Ellisa

Natio beauty advisor and volunteer of four years, Ellisa explains why volunteering for LGFB in her hometown is such a privilege.

“I was working at a make-up counter in a department store and one of the beauty advisors was talking about her role as a Look Good Feel Better volunteer. I asked her how she got involved and that night I went online and submitted my expression of interest.

From the word go, it felt like something I had to do. As someone who has spent 15 years in the cosmetics industry I knew I had the skills. Plus, my three children were adults now, so I had time on my hands to volunteer.

By the time I was volunteering at my second workshop I was asked if I would run the make-up demonstration. I was honoured but so nervous to be up presenting and asked the volunteer facilitator to jump in at any time if I forgot anything! Luckily, it became easier and after a few workshops I was fine to lead the demonstration.

In my second year I was asked to facilitate and that is my ongoing role now and I love it. I just love making the participants feel great for a couple of hours during a fairly traumatic time in their lives. For the most part, they come into the room quietly. But they leave with some amazing products, hopefully a fair bit of skincare and everyday make-up application knowledge, and some awesome headwear and wig ideas. They also make friends with people going through the same journey and they leave with a smile on their face.

I feel privileged to be able to give my time and knowledge to Look Good Feel Better; to raise awareness of the program and be a part of the cosmetic industry that enables the program to keep going. When I help women and teens to look and feel better for a few hours and send them home with the tools to do it again tomorrow, that in turn makes me feel better and appreciative of the simple things in life.

I know I speak for most volunteers when I say we love doing what we do. The warm and fuzzies we feel when just one participant thanks us at the end of the workshop is indescribable.

If you want to help out, or have thought you might like to, I suggest get in touch with Look Good Feel Better. Once you’ve observed a workshop you’ll know if it’s right for you.”