A cancer diagnosis brings with it a tornado of life changes. Not knowing how to adjust a skincare or makeup routine during treatment doesn’t need to be one of them.
This spring, the cosmetics store chain Sephora introduced Brave Beauty in the Face of Cancer, a free, 90-minute hands-on class that shows women in recovery products and makeup techniques to help soothe sensitive skin and, perhaps, even deeper insecurities. In Pittsburgh, the next class will be June 11 at Sephora locations on Walnut Street in Shadyside and in Ross Park Mall and South Hills Village. (People can search for class offerings by location at www.sephora.com/store-locations-events and select the “beauty classes” tab.)
“Cancer affects people on so many levels so we wanted to help address some of the appearance concerns which can improve emotional outlook as well,” said Corrie Conrad, Sephora’s director of social impact. “We want clients to feel pampered and empowered.”
Brave Beauty in the Face of Cancer is part of Sephora’s Classes for Confidence series, which launched in 2016 to help those in major life transitions. In its first year, more than 200 classes were conducted and 1,750 women took part, with a focus on aiding those entering (or re-entering) the workforce by teaching them how to create polished professional looks for job interviews.
To design this new class, Sephora put together a focus group with employees who are cancer survivors and consulted with cancer treatment centers, Ms. Conrad said. Last fall, potential course content and sensitivity training was tested in several markets. (Locally, the program was piloted at the Shadyside store and involved several patients from the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.)
The course covers soothing skincare routines and ways to use makeup to help groom thinning eyebrows and eyelashes due to radiation or chemotherapy treatments. A class facilitator leads the group through a step-by-step application process, and attendees can follow along at their own makeup stations. Each person is paired with a coach who can help tailor the tips and tricks to individual needs. Classes accommodate up to 12 people, and relatives and friends are welcome to join in. (Those in recovery are encouraged to talk with their doctor about any restrictions concerning their skin or ingredients they should avoid in products before taking the class.)
Brave Beauty in the Face of Cancer is just one of the latest classes of its kind to cater to women in recovery. The Look Good Feel Better program (www.cancer.org) — developed in 1989 by the Personal Care Products Council with the American Cancer Society and the Professional Beauty Association — is another free workshop that deals with skincare and makeup and ways to cope with hair loss. Plus, it includes advice on how to style clothing to camouflage areas of concern prompted by cancer treatment. (Allegheny General Hospital, Forbes Regional Hospital and UPMC East Hospital are some local hospitals that take part in it. Resources for men and at-home instructional DVDs also are available.) Meanwhile, some salons specialize in beauty regimens for cancer patients. Creative Hair Solutions (creativehairpittsburgh.com) in Hampton is one such example in Pittsburgh.
So far, Brave Beauty in the Face of Cancer curriculum has been well received, Ms. Conrad said, and the impact isn’t only skin deep. By 2020, Sephora hopes to reach 100,000 people with the Classes for Confidence program.
“Several attendees commented on how being in the Sephora store participating in the class helped them take their mind off cancer and that getting to connect with others going through a similar experience was especially helpful,” she said. “Equally important is the impact Classes for Confidence is having on our employees. Employees report an increase in company pride and appreciate being able to give back to the community in this way.”
Sara Bauknecht: sbauknecht@post-gazette.com or on Twitter and Instagram @SaraB_PG.
First Published: May 28, 2017, 4:00 a.m.