Smear Campaign — Mess Up Your Makeup For a Good Cause

Cervical Cancer Prevention Week is almost over (Jan. 25-31), but Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust is ensuring women will be reminded to get their Pap smears year-round by getting celebrities involved. In the same spirit as the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and the UNICEF Wake Up Call social media campaigns, the #SmearForSmear initiative encourages women to smudge their lipstick and post a selfie to spread awareness. Plenty of celebrities and brands are getting in on the cause from Georgia May Jagger to Rita Ora — and they're getting their famous friends involved in the process.

Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust notes that eight women in the UK are diagnosed with cervical cancer every day, and three of those women will end up losing the battle against it. Here in the United States, the number one risk factor of cervical cancer is HPV, abnormal cells which can be detected during a Pap smear. Other risk factors include smoking, Chlamydia, a diet low in fruits and vegetables, being overweight, and long-term use of birth control pills. However, cervical cancer is not only treatable, but preventable as well.

So when should you get your Pap smear? Gynecologists recommend that you begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 — in accordance with The American Cancer Society. Women in their 20s should get a Pap smear every three years. Starting at age 30, you should schedule a Pap smear and HPV test every five years.

We decided to take part in the campaign and nominated Shenae Grimes-Beech and our friends at Huffington Post, Byrdie Beauty, Bobbi Brown, and Benefit Cosmetics to do the same. Smeared lipstick never looked so good! Source: Instagram user GeorgiaMayJagger