Sensitively applied make-up can lift the spirits of patients and their carers

Applying a bit of make up makes most women feel better. It also cheers up visitors to see their loved ones looking a little more beautiful.

Taking care to check with the nursing staff first, applying make up to a patient can really lift their spirits. Make sure you have access to a mirror so that they can see the end results.

It's fun to do and can be very rewarding.

Don't forget to bring in the make up remover(checked by the nursing staff) so that your efforts can be removed at the end of the day.

If a nurse is applying the make-up or nail varnish, always check that the patient and their relatives are happy with the end result. Everyone, however ill, will have had their own style and getting it right ( or as good as possible) is important. When a brilliant student nurse sensitively applied make up to my mother, I saw my mother looking as she had done when she had been well and I found that hugely moving. When I found a mirror to show her how beautiful she looked, she was clearly happy and relieved that she still looked so lovely.

Jill