A Day of Beauty, Service, and Connection with Thrive Causemetics and Beauty2thestreetz

We joined Thrive Causemetics and Beauty2thestreetz for Giving Tuesday in Long Beach, California. [Image courtesy of Thrive Cosmetics]

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For the second year in a row, we had the privilege of participating in the Giving Tuesday event with Thrive Causemetics and Beauty2thestreetz. Traditionally, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, giving Tuesday, is an opportunity to give back and serve your community.  It’s a well needed reminder that holidays are about more than just shopping and consumerism. 

Beauty lovers of all ages get hands-on experience using the Thrive products. [Image courtesy of Thrive Cosmetics]

Together with Karissa Bodnar, founder of Thrive Causemestics, Miss Shirley Raines, founder of Beauty2thestreetz, their teams and many volunteers, we were able to bring food, necessities and makeup to hundreds of people in the community of Long Beach, CA.  Karissa conducted several sessions of a masterclass, doing live demonstrations with makeup application and practical product tips. Beauty lovers of all ages participated and were able to get hands-on experience using the Thrive products.  It was a day of building friendships, connections and spreading joy to the community. 

From the very beginning, Thrive has been a brand with a purpose. Founded in honor of Karissa’s friend who passed away from cancer, Thrive gives back to a wide range of causes from education, cancer, social justice and homelessness in connection with hundreds of Giving Partners, including Beauty2thestreetz. 

Shirley Raines was the CNN Hero of 2021 and provides services (hair, makeup, and hygiene) to the homeless communities of Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Miss Shirley is committed to caring for the community and giving them choices. 

As we enter into the new year, it’s a time of self-reflection and self-improvement. How can we do better and be better in this new year? It’s not always easy. Life can be hard and the world feels heavy.  

Some people say that things happen for a reason. I’m not so sure. What I do know is that we can learn from Miss Shirley and find purpose in our pain. Helping others, giving back, and making others feel beautiful when they have a hard time seeing it for themselves - that’s what it’s all about. 

My 2nd Giving Tuesday was an incredible day, just as it was last year. I was honored to be a small part of it again. With 2026 just getting started – remember to be kind, give back when you can, and may your makeup always be fabulous. 

Follow @thrivecausemetics, @biggerthanbeautyskincare @karissabodnar and @beauty2thestreetz for all the latest updates and ways to donate and volunteer.

Tara KP Troszak is an LA-based lawyer, self-proclaimed cat lady, writer, and freelance makeup artist for MAC cosmetics.

She lives in Southern California with her husband Nick and her cat Chevy. Follow her on Instagram: @makeupbytkp.