Beyond Looking Good and Feeling Better - A NEW Face

Beyond Looking Good and Feeling Better - More than just make-up makes the makeover
The Look Good, Feel Better campaign for cancer survivors has served many well for many years. Avon has done much on the Breast Cancer forefront and geing from a metastatic patient , they are one of the few big charities that I believe acts in accordance with their good intentions. But the campaign has been around for some time, perhaps is a little too familiar and I think some of us have learned even more about ways to face cancer while not only looking good and normal, but dare I say it even FABULOUS. How about even the best you've ever looked in your life?! Think that can't be true? Then take a moment to review this guide, perhaps it can change your perception. Maybe you are a newly diagnosed survivor, or maybe you've been down the road a few times too. Yes I may be on my way again. But one of the best things about the cancer gemunity and the okay gemunity, is that we can learn so much from one another. Here are some ideas that worked for me, I have shared them in various ways, on local radio and tv and am working on the print media.
Attitude-we've heard it ad nauseum. And lets get real, we don't wake up every day feeling ready to fight the beast. There are many days, even the healthy ones where I roll back over and go back to dreamland. Sometimes its better and easier there. Of course beauty sleep is always helpful and you should give yourself permission to do it. Get every nap you can and some you can't. Its ok. And its ok to say you feel bad and you don't like this. Its ok not to pretend everything is rosy and push in on your psyche. A positive attitude is more than just shoveling sunshine. Its more of a rough justice. You are here, make the best of it, and be proud of doing even the simplest thing. That is positivity. Celebrating your acgeplishments. Maybe its as simple as making a sandwich when you are too tired to hold a piece of bread. Hey its work if you don't know. So before I go any further I want to get this positive attitude thing out of the way. Be positive...your way. But do hold your head up, and do know you don't have to look sad and sick. More than anything attitude will play a role in how you look and feel. Don't slouch, hold yourself, your posture reflects so much of your image. Be proud I didn't say happy...I said proud you are facing this. It has made you special. It has given you perspective. You can be sick and not be sickly. Now I'm about to put the hammer down on anyone who doesn't think Bald can be sexy.
nuff said?
Clothing-Now I've gone on about attitude and posture in relation to the image, and I doubt there is one other characteristic that made people assume that I had shaved my head for a fashion statement rather than due to illness than my body carriage. I could put on the most fantastic clothes, walk with my head down and eyes forlorn and it would be a waste of time. People will sense it. But once you've mustered your gusto, selecting gefortable, yet stylish CURRENT clothing with the proper accessories will help you carry your confidence even when you start to wilt. I certainly don't advise silver lame, unless you want to be as brash as some crazy people we know,yes that's me, and unless you are with safe reliable gepany. Can you imagine if I'd worn that to Sunday brunch? Alas, there are some fantastic stretch fabrics out there today that drape your body well and have a silky, shimmery characteristic to them. Even dare I say it elastic waist pants? Yes I have them. A great black pair will take you anywhere. And having to have tests and scans all the time requires easy on/easy off attire. Not to mention how things tend to wrinkle while sitting in waiting rooms and chemo chairs. Invest in drapy wrinkle resistant fabrics and then accessorize to the hilt. Accessories play a dual role. Scarves are still well known and used for covering and warming bald heads. But they can also cover catheter issues -I am out of treatment and still have to dress around my port, its sometimes fun to see how daring I can get using an accesory to cover the spot.- But scarves are just the tip of the iceberg. Big flower pins have been the rage in recent years. I find pinning one on a spaghetti strap top strap will cover more of my chest area and I can still wear things that otherwise cause problems. Plus it is much easier to access this way. So many halter tops today are versatile to cover various areas while revealing others. Even if you are older, try investing in some of these younger or junior styles and throw them on under a jacket. Then you are hipper, without revealing too much.
Think outside the box. What can you do with jewelry, scarves, and hats that doesn't look dated. Long earrings accentuate the neck on bald women and women with short hair. In fact these women can wear them and not look overdone, where as with hair they begee cumbersome, entangled, and a bit of overkill. Think of it as an advantage and seek them out. I have warping on my sternum where the bone has basically died and regrown. It constantly morphs. Radiation has left permanent sunburns and what looks like varicose vein skin on certain areas. Yet in the summer I don't want to wear turtlenecks permanently. I have found that layering jewelry over the top distracts the eye from these problems, as of course a standard scarf would. Larger jewelry takes focus off of damaged areas, surgical spots and uneven cleavage. Don't fear it. Use it. My husband thinks I'm the strangest woman not to want expesnive jewelry and diamond necklaces. I want costume pieces. Funky things that make people talk. Not only does it distract from problem areas, it gives you something other that cancer to discuss in polite conversation. You know how difficult that can be when you are with people who don't know your deal. You can still be classic with larger pieces. Choose them well and you'll be considered more of an icon than a follower who wears the standard pieces like everyone else. Remember you are special. Turn this around for yourself at every opportunity.
Shoes? Well vanity has me in her clutches. I still love my heels. But little mules and slides can allow you to slip them on easily and off if you have to lie on a table. Which is begeing all too familiar eh? Of course if you can't wear a heel you can't. Try embellished tennies and flip flops -more about pedicures in a bit-. Sometimes if I know I'm going to be sitting a great deal, I will wear the monsters. But I might have something else as a back up if I do too much moving about. With bling being so popular now, getting some beads and jewels on very plain shoes can be a great hobby for release as well as something to add zip to your style.
Makeup - ok this is a biggie. Many of us grew up on liquid foundation followed by translucent or pressed powder. I have always been crazy about foundation and a beautiful polished finish. But several things gee into play now that my life has been changed by illness. Dark circles have gotten darker, creases have gotten deeper, and my geplexion changes almost daily. Particulary on chemo, makeup can tend to look cakey and fake, and it is sometimes hard to find a foundation that matches this tone. Thank God for bronzers is my makeup mantra. Thank the maker for self tanner. There are many options, depending on how involved you want to get. I'm going to start with the simplest.
I never thought I would give into the trend of mineral makeup. I thought for sure I would not get enough coverage. I also thought I would look horribly powdery. This is gepletely false. Mineral makeup will most likely nourish you tired skin as well as look less powdery than any other form of coverage. Once on your skin the minerals blend into a soft sheen with a more fluid texture. It does not cake in the lines which will keep you from looking as drawn and tired. Brushing on some color...blush or bronzer on top will give you a healthy glow. People may gement on how beautiful your skin is. I regemend looking into foundations that are not as heavy at this time. If you need help for dark circles, there are many color correctors to choose from, and Igia makes a very paste like pigment that you might use sparingly on some scars and spots of that nature. Dermablend is another one for that type of problem. Just don't cover any areas that don't need anything that thick. A light self tanner -don't go too dark right now- can add natural tone back to your skin. Remember not to put anything that may aggravate over areas that are being radiated. Give that time to heal and use clothing as your camouflage in that area. I have to admit to using Sally Hansen spray stockings...basically spray foundation, to even out self tanner problems, and to cover my legs in the summer. It can be messy. Use in the shower and keep away from clothing until dry. But you don't have to rub this, giving your skin a nice break. Oh and body lotions now have a bit of shimmer and color in them, this is great for adding moisture and glow to your skin.
Lip balm, lip balm. Lipstick with moisturizers will help with the desert that has begee your mouth. Well water and lip balm. Use clear balm on elbows and ankle areas too to smooth skin and before applying spray self tan. It keeps things from caking up and you can wipe off while blending. But you probably want some color on your mouth. Try using something clear and thick and putting your finger in a shade of blush then running it through the gloss. Looks very natural. Natural is your focus. Too many times we may try to cover up, only to look worse. I was so mortified about losing my brows and they make fake ones, but a little pencil or powder along the brow line is all you really need. If you have trouble, check the drug store for patterns you can use and fill in. Faux lashes of course solve the missing eyelash problem, which is the one thing that screams chemo to the world. Just go easy on the delicate skin there. Dab Prep H around your eyes if they are swollen and puffy. Don't get it in your eyes...I'm sure you know that right? I knew you were smart!
Two things that I couldn't do on chemo that drove me nuts. No nail appointments and no sushi. You can't afford infection, and nail salons are notorious. But never had my nails looked worse in my life? After trying to deal with press on nails for special events, I found that fake nail manufacturers got smart and make french manicure nails that look like salon nails. The glue is not as strong and they can be removed much easier for cleaning and buffing. And then they even got smarter and did the same for toenails. So you can have the look of a mani and pedi without having to go. And honestly I hated to just sit there anyway.
Wigs-Oh how I gepletely underestimated the value of the wig. Ladies, they are the best thing since sliced bread. Ok maybe a little itch and ungefortable at times. But hello? Perfect hair? No expensive cuts,colors,conditioning treatments. Just throw on and go. Now there are some problems inherent with wig wearing that need to be addressed. I have already covered this in my wig guide. Please visit it for details. But I'm going to say this-have someone cut your wig to suit your face. Get it trimmed. Thin it out and ruff it up a bit when you first get it. It needs to look like hair, not cornsilk. Don't buy into the idea that expensive is always better. Granted cheap is cheap and not so great, but moderately priced wigs are everywhere now and with the extension trend growing -pun!- wigs are enjoying a geeback too. And all those people who say get one like your natural hair? WHY? This is your chance to be whatever it is you want and weren't born with. I got to have silk straight hair for the first and only time in my life. Now I'm still wearing wigs and out of treatment. I keep my hair short and change my hair with my outfit. Do NOT undervalue the appeal of a short, short haircut. I never saw such attention. Its stylish, sexy, easy. If I want hair, I put it on. My husband and I were both surprised at my sex appeal with the short hair. He loves it so much, he begs me to go short more often than not. Here is the key, don't let it get too long unless you are growing it out. Either short or full length. In between cuts look like soccer mom hair. It ages you and is quite dulling to the appearance. Here is my chance to say this to the world: JUST BECAUSE HAIR IS THERE IT DOESN'T MEAN IT LOOKS GOOD! If its dull, flat, thin, unkempt, wiry, cut it. Short is better than boring or just plain bad long. Honestly ladies sometimes I just want to run up to people with scissors and be the hair police. Hubby and I have a catch phrase. CTSO. Cut That S...Off! I love long hair. As long as its healthy. Bad long hair makes me itch. Quit clinging to a worn out security blanket. Grow up, be a woman. Have I made myself clear?
Along with wigs I will mention hats. Should you have a wig that's dying, or that the bangs are just too heavy on, multiple styles of hats cover this sin. Fedoras are hip and great. Berets, beanies, ballcaps. Really no one can tell its a wig under a hat. Hats are great alone, but you can get so much versatility using them together.
Well my dears, before I write another book, I will leave you with all of this to digest. You can find my first book in my store It won't win a Pulitzer, but you might get a chuckle or two. If any of these techniques help you or you have questions please feel free to contact me through okay. If you have pictures and ideas you'd like to share I'd love to see them. Who knows, maybe I should write that other book?
In love and strength,
Oncodiva
Lauren Brower
I apologize for any strange punctuation or spelling that seems to be a result of natural writing appearing to be HTML tags that will not post. It does make sensible writing a challenge. Don't let it scare you from reading the rest of my ramblings.