Wearing Makeup during and after Cancer treatments

Post written by Leanne Perilly

It may be the last thing on your mind when you’re going through cancer treatments to wear makeup, and it’s definitely NOT a necessity but a personal choice.

Cancer treatments can cause significant changes to your appearance such as hair loss (including eyebrows and eyelashes), changes in skin tone or texture, dark circles or tired looking eyes, redness, dryness or sensitivity and these in turn can lead to loss of confidence due to these visible treatment effects.

It is important to consider what type of products you are applying to your skin especially during cancer treatment (to limit and avoid the use of chemicals whilst your immune system is lowered. The YUKA app for your smart phone is a brilliant and simple tool to check the toxicity of products simply by scanning the bar code.

If you experience the changes described, make-up can be an excellent tool during treatment; not necessarily to hide the fact you are having cancer treatment, but to boost your confidence and self-esteem and help you feel more comfortable socially or at work. It can also help to restore a sense of control when so much feels outside of your control at this time. And can help you feel more ‘yourself’ when you look in the mirror.

Make-up such as eyebrow pencils, powders, pomade, stencils etc can subtly and naturally frame your face, waterproof versions are great for long wearing looks.

Eyeliner is a great tool to enhance your eyes when mascara isn’t an option; I recommend soft and smooth to apply ones such as Victoria Beckham Beauty and Zoeva which are contain ‘clean’ ingredients.

To brighten and conceal your under-eye area, I love TROPIC’s Illuma concealer.

TROPIC Skincare also have a brilliant product called Calm & Conceal to reduce redness in the skin and conceal uneven skin tone whilst also having SPF50 to protect your skin.

If you would like advice and to know more about how Makeup can help boost your confidence whilst undergoing Cancer treatments get in touch or book in for a personalised makeup session with me at the McAdden Sanctury. I can help you discover the best formulas and right shades for your unique skin tone.