Few people can deny the appeal of beauty giant, Sephora. The store with the large black and white logo and a variety of just about every color shade, really makes many of us say “take my money” every time we step foot inside. Housing your favorite heavy-hitters like Dior, Benefit, and Make Up For Ever, behind the scenes Sephora is doing something great. They are creating a class for people experiencing visible effects of their cancer treatment.
Brave Beauty in the Face of Cancer is Sephora’s first-ever class launched that focuses on solutions for those whose skin and hair have been affected by their cancer diagnosis.
It is part of the retailer’s Classes for Confidence program, which provides complimentary workshops geared toward teaching basic makeup tips to build confidence in people who are in the midst of major life transitions.
In the Brave Beauty in the Face of Cancer classes, attendees will learn techniques that address the physical changes that come with cancer treatments—like filling in sparse eyebrows and giving skin a healthy glow. The classes aren’t all about focusing on what’s happening on the outside. Participants will also find community by connecting with others who are going through similar circumstances. And hopefully they’ll be encouraged to keep fighting. All of this stems from research about women facing life-changing events want to sometimes give up, but Sephora would like to reinforce the confidence needed in hopes that women can keep on going.
“There was a lot of legwork that needed to be done, because we wanted it to be done right,” says Corrie Conrad, Sephora’s Head of Social Impact, who reveals the curriculum is the result of a series of focus groups Sephora conducted over nearly a two year span to identify their audience’s most pressing needs. “The groups included employees who are cancer survivors themselves and could share from their journey. Our goal was to just listen,” she says.
Currently, more than 40 stores have signed up across the U.S. in a number of states, including: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. (More locations will be added throughout the year; check sephora.com for updates.)
Because Sephora wants to ensure that each attendees needs are fully met, they’re keeping class size super-small. No more than…
… 12 people will be able to sign up for a session, and for every three-four participants in attendance there will be a coach present to provide additional hands-on help.
Sephora is also open to attendees bringing their own support system, so they’re allowing participants’ family and friends to sign up as well using the same process.
Men are also welcome, says Conrad, “Hair loss and skin effects from cancer treatments know no gender, and we want to be a safe space for all of our clients.”
For more on Sephora, check them out here.
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