Remix chats with Dariel Sidney, VP of Global Philanthropy at RevitaLash Cosmetics, on their commitment to groundbreaking cancer research
Revitalash Cosmetics began as a heartfelt gesture, a product created by a physician for his wife during her battle with cancer. Today, the brand stands at the intersection of luxury beauty and life-saving innovation. To get an understanding of how this brand ticks, Remix chatted with Dariel Sidney, Vice President of Global Philanthropy at RevitaLash Cosmetics, who shared how a personal story about her mum evolved into a global mission, why the brand is investing in cutting-edge cancer research, and how RevitaLash is challenging the beauty industry to be a force for good.
You transitioned from leading RevitaLash’s international expansion to heading its philanthropic mission. What inspired that shift?
Having my second child played a big role. At the time, I was travelling constantly for international sales. When you lead a sales team, you’re on 24/7. That’s thrilling in your late 20s and early 30s, when you’ve got the energy. I used to take my eldest daughter on work trips, and it was wonderful. But once I had my second child, that lifestyle wasn’t sustainable anymore. I could tell the company needed someone who could take that role to the next level, and I wasn’t in a position to do that anymore. We brought in an amazing person to fill the position, and I created a new role: Vice President of Global Philanthropy.
Philanthropy had always been part of what we did, but no one owned it. Marketing did some, I talked about it because of the family connection, but no one was tracking metrics or managing long-term relationships with nonprofits. So I stepped into that role. It made sense for me personally and for the company’s evolution.
That must have been fulfilling.
Very. My kids even talk about how I get to tell Grandma Gayle’s story all the time. They think it’s special. We keep her memory alive in everything we do.
RevitaLash recently made one of its largest-ever philanthropic commitments. What made you choose this particular research? What makes it so groundbreaking?
City of Hope is where my mom was treated for breast cancer. It’s one of the top cancer research hospitals in the world, and we credit them with giving her many more years of life. She was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer at 32, and lived to be 56, with a great quality of life.
Their model is unique. Their research facilities are on campus, so breakthroughs go straight from the lab to the patient’s bedside. They call it “bench to bedside,” and it’s incredibly efficient and innovative.
We’ve been supporting a lab there run by Dr. Linda Malkas. She’s brilliant, we always say she’ll win a Nobel Prize in our lifetime. Her research started with a veterinary experiment that cured her own dog’s cancer. That led her to this breakthrough, and we’ve been contributing to her work ever since.
The new treatment is an oral therapy that targets cancer cells at the exact moment they try to replicate. It binds to them, stops duplication, and kills the cells. It’s currently in Phase I human trials, and so far, there’s been zero toxicity. It’s not a replacement for chemo, but it significantly reduces how much chemo is needed—which means fewer side effects and better outcomes.
Is it intended more for early-stage cancer patients?
Not necessarily. Yes, it can stop early-stage cancers from growing, but it’s also shown promise in more advanced cases. It even crosses the blood-brain barrier, which opens possibilities for treating brain and blood cancers, some of the hardest to tackle.
Just recently, the LA Times published an article about how it’s working against pancreatic cancer, which is notoriously difficult. It’s extremely exciting.
It’s unusual for a cosmetics company to be this deeply embedded in scientific research, but that’s who we are. My dad, Dr. Brinkenhoff, is a physician. He created RevitaLash for my mom so she could feel and look good after chemo. Now, continuing this research is his tribute to her. It’s a full-circle story. We still donate to many other organisations, but this is the core of our philanthropic mission right now.
How do you balance RevitaLash’s identity as a luxury beauty brand with its deep involvement in global cancer research?
It’s a rare balance, but we’ve built the brand around it. From day one, we’ve wanted people to see RevitaLash on a shelf and immediately know: this is a high-performance product that gives back. That’s why the pink ribbon is on every package. We want customers to feel like they are supporting the brand. They’re contributing too.
Our marketing team is phenomenal. They manage the challenge of creating content that’s aspirational and elegant, but also serious and meaningful. We’re not just pink in October. Our commitment is year-round. I was doing pink events in Europe this past May. This is who we are.
Looking ahead, what’s your vision for RevitaLash’s philanthropic reach in the next five to ten years?
We’re just about to hit a milestone: our “Road to $10 Million” campaign. Since the company began, we’ve contributed $10 million in donations, sponsorships, and products to breast cancer research efforts worldwide.
With our 20th anniversary coming up in 2026, we’re talking internally about making it the “Road to 20 Million.” Whether we hit it by then or not, it’s a powerful goal. We already have about 40 global partners, and more than half of them are now choosing their own local cancer organisations to support. RevitaLash matches those donations. If Kiara Cosmetics donates $5,000, we donate $5,000. If we can get all our distributors aligned this way, reaching $20 million is absolutely doable.
The key will be staying true to our roots: luxury, science-backed, and cause-driven. Some people buy RevitaLash just for the product, and that’s fine. But others care deeply about the mission. We want both.
What motivated you to support the Empower Me Pink event, and why is local community support important to the brand?
Empower Me Pink aligns perfectly with what we do in the U.S., and Kiara Cosmetics—our New Zealand partner—has always set the gold standard for how we’d love our distributors to operate. Cancer touches everyone. It’s touched Anne Marie’s circle personally, and she’s passionate about making a difference.
She set an ambitious goal: raise $50,000 for Empower Me Pink. That’s the largest fundraising goal any of our partners has ever set. She even asked if there was a cap. I told her, “The sky’s the limit. Go for it.” Her success will inspire others to do the same.
It’s incredible to see this energy around the world. Even in places like Ukraine, where people are dealing with war, they’re still donating to cancer causes, and we’re matching those donations. Beauty is part of self-care. Life goes on, and people still want to feel good. We support that.
What impact do you hope Empower Me Pink will have on cancer rehabilitation in New Zealand?
I just sat down with Lou to learn about Pink & Steel. It’s an amazing organisation. In so many places, rehabilitation isn’t considered part of medical treatment. Patients go through diagnosis and treatment, then they’re sent back into the world with no roadmap.
Pink & Steel fills that gap. It helps people regain function, strength, and confidence after treatment. It’s a perfect match for our mission. RevitaLash was created to help people feel like themselves again after cancer. Pink & Steel does the same, just from a physical rehabilitation standpoint.
I hope to see their model replicated everywhere. We don’t even have anything like it in the U.S., and we absolutely should.
This October, RevitaLash Cosmetics proudly continues its annual Pink October giveback with Look Good Feel Better New Zealand.
From 1–31 October, when you purchase any full-size RevitaLash or RevitaBrow Serum featuring our Eternally Pink sticker, we will donate a one-month supply of our award-winning lash and brow serums to LGFB. Since 2018, we’ve donated over 12,000 products to LGFB, supporting New Zealanders undergoing cancer treatment with confidence and care.
Together, we can make a meaningful impact this Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
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