How To Look Your Best When You're A Woman Battling Cancer

Step 1: Cover Up Girl

Once you know you're going to need chemotherapy, find a wig right away. This is because custom wigs need time to make plus you'll be too tired to shop during chemotherapy. Many cancer survivors found wigs to be fun - you can try new hairstyles and colors.

Step 2: Cut To The Chase

It's best not to let your hair fall out randomly. Either start cutting your hair gradually shorter each day or cut it all off at once time.

Step 3: Hat Trick

Instead of or in addition to wigs, acquire hats and headscarves. For friends that offered to help, suggest they give you hats and scarves.

Step 4: Eyebrow Expertise

Acquaint yourself with your brow shape and color before the hairs fall out. Light, feathery marks with the pencil will allow you to create eyebrows.

Step 5: Fake It

An option to drawing on eyebrows is using an eyebrow stencil that matches your natural eyebrow. Just fill it in with the powder provided.

Step 6: Lovely Lashes

Replace eyelash hairs with individual fake eyelashes. Grip the lash with your tweezers and dip into eyelash glue and place on the rim of your eyelid. If individual lashes are too much trouble for you, try the new self-adhesive variety. Many cancer patients prefer a more natural look and apply an eyeliner around their eyes (be sure to smudge it to give a soft, natural look).

Step 7: Baby Your Skin

Your skin will be much more sensitive than usual. It's important to use products specially designed for sensitive skins and to protect it from sunlight by using sunscreen with an SPF of 15. Do not exfoliate skin during cancer treatment.

Step 8: Work It Out

When you can, make an effort to exercise. It will help improve all aspects of your appearance.

Step 9: Not So Extreme Makeover

This is the time to indulge yourself with a makeover. Hire a make-up artist or get a free one from the American Cancer Society's "Look Good…Feel Better" program.

Step 10: Retail Therapy

It's important to stay fashionable while battling cancer. It's an outward expression of your inner refusal to be defeated by this disease. Shopping trips can also distract you from thinking too much about your current treatment.

Step 11: Best Face Forward

An positive attitude always makes for a more attractive person. Focus on the fact that every physical change you see in the mirror (scars, hair loss, weight fluctuation) is actually a reflection of your cancer treatment at work inside of you. These are good signs you are quite possibly on the road to recovery.