By Grace Allen

Samantha Asprelli, a junior at Northeastern University, is making a significant impact in the Boston area with a non-profit she founded called Give n’ Glow. The initiative provides disadvantaged women with donated beauty products, helping them feel more confident and valued.

Wrentham Cooperative Bank has contributed to Asprelli’s project. Contributed photo.

Asprelli studies social innovation, entrepreneurship, and brand management at the D’Amore-McKim School of Business. The King Philip graduate says she enjoys the boost in self-esteem that makeup can provide, and that personal experience inspired her to launch Give n’ Glow, aiming to spread that confidence to others through the power of beauty products.

Give n’ Glow collects new and gently used cosmetics and skincare items, primarily from influencers and brand partners like Glossier, Physicians Formula, Skinfix, Flyte.70, and First Aid Beauty, as well as individuals. The initiative has grown to over 35 partner shelters and nonprofits that place the donated makeup directly into the hands of those who need it.

Asprelli’s interest in community service was inspired by her involvement with Project 351, a Massachusetts organization in which eighth-graders in each town across the state are selected by their teachers for a 12-month program of servicelearning, leadership development and civic engagement. The experience with Project 351 led Asprelli to execute food and clothing drives and collections for veterans and active military, all while a student in the King Philip school system.

“That passion—giving back—has stuck with me: being able to lead the change,” she said in an email. “But I needed to feel a personal connection to that change I was creating, and for me, that was beauty. I feel that much more confident with makeup on, an outfit I feel good in, or my favorite piece of jewelry. I know I’m not the only one who feels that way.”

Asprelli founded Give n’ Glow in August of 2023, starting with extra prom makeup from friends, and hosted a successful pilot event at Wrentham’s food pantry. That success prompted her to seek additional donations and broaden the organization’s reach, even though makeup is not typically prioritized by shelters and food pantries.

“At first I was worried; how to make sure I was meeting a demand,” Asprelli said. “Why would shelters take in beauty products when they could be getting essentials? But I didn’t know if I didn’t try, and that’s what I did.”

Give n’ Glow also hosts pop-up shops, makeovers, and workshops at food pantries and homeless shelters, teaching women how to apply makeup and use beauty products effectively. Asprelli manages the donations, categorizes products, and ensures they meet safety standards. Volunteers support her with research, outreach, social media, and content creation.

 In June, Asprelli and Give n’ Glow received recognition at Northeastern’s 2024 Women Who Empower Innovator Awards, winning first place in the undergraduate student category. 

“I was so honored to receive the award,” said Asprelli. “It’s a validation of Give n’ Glow’s mission. Women in need, whether because of abuse, addiction recovery, or homelessness, deserve to have beauty products at their fingertips without worrying about their budget. Being part of the Women Who Empower community reminds me that I have a role to fulfill and a responsibility to continue creating positive change with beauty.”

Asprelli would like to expand Give n’ Glow to drive change within the beauty industry itself, hoping to redirect extra beauty products to those who could benefit, rather than letting them go to waste.

Her efforts are getting attention beyond Northeastern. Give n’ Glow was recently the recipient of a $2,500 donation by Wrentham Cooperative Bank. 

“We are so thankful for the bank’s generosity and belief in our mission of giving back with beauty,” said Asprelli, noting the bank will also host a drive during the holidays to collect beauty products on behalf of Give n’ Glow. “We are so happy to have their support.”

For more information about Give n’ Glow, visit givenglow.org.