Humble pie? I'll take two slices
As the beauty ed of Cosmo, I write stories about beauty. I also research beauty trends, ingredients and products. While I do have a small social responsibility to advise young Australian women on how to look hotter, I realise I'm not exactly stopping the icecaps from melting. So, when the opportunity to actually make a small difference (still within the realms of beauty) arose last week, I jumped at it. Look Good Feel Better is an organisation for men and women with cancer. In a nutshell, their aim is to empower patients by helping them to improve their physical appearance, which in turn raises their spirits during such a spirit-crushing time in their lives. They do this through workshops, held at various hospitals across the country every week. It's simple: they show patients how to care for their skin, apply make-up and also educate them on wigs.
Having worked in the beauty industry for longer than 12 months, and completed the necessary training, I attended a workshop as a volunteer.
My role was to instruct and assist female patients on such things as proper cleansing, the importance of sunscreen and how to make use of concealer, eye shadow and lipstick.
Sounds pretty simple huh? That's because it is. Think about it: when you go to a little extra effort to put on some make-up you, feel good, right?
Then imagine the difference it can make to these women whose bodies have been ravaged by cancer, their sprits and energy levels so low they struggle to get out of bed due to the chemotherapy, radiotherapy or various other treatments they are undergoing.
I am a very strong believer in positive thinking and mental strength to aid the ill in getting well again and what I witnessed at this workshop is further testament to that.
Through simply sprucing up their appearance, these patients left with a smile (along with a brimming bag of generously donated products from various beauty companies). Furthermore, they were able to share stories, offer encouragement and spend more than two hours with other women fighting the same battle.
I left feeling an overwhelming need to cry for these women, although they don't need my sympathy. Their ability to grin and get on with it left me with a humbled attitude and a shifted outlook. I vowed to complain less, and to find the positive in every dark place –– just like these women. Who knew a little lippie could be so empowering?
Go to lgfb.org.au for more information.