When a woman of any age loses her hair, lashes and brows to cancer treatment, feelings of unattractiveness naturally can follow the apprehension and side effects of that treatment.

But a program at Allegheny Health Network's Butler Cancer Institute in the Pullman Business Park on Friday proved that cancer and beauty are not mutually exclusive.

The facility's first Care and Cosmetics class saw Renee Swidzinski, a certified cosmetologist who is also a medical assistant at the center, teach four women how to utilize makeup to look their best during treatment.

Pat Julkowski, the owner of Creative Hair Solutions in Allison Park, was on hand to demonstrate the various options for women who have lost most or all of their hair to cancer treatment. As the three other women were wearing makeup already, Swidzinski focused her demonstration on Kathi Elder of Butler, who said she rarely wore makeup at any time as an adult.

“A little mascara and maybe some lipstick, and only occasionally,” Elder said.

Swidzinski explained that cancer treatment can cause blemishes, dark circles, scars and other marks to appear on the skin, and instructed Elder to tap three dots of concealer under her eyes.

She also showed Elder how to apply the concealer to blemishes and dark spots on her fair skin.

Next, Swidzinski helped Elder by using a brow pencil and wand to darken Elder's sparse brows. The dramatic difference shocked and delighted all the women in the class.

“I never thought brows made that much difference,” Elder said as she gazed into a mirror.

All who attended the pilot program received a free cosmetic bag emblazoned with the AHN logo plus another bag containing various cosmetics and toiletries.

Swidzinski passed out a diagram on how to apply the various shades in the cosmetic kit's eye shadow palette, which Elder referenced to sweep a light coverall from lashes to brows before shading the crease with the darker selection in the palette.

Elder applied a neutral tone to her lids and a lighter color just under the brow line.

Swidzinski then demonstrated how to apply the false eyelashes included in the cosmetic kit as she glued them to Elder's eyelids.

Some bronzer to contour her cheeks and a pale pink lip gloss completed Elder's new, yet natural look.

“This is so nice,” Elder said. “I'm so glad I came.”

Swidzinski pointed out that Elder looked more upbeat and confident after the application of the makeup.

“It makes a difference if you feel better about yourself,” she said. “Kathi looks beautiful. It brightened up her whole face.”

Julkowski then demonstrated a variety of hats and a “hair halo” made of real hair. The halo does not contain hair at the top of the head, and is meant to hang beneath the hat as if the wearer has a whole head of hair.

Terry Waite of Butler, who arrived sporting a stylish mauve hat and poncho, served as the model for the halo and variety of hats Julkowski used.

Once the elastic hair halo was attached, Julkowski topped it alternately with a modern fuzzy pink cap with a bill, a sparkly blue turban, a thick oatmeal crocheted winter hat with brown buttons, a red beret, a thin skullcap to wear around the house and a slouchy turban.

“The most important thing to many women is looking good during treatment,” Julkowski said as the women in the class marveled at Waite's transformation.

All agreed they were glad they attended the class.

“I loved it,” Waite said. “It was very informative and a lot of fun, and it makes a difference in your mood when you can get together and talk and exchange ideas.”

Elder said while she will save the false eyelashes for special occasions, she definitely plans to used the cosmetics as her treatment continues.

“Anything that makes you feel more normal also makes you feel so much better,” she said. “I look and feel like me.”

Swidzinski was pleased with the event as well as one held at the AHN Beaver County Cancer Center earlier in the day.

“I think it went great,” she said. “Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and it boosted up their mood a little bit.”

Elder was glad to participate in Care and Cosmetics because it didn't involve being treated for her illness.

“I see a lot of doctors,” she said. “This was great. A real morale booster.”