By Sophie Beresiner
There is no shame in worrying about what you look like. Otherwise Mr Revlon or Mrs Lauder would not have a pot to pee in, lets be honest. If you've ever felt more inclined to go out even when you're really tired, because you can showcase your brand new Chloe skirt say, then you're already familiar with the equation 'Looking Good = Feeling Better.' It's a simple concept, that can work in so many contexts, but rarely more so than when overcoming the appearance-changing effects of cancer treatment. I'd always known the power of a bright red lipstick to make me feel more confident/up for a drink after work/more groomed for a photo, so I was fully prepared to adopt the same strategy when I felt like sh!t with no hair or any discernible feature to help me look more like me. (See above, can you tell?)
This isn't just my genius theory, there's a whole charity out there that pledges the same philosophy and lays on workshops to teach cancer patients how to look good to feel better. This isn't about a bit of slap and the best wig shop in your area, it's about sharing the experience with other women having the same feelings, and being allowed to worry about your appearance while the doctors worry about your health. We are women after all.
My own experience with Look Good Feel Better came about after I started a blog to share my journey applying all my existing beauty knowledge to this whole new context. I like a challenge, and my goodness this was it. My thoughts resonated so strongly with the charity Look Good Feel Better, so it seemed a natural fit. I became a beautifying trial-and-error ambassador for their philosophy. Since I understand how empowering it is to wear a wig and not have anyone rumble you, I want as many women to learn and feel the same way. Look Good Feel Better offers a home confidence kit for some DIY tuition too.
If you understand the power of a perfectly groomed eyebrow or a bouncy blowdry, you are already on board. Now if you'll excuse me it is monday morning, it's cold, I need to perk up my face a bit...
Read my story in the November issue of ELLE, out now. Throughout October, ELLE will be supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
