Ana shares how her love for cosmetics, an empathetic outlook and a desire to help empower cancer patients has steered her into volunteer work with Look Good Feel Better.
“I love the whole concept of Look Good Feel Better and so it was an easy decision for me to get involved. My husband and I both volunteer for different organizations and with three young adults in our home I think it is invaluable to be a good role model for your children – to enable them to understand the value of becoming a part of their community. I also believe it is important to be able to put back into any cause you have an interest in, or passion for and to realize the rewards of volunteer work both personally and for the cause are far greater than you could imagine.
I am a volunteer for three separate workshop venue; I am a facilitator for one of the workshops and often do the make-up demonstration at the other two workshops. I love working with the volunteers who are all amazing women giving up their time, offering their invaluable experience, knowledge and support. We are always learning from each other but helping the women going through cancer treatment is what makes it so rewarding.
I have gained invaluable friendships as a result of being a Look Good Feel Better volunteer. I have also gained confidence in public speaking (something I have never found easy!); a respect for what women actually face through diagnosis and a new level of compassion, care and gratitude.
New volunteers can expect to meet other women who have similar interests to them. The workshops themselves are fun, inspiring, heart-warming and an honor to be a part of. Even after nine years with Look Good Feel Better the transformation that takes place during the few hours of a workshop just amazes me and proves beyond doubt the power of touch, laughter, care, support and make-up!
One time, I was demonstrating the make-up on a beautiful woman in her early 50’s who admitted she had never worn make-up. She was just mesmerized with every step and she couldn’t believe that it took her illness to discover what make-up could do. She was just so thankful, saying she felt she had discovered a new person! It was such an amazing, positive, uplifting moment from a woman facing so much.
Look Good Feel Better is such a satisfying and rewarding program to be a part of. The workshops are a positive and informative experience. If you join the team, you will be helping to provide a safe environment for participants; facilitating a group of like-minded women; and most importantly helping women feel and look their best.”
As a professional make-up artist, qualified trainer, consultant, hair stylist and brow specialist, Sabrina believes in the importance of giving back. She shares her insights on being part of the LGFB volunteer program.
“I became a volunteer because I wanted to give back and Look Good Feel Better was the best fit. Throughout the workshops I can share all my knowledge about beauty with women who can use the tips and techniques to feel better while undergoing treatment for cancer.
I am currently a make-up demonstrator for the workshop held at the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in Camperdown, NSW. I am part of a team of professional beauty volunteers who also give their time to run the workshop and share their expertise with the participants. I have also been involved in plenty of media and promotional opportunities, including a filming project alongside our Patron Kerri-Anne Kennerley.
At my very first workshop I felt blessed to be able to share my beauty secrets with a group of ladies that needed my help at the time. By showing them how to draw their eyebrows back on, make their lashes appear fuller and put some colour back into their skin, I was able to help them feel like themselves again.
Ultimately I became a make-up artist to make people feel better about themselves and Look Good Feel Better does exactly that. The feeling of giving is priceless and being able to give the ladies a few hours of laughter, beauty tips and pampering to forget they are undergoing treatment for cancer is what I love about this program.
As a volunteer you can feel good about sharing your advice with women that really need your guidance. After every workshop I walk away with a positive feeling knowing I have gained so much by making them focus on the positives- if it’s only for a moment. It’s also a great way to meet other beauty industry people who you can learn from and who will inspire you to be a better person!
I can honestly say every workshop is memorable! I do remember a young woman who had lost all her hair, lashes and brows. She had also lost so much colour to her face as her skin was dry and pale from treatment. She listened throughout our demonstration intently and just smiled through happy tears, while thanking us for every effort we took to put colour back into her complexion. She held my hand at the end of the workshop and said ‘thank you for making me feel normal again’. For me, this is exactly what the workshop is about.
Whether you’re a make-up artist, beautician, hairdresser or cosmetic consultant you will gain as much joy and experience as I have over the last five years. I will continue to be a volunteer and give my time as long as I can for this great cause – joining the program has really been the best decision I ever made!”
Education Manager for the for the International Dermal Institute shares her thoughts on volunteering with Look Good Feel Better.
“Dermalogica, the company I work for, decided to become a product sponsor and I was so impressed with the work Look Good Feel Better did that I wanted to get involved with the organization on a personal level too.
At my first workshop I arrived feeling extremely nervous, the ‘rookie on the block’! I had a strong sense that I didn’t want to let anyone down – primarily the attendees and of course the other volunteers. Having experienced the journey of cancer treatment with my Mum and after working on clients who have been on the cancer treatment path, I was not fearful of supporting them with their skin concerns, it was more about how to ensure I contributed to the workshop being a fun, upbeat and a positive experience.
These days, I perform the skincare and make-up coaching segment of the workshop. I love this interactive session with the participants and the other volunteers, we try hard to make it a really upbeat, fun and an informative morning. Being passionate about skin health and understanding the unique challenges cancer treatments have on the skin, it’s great to help with skin tips and make-up tricks as to how to ‘look good and feel better’ about yourself.
I love to see people having a good time and that’s what you get at each workshop. Many participants come in feeling nervous, shy, unsure of what to expect. The great thing is that it’s not long before you see that melt away and they relax and start to feel really comfortable.
The journey through cancer treatment is tough on everyone, to be able to put a bit of fun, female bonding, light-hearted connectedness into their day, making them feel good about themselves is an addictive reward. I’ve been close to cancer and its various treatments with several loved ones, from this experience I believe I have the empathy and understanding to support others. The Look Good Feel Better program enables me to do just that and I hope to be a volunteer for many years to come!
Through my experience with LGFB, I’ve learnt how incredibly strong, brave and positive women are when faced with adversity. I’ve experienced the incredible alchemy of women and the power they create when joined together in a collective group, it’s quite remarkable and astounding.
I think the program is vital. I only wish more people knew about it, we had more volunteers join us, and of course we had more funding!
If you’re thinking about joining the team, realise it’s not scary. Seek out all the information you need and then just do it!”
“I had been looking for some time at volunteering and so I contacted Look Good Feel Better because I believed my expertise with wigs would be a great way to give back to a community that was already a big part of my everyday work.
My first workshop was a bit of a blur, partly because I was helping with make-up and that wasn’t my strong suit! I quickly realised that it was more than just showing someone where and how to apply eye shadow, it was about connecting with women and helping facilitate dialogue with each other. I’m a story-teller by nature so there’s nothing more that I love than to see people sharing their stories!
I love it when I can totally transform a woman’s appearance in seconds with a wig. I watch the expression on her face when she looks in the mirror whilst hearing the other women gasp at the transformation. It gives me a real kick, and then all the other women want to try something on and we just have fun with it.
Volunteering gives you a sense of contribution. So often we lead busy lives where it’s easy to forget why we are running around in the first place. I believe time is one of the most precious things we have, and to give that to help others is vital to our sense of who we are. Volunteering at Look Good Feel Better has taught me that it doesn’t matter where you are from or what you do, we are all here seeking love and peace for ourselves and our loved ones. Life is about making real connections with people and I have made countless connections with other volunteers as well as participants over the years.
In my line of work, I meet a lot of women going through trying circumstances and I always ask them if they have been to a LGFB workshop. I am quick to point out the benefits of meeting other women in a safe environment and enjoying a few hours where they are pampered and treated with kindness- giving them confidence at a time when they may be feeling self-conscious. I believe those few hours can have an enormous impact on the women’s overall well-being during their treatment.
Sometimes during the workshop, the women forget momentarily all that is going on and they are just enjoying the moment. It’s so powerful, it’s palpable and contagious that the whole room is swept up into a time and place where we are all free of our lives outside of that room, it’s such a special feeling!
Our society would be a much better place if we all did some kind of volunteering, to give up your time to help others actually in turn helps your own understanding of what it means to be a part of a community. If you can find an organisation that aligns with your values, you should take the plunge because you will never know how much it will benefit your life until you actually do it.”
Kirsten teamed up with Bupa, on behalf of LGFB, to demonstrate a number of handy headwear tips and tricks. Click here to watch the online tutorial.
“One of my closest friends took her mum to a Look Good Feel Better workshop when she was diagnosed with cancer. She phoned me immediately after the workshop insisting I would make a fantastic addition to the volunteer team. Surely enough, I joined the very next day!
I am a beauty therapist and make-up artist of 25 years, I have four children and wanted to get back into the beauty industry, so this was actually perfect timing. It sounds crazy, but being at my first workshop was really one of the best days of my life! All the volunteers made me feel so welcome and then I got to meet all these beautiful, strong and inspirational women.
As volunteers, we are there to help make the participants look good and feel better not just on the outside but on the inside too. I love knowing they leave feeling so much better about themselves just by picking up handy make-up and headwear tips – offering them everything they need to face everyday with a positive attitude.
It’s rewarding knowing I am using my skills to help all these ladies who are going through such a hard time. To see them walk out of the workshop thanking all of us for making them feel amazing is such a great feeling.
The biggest thing I have learnt from my role is that there are so many selfless people in the world who think of others. There are people willing to be so kind to give up their time to empower others.
Look Good Feel Better is such an important program. Bringing the cosmetic industry and all the volunteers together to allow cancer patients feel in control of their physical appearance and emotional well-being is so, so important.
The most memorable moment I had with the program must have been while I was busy packing a participant’s products at the end of a workshop. I was caught up in conversation with her, reiterating how beautiful she looked and how much she would really enjoy using her new products at home. She suddenly burst out crying, she could not believe the products were hers to take home. I explained they were kindly donated by Australian cosmetic companies and she genuinely could not believe it!
Joining the volunteer team has been the best decision I have ever made. On several occasions I have seen ladies from the workshops at the local shopping centre, and after big hugs, kisses and laughter I remember to ask whether they’re still heading out the door with their lippy on! They all tell me that doing the workshop has seriously changed their lives.”
Benefit Cosmetics’ West Coast Field Education Manager Education Manager shares her story about becoming a Look Good Feel Better volunteer.
“I love the result of boosting someone’s confidence and making their day! I personally love the nervous energy at the beginning of a workshop, the fear of the unknown. By the end of the workshop we have a room of more confident and empowered women.
I have so many memorable moments with the program. But if I had to pick just one my most memorable moment was gifted to me by Mary, a gorgeous participant! Mary’s beauty dilemma was the case of missing brows and how they created a beautiful frame for her face. After demonstration and seeing what a new set of brows looked like, her confidence increased, body language changed, and she proudly stood up and announced, ‘these are my new eyebrows and nothing is stopping me now!’
The biggest thing I’ve learnt from my role as a volunteer is building knowledge and confidence. It’s a rewarding experience not only for the people involved but for my personal growth. I always walk away from a Look Good Feel Better workshop feeling fulfilled, inspired and motivated for the next workshop.
Look Good Feel Better workshops are a great way to use your cosmetic tips and tricks to empower women by giving back. As we like to say at Benefit Cosmetics: Laughter is the best cosmetic, so grin and wear it!
A Look Good Feel Better volunteer is warm and approachable, has a can-do attitude and a love of cosmetics. The workshops are an opportunity to share positivity and create a supportive environment for patients undergoing treatment for cancer. I love my involvement with this program and highly recommend becoming a volunteer.”
In 2014, Janet was awarded the title of National Volunteer of the Year, here’s what she had to say about her experience with the program…
“Estée Lauder in Perth invited us to be part of the Look Good Feel Better program in 1992 and Myer Perth were very supportive giving me the time to volunteer at workshops. I had lost family and friends to cancer and we often had customers looking for help. I felt we could make a difference with this program.
Today my favourite part about volunteering is showing patients how to apply make-up; seeing the difference a green corrector or concealer can make, and of course showing ladies how to put on eyebrows and bring a bit of colour to the lips and cheeks. Skincare and make-up is often the last thing on their mind but at the workshops they get into the swing of it and have a great morning with lots of fun and laughter.
My most memorable moment with the program would have to be at a regional workshop in a small country town. One patient asked, ‘do normal people use eyebrow pencils?’ She felt so overwhelmed, particularly as she lived remotely and had travelled two hours to be there. She felt it was important for her and her family that she come to the workshop. With a little help she did a wonderful job with her make-up. After trying on hats and wigs she started to feel normal again and could not stop looking in the mirror.
The workshops are so important. We offer such a positive morning, showing ladies how to face the changes to their skin. Often losing eyebrows and hair loss is very traumatic. I feel it’s their time with the wonderful cosmetics they are given. We also laugh and enjoy the workshop, it’s so important they look for some humour and make friends with other patients.
Receiving the National Volunteer of the Year award is very humbling. All the volunteers do such a wonderful job and are so dedicated. I know the patients feel the compassion and warmth from all of us. It really is an honour and I feel very proud for Western Australia.
I have been in cosmetics for most of my working life and my management coaching and mentoring skills have helped me to be a good volunteer. To others wishing to join, I would say you need to be compassionate and professional, have empathy, a good sense of humour and encourage and praise patients and volunteers. You have to be committed to promoting Look Good Feel Better and prepared to pass on these skills to other volunteers.
If you love helping people and have cosmetic experience do not hesitate to join the Look Good Feel Better team. It’s a wonderful experience to feel you have made a difference. The cosmetic companies are so generous and our workshops simply would not be what they are without their wonderful support.”
Make-up artist, salon owner and Look Good Feel Better volunteer Eleanor shares her thoughts about helping women face cancer with confidence.
“It all started when I saw a mutual friend on Facebook had posted a picture of her Look Good Feel Better badge. Curiosity got the better of me, so I googled it! I thought it sounded like such a wonderful initiative and it looked like the perfect opportunity for me to use my skills to give back.
Being in the beauty industry I meet people every day and help make them feel their best version of themselves. The Look Good Feel Better program helps people to be just that – at a time when they don’t feel like themselves. It gives them the tools they need to regain confidence.
The room is always filled with so many emotions, so it’s nice to be able to make people smile and watch the transformations. You never really know what a person is going through. Being part of these workshops has taught me how resilient and incredibly strong people are when faced with adversities.
I love being part of a team of such amazing women that empower each other. I love that I can do something little to help make a big difference. I love that I can use my skills to help others and will happily volunteer for life! If you can spare a little time to volunteer then I highly recommend you do it. It’s such an amazing and rewarding program.”
“I heard the State Program Manager for WA speaking at a dinner for the Australian Institute of Office Professionals and was instantly inspired to get involved. At the time my mum had also had a brush with breast cancer, which heightened my awareness of cancer. I approached the Program Manager and inquired if there was a team I could join in Bunbury and from that point I joined as a meet-and-greet volunteer.
You will always find time for what is important to you, and Look Good Feel Better is very important to me. I am a solo parent of a five-year-old girl and very fortunate to have my parents living close by. A lot of what I do with Look Good Feel Better is possible because of their immense support. My employer, also supports and encourages its employees to volunteer in their local communities.
There have been many memorable moments since joining the team, including winning the state and national volunteer awards! I do remember this one particular lady who came along to a workshop with a great deal of apprehension. I could sense she was not comfortable being there. She immediately resisted the colour of her eye-shadow palette and was not willing to go for something new.
I discreetly asked another participant if she wouldn’t mind swapping her palette, and she agreed. From that point on the woman who was once apprehensive, seemed transformed, knowing that we were there to truly help her. She relaxed and started to engage with the other participants and volunteers. Before the end of the workshop she announced to the group that she had decided to go for the big shave that afternoon. She had a lovely blonde bob and was so overwhelmed that she ended up in tears.
She is one patient among so many I have met in a similar situation, but her anxiety at the impending loss of her beautiful hair was all consuming and such an affirmation of the importance and value of our program.
To spend this personal time with ladies going through the biggest hurdles of their lives and to be able to give them tools to help them during this tumultuous time is such a privilege. It really is wonderful to be recognised and appreciated for doing something that I love.
For anyone interested in joining the volunteer team, know that passion and commitment are vital. You have to believe in what you’re doing to be able to help someone else believe it’s importance. Commitment is everything, particularly to your team. If I had to list one thing I value most about my team it would be reliability – knowing the volunteers will turn up to a workshop makes my job a pleasure.
I also love the philosophy of ‘paying it forward’. Volunteer not with the thought of what you’ll get back, but because of what you want and are able to give, and maybe someday you or someone you love will be the recipient of some help.
Make that call, get in touch with the program and ask how you can help! Being a Look Good Feel Better volunteer is so rewarding – the interaction with the workshop participants is such a privilege, and the wider networks you become part of is so enriching. We always need new volunteers, new blood and new ideas.”
I first heard about Look Good Feel Better when I was living in London, training and working in beauty therapy. I said if the opportunity arose where I could be of assistance I would join, and that occurred for me in 2013 when I moved to Hervey Bay.
What’s special about Look Good Feel Better is being able to give the participants the opportunity to regain their confidence and self-esteem, while they’re working through a difficult journey. And what I enjoy most is being able to share the skills I have acquired through many years in beauty therapy with each workshop participant, and seeing the smiles on their faces.
Throughout each workshop we see participants go from being reluctant, unsure and nervous, moving through the process, and regaining their self-confidence. It is a physical change, reflected in their demeanor.
I would encourage others to volunteer with Look Good Feel Better because we are a valued part of a community-based program with a positive outcome for all involved.
