Makeup for cancer patients: Teaching your clients how to stay beautiful inside and out!

So, your client has cancer, and she's experiencing skin and facial changes during treatment and she's looked to you the professional makeup artist for help? This one's for you.


As a makeup artist it is very important to be sympathetic, and knowledgeable of exactly what a cancer patient is certainly going through. There are several things a patient doesn't have control over, but as an informed artist you can guide them to take charge of the beauty regimen. Considering that cancer is not any joke, some might think to ask what would compel a patient to concentrate on beauty at the same time like this. Here's my thought on that…

Just how we look affects the way we experience ourselves. So, how a patient feels about herself can dramatically affect how she feels physically. There's a substantial relationship between self-esteem and physical well-being very important to recovering cancer patients. If treatment has changed their looks, as a professional, you'll need take a positive approach to help them change their outlook. Teaching them to take charge of how they look, can harvest extraordinary benefits such as for instance: renewed self-esteem, rest from depression and a sense of empowerment and control.

Chemotherapy and radiation treatments can wreak havoc on a patient's skin. Like the rest of the body, their skin must be treated kindly in this time. So, I've compiled a listing of great tips to show you the artist, how to help your clients through this thorny process. Although, I've tried these tips about actual patients, ensure that you have your clients consult making use of their physician before putting this or some other beauty plan in action.

One common malady of chemotherapy and radiation treatments is sensitive skin. If your client's skin becomes, dry, itchy or it decides to flare-up, using products labeled "gentle or sensitive" is key. Below are a few guidelines to own your clients adhere by:

SKIN:

* Ensure they get their physician's approval for many topical applications including, creams, makeup, sunscreens, etc.* Be sure to ask them to adjust their natual skin care regime, if their skin type has changed.

* Question them to avoid warm water; choose for warm instead. Heated water can dry skin out and make their current skin ailment worse. Tepid to warm water is gentler and more soothing for sensitive skin.

* Advise them to never scrub affected areas! This can cause breakage in the skin and cause infection.

* Recommend they resist the temptation to scratch the itch! Cornstarch might help control itching. Just ask them to mix water and cornstarch to produce a paste and connect with the itchy areas.

* If they get any eruptions, ask them to wait until their skin heals completely before they shave or apply anything on it. Also, ask them to consult using their physician before applying any products on broken skin.

*Cancer treatment can increase vulnerability to infection, so remind them to keep hygiene a higher priority. Recommend to always wash their hands before using products and close lids tightly. Also, to keep fingers out of containers, use clean cotton balls, swabs or disposable sponge-tip applicators for dispensing. And finally, to never share products and always replace them in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations.


MAKEUP:

As makeup artists we know that applying "heavier" makeup will never make your skin look better. Actually, we know that the effect is likely to be very unnatural. Instead, have your clients choose for a natural, fresh and healthy look by using a light hand application.

*Concealer- Use concealer to cover any spots or discolorations on the skin. Cream or stick formulas work best, because they are generally thicker. Pro Tip: “stipple” it on and blend well using your fingers or perhaps a disposable sponge. Deciding on the best color is really as important while the consistency of the product. Generally, the color should match your client's skin tone. However, a slightly lighter color is usually suggested to cover dark patches, such as for example under-eye circles. There's also color-correcting concealers in green (to offset redness) or yellow (to downplay bluish discolorations). So, don't forget to test different techniques and products until you find what works best for the client.*Foundation and Powder- We all know that this is the base of a good makeup application. Select from light liquid and creamy stick varieties, which blend more easily over delicate skin, than quick-setting or matte versions. Hydrating or moisturizing formulas offer extra help for dry skin. When selecting a hydrating formula look for those who contain Sodium Hyaluronate, Urea, Allantoin, Serine, Glycerin, Tocopherol and Tocopheryl Acetate, as these ingredients are highly emollient. Foundation should match the client's natural skin tone.

Pro Tip: To steer clear of the dreaded “mask look”, apply small stripes of 2 or 3 different colors next together on the client's cheek. The colour that blends seamlessly to their skin is the correct shade. Once you've found their perfect shade, the next step is proper application. You wish to add foundation simply to those areas they really need it, just like the forehead, sides of these nose and chin. The main element here's to even-out your skin tone. After you do this task, you can return and add extra concealer to discolored areas, if needed.

Finally, a mild application of translucent or lightly hued loose powder with a cotton ball or a powder brush will set the inspiration and help control shine. Pressed powder compacts work very well for touchups. However, if skin is very dry or flaky, you might want to skip powder altogether.

*Blush- Since you've evened out the complexion, it's time to create back their essence by the addition of some color. I find that powder blush works great, however, if the client's skin is really dry, you can try a product blush over your foundation (if you choose cream blush, remember to skip the translucent powder). Subtle pink, peach and bronze hues, work great on most skin tones. For an all-natural hint of color, apply a mild dusting of blush with a rose brush onto the apples of these cheeks. Since blush brushes aren't disposable, be sure to explain to your client the importance of washing their particular brushes regularly in baby shampoo (not antibacterial soap or alcohol, which can cause injury to the brush) and air-dry overnight to prevent bacteria build-up. Be sure to here is another few different blush shades before finding the perfect one.*Eyebrows- When eyebrows thin or fall out during treatment, it is simple to recreate them by choosing an eyebrow pencil shade in the client's current hair or wig color. I usually prefer to color brows one shade lighter than your natural hair/wig color. This illuminates the complexion and does not look harsh or unnatural. Going too dark will result in a look that's too harsh and unflattering. Next, find their natural brow shape. Support the pencil straight against the client's nose, parallel to the inside corner of their eye — and place a dot at the brow bone to mark where in fact the eyebrow begins. Keep these things look straight ahead, place the pencil parallel to the exterior edge of the iris— and place a dot to mark the greatest point in the arch. Finally, place the pencil diagonally along underneath corner of their nose to the exterior corner of their eye — and place a dot where in fact the eyebrow ends.

To recreate the brow, connect the three dots with the pencil using short, feathery, upward strokes to simulate the look of hair. Once you achieve an ideal shape, follow with a brow powder or matte eye shadow in the exact same color because the pencil to “set” the eyebrow. That is a significant step, because most eyebrow pencils are somewhat waxy, and if not set properly, the eyebrow can look oily and fade away throughout the day.

*Eyeliner and Eye shadow: As educated artists we all know that the purpose of eye shadows and liners is always to brighten, define and accentuate eyes. Begin through the use of the lightest shade of eye shadow from lid to brow bone as a base. Next, add the medium shade to the lid from lashes to crease. For added definition, add the deepest shade along the crease of the eye. Blend well! Next, draw short, feathery strokes to line along the the surface of the upper lid at the lash line, then beneath the reduced lash line (not inside the rim).

Pro Tip: Smudge your lines with a Q-tip for a smooth, sultry effect. A thinly smudged type of dark eye shadow works, too. Inform your clients that as a precautionary note, permanent make-up is not advisable on their skin before or during cancer treatment. Since their defense mechanisms might be weaker now, it poses a better risk of infection. Whenever choosing shades of shadows and liners, feel free to experiment with color. After all, it's only makeup, it washes off!*Mascara- Restores a complete check out thinning lashes. Apply 2-3 coats of mascara to upper lashes— top then underside. Next, brush the wand lightly over lower lashes to fill. While false eyelashes will look like your client's own, they require adhesives that may be too harsh for their sensitive skin. Make certain they consult their physician before application.

*Lipstick- Select a lipstick in a color that complements your chosen make-up palette. Cover lips and blend into liner for an all-natural look. Creamy, moisturizing lipsticks provide relief for dry lips. Be sure to top all of it off with some lip gloss for a plump, sexy sheen!

Having a basic understanding on how to boost your client's looks during this difficult time, may offer you an opportunity to experiment and grow as an artist. It can also be section of our job to see clients of the many resources designed for women and men undergoing cancer treatment issues. Advise them that they may have their hairstylist help them pick a wig style that's both flattering and comfortable.

Get involved as a volunteer in The Look Good…Feel Better program which assists women with cancer in seeking instruction and information and provides its participants with a free of charge makeup kit filled up with all kinds of goodies. The workshops are held at comprehensive care clinics, hospitals, American Cancer Society offices, and community centers. Local group programs are organized by the American Cancer Society, facilitated by LGFB-certified cosmetologists, aestheticians and makeup artists like myself. For more information on the Look Good…Feel Better program visit their website www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org

Finally, offer some support. I love to share with my clients that if they're going right through hell, put on some lip gloss and carry on! This is actually the time for you personally the professional, to teach your clients to let their inner divas out, and let their essence shine through!

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