We hope everyone had a Happy International Women’s Day! The world celebrated women in a major way, and the beauty industry embraced it. Conglomerates and boutique brands alike showed their appreciation for their female shoppers with empowering campaigns and products. And, what better way to deliver a message to customers than through the celebrities they love? Beauty corporations, like Proctor & Gamble-owned Pantene, used big time budgets to collaborate with A-listers to spread the message. Last year, the hair company enlisted Priyanka Chopra as the face of the “Strong Is Beautiful” campaign, which demonstrates the brand’s mission to celebrate the strength, intelligence and ferocity of women. They aren’t alone. Dove and L’Oreal also have prioritised empowering messaging. While other beauty brands took a different approach by spreading a positive message to women through specific collections. For instance, Bare Minerals, in collaboration with YouTuber Ingrid Nilsen, have launched the “Be Your Best Self” kit, which she hopes will make women feel confident whether or not they have on make-up. There’s also Birchbox’s partnership with Reese Witherspoon for its March beauty subscription box, “Pretty Mighty,” which celebrates strength and power. Cult favourite Urban Decay takes it one step further by giving back to female communities in need with its campaign. “In 2015, I was inspired to create the Ultraviolet Edge to provide support to organizations that share my passion for women’s rights and the desire to help bring attention to female empowerment,” said chief creative officer Wende Zomnir. The brand offers an eye shadow primer that directly funds the campaign, and has partnered with makeup blogger Kandee Johnson to spread the word. With all of these campaigns, you don’t have to be a celebrity or a beauty brand to celebrate empowerment.