16 Issue 114 Autumn 2015 INTERNATIONAL THERAPIST www.fht.org.uk

Jennifer Barnes-Hill, FFHT, Commended 2015 FHT Tutor of the Year, talks to the FHT about skin care and beauty workshops

for women with cancer

Beauty | Beauty workshops

Q Tell us about yourself…

I have a private therapy training school based in Worcestershire and County Durham and I am also a university therapy lecturer. I have always had a passion for the fascinating way in which the body works, having received massages since I was a baby. I also enjoy the creative side of colour and make-up and have worked with a wide range

Pretty confident

of clients, including those with additional needs and within physical rehabilitation.

Q How did you get involved in skin

care and beauty workshops for women with cancer?I saw a poster about Look Good Feel Better (LGFB) workshops and thought that it was an ingenious idea. The workshops offer

a relaxing and fun space to be pampered in and regain confidence, after so much time focusing on medical appointments and procedures, using an easy-to-follow make-up and skincare routine. Excited about the potential, both physically and psychologically for patients, and realising that they did not have a centre in Worcestershire, I contacted the organisers to see whether my skills could be helpful to them. I observed a workshop at a well-established session in Cheltenham then set up the Worcester venue so that local ladies could also benefit from the programme.

Q Tell us about Look Good Feel Better…

LGFB is a small charity, offering practical support to women and teenagers, regarding appearance and visual changes associated with cancer treatment. During the sessions cancer might never be mentioned, instead ladies relax and chat with each other about anything and everything. Over the past 21 years LGFB has supported more than 120,000 women and teenagers in the UK. There are 26 countries worldwide that offer the LGFB programme and the US website also offers specific support for men. The

INTERNATIONAL THERAPIST www.fht.org.uk www.fht.org.uk INTERNATIONAL THERAPIST Issue 114 Autumn 2015 17

LGFB workshops are held in private rooms within hospitals and cancer support centres and are led by trained beauty professionals.

Q Tell us more about these sessions…

The sessions are free, therefore accessible to everyone, regardless of income. All products used during the sessions are provided and in some instances the ladies get to take away the products to use at home. The one-off sessions last for two hours, using a 12-step system, followed by refreshments. Clients can be referred by others or self-referred. The sessions are run in 80 locations across the UK and each is designed to suit the needs of its respective local community. Sessions will vary in frequency and duration depending on the location. In addition to the sessions, a DVD and tips booklet covering hair, wig styling, make-up and skincare can be ordered through the website www.lgfb.co.uk

LGFB’s easy to follow 12-step system is printed on a sheet which ladies can take away, to use the hints and tips at home. Therapist volunteers often spend time focusing on key issues such as how to define thinned eyebrows. The steps are as follows:Step 1: Cleanse and tone – the importance of a good skincare routine, using products which are gentle on the skin and explaining the benefits of each skincare product.Step 2: Moisturise – how to apply each product quickly yet effectively during a busy day, in quantities and using techniques to make products last.Step 3: Concealer – how to apply effectively to cover dark circles and blemishes, while looking natural.

Step 4: Foundations – how to select the correct colours and textures to give an even complexion.Step 5: Powders – setting foundation to last all day.Step 6: Blusher – where to apply to make the most of your natural features, while creating a fresh look.Step 7: Eyeshadow – adding colour, warmth and definition to open up the eyes.Step 8: Eyeliner – enhancing and framing the natural features and colours of the eye.Step 9: Eyebrows – selecting colours and shapes to suit face shape. Beauty therapists often discuss other options with clients such as tinting and semi-permanent make-up.Step 10: Mascara – how to apply and remove, to protect brittle lashes.Step 11: Lipliner – how to define thinning lips and prevent ‘bleeding’ of lipstick.Step 12: Lipstick – choosing colours to suit your skin tone and how to apply for even and long-lasting coverage. PI

CTU

RES:

LO

OK

GO

OD

FEE

L BE

TTER

Beauty workshops | Beauty

Q What are the benefits of the workshops?

Make-up is a simple way to transform the face and give a desired look, healthy glow or accentuate natural features. Colour is so powerful, and the visual or physical change that make-up brings is surprising. Applying make-up is an everyday and ‘normal’ thing to do, which clients have control over. The sessions give ladies an opportunity to drop the cancer label for a while. Learning a new skill which they can take away and use every day is enjoyable for them and a change to their day-to-day life. Confidence, self-esteem, relaxation and a reduction in anxiety are often reported by the workshop attendees, with a sense of camaraderie as they know everyone has a shared experience and empathises with each other.

Q Why do you find the work rewarding?

When the ladies arrive they may be quiet and reserved, but their personalities come out. They laugh, smile and find the beauty facts interesting, regardless of age or how much make-up they wear. By the end of the session ladies look radiant and may have cast off a wig or headscarf but in this supportive environment nobody bats an eyelid. Giving the gift of laughter, confidence, self-esteem and a moment of carefree fun is priceless.

l LGFB are always looking for new volunteers. If you have beauty experience and can help out then please visit www.lgfb.co.uk or call them on 01372 747500

Jennifer Barnes-Hill, FFHT, PGCE, MBA, BSc (Hons) has private training schools in Worcester (JBH Training, jbhtraining.co.uk) and County Durham (ETHOS, www.ethos.uk.com),

alongside university therapy lecturing and volunteer work. She has a passion for education, professional ethics and research, and the holistic approach to life.

Case studyDuring one master class an older lady was rather quiet and didn’t like to ask for help opening fiddly packaging. I spent time with her and got to know her. Over time she began to smile and tell funny stories about when she was a hippy and the pastel make-up colours they used to wear which I found really interesting. I complimented her on her make-up application techniques and how the moisturiser made her skin look smoother. When we had tea and biscuits at the end she told me she felt nervous coming to the session as she didn’t know anyone. She felt she was too old and lacked the confidence to go to a department store to buy make-up, so had given up with her appearance and self-worth, yet the relaxing and cheery group made her feel able to ask lots of questions and rekindled her belief in herself. She had a distinct personality, which she liked to express through colours and fashion.