"But when I was in the chair you just absorb all the information on a different level."
After being diagnosed with cancer, Judd felt a bond with the other women at the workshop. And she understood better than ever how something that seems as minor as applying some makeup can mean so much.
"You look around the room, there's ones that didn't have eyebrows and now they do. And when their whole face is done they just sparkle. You know they feel lousy on the inside, but on the outside they look fantastic."
Judd was diagnosed with bowel cancer in October.
She attended one final Look Good Feel Better workshop later that month as a volunteer before undergoing surgery and six months of chemotherapy.
In April she attended a workshop as a patient.
About six workshops are held a year in Thames.
Judd is now in remission.
"It's kind of like a bad dream," she said.
"You just hope it doesn't come back. But you just don't know."
While volunteering, Judd would teach women colour matching and application techniques so they could maintain a bit of normality for themselves.
Judd said although putting on make-up could be a low-priority when cancer sufferers were battling the side-effects from treatment, it could provide a confidence boost when out and about.
"The last thing you want is people saying 'God, you're looking terrible'."
Look Good Feel Better general manager Claire O'Higgins said the workshops were receiving unprecedented demand. And with 60 Kiwis a day expected to be diagnosed with cancer that demand will grow.
Last year the charity held workshops in 24 towns and cities throughout New Zealand.
This year workshops will be held in 31 locations. O'Higginssaid: "As long as New Zealanders continue to suffer the physical side-effects of cancer treatment, Look Good Feel Better will be there to help bring a sense of normality and control during a time when diagnosis and treatment have taken over their lives."
How to help
• Head to Farmers and buy Elizabeth Arden, Shiseido, Clarins, Estee Lauder, Clinique, Lancome, YSL, Bobbi Brown, Dr Hauschka and L'Oreal lipstick, or nail polish from Revlon. Farmers and the brands will each donate $1 for every purchase.
• Purchase Look Good Feel Better merchandise, including their lipstick pen, nail files and bookmark.
• Donate at Farmers' counters or directly at lgfb.co.nz/donate/
• Volunteer at lgfb.co.nz/get-involved/become-a-volunteer
• Add your message of support to the dedication wall and make a donation at the Feel Better Hubs in selected Westfield shopping centres in Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton and Christchurch on July 24.
