LOOK GOOD...FEEL BETTER

No matter how stellar your resume, no matter how terrific your track record, professional success often depends on looking the part – especially for women. However, keeping up professional appearances while dealing with the emotional and physical toll of cancer can be challenging, if not downright exhausting. Yet it’s crucial to your workplace confidence that when they look at you, your clients, colleagues and employers see the capable, competent business woman you are – and not just your illness.

Look Good...Feel Better is the perfect resource to assist you in maintaining your professional look – and outlook. The non-profit organization helps women with cancer cope with the appearance-related side effects of the disease and its treatments. More than 50,000 individuals – women, men and teens – participate each year in LGFB’s free, non-medical services in all 50 states and internationally through its sister organizations. Group programs include workshops on skin and nail care, make-up application lessons, as well as creative and attractive options for dealing with hair loss. In addition to their seminars and one-on-one appointments, Look Good Feel Better's website offers a wealth of tips, tools and resources, including the following:

Before & After
( http://www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org/women/before_after/changes.htm)

If you’re concerned about how your treatment will affect your looks and need a little inspiration, the Before & After section of the LGFB website is a great starting point.  Photographs showcase women before and after their makeover experiences, giving you a quick glimpse at the difference the right make-up and skin care can make in perking up your appearance during cancer treatments.

Program Finder
(http://www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org/women/program_finder/index.htm)

LGFB hosts seminars all across the country. If you’re interested in finding the group nearest to you, the website’s Program Finder is a gem. Follow the link and plug in your city or zip code for instant information, or just call 1-800-395-LOOK.

Make-up Steps
( http://www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org/women/make_over_steps/welcome.htm)

Most working women already know their way around a make-up bag, but your needs change while dealing with cancer. The LGFB website offers an easy-to-use nine-step approach with quick, valuable tips. Learn how to disguise exhaustion and discoloration with color-correcting concealer, fill in sparse eyebrows or bulk up your eyelashes. 

Special Skin Care ( http://www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org/women/make_over_steps/skin_care.htm#requirements)

The effects of cancer and its treatments can fundamentally change your skin and require extra care and attention. LGFB’s skin care section addresses those concerns, bearing in mind that not all skin types are alike. Particularly useful are the suggestions designed to help those undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatment keep their skin as healthy and happy as possible.

Hair Help
( http://www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org/women/hair_help/hair_care.htm)

Cancer and its treatments can pose a number of different hair problems – from texture changes to hair loss – leaving you scrambling for creative ways to present yourself professionally. LGFB’s Hair Help section offers handy advice on how to care for and protect your hair during cancer to keep it healthy and minimize loss.

Coping with hair loss can pose major challenges in presenting yourself professionally. LGFB offers guidance on shopping for and selecting the right wig for you professional image (http://www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org/women/hair_help/wig_choice.htm), plus tips on styling ( http://www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org/women/hair_help/wig_styling.htm) and taking care of your wig ( http://www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org/women/hair_help/wig_care.htm).

For those with sensitivities to wigs may seek alternative head coverings, LGFB also offers suggestions on alternative head coverings ( http://www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org/women/hair_help/alt_cov.htm) that won’t compromise your workplace appearance. These creative solutions will take you from home to workplace to special events.

Additional Options

If one of Look Good Feel Better’s group program doesn’t fit your busy schedule – or there isn’t one available in your area – the organization has other program options. Schedule yourself for a One-on-One sessions in a beauty salon near you for individualized attention from a make-up professional. With this practical yet pampering program you’ll learn how to use your own cosmetics to put your best face forward.  

In addition, LGFB offers “Just for You” self-help kits, available in both English and Spanish. Perfect for even the busiest schedule, these handy mail-order kits include a 30-minute video packed with make-over tips and a handy accompanying reference booklet. Contact LGFB ( http://www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org/general/requests.htm) for information.