FAQ’s

1. Who runs Look Good Feel Better? Is it connected to the Cancer Society?

Look Good Feel Better is a charitable trust, registered with the Charities Commission. It is run by a board of trustees comprising seven members from diverse backgrounds, drawn from the beauty industry, PR industry and the Cancer Society.

2. How long has it been going?

Internationally, Look Good Feel Better began in the United States in 1989. The programme has been running in New Zealand since 1992 when it was founded and developed by the Cosmetic Toiletry and Fragrance Association of NZ (CTFA).

3. How many workshops are there every year and how many women go through them?

Look Good Feel Better runs over 181 workshops throughout New Zealand a year, helping 3000 women with cancer to look good and feel better about themselves.

4. Are the workshops free?

Yes, the workshops are totally free to the women attending.

5. How long do they take? Do women go just once?

The workshops last 2½ hours, during which each woman learns how to deal with the changes cancer treatment causes to her skin, face shape, hair and nails. At the end of the workshop each woman is armed with the skills to deal with her specific issues, which she can continue to use as long as she needs to. As each woman is treated individually, and her individual issues are addressed, there is no need for follow-up workshops.

6. Which towns/cities are covered?

At present, Look Good Feel Better runs workshops in the following regions:

7. How does a makeup session really benefit how someone feels?

Cancer treatment can leave people feeling physically unwell. And the physical effects of cancer treatment – such as losing hair all over the body, including eyebrows and eyelashes, swollen or gaunt face, blotchy skin or acne and brittle, discoloured nails – can leave people feeling emotionally unwell. Helping women adapt to and disguise these changes in their appearance can give them the emotional boost they need to deal better with the other physical effects of their treatment and disease.

8. Who supplies all the cosmetics?

All the cosmetics used in the workshops, and in the individual kits women take home with them, are supplied by members of the Cosmetic Toiletry and Fragrance Association of New Zealand (CTFA). A list of the association’s members can be found on its website.

9. Why only women?

Men undergoing cancer treatment can also find it difficult to deal with some of the resulting changes in their appearance. Men are less likely to want to disguise those changes with makeup, but they are open to how they can care for their stressed skin and the effects of hair loss. Look Good Feel Better has produced a practical guide for men, which they can access here.

10. Does it cater for all ethnicities?

Yes.

11. How do cancer patients find out about it?

Cancer patients can be referred to Look Good Feel Better by their doctor or other healthcare professional or by family or friends. They can also contact us directly to ask about workshops in their area.