All my blog buddies will know that back in April, I was lucky enough to have taken part in a photo shoot for the Look Good Feel Better advertising campaign…….So….. having been sworn to secrecy, I was absolutely 'bursting at the seams' on the run up to the press launch for the #warpaint4life campaign ….. and I was soooooo happy when the 11th June 2014 finally came and I could release all my contained excitement to the world and wow…what a day!
We were given a preview of the images being used for the ad campaign and the behind the scenes video in advance. I could sense the build up of energy and excitement back at LGFB HQ through the emails from Sarah Lenson, (LGFB Executive Assistant) and SJ (Executive Director).
Maria, Kreena and I, were also caught up in a flurry of emails between each other on the day's before the event, where we complimented one another on the photo images and our performance on the video!
Ironically we were all then coy and critical about parts of our own images…. and these were mainly about the areas that had been stripped away through the cancer treatment in a short space of time. (Ellie, my other model buddy was on holiday so not part of the communication).
The images are of course amazing…our 'self critique' was void of any vanity but marked another reminder for us of the internal daily battle we have with our confidence, self esteem and about the changes in our appearance.
My photo image, also focused my mind on the changes in my appearance that have happened since the photo shoot in April. The image captured a moment in time before I lost all of my eyebrows, lashes and developed 'moon face' from weight gain/steroids.
I see now that the most obvious changes have occurred for me in this 10 weeks period….Everybody goes through a process of physical change as they age, and they 'grow' into these changes gradually over time. The physical changes that occur with cancer treatment are quick and severe. This whole experience has made me appreciate how important my #warpaint4life has been to me to 'face cancer head on'…. and the important role LGFB has for women and teens that are facing cancer.
In Maria's words "what a discussion we are having though- how many people get the chance to discuss what they look like in posters and bill-boards which will go up in major advertising campaign"!!
So… back to the day!…
My XMIL, Sue was my VIP guest and given the early morning start, we travelled to London the day before and had a 'girly' evening before turning in for our beauty sleep!
Sue seemed absolutely elated that I had asked her to come with me …. Given all the support she has given me, it was so fulfilling to have had such a reaction from her.
Having applied our 'warpaint' for the day, we made our way to St James Theatre and from the moment I stepped into the venue, It felt as if I had been transported into another world… a dream!!…
Doing the best that you can is all you need to ask of yourself….. Some day's your best may be just making a decision that you will 'try again tomorrow'…Courage is contagious and there is nothing better for me than the knowledge that I was part of something that will make a difference to others!
Now….. 'lets get feisty' and get the #warpaint4life message out there. Please share the video links and ad campaign photos. LGFB also want to know what your #warpain4life is…. whether you are facing the 'day', cancer or any other illness, please use the logo #warpaint4life on social media to let them know and help get the message circulating . e.g: My #warpaint4life is my Bobbi Brown gel eye liner…I use this to avoid the Gollum look!! ha ha!
Maria, Kreena and I, were also caught up in a flurry of emails between each other on the day's before the event, where we complimented one another on the photo images and our performance on the video!
Ironically we were all then coy and critical about parts of our own images…. and these were mainly about the areas that had been stripped away through the cancer treatment in a short space of time. (Ellie, my other model buddy was on holiday so not part of the communication).
The images are of course amazing…our 'self critique' was void of any vanity but marked another reminder for us of the internal daily battle we have with our confidence, self esteem and about the changes in our appearance.
My photo image, also focused my mind on the changes in my appearance that have happened since the photo shoot in April. The image captured a moment in time before I lost all of my eyebrows, lashes and developed 'moon face' from weight gain/steroids.
I see now that the most obvious changes have occurred for me in this 10 weeks period….Everybody goes through a process of physical change as they age, and they 'grow' into these changes gradually over time. The physical changes that occur with cancer treatment are quick and severe. This whole experience has made me appreciate how important my #warpaint4life has been to me to 'face cancer head on'…. and the important role LGFB has for women and teens that are facing cancer.
In Maria's words "what a discussion we are having though- how many people get the chance to discuss what they look like in posters and bill-boards which will go up in major advertising campaign"!!
So… back to the day!…
My XMIL, Sue was my VIP guest and given the early morning start, we travelled to London the day before and had a 'girly' evening before turning in for our beauty sleep!
Having applied our 'warpaint' for the day, we made our way to St James Theatre and from the moment I stepped into the venue, It felt as if I had been transported into another world… a dream!!…
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| St James Theatre |
It was great to see everyone from the shoot, meet others involved with the campaign and the guests from the media. There was a lovely breakfast as we all mingled and 'networked' … Everyone seemed so interested in our stories and the energy in the room was so infectious.
The Media Campaign breakfast presentation 'highlighted two major 20th Anniversary LGFB initiatives'. The first of which was the LGFB -'On the move' and secondly the #Warpaint4life advertising campaign.
The presentation was seamless and quite emotional…..
Maria, Kreena and I were asked to prepare some words for some questions during the presentation, and we were slightly nervous about this .. but there was no need to worry, SJ(Executive Director) lead the way and it was 'alright on the night' as they say!!
The video certainly provoked a few personal 'cringe worthy' moments for Maria, Kreena and I when we first saw it in advance of the event , however It seems the video had the largest impact on guests…Check out the Campaign video and my YouTube debut!!
LGFB made us feel like 'celebrities'…we were known as the 'Talent' !! ha ha !!… Funny really ; we did the easy part; get spoilt, take part in a photo shoot, pout and 'smize'…It is the hard work and generosity of the 'talented' people behind the video and pictures that makes this campaign truly remarkable. Thank You x
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| 7after6 |
I feel truly blessed and honoured to have been chosen to be part of this campaign. It is cancer that has lead me to this point and whilst I would have preferred to have skipped the cancer part, it is a clear example of how misfortune opens up doors…You have to choose to walk through the door that leads the way to your full potential.
Doing the best that you can is all you need to ask of yourself….. Some day's your best may be just making a decision that you will 'try again tomorrow'…Courage is contagious and there is nothing better for me than the knowledge that I was part of something that will make a difference to others!
After the presentation and when the guests had left, we were given a framed copy of one of our images. Josh van Gelder, the photographer signed the photo and personalised it with a message. There were also few 'Prosecco toasts' and speeches, where everybody's hard work was acknowledged and celebrated.
Check out LGFB web gallery for more pictures of the day;
http://www.lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk/warpaint4life/gallery
A large group of us, then made our way to Vauxhall Cross, where the campaign was advertised on a HUGE electronic bill board…. As we approached the site, there were 'shrills of excitement' in our taxi cab , as the ad appeared before us. There was lots of attention from drivers as we posed for photos under the board and a 'horn honk' from our taxi driver as he drove by !! …
I was so pleased that Sue was there to share all of this with me, as well as being a witness to his unbelievable experience!! She seemed so proud and that just filled a gap in my heart, left by the marked absence of my mum. Thank you XMIL x My mum was a strong and feisty woman and would have definitely approved of the #warpaint4life concept !! Ha !
We all celebrated ….again…. with a lovely lunch time meal at, Brunswich House restaurant , before making our separate ways…. Sue, Kreena and I ended our day in London, recapping on events, in the famous 'Punch and Judy' pub in sunny Covent Garden.
Check out LGFB web gallery for more pictures of the day;
http://www.lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk/warpaint4life/gallery
A large group of us, then made our way to Vauxhall Cross, where the campaign was advertised on a HUGE electronic bill board…. As we approached the site, there were 'shrills of excitement' in our taxi cab , as the ad appeared before us. There was lots of attention from drivers as we posed for photos under the board and a 'horn honk' from our taxi driver as he drove by !! …
I was so pleased that Sue was there to share all of this with me, as well as being a witness to his unbelievable experience!! She seemed so proud and that just filled a gap in my heart, left by the marked absence of my mum. Thank you XMIL x My mum was a strong and feisty woman and would have definitely approved of the #warpaint4life concept !! Ha !
We all celebrated ….again…. with a lovely lunch time meal at, Brunswich House restaurant , before making our separate ways…. Sue, Kreena and I ended our day in London, recapping on events, in the famous 'Punch and Judy' pub in sunny Covent Garden.
Those that wish to make any donations to LGFB can do so using the link below.
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