Feel better
Flicking through my weekly magazine, I came across an interesting advert. The cancer charity Look Good Feel Better, were looking for makeup and skincare specialists to come in and volunteer for them on a monthly basis.
I could do that, I thought.
As a beauty expert, with years of experience, I decided to apply.
That was nearly 12 years ago now, and since then, I’ve been doing monthly workshops with cancer patients and survivors.
For two hours, I talk them through beauty tips and tricks.
The aim is to help them feel confident in their own skin again.
After chemo, their skin can be dry and sensitive, and they could have lost their lashes and brows, as well as their hair.
So, for two hours, myself and sometimes a group of other specialists help them get their confidence back. We show them how to draw fake hairs onto their brows and give the illusion of lashes.
Look Good Feel Better is all about boosting the confidence of women during their cancer treatment.
And I had no idea until I started these workshops, just how important appearance can be to those going through it.
At the end of some sessions, I’ve had women come up and hug and thank me for teaching them a few new techniques.
‘I look like the old me again,’ they say, often with a tear in their eye.
There is nothing more rewarding.
At the end of each session, every woman gets a complimentary goodie bag, with gifts donated from well-known brands.
Estee Lauder and Boots are my two big contributors, but lots of other brands get involved and help.
The workshops are held all over the country, but I just cover my district.
Volunteering for the charity allows me to give something back to society.
Seeing the smile on these women’s faces makes it all worth it.
As the regional coordinator, I also hold an annual fundraising week to raise money for the charity.
During last year’s Feel Better Week, we raised nearly £1,000 and that money has helped pay for the workshops.
This has been the most rewarding experience for me, as I know I’m genuinely making a difference for these wonderful women.
But we need more volunteers to get involved and help. More makeup artists and skincare specialists who can come in and make these women smile again.
Thankfully, the charity has their own wig specialist, so that area is all covered for them.
Hairdresser, Philip Kingsley, has put together a guide on hair loss, which we slip into the goodie bag.
More and more people are getting involved with this fantastic charity, and after nearly 12 years, I can honestly see why.
It’s great to see them smile