I've raised £10000 to help fund our MastectoME Beauty Project
Organised by Alison McMath
Story
The MastectoME Beauty Project was designed to help women who’ve undergone single or double mastectomy to feel beautiful. For each woman participating, we create a bespoke makeover and portrait experience with the use of makeup, body art and styling.
We are Anna Pogodzinska and Alison McMath, the two women behind the project. With our expertise in the cosmetics industry and photography paired with passion for finding beauty and uniqueness in every woman, we decided to team up and approach the difficult subject of mastectomy.
All candidates have undergone their surgery. When they sign up to take part in the project, they complete a questionnaire that allows us to get to know them a little better. The questionnaire is followed by a zoom meeting where we discuss and tailor the design to best represent them and their level of comfort. The majority of the women haven't opted for reconstructive surgery.
Each portrait we create captures their own unique story by using colour, styling and props and each participant will receive a fine art print and a video as a memento of their day.
We offer this wonderful service free of charge to all the participants. Apart from the full day we spend working with each woman to make it an empowering experience, there's many hours of work we do behind the scenes. Anya designs the colour scheme and makeup/body art. Alison hosts the event at her small home-based studio, edits the images and puts together a memories video.
Our hard costs include: art and styling materials, makeup and hair styling products, printing, transport, refreshments, promotional merchandise, marketing, studio running costs and a gallery exhibition at the end of the project.
We have more than forty women signed up from all over the UK. We have created a private Facebook group where the women can get support and talk to us and each other about the project and their experiences. We also have a Public Facebook page and an Instagram page.
Testimonial
A big Thank you to Alison who photographed me discreetly throughout my transformation and to Anya for the beautiful makeup and body art skilfully and artfully applied. I truly appreciated both your efforts and felt totally different from my usual plain self. To anyone thinking of having this worthwhile makeover I would say go ahead and go for it. A truly once in a lifetime opportunity. Thank you to both of you once again and best wishes for the future.
Your donations will ensure our work continues. We'll be able to offer more creative makeovers every month, giving this incredible, uplifting and empowering experience to women who've undergone mastectomy surgery.
Any donations over and above our costs will be donated to local breast cancer charities.
Thank you for your support.
