How to define your eyelashes
Some cancer treatments cause hair loss and this might include losing your eyelashes. Your eyelashes help to define your eyes, so learning how to define your eyes can boost your confidence. It might help you look and feel more like yourself.
You can watch this 3 minute video on how to define your eyes.
Hello, I’m Annie. I run workshops for women cancer patients with low self esteem. And in this video, I am going to give you a few tips on disguising lash loss.
So take a soft tissue and just work gently over the entire eye area. You can also use a cotton pad if you wish. And then I am going to just dot on a little bit of eye primer and blend gently with my finger tips. Eye primers act as brilliant bases for whatever you are using but most importantly they keep that product in place.
Now, I’m going to use a eyeliner pencil and these have really improved they are now so much softer and easier to apply and really long wear. So, I am going to just support the eye and pull it a little bit taut and I am going to put the liner on the centre of the eye and work out.
You can always afford to be a little bit thicker on the outer part of the eye and then go really thin on the inside.
Don’t worry if that line isn’t perfect because you can take your little sponge or a small shadow brush and just blend it. Extend the line just beyond where your natural lashes would be and then if you want the illusion of something under the eye, do a few dots, keep it to the outer corner of the eye though and then just blend. And there you have it.
Now if you feel that still looks artificial because you are not used to wearing make up then just load a small shadow brush with a little bit of eye shadow in a very similar colour maybe a tad lighter and just blend over. This will kind of diffuse the look and there you have it.
Whatever product you decide to use make sure that it is long wearing and that it is waterproof or at the very least water resistant because many women say that they have watery eyes when they are going through chemotherapy. And I am going on now and do exactly the same to the other eye.
And so that completes the look. A suggestion of lashes maybe but certainly giving you more definition to your eye and yes it does take practise but I am sure you will be pleased with the look and you’ll feel a lot more confident.
And so a quick recap, clean the eye area and pop on your primer. Apply your liner to the top lid and a little bit underneath to balance. Smudge it and soften it with a small shadow brush or sponge and then just go over with a light dusting of matt eye shadow And all you need to do then is at the end of the day is remove it with very a gentle eye make up remover. And good luck.
Before applying make up
There are different types of products and each has its own pros and cons. Start by gently washing the area around the eyes. This removes the skin's natural oils or extra moisturiser and helps make up stay in place. Applying eye primer can also help make up last longer.
Check with your doctor or specialist nurse before using any of these skin care products if you:
- are still having cancer treatment
- have had treatment to your face or neck
- have had a skin reaction
Eyeliner pencil
Eyeliner pencil lasts a few hours. You can buy pencils that last up to 12 hours.
With practice, it is relatively quick and easy to put on. The skin here is very delicate so choose a soft pencil.
The colour you use depends on your skin colour and the effect you want. Brown or grey are softer. Black gives a more definite, strong look. There are also other colours available.
You can smudge the line with a clean cotton bud, an eyeshadow brush or a sponge applicator to give a softer look and hide mistakes.
Eye shadows
Eye shadows are a quick and easy way to highlight your eyes. You can use eye shadow instead of an eyeliner pencil. Or you can apply it to the whole of your upper lid which will also define your eyes.
Eye shadows aren’t as long lasting as a pencil but are easier to put on. A neutral, matt colour will give a more natural look. You can dampen some shadows and use them as eyeliner. You can use the same colour if you are defining your eyebrows. Apply it with an angled brush.
Gel eyeliner
Gel eyeliner is more difficult to apply but lasts about 12 hours. You can put it on with a shadow brush or a small wedge brush. Use a few short strokes at a time. Don’t overload your brush.
Eye gel dries quickly giving you a short time to soften the line. Try to soften the line as you apply it. This gives a softer look and also hides mistakes. Put the lid back on as soon as you have finished, to stop the gel from drying out.
Gel eyeliner usually lasts longer as there can be a lot of waste if you have to sharpen pencils.
False eyelashes
Cancer treatments can make your skin very sensitive. Some people find that eyelash glue irritates their skin. Check with your nurse or doctor before using it.
False eyelashes can be very difficult to put on and keep on. They can be especially hard to use if you have lost all of your eyelashes or have watery eyes.
If you have any eyelashes left, taking false ones off can pull them out.
Skin care and make up workshops for people with cancer
Look Good Feel Better is a charity that runs free skin care and make up workshops. Anyone with a cancer diagnosis can attend.
Trained beauty experts will teach you how to look after your skin, make up tips and what products might benefit you. The workshops take place in hospitals, support centres across the UK or online.
You can find your nearest workshop and read more about the work of the charity on their website.
