“Kristy was magnetic,” says Thrive Causemetics founder Karissa Bodnar of her close friend of six years, Kristy LeMond, who lost her battle with cancer in 2013, within one year of her diagnosis.

“She was kind to everyone, hilarious, and so full of life. One of my fondest memories of Kristy was doing her hair and makeup for an annual charity event, where we volunteered together right after she began her chemotherapy treatment. She was physically exhausted and very concerned about what the chemo was doing to her skin, hair, and overall appearance, but for those two hours while I was helping her get beautified, cancer wasn’t a part of the conversation. We simply got to be two twentysomething girls without a care in the world. Our only focus was making her feel beautiful, and she glowed that evening!”

Shortly after Kristy’s passing, Bodnar had a mission. A former makeup artist and product developer who began her career in cosmetic retail at the age of 16 and worked for Nordstrom, Sephora, Clarisonic, and L’Oréal, she launched—through experience, knowledge, and hard work—Thrive Causemetics in 2013 as a way to help female cancer patients feel beautiful.

“Looking better helps [women] feel better, because [they are] able to rein confidence that may have been lost during their chemo treatments,” she says.

Thrive Causemetics' best-selling Infinity Waterproof Brow Liner, the new Icon Lip Lacquer, and the new Triple Threat Color Stick.

Having hair fall out and losing eyelashes and eyebrows are just some of the physical side effects of chemotherapy. With that in mind, makeup can do more harm than good, because of all the unnatural ingredients most contain. “When a woman is going through cancer treatment, she doesn’t know which beauty products are safe for her to use,” Bodnar says. “Our products are free of parabens, sulfates, latex, and petrochemicals, so all women can feel safe using them.”

But Thrive does much more than just provide safe-to-use makeup. For every product purchased, one is donated to a woman going through cancer treatment. “We work with hospitals and charities around the world to facilitate our donations and connect to women who are going through treatment,” Bodnar says. “We host giving events at hospitals and event venues where women receive complimentary makeup application, in addition to receiving our donated products.”

Thrive Causemetics debuted with eye products to highlight “important features,” as Bodnar calls them. “I know the important role eyelashes and eyebrows play in framing a woman’s face.” Check out the best-selling Infinity Waterproof Brow Liner, through which the brand’s buildable Smart Pigments act like mirrors and reflect the brow’s natural color. We also recommend their Faux Lashes (which can be worn up to 30 times!).

This spring, Thrive will introduce new cheek and lip products and expand the eye category with eye shadow, additional eyeliner shades, and mascara. Look out for the Triple Threat Color Stick, which gives color to the cheeks, lips, and eyes, and the Icon Lip Lacquer, which gives lips a glossy shine while minimizing the appearance of fine lines.

“Our Beauty with a Purpose giving mission has allowed us to help tens of thousands of women,” says Bodnar. “Every day we are making new connections with women we are helping around the world, which is so special to us.” Go check out this incredible brand. You’ll feel beautiful and better inside and out.