Linda Hall: Pampering a priceless gift

Linda Hall.

I was at a 6-year-old's birthday party on Saturday. There were little girls in party dresses, long pants and skirts.

There were ponytails, plaits and curls. There was popcorn and cupcakes and, of course, presents.

One of the presents was a make-up kit that was meant to be only used when "Mummy was supervising".

Mummy said it was okay to put a little bit of make-up on her cousins (aged 5 and 3) before her friends arrived and then it went away.

Later, while Mummy was a little distracted organising food and everything else that goes with a birthday party, the make-up somehow made its way into the bathroom along with the birthday girl and two party-goers.

When I walked in, the party girl was carefully applying make-up to two little faces.

Now this was not a game - it was serious business.

The look of concentration on her face as she swiped a make-up brush across an eyelid and told me she was nearly finished, and it was "okay, she was allowed", without taking her eyes from the job in hand was quite an achievement in itself.

All three were all smiles when she had finished.

They may be way too little to wear make-up but they still get the idea that it makes them feel good or important, I'm not sure which.

And it does. That's why we should all get behind Feel Better Month.

July is a time the charity Look Good Feel Better asks the community to help them support more than 3000 people facing cancer.

The nationwide campaign aims to raise awareness and funds for people with cancer.

Last year, Farmers and assorted cosmetic brands raised a whooping $172,053 throughout July.

It's all about helping people who have lost their hair, eyebrows and confidence to look good and feel better.

I know myself that if I've had a terrible night's sleep or have been sick, putting on a bit of make-up and some lippy always helps.

It's the same when you get your hair done - walking out of the salon feeling like a different person.

It's not vanity - it just gives you a confidence boost, puts a spring in your step.

Look Good Feel Better runs classes for men and women, teaching them ways to disguise the way cancer treatment alters their appearance.

It has the full support of the Cancer Society of New Zealand.

I'm sure it must make participants feel fantastic.

The entire experience of being in a class learning how to apply make-up and wear wigs and scarves, with people who know exactly what you are going through, must be priceless.

Talking to people that are facing the same problems always helps in any situation.

This year the charity has added Feel Better Friday. It challenges people "to create a moment, event, hour or day where you and those around you experience the power of pamper, movement, food, fun, music, inspiration or goodness and create your own Feel Better Friday event to raise funds".

A bit like Pink Breakfasts which raise money for breast cancer.

So while your donation isn't going to help research or science, it is sure going to put a smile on someone's face.

- Linda Hall is assistant editor of Hawke's Bay Today.