We Helped Thrive Causemetics Bring Beauty to the Streets for Giving Tuesday on Skid Row in Los Angeles

For Giving Tuesday, we spent the day on Skid Row giving back to the local community.

As we enter 2025, it is always a time to reflect on the past year and what we can improve upon. As a beauty lover, my goal has been to be a more conscious consumer and to support brands with a purpose and that make a difference in the community. Thrive Causemetics is that brand.

In every sense, Thrive Causemetics truly is a brand with purpose. Founded by makeup artist Karissa Bodnar, for every product that you purchase, they donate to help communities Thrive. I fell in love with Thrive and their amazing tubing mascara—it is by far one of my favorites and does not budge.   

Beauty Boss: Karissa Bodnar, Founder of Thrive Causemetics

I was over the moon when I recently had the privilege of participating in the brand’s Giving Tuesday eventin partnership with Shirley Raines, founder of Beauty2TheStreetz.

We enjoyed spending time with Thrive Causemetics founder Karissa Bodnar at the event.

Giving Tuesday, traditionally the day after Thanksgiving, is a reminder to us all that the holidays are more than just shopping and consumerism. It is an opportunity to make financial contributions to a charitable organization or a call to serve your community in some other way.  

In collaboration with Thrive and Beauty2TheStreetz, a group of us were able to bring a day of beauty to the streets of Los Angeles and the population of Skid Row, a community that is often overlooked. 

We passed out more than 200 meals, cake and ice cream, and provided makeovers and skincare. New connections and friendships were made along the way. 

Makeovers and skincare products were offered to members of the Skid Row community.

As part of Giving Tuesday, we were able to spend time with Karissa and Miss Shirley and see their powerful friendship in action. Miss Shirley shared her story about finding her life’s purpose in helping those in need.

It was a very emotional and powerful day. It is a reminder to us all that the world can be a tough place. We must try to look for and find the good around us and in each other. 

Beauty is not about how you look.  It’s about how you treat others, especially those who need compassion the most. Amazing mascara doesn’t hurt!

Giving Tuesday was truly was an incredible day. I was honored to be a small part of it. Remember to be kind, give back when you can, and may your makeup always be fabulous.

We enjoyed a fun day of giving back and making new friends while making a difference in the community.

For more information about Thrive Causemetics and to purchase their products, visit their website.

Be sure to follow @thrivecausemetics, @biggerthanbeautyskincare, @karissabodnar and @beauty2thestreetz for all the latest updates and ways to purchase, 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 the San Fernando Valley with her husband Nick and her cat Chevy. Follow her on Instagram: @makeupbytkp.