Gentle Makeup Tips During Cancer Treatment

My Women Fitness Magazine feature, The New Beauty Confidence, with makeup tips during cancer treatment for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

By Christina Flach | Celebrity Makeup Artist | Women Fitness Magazine

My very first makeup client was my mother.

She was battling stage four brain cancer, and I remember wanting so badly to do something, anything, that would make her feel a little better.

I wasn’t trying to make her look younger, cover up what she was going through, or make her look like someone else.

I just wanted her to look in the mirror and see herself again.

That experience changed me. It shaped the way I look at beauty, the way I work with my clients, and the kind of makeup artist I wanted to become.

Because sometimes a little lipstick, a touch of blush, or beautifully defined brows can do so much more than enhance someone’s appearance.

Sometimes they can help a woman feel like herself again.

That’s why this article is especially meaningful to me.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I’m so grateful to share my latest feature in Women Fitness Magazine, The New Beauty Confidence.

For the past eight years, I’ve also had the privilege of doing makeup for cancer survivors at a fashion show here in Marin County.

And let me tell you, these women are extraordinary!

Every year, I’m reminded that beauty isn’t about having perfect skin, beautiful hair, or looking a certain age.

It’s about confidence, courage, and celebrating the woman you are, no matter what life has thrown your way.

And sometimes, a fabulous lipstick doesn’t hurt either! 💋

My Favorite Makeup Tips During Cancer Treatment

First things first, ladies.

Before introducing any new skincare or makeup products during cancer treatment, please check with your oncology team. Your skin can be much more sensitive than usual, and what worked beautifully before treatment might not be comfortable now.

The goal is to keep everything gentle, simple, and easy.

And please remember, you don’t need to do all of these things. Even one little step can make a difference in how you feel.

1. Beautiful Makeup Starts With Beautifully Hydrated Skin

You know how much I love moisturizer!

And during cancer treatment, keeping your skin comfortable and hydrated becomes even more important.

Chemotherapy and radiation can sometimes leave skin feeling dry, tight, flaky, or sensitive.

I love starting with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser, followed by a rich moisturizer applied while the skin is still slightly damp.

One of my favorite beauty tips is to gently press moisturizer into the skin rather than rubbing or pulling.

And please don’t forget sunscreen! Some cancer treatments can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.

Choose a gentle, broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher that your medical team approves.

Beautifully hydrated skin makes everything else look better, and sometimes you won’t even feel like you need foundation.

One important note: If you’re receiving radiation, follow your radiation team’s specific instructions for skincare products on the treated area.

2. Correct Don’t Correct

One of the biggest mistakes I see women make is applying too much foundation or concealer when they’re trying to hide discoloration or dark circles.

More makeup isn’t always better, especially when your skin is dry or sensitive.

I love using a tiny amount of peach-toned corrector under the eyes to soften darkness, followed by a lightweight, hydrating skin tint.

Use clean fingertips or a freshly washed makeup brush and blend gently.

The goal isn’t to cover every little thing.

It’s to let your beautiful skin look like skin!

And personally, I prefer cream products over heavy powders when skin is dry because powders can sometimes accentuate texture and fine lines.

3. Never Underestimate the Power of Beautiful Brows

Our eyebrows frame our faces, and when they begin thinning or falling out during treatment, it can really change the way we see ourselves.

But there are some wonderful little tricks!

If you still have some brow hair, a gentle tinted brow gel can help create definition.

If you’ve lost your brows, try using a fine-tip brow pencil to create tiny, delicate, hair-like strokes.

Here’s one of my favorite professional tips.

Take a photograph of your eyebrows before treatment begins.

That way, if you experience hair loss, you’ll have a reference for their natural shape.

And don’t worry about making them absolutely perfect. Brows are sisters, not twins! LOL!

Just a little definition can make such a beautiful difference.

4. Beautiful Eyes, Even Without Lashes

If you’ve lost some or all of your eyelashes, you can still create beautiful definition around your eyes.

I love a soft brown eyeliner because it can give the eyes definition without looking too harsh.

A little champagne, taupe, or soft bronze eyeshadow can also brighten the eyes beautifully.

But here’s something very important.

If your eyes are irritated, dry, watery, or sensitive, skip the eye makeup until your medical team says it’s okay.

And avoid applying liner inside the waterline.

Your comfort and eye health always come first.

Blush and Bronzer Are My Little Secret Weapons!

Oh, you know how much I love blush and bronzer!

Sometimes just a tiny touch of color can make someone look brighter and more refreshed in seconds.

I love a beautiful cream blush in soft pink, peach, or rose, gently blended onto the cheeks.

If your skin is comfortable with makeup, a little bronzer can add warmth to the face, especially around the temples and cheekbones.

But please use a light hand.

We’re going for fresh, healthy-looking color, not like we’ve spent three weeks baking on a beach! LOL!

And remember, any skin affected by radiation or irritation needs special care. Avoid applying makeup to those areas unless your medical team has approved it.

6. A Beautiful Lipstick Can Change Your Mood!

I have always believed in the power of a fabulous lipstick.

There is something about putting on a beautiful lip color that can instantly make you feel a little more put together.

But during treatment, lips can become especially dry or sensitive.

Start with a gentle, fragrance-free lip balm and keep those lips beautifully moisturized.

And here’s one of my favorite Christina beauty tricks.

If you love a darker lipstick but want something softer and more natural, gently fill in your lips with a creamy lip liner, add a little balm, and blot most of the color away.

You’re left with a beautiful, understated wash of color.

You can finish with a little gloss if your lips are comfortable.

It’s such a pretty look without feeling overly made up.

And on those days when you’re exhausted?

A little tinted lip balm might be all you need.

Let’s Talk About Makeup Hygiene

This is important for everyone, but especially during cancer treatment.

Please wash your hands before applying makeup, keep your brushes clean, and never share your makeup products.

And ladies, please stay away from those makeup testers at the beauty counter!

I know it’s tempting to try every fabulous new lipstick, but this is not the time.

Replace mascara regularly, generally every three months or sooner if recommended by your care team, and discard anything that has become contaminated.

If your immune system is weakened, ask your oncology team whether additional precautions or avoiding certain cosmetics would be best.

Beautiful makeup should never come at the expense of your health.

My Five-Minute Feel-Good Makeup Routine

There will be days when you feel wonderful and days when simply getting out of bed is enough.

So here’s a quick little routine for the days when you feel like putting on some makeup.

Start with moisturizer and sunscreen.

Add a little lightweight skin tint and concealer only where you need it.

Gently blend a touch of cream blush onto your cheeks, and a little bronzer if you like.

Define your brows with a few delicate strokes.

If your eyes are comfortable and your medical team approves, add a little soft brown liner and mascara.

Finish with a beautiful tinted lip balm.

And voilà!

But here’s the best part.

If you only feel like putting on lipstick, do that.

If all you want is moisturizer, that’s wonderful too.

And if you don’t feel like wearing any makeup at all?

You are just as beautiful without it.

Scarves, Wigs, and Finding Your Own Style

I love fashion, and I love seeing women express themselves through their personal style.

If you’re wearing a wig or scarf during treatment, have fun experimenting with colors and styles that make you feel beautiful.

Maybe it’s a gorgeous pink scarf with a soft rosy blush.

Maybe it’s a fabulous pair of earrings.

Maybe it’s a beautiful hat or a colorful wrap.

Or maybe you feel most comfortable without any of those things.

There is no right or wrong answer.

The most important thing is that you feel comfortable, confident, and like yourself.

And Finally, Give Yourself a Little Grace

This might be the most important beauty advice I can share.

You don’t have to look beautiful for anyone.

You don’t have to put on a brave face every single day.

And you certainly don’t need makeup to prove how strong you are.

Some days you may feel like getting dressed up, doing your hair, and putting on your favorite lipstick.

Other days, you may want to stay in your pajamas, rest, and forget about makeup altogether.

And both are perfectly okay.

I think about my mother often, especially when I’m working with women who are going through difficult chapters in their lives.

She taught me that beauty is about so much more than what we see on the outside.

And those incredible women I’ve worked with at the cancer survivor fashion show continue to remind me of that every single year.

Makeup doesn’t create beauty. Sometimes it simply helps us recognize the beauty that’s already there.

And that, my beautiful friends, is what The New Beauty Confidence is all about.

Because beauty has no expiration date. ❤️

I’m so grateful to Women Fitness Magazine for allowing me to share something so personal and meaningful during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

You can read my full article here

For women looking for additional support, Look Good Feel Better offers free beauty and self-care workshops for people undergoing cancer treatment.

And if you or someone you love would enjoy a gentle, personalized makeup lesson here in the San Francisco Bay Area, I would be honored to help.

With love,

Christina Flach 💕
Celebrity Makeup Artist | Beauty Expert | Women Fitness Contributor

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