Elizabeth Hurley kicks off the "Ready, Set Pink!" event at Bloomingdale's in New York City. Courtesy Photo
Elizabeth Hurley doesn't mind using her stunning looks for a cause.
The 46-year-old English model and actress, who currently plays sexy cougar Diana Payne on "Gossip Girl," took a break from locking lips with co-star Chace Crawford to host the "Ready, Set Pink!" event at Bloomingdale's last Thursday in New York City. And Hurley looked absolutely fabulous in a pale pink Dolce & Gabbana satin dress as she chatted with Stylelist on raising breast cancer awareness.
It's been over 16 years since the Estée Lauder Companies’ spokesmodel was tapped by Evelyn Lauder to make phenomenal strides in support of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and this year, the beauty and brand are making a point to make sure the disease most forgotten patients -- men -- aren't left in the dark.
"It’s interesting because when Evelyn started the foundation in 1993, no one spoke about breast cancer and no women’s magazine wrote breast cancer on the front cover...it just didn’t exist," said Hurley. "Now, we know that one in 100 breast cancers are found in men. And what we’re afraid of is that they will very much be in the position that women were pre-campaigning, where it’s embarrassing, you’re super scared and you don’t want to tell your friends."
She adds, "For men to talk about their breasts is taboo! Imagine them talking in the locker room about finding a lump in their breast. The thought of it is hair-raising."
Estée Lauder has designed a jeweled pink ribbon pin and mirror compact featuring a blue rhinestone to represent the approximately one percent of all United States breast cancer cases that are diagnosed in men.
"I met a man at a personal appearance I did in Scotland last week, who had a mastectomy, and the only person he told was a lady friend of his -- they’re both in their 50s -- and she was a breast cancer sufferer," said Hurley. "That’s why he felt he could take her to the side and say, 'Hey, there’s something weird going on.' He was mortified and that’s how women used to be."
While she admits great leaps and strides have been made over the years, getting the message to young girls early on is key.
"Every month, they should be feeling their breasts at the same time of the month, so that when they see or feel a change they’re on to it," she said. "Breast cancer is 90 percent curable if found early. It’s really vital that young girls do that and when you’re your 40, you start to get regular mammograms."
Surrounded by a pink cloud of products supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I had to find out which items Hurley stocking up on. Among her favorites: Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Candle, Smashbox O-Gloss and the Evelyn Lauder Pink Ribbon Collection.
Want to support breast cancer awareness? Look (and feel) beautiful shopping for these 10 charitable offerings!