Regular Springwise readers already know that corporate generosity is increasingly the way to the hearts, minds and, yes, wallets of Generation G. We've seen several "buy one, give one" programs toward that end in recent years—ranging from houses to baby clothes—but recently we happened upon a Singapore-based site that enables and supports myriad such efforts at once through what it calls a transaction-based giving engine.

Businesses interested in setting up a donation program begin by looking through B1G1's list of almost 700 available projects. They can search by country, region, beneficiary or project category, or they can simply browse through the list; a typical donation contributes a small, set amount—two cents, say—toward a particular cause, such as clean water for the needy, each time a particular product is purchased. At the end of the month, participating companies report to B1G1 how many units they sold of that chosen product, and B1G1 calculates the amount of donation due. Once approved by the business, that donation then gets made in a single click.

Business memberships start at USD 395, and there are now participating companies in 14 countries supporting more than 600 projects in 22 countries around the world. More than 19,000 meals have been provided to kids in orphanages and slums as a result, as well as access to clean water for 70,000 people and more, B1G1 says. For the supporting businesses, meanwhile, there's the ability to say, "every time you buy a cup of our coffee, a needy child gets a meal"—or whatever the case may be—and to work that generosity into their own corporate storytelling. Time to make giving a core part of your generosity-minded brand....? (Related: Buy a bottle of wine and donate clean water — Pepsi asks crowds which community projects to fund — For every brand and logo, a species to be saved.)

Website: www.b1g1.com
Contact: www.buy1-give1free.com/index.php/contact-us

If augmented reality can be used to reveal the buildings of the future, then why not someone's face as it would look if a particular kind of makeup were applied? Such, indeed, is precisely the idea behind a new digital makeup mirror now being used by Shiseido in Japan.

Launched last month at the Takashimaya department store in Tokyo, the Digital Cosmetic Mirror lets store patrons test makeup and recommendations without actually applying anything to their skin, according to Japan Trends. Customers begin by allowing the mirror's camera to scan their face, generating a set of customised recommendations. Using the device's touch-screen interface, they can then ask to see specific types of makeup on their face, and the mirror paints those products on virtually and in real time. Different colours and formats can be applied and removed with the touch of a button, and consumers can print out 'before' and 'after' photos of the looks they like best. Also included on the printout, as one might expect, is product purchase information. A video on YouTube demonstrates the mirror in action.

In addition to enabling virtual tryvertising without the expense of real samples, the Digital Cosmetic Mirror also promises to dramatically reduce much of the waste associated with traditional sampling approaches, as Japan Trends points out. How long before this one spreads to makeup counters around the globe? (Related: Tryvertising store expands in Spain.)

Website: www.shiseido.co.jp
Contact: www.asia.shiseido.com/contact

Spotted by: Jenny Lau

It's been a while since we've come across any new efforts involving vending machines, but recently a nice one in the Paris Métro caught our eye. A week before Valentine's Day, fragrance retailer Sephora installed a series of machines at various Métro stations dedicated to selling Calvin Klein's CK One scent in a special, portable size.

From February 7 through February 20, visitors to the Métro's La Défense, Charles de Gaulle-Étoile, Montparnasse and Miromesnil stations could buy a special 15ml size of CK One at an on-site "CK One Pocket Store" by Sephora. Priced at EUR 10, the limited-edition pocket size is also available through Sephora itself. The vending-machine concept was created by Paris agency Nouveau Jour, which says it expects to use it abroad as well. A video on Daily Motion shows the campaign in action.

Another option, of course, would have been for Sephora to use the vending machines to give out free samples of the fragrances, much the way Fosfor's Boobox does. Either way, however, the approach is sure to generate far more interest and trials among trysumers than a traditional advert ever could. Keep the vending-machine ideas coming! (Related: Upscale vending machine sells curated luxury goods — Vending machines sell after-party shoes — Vending machines sell bathing suits at hotel pools — Touch-screen machine for interactive vending — Best Buy starts vending at airports.)

Website: www.sephora.fr
Contact: serviceclients@sephora.fr

The subscription services are coming thick and fast lately, automating for shopping-weary consumers the routine purchase of life's little necessities. Most recently it was men's skincare products; before that it was razor blades, greeting cards and more. The latest spotting? Men's undergarments—including socks, T-shirts and underwear.

'Sockscriptions', of course, are no longer new, dating back as they do at least 10 years. Florida-based Manpacks, however, expands the concept into an entire undergarment package, available for delivery every three months. Consumers begin by choosing one of four subscription packages, all of which use exclusively Hanes clothing. The JustSocks package, for instance, provides three pairs of socks every three months for USD 7 per shipment. At the opposite end of the scale is the MachoPack, which includes three shirts, three pairs of underwear and three pairs of socks every three months for USD 33 per shipment. Consumers can specify the colours and the styles they prefer—boxers versus briefs, for example.

Currently Manpacks ships only within the United States and Canada, but it aims to expand internationally soon. Time to help make that happen...? (Related: Household goods, straight from manufacturers.)

Website: www.manpacks.com
Contact: info@manpacks.com

Spotted by: Cecilia Biemann

Greeting cards can be embellished with online attachments and crowdsourced designs, or sold through monthly subscriptions—but the fact remains that most are still just ... well, greeting cards. Not so the Postcarden, a pop-out card that transforms into a bite-sized allotment.

Combining gift and greeting card, Postcarden is available in three designs: Botanical, City and Allotment. Recipients open and unfold the card, then sprinkle water into the base and scatter the enclosed cress seeds onto the damp paper. The Postcarden will start to grow in a few days, and will keep for two to three weeks; once grown, the cress can be eaten. Designed and produced by UK-based A Studio for Design, the cards can be sent through the post and are printed in Wales by Ethical Packaging; the seeds and inner tray are sourced nationally as well. Each card costs GBP 7.50 and features enough space to write a personal greeting.

A Studio for Design is currently seeking contributing artists and stores interested in stocking Postcarden. Retailers and artistic minipreneurs around the globe: this one's for you! (Related: Eco-friendly gift cards & hotel key cards.)

Website: www.postcarden.com
Contact: info@postcarden.com

Spotted by: Judy McRae