This lipstick comes with a special message

Last year my mum was diagnosed with a rare, very aggressive form of breast cancer. Our world completely turned upside down. I just remember everything happening so quickly — we had no time to think or prepare for what was to come. My mum had found a small lump in her left breast just after Christmas and thought it was another cyst, as she was prone to getting them. A week later she checked the lump again and noticed the size and shape had completely changed, so she called me to take her to the doctor.

Very quickly we knew there was reason to be concerned upon examination. He rushed her through for a biopsy and by 5pm that day it was confirmed: my beautiful mum had been diagnosed with breast cancer. That was on the Monday, and by the Wednesday we were sitting in the breast surgeon’s office finding out the type of cancer she had. The doctor said, “We need to start chemotherapy now so it doesn’t grow any bigger.” We went off for scans that week, and by the following Monday we were at the hospital meeting nurses and mum’s oncology team — who would soon become a frequent part of our lives.

Four months later, with chemo every week, the cancer had unfortunately not disappeared and was still growing. The only option she had was a double mastectomy. Through all the meetings and treatments, the word hope was being used so very often, and it gave me an idea. We have such a positive platform within REB, so why would I not create a lipstick shade in honour of my brave mum and call it HOPE? After all, that is all we have — hope.

My mum is still in the fight of her life and just wants some time to spend with us and enjoy the time she has left. She tells me to stop and look up at the sky, enjoy the clouds, and sit and look at the trees to find some calm in our world of turmoil.

To anyone going through the same situation — you are not alone. Please find hope, as that is all we have. We are donating 100% of the sales from this lipstick to mum’s charity, Breast Cancer Network Australia, in the hope of raising awareness of the amazing support they give to anyone going through breast cancer and to their families.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for your support and purchase of this very special lipstick.

Lots of love,
Ruth xx