For workshop participant Mon, the Look Good Feel Better program provided much-needed support while she was undergoing cancer treatment; “Living regionally and not having a cancer care nurse, you can feel quite isolated and have to do a lot of research yourself. I found some information about the Look Good Feel Better program and decided to participate, and it was the best thing that I did. The volunteers who ran the workshop were so lovely and the products were amazing and second-to-none. I felt so pampered and cared for. When you have no hair, no eyelashes and no eyebrows and try to hold your head high when you leave the house, having some expert advice and beautiful products to help make you look and feel better really makes a huge difference.”

Each year the program aims to help 10,000 women, men and teens undergoing cancer treatment learn practical strategies to manage the physical, psychological and social impacts of cancer treatment. Through face-to-face workshops on skincare, make-up, and headwear the program assists with the management of the appearance-related side effects of treatment, while a range of virtual workshop topics help participants learn ways to improve energy, mobility, nutritional health, and mental wellbeing. The Home-Delivered Confidence Kit service is also offered for those who feel more at ease accessing the program from the comfort of home. 

The generosity of the beauty industry and the community has allowed the charity to provide the program free-of-charge for the past 32 years with companies, brands and individuals showing their support in an impressive range of ways.

As supporters since the charity’s inception, The Estée Lauder Companies donates stock for Confidence Kits, sponsors workshops, encourages staff to volunteer, and attends Dream Ball – the charity’s annual gala evening. Deciding to go one step further, in 2022 Managing Director Australia & New Zealand, Emmerentia Wilding took on a personal challenge, signing up for Dry July in support of the charity.

“In my role as a board member of the Cancer Patients Foundation and as a long-time advocate for the Look Good Feel Better program, I have seen firsthand the physical and emotional support provided to thousands of people going through cancer treatment. The last few years have been difficult for so many but particularly for cancer patients and Look Good Feel Better; the Covid-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of face-to-face workshops and offered fewer occasions to fundraise. Participating in Dry July provided me with the opportunity to fundraise for Look Good Feel Better on a personal level, with the knowledge that any donations that I could raise by giving up alcohol for just four weeks could result in a life-changing experience for a program participant,” she said.

While many of Emmerentia’s friends, family and colleagues were aware of the important work of Look Good Feel Better, Dry July allowed her the opportunity to educate those who hadn’t heard about the program and the impact it has on those going through cancer treatment. “It was particularly important for me to note that even the smallest of donations combined could make the biggest difference to someone living with cancer, with just $100 supporting one participant through the program.”

Similarly, Beiersdorf Australia has had a longstanding commitment to the charity through stock donations for Confidence Kits, contributing product to the charity’s Christmas crackers to assist with fundraising, sponsorship of workshops, and annual attendance at Dream Ball. For Managing Director Clynton Bartholomeusz, ongoing support of the program is an opportunity for the organisation and its employees to deliver on the company purpose in a truly meaningful way.

“Beiersdorf staff who attend Dream Ball get to hear the stories behind the program participants and the wonderful volunteers. We all know someone who has been impacted by cancer, so understanding how Beiersdorf can play a role in raising funds and donating products for use in the workshops helps further cement our company purpose of “Care Beyond Skin”. Programs like Look Good Feel Better are concrete examples of how our products and we as employees can play a part in showing real care for people in their time of need,” he said.

Nicole Jervis, Fundraising Manager at Look Good Feel Better said: “We’re so fortunate the beauty industry appreciates the role Look Good Feel Better plays in the treatment experience for cancer patients and chooses to support in such a broad number of ways. As The Estée Lauder Companies and Beiersdorf Australia demonstrate, there are opportunities for companies and individuals alike to have an impact on so many levels.”

Look Good Feel Better Dream Ball



The charity will be hosting its annual Dream Ball in Sydney on Friday, 12th  May and tickets are available for purchase now. The evening will bring together over 500 guests from the cosmetic, retail and media industries and a range of ticket package options are available. For those who are unable to attend, there is an opportunity to contribute through the donation of prizes, sponsorship of workshops, and the purchase of raffle tickets and auction items.

The charity will also be taking part in Dry July again this year, with registrations opening in May. You can sign up for Dry July yourself, put together a team with family, friends or colleagues, or donate to support someone else who’s going dry for the month in support of the Look Good Feel Better program.

“To continue doing what we do we need the ongoing commitment of this incredibly generous industry. Every dollar counts towards making a very real difference to Australians undergoing cancer treatment and we’re excited to see the impact we can have in our 33rd year,” Jervis said.

For more information about supporting Dream Ball or participating in Dry July, contact fundraising@lgfb.org.au.

How your support helps

  • Each confidence-building face-to-face workshop costs approximately $1,000 to run
  • Each Home-Delivered Confidence Kit, including access to the charity’s virtual workshops costs $100 per participant
  • Each prize donated to Dream Ball helps the event raise over $350,000

This feature was first published in the Autumn issue of Retail Beauty.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *