By Christina Flach | Celebrity Makeup Artist & Beauty Expert
My very first makeup client was my mother.
She had been diagnosed with stage four brain cancer, and at the time, I knew very little about applying makeup. My mother didn’t have many makeup products either, but between the two of us, we managed to make her look, and more importantly, feel like her normal, gorgeous self.
I will never forget that feeling.
It wasn’t about having the perfect foundation, the right brushes, or a fabulous lipstick. It was about seeing my mother feel beautiful and recognizing herself in the mirror during an incredibly difficult time.
That experience was one of the reasons I became a makeup artist. And to this day, no matter who is sitting in my makeup chair, that feeling of helping someone feel beautiful, confident, and comfortable in their own skin is something I treasure with every single client.
For the past eight years, I’ve also had the privilege of doing makeup for cancer survivors participating in a fashion show in Marin County. Every year, I’m reminded of just how powerful those little moments of beauty and connection can be.
I’ve worked with some extraordinary people throughout my career, but these experiences hold a particularly special place in my heart.
Because makeup has never been just about how someone looks to me. It’s about how I make them feel.
And for women going through cancer treatment, sometimes a little makeup can help bring back a familiar part of themselves when so much else is changing.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I wanted to share some of my favorite beauty tips for women navigating cancer treatment. Whether you’re experiencing chemotherapy, radiation, or another type of treatment, these tips are about comfort, confidence, and helping you feel beautiful in your own way.
Beautiful Makeup Starts With Beautiful Skin
If you’ve read my beauty articles before, you know I’m a little obsessed with moisturizer. LOL.
And during cancer treatment, keeping your skin comfortable and hydrated can be especially important.
Treatments can cause dryness, sensitivity, flaking, and changes in skin texture. Products you’ve used for years may suddenly feel irritating.
My advice? Keep it simple.
Start with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser, followed by a hydrating moisturizer formulated for sensitive skin. If your oncology team approves, you can layer a simple hydrating serum underneath your moisturizer for a little extra hydration.
And please don’t forget sunscreen!
Some cancer treatments can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Ask your care team about a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen. A fragrance-free mineral sunscreen may be a comfortable option for sensitive skin.
Christina’s Beauty Tip: Apply moisturizer while your skin is slightly damp, and give it a few minutes to absorb before applying makeup.
Well-hydrated skin is the best foundation you’ll ever wear.
Correct, Don’t Cover
One of my favorite makeup philosophies is that we don’t need to cover everything. We just need to enhance what’s already beautiful.
During treatment, skin can sometimes look pale, sallow, flushed, or uneven.
Instead of reaching for heavy foundation, try a little color correction.
A peach-toned corrector can help brighten bluish discoloration under the eyes, while a tiny amount of green corrector can help neutralize redness on healthy, non-irritated skin.
Then follow with a lightweight, hydrating skin tint or foundation.
I love using clean fingertips to gently blend makeup into the skin. The warmth of your fingers helps the product melt into your complexion for a natural finish.
And don’t feel like you have to apply foundation everywhere. A little concealer where you need it is often enough.
Christina’s Beauty Tip: I generally prefer cream formulas over heavy powders for dry skin. Powders can cling to dry patches and settle into fine lines, while creamy products often create a softer, more luminous finish.
Remember, ladies, we’re enhancing your beauty, not covering it up!
Eyebrows: A Little Detail That Makes a Big Difference
Eyebrows frame the entire face. They give our eyes expression and help define our features.
When women experience eyebrow thinning or loss during treatment, it can change how familiar their reflection feels.
But the good news is that you can create beautiful, natural-looking eyebrows with a few simple techniques.
If your eyebrows are thinning, a tinted brow gel can help define the hairs you still have.
If you’ve lost your eyebrows, use a fine-tip eyebrow pencil in a shade close to your natural color, or slightly lighter for a softer appearance.
Draw tiny, featherlike strokes that resemble individual hairs.
Please don’t draw one long, solid line. We’re creating beautiful eyebrows, not two little caterpillars marching across our foreheads!
To help find your natural brow shape, use the side of your nose as a guide. Your brow should generally begin in line with the inner corner of your eye and end along an imaginary line from the side of your nose to the outer corner of your eye.
Eyebrow stencils can also be wonderful, especially if you’re just learning.
Christina’s Beauty Tip: If possible, take a photograph of your eyebrows before treatment begins. You’ll have a reference for recreating their natural shape.
And always check with your oncology team before considering micro blading or permanent makeup because of potential infection and healing risks.
Beautiful Eyes, Even Without Eyelashes
Losing eyelashes can be especially emotional.
But I want women to know that you don’t need long eyelashes to have beautiful, expressive eyes.
One of my favorite makeup tricks is using a soft brown eyeliner pencil to create subtle definition along the upper lash line.
If your eyes and eyelids are healthy and your care team says eye makeup is appropriate, gently apply a thin line just above where your eyelashes normally grow.
Then soften it with a clean brush.
This creates the illusion of fuller lashes without needing mascara.
I also love a soft wash of neutral eye shadow. Think champagne, taupe, warm brown, or a beautiful soft bronze.
Nothing too heavy.
If your eyes are dry, irritated, watery, or sensitive, skip eye makeup until your medical team says it’s safe. Avoid applying eyeliner to the inner rim of your eyelids.
And while false eyelashes can be fun, lash adhesives and extensions may not be appropriate during treatment. Always check with your oncology team first.
Beautiful eyes are about so much more than eyelashes.
Never Underestimate the Power of Blush and Bronzer
Oh, how I love blush and bronzer!
If there were two makeup products I could recommend to instantly brighten the face, blush would be very high on my list.
When cancer treatment leaves the complexion looking pale or tired, a little bronzer can bring beautiful warmth, while blush adds that fresh, healthy-looking pop of color we all love..
I like to start with a lightweight bronzer, applying a small amount along the forehead, temples, and cheekbones, wherever the sun would naturally kiss your face. Blend, blend, blend! We want a soft, natural glow, not a trip to the tanning salon in 1985!
Choose a bronzer that’s just one or two shades deeper than your natural skin tone. For fair complexions, I love a soft neutral beige or light golden bronze. Medium skin tones look beautiful with warm golden or caramel shades, while deeper complexions can glow with rich bronze and warm copper tones.
Next comes blush, one of my absolute favorite products!
For fair skin, I love soft pinks and peaches. Medium skin tones look gorgeous with warm rose and coral, while deeper complexions shine in beautiful berry, terracotta, and warm plum shades.
If your skin is dry or sensitive, and your oncology team has approved makeup, I generally prefer hydrating cream formulas. They blend beautifully and give the skin a soft, luminous finish without emphasizing dry patches.
Apply a little blush to the apples of your cheeks and gently blend upward toward your temples.
Christina’s Beauty Tip: You don’t need a lot of makeup to look radiant. A touch of bronzer, a little blush, and a beautiful lip color can make you feel polished in just a few minutes. And remember, we’re creating a gorgeous glow, not trying to look like we spent two weeks in Cabo!
Always avoid applying makeup over irritated, broken, or treatment-affected skin unless your medical team says it’s safe.
And if you’re staying home in your pajamas watching a fabulous movie, that’s perfectly fine too!
A Beautiful Lipstick Can Change Your Whole Mood
Oh, the power of a beautiful lip color!
There’s something about putting on your favorite lipstick that can instantly make you feel a little more polished, even on days when you’re not feeling your best.
During cancer treatment, lips can become especially dry, sensitive, and sometimes even cracked, so keeping them hydrated is incredibly important.
I always recommend having a nourishing, fragrance-free lip balm nearby. Apply it throughout the day and before bed to help keep your lips soft and comfortable. And don’t forget to drink plenty of water, as recommended by your medical team.
When you’re ready for a little color, I love a creamy lipstick, tinted lip balm, or a beautiful hydrating lip gloss. Soft pinks, rosy nudes, peaches, and berries can all bring a little brightness to your face without requiring a full makeup routine.
And ladies, if you love a fabulous red lipstick or a deeper berry shade, you don’t have to give it up! Sometimes we just want a softer, more understated version of our favorite color.
Christina’s Beauty Tip: Here’s one of my favorite makeup tricks! Take a lip liner in your favorite bold shade and fill in your entire lip, not just the outline. Then apply a little lip balm or creamy lipstick over it. Gently blot or wipe away the excess color with a tissue, leaving behind a beautiful, subtle stain. Finish with a touch of hydrating lip gloss.
Voilà! You have a gorgeous, soft wash of color that looks effortless and natural.
It’s a wonderful way to wear those darker lip colors without feeling like you’re wearing too much makeup.
And remember, you don’t need a full face of makeup to feel beautiful. Sometimes a little lip gloss and a smile are all you need!
If your lips are cracked, sore, or irritated, skip lip liner and pigmented products until they’ve healed and your care team says they’re safe to use. A gentle, fragrance-free balm is the better choice in the meantime.
Makeup Hygiene Is More Important Than Ever
This is one area where I want women to be especially careful.
Cancer treatments can sometimes weaken the immune system, making it more important to keep makeup products and tools clean.
Always wash your hands before applying makeup.
Clean your brushes regularly(Using warm water with shampoo and conditioner), and allow them to dry completely.
Never share mascara, eyeliner, lipstick, or makeup brushes.
Avoid store testers, and replace products that are old, contaminated, or have changed in smell or texture.
I also recommend using a clean spatula when removing creams from jars rather than repeatedly dipping your fingers into the product.
If your immune system is particularly compromised, ask your care team whether disposable applicators would be a better option.
And ladies, I’ve said this before, but mascara is not a fine wine. It does not improve with age! Swap out your mascara every 3 months.
When in doubt, throw it out.
My Five-Minute Feel-Good Makeup Routine
There are days when a full makeup routine simply isn’t happening.
And that’s okay.
For women who want a little color and definition without spending much time getting ready, here’s my simple five-minute routine.
- Moisturizer and sunscreen: Start with hydrated, protected skin using products approved by your care team.
- Lightweight skin tint: Apply a small amount where needed, with a little concealer for discoloration.
- Cream blush and a touch of bronzer: Add beautiful warmth and a fresh pop of color to your complexion.
- Eyebrows: Use a fine-tip pencil to create natural-looking definition.
- Soft eyeliner: If your eyes are healthy and comfortable, add a little brown liner along the upper lash line and a few swipes of mascara.
- Tinted lip balm: Finish with a moisturizing touch of color.
That’s it!
A few minutes to feel a little more like yourself.
And on the days when you don’t feel up to all six steps, pick one or two. There are no rules.
Scarves, Wigs, and Finding Your Personal Style
Hair loss can be one of the most visible changes during cancer treatment.
And whether you choose a wig, a beautiful scarf, a hat, or absolutely nothing at all, I believe you should do whatever makes you feel most comfortable.
If you’re wearing a scarf, try coordinating a little of its color with your makeup.
A beautiful pink scarf with a soft rosy blush, for example, can create a lovely, pulled-together look.
Or if you’re wearing a warm-toned wig, a peachy blush and your favorite lipstick can bring everything together.
And don’t underestimate a fabulous pair of earrings!
Sometimes a beautiful accessory can make you feel dressed up without putting on any makeup at all.
The most important thing is finding what feels like you.
Give Yourself Grace
This might be the most important beauty advice I can give.
Some days you’ll want to put on makeup, do your hair, get dressed, and go out into the world.
Other days, you may not want to get out of your pajamas.
There is no right or wrong way to navigate cancer treatment.
You don’t have to look cheerful. You don’t have to look strong. And you certainly don’t have to wear makeup to make anyone else comfortable.
Makeup should be something that brings you a little joy, not another responsibility.
If it helps you feel confident, wonderful.
If you’d rather skip it, that’s wonderful too.
A Special Place in My Heart
Every year when I participate in the cancer survivors fashion show in Marin County, California I’m reminded of why I love what I do.
There’s something incredibly special about watching women come together, support one another, laugh, get dressed up, and celebrate themselves.
I love the conversations in the makeup chair. I love hearing their stories. I especially love watching their faces light up when they see their finished makeup.
Those moments always bring me back to my mother, my very first client, and the reason this profession became so meaningful to me.
My career has taken me to some wonderful places and given me the opportunity to work with extraordinary people. But some of my most treasured memories have nothing to do with a television camera, a magazine cover, or a celebrity.
They’re the moments when a woman looks in the mirror and smiles.
My Final Beauty Thought
To every woman going through cancer treatment, I want you to know that your beauty is not defined by your hair, your eyebrows, your eyelashes, or your skin.
It’s not defined by how you looked before treatment, and it certainly isn’t measured by how much makeup you’re wearing.
You’re allowed to feel beautiful. You’re allowed to feel frustrated. You’re allowed to have wonderful days and really difficult ones.
And you’re allowed to do whatever makes you feel most like yourself.
Sometimes that might mean a beautiful lipstick.
Sometimes it might mean a fabulous scarf.
And sometimes it might mean absolutely no makeup at all.
After all these years as a makeup artist, and especially remembering those first moments doing my mother’s makeup, I’ve learned that the most beautiful thing we can give another woman is the opportunity to feel seen, cared for, and comfortable being herself.
Because makeup doesn’t create beauty. Sometimes it simply helps us recognize the beauty that’s already there.
Additional Support
For women who would like additional beauty guidance during cancer treatment, Look Good Feel Better (https://lookgoodfeelbetter.org/) offers free beauty workshops and educational resources designed to help people manage appearance-related changes during treatment.
Medical note: Cancer treatment can affect skin sensitivity, healing, and infection risk. Always consult your oncology team before introducing new skincare products, using cosmetics on treatment-affected skin, or undergoing cosmetic procedures. Avoid makeup on irritated, broken, or infected skin.
About The Author
Christina Flach is a celebrity makeup artist, CEO of Pretty Girl Makeup and host of I’m Too Busy Podcast
Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
