As we near the end of October and we have brought all of our pink themed beauty products in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month – it is well to remember that the beauty industry still supports cancer patients all year round!
My father passed away from cancer just 3 years ago and since then I have tried to do my bit to support organisations that are committed to beating the disease or assisting cancer patients and survivors on how to deal with the treatment and the symptoms that are part of the road to recovery.
I have run numerous fun runs – including my first 10K in 2010 for Cancer Research UK…
..but if you do not feel like exerting quite so much physical effort, why not volunteer to assist running a Look Good ….Feel Better workshop at your local hospital!
Look Good…Feel Better (LGFB) is the cancer support charity that helps women manage the visible side effects of cancer treatment.
LGFB was set up by the Cosmetic Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) and gained charitable status in 1993. Today, the Programme has the support of over 40 leading companies and brands in the Beauty Industry.
LGFB helps women cancer patients in the most practical and positive way. The charity organises two-hour skincare and make-up workshops every week, fortnight or month, depending on hospital requirements in each area – the workshops are held nationwide.
Trained volunteers guide the attendees at each workshop through a 12-step skincare and make-up regime. Particular care is taken with key ‘problem’ areas resulting from cancer treatment, such as re-defining the eye area when ladies have lost brows and lashes.
I decided to volunteer for my first workshop earlier this year and it was a very humbling and fulfilling experience indeed! Being able to combine my love for the beauty industry with the opportunity to give something back to cancer patients is fantastic!
I volunteered at St Thomas’ Hospital in London.
Before the session I was sent extensive training material so that I would be fully up to speed with what to expect at the workshop.
On the day, I arrived before the patients to help set up the room and meet with the course co-ordinator and the other volunteers.
Each patient has their own ‘dressing table’ space to be able to test and try the products with ease.
Upon arrival each woman receives a lovely gift bag. This cosmetic ‘tool kit’ is filled with full size products generously donated by over 40 different leading cosmetic and toiletry companies, all of whom are members of the LGFB cancer charity.
There are skin care products including cleanser, toner and moisturiser, plus a range of make-up essentials such as foundation and concealer, eye products, lipstick and blusher.
Each bag is prepared for specific skin tones, ranging from light right through to extra dark – so all the attendees always have the right products to bring out their best.
The shades for the darker skin tones were not bad – but now that many more mainstream brands have launched or increased their range of foundations for the woman of colour, the selection will be even better!
As the LGFB course leader lead the session, I and the other volunteers were on hand to assist the ladies and take them through the 12 – step programme.
I found that in my session, most of the women had very little experience applying make up, so it was a pleasure to be able to pass on some hints and tips – now, I am not a qualified MUA, but I have worked on a fair few beauty counters and I love to apply my own make up – to be a LGFB volunteer you do not have to be ‘qualified’ in anyway, as long as you have some basic skincare and make up application knowledge you will be just fine!
LGFB are always looking for more volunteers, so sign up here if you would like to find out more about how you can get involved!
I will be volunteering again next month..I hope that you will also join me and contribute your time to this worthy organisation.
LGFB ‘THEATRE OF BEAUTY’ AT HARVEY NICHOLS – BOOK NOW !
If you are strapped for time at the moment and volunteering is not feasible, you can still get involved with the charity whilst getting glammed up too!
Look Good…Feel Better is teaming up with Harvey Nichols and have created the first ever series of ‘Theatre of Beauty’ evening events to run across all its stores nationwide on the below dates during November:
· Knightsbridge, London – Tuesday 6 November (6-9pm)
· Manchester – Wednesday 7 November (6-9pm)
· Leeds – Wednesday 7 November (6-9pm)
· Bristol – Wednesday 7 November (6-9pm)
· Birmingham – Wednesday 14 November (6-9pm)
· Edinburgh – Wednesday 14 November (6-9pm)
· Dublin – Thursday 15 November (6-9pm)
This new partnership and unique fundraising showcase will bring the UK’s Beauty Industry together to create a stunning beauty theatre first.
There are two ticket options available…
£15 – entry into the event, drinks, canapés and a gorgeous beauty goody bag
£25 – VIP ticket holders will enjoy a personal 15-20 minute, one-to-one with a Beauty Editor from one of the UK’s leading glossy women’s magazines or national newspapers. Inside a specially created ‘Beauty Editors’ lounge, you will receive expert and impartial advice on the hottest new products, trends and beauty tips, plus a specially created VIP goody bag filled with various skincare and make-up products.
All ticket holders will enjoy:
Drinks and canapés hospitality •• Beauty counters showcasing top make-up artists, consultants and brand ambassadors •• Mini make-overs, skin consultations and mini-treatments •• Luxurious competitions, beauty tombolas, with the chance to win lots of amazing prizes •• Live Q&A sessions with top beauty experts on stage
100% of the ticket proceeds will go to Look Good…Feel Better
I gave the London Harvey Nicks a call today and there are still a few tickets available. I suggest that you give your local store a call should you want to make a booking!
Find out more about LGFB here.
Make a donation here.
I love LGFB and the work they do is so inspiring. I’ve volunteered with them a few times at Royal Free and its always a rewarding and humbling experience!