.

-- Survivor Support Through Employee Engagement -- L'Oreal Paris will engage employees with a weeklong awareness campaign at their New York headquarters. L'Oreal Paris will host a series of events that will encourage and motivate employees to act as ambassadors of hope to raise awareness for ovarian cancer. Additionally, L'Oreal Paris will host a group of ovarian cancer survivors for a day of beauty at the L'Oreal Technical Center, for indulgence that resonates both inside and out.

-- L'Oreal Legends Gala -- The 2008 L'Oreal Legends Gala is a glamorous evening dedicated to hope and fundraising and will be held on November 10th in New York City at the American Museum of Natural History. The festive evening will unite the worlds of beauty, fashion and media and will include a cocktail reception, dinner, silent and live auctions and musical performances. Past attendees have included members of the L'Oreal Paris family including spokespeople: Diane Keaton, Andie MacDowell, Eva Longoria Parker, Dayle Haddon, Milla Jovovich and Kerry Washington.

Bring hope to the thousands of women and their loved ones who have been affected by this devastating disease. Join L'Oreal Paris in the fight against ovarian cancer. Hope begins with you.

About L'Oreal Paris

The L'Oreal Paris Brand Division of L'Oreal USA, Inc. is a total beauty care company that combines the latest in technology with the highest in quality for the ultimate in luxury beauty at mass. The L'Oreal Paris brand encompasses the four major beauty categories -- haircolor, haircare, skincare and cosmetics -- and includes such well-known brands as Preference, Excellence and Natural Match haircolors; VIVE Pro, Studio Line, and L'Oreal Kids haircare; Dermo-Expertise skincare, including Advanced Revitalift, Age Perfect, Skin Genesis, Sublime Bronze and Men's Expert; Colour Riche, True Match and Bare Naturale cosmetics collections, a portfolio of mascara including Voluminous, Double Extend and Telescopic among many others, and the HIP High Intensity Pigments line.

L'Oreal Paris is dedicated to women around the world and the company has been inspired to give back and make a difference in their lives. In 1997, L'Oreal Paris made a long-term commitment to raising awareness for ovarian cancer, which continues to build. To date, L'Oreal Paris has helped raise over $14 million dollars to further research and build awareness with fundraising efforts such as the L'Oreal Legends Gala and L'Oreal's annual "Color of Hope" cosmetic and jewelry collections.

L'Oreal

L'Oreal

A worldwide leader in the cosmetics industry, L'Oréal develops innovative products to meet the diverse needs of customers in 130 countries worldwide. Over 3,000 people work in the Group's 14 research centers, located in France, Asia and America. Their findings are responsible for the registration of hundreds of patents annually. Women represent 55% of the research workforce - a percentage unmatched anywhere else in the industry. www.loreal.com

 

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