Professional Beauty chats to Look Good…Feel Better volunteer Linda West about why every makeup artist should consider volunteering.
For almost 10 years, freelance makeup artist and hairstylist Linda West has donned the signature-red Look Good…Feel Better apron in a bid to spread a simple message – when you look good, you feel better too.
As part of a team of 1,500 volunteers across the country, Linda has helped to fulfil the charity’s mission to help Australians face cancer with confidence.
The free community service program helps to improve the wellbeing and confidence of people undergoing treatment for any sort of cancer. Thanks to the support of volunteers from the cosmetic industry, Look Good…Feel Better hosts free workshops for women, men and teens to help manage the appearance-related side-effects caused by cancer treatment.
Workshops include sessions on skincare, makeup wigs and head coverings. Each participant also takes home a Confidence Kit full of products generously donated by the Australian cosmetic industry.
Professional Beauty sat down with Linda to hear her take on why anyone with a beauty or hair styling qualification should volunteer for Look Good…Feel Better.
How did you get involved with Look Good…Feel Better?
Like a lot of other people who begin to volunteer, I had experienced a big change in my life, and it was soon after that I read an article about Look Good…Feel Better and what they actually did that it spurred me to join. I called their office that day!
What keeps you motivated to volunteer after ten years?
It’s such a joy to be involved with the workshops. As volunteers, we are only with the workshop participants for a few hours but in that time we have made an enormous difference. Their appreciation and smiles afterwards is always a real ‘feel-good’ moment!
I have also met great role models being involved with the charity – both our program manager and our workshop facilitators are women I am honoured to know. I am constantly in awe of these strong women who work very hard, yet do so in such a gracious and warm manner. I hope even just a little bit of that will rub off on me one day!
What have you learnt from your experience?
A big thing I have learnt is the importance of giving time to others. I often run the skincare and makeup demonstrations; I’m not from a retail or training background, so I wasn’t really used to explaining how to use products and also not used to public speaking. That has been a good skill to learn and brush up on!
What is the most striking memory you have of a Look Good…Feel Better workshop?
I would say it was my first workshop. One of the participants was very quiet throughout the session and her daughter was with her as her support person. It wasn’t until the end of the workshop that our facilitator asked if the group had enjoyed themselves and would anyone like to comment. The daughter spoke on her mother’s behalf at how wonderful the morning’s session made her mum feel, that she didn’t feel alone and that her mum had felt a real boost by coming along – her mum was smiling through tears at this point – and so was I! It was then that I realised how truly important the workshops are and that the mission of Look Good…Feel Better is so much deeper than makeup and beauty tips.
How important do you think the program is?
It’s always great to be able to share professional advice, but sharing skincare and makeup advice with others, particularly when their self-esteem and confidence is low is so humbling. I have also met wonderful volunteers from other industries: cosmetic retail, hairdressing and media; we all have different backgrounds so it’s great picking up industry tips and techniques from each other too.
What advice do you have for someone thinking about signing up to volunteer?
Volunteering from a freelancer’s point of view isn’t hard, you can help in so many ways. Workshops are just a few hours, usually every six weeks or so at your preferred venue. The commitment is minimal, but the opportunity for return is big. Think no further! Just join!
A glimpse into the work of Look Good…Feel Better.
For more information visit www.lgfb.org.au or email info@lgfb.org.au