I DON'T want to look like someone with cancer, I just want to look like myself." With those few words, Anne Nesbit explains not just why Look Good Feel Better was set up but, more importantly, what it does.

The 37-year-old mum of one, from Paisley, had never heard of the charity before but, after being diagnosed with cervical cancer last year, she was encouraged to go along to an afternoon workshop it ran at Maggie's Centre in Glasgow.

"The other things in life I don't have control over but I do have control over putting something on my face," says Anne.

"That course just gives you a wee bit of confidence in yourself.

"It was good to know what to do because of all the changes to your body after treatment.

"My skin felt thinner, I started to get a reaction after radiotherapy and got help with what moisturisers to try and what to use on my eyelashes, as they were thinning and falling out.

"There was a wealth of knowledge in the room from all these therapists."

We're at the bareMinerals store in Buchanan Street, Glasgow, where Anne is talking about what LGBF did for her.

It is the only international cancer support charity providing practical support for women and teenagers suffering from the visible side effects of cancer treatment and is backed by more than 40 big-name brands from the health and beauty industry, including bareMinerals.

It can be daunting and life-changing dealing with a cancer diagnosis but the added stress of appearance-related side effects of treatment can be demoralising and overwhelming for most women, with serious consequences on self-esteem and confidence at a time when a positive attitude is vital.

The idea is that LGFB is dedicated to improving the self-esteem, confidence and wellbeing of those undergoing treatment for any sort of cancer, aiming to improve self-image and appearance through free group and self-help skincare and make-up workshops that create a sense of support, confidence and wellbeing.

The workshop Anne went along to in Glasgow gave her the opportunity to talk to therapists, get advice and simply spend a few hours on herself.

"I never thought I could enjoy spending half a day looking after myself, it was fabulous," she says.

"It gives you confidence, everyone on my course came out of feeling amazing. We were all laughing and saying, where are we going? We're all done up and looking great, we don't want to go home.

"Seriously, doing this makes you realise how much it makes you feel better. I look in the mirror now and look good. It's a mask, isn't it? But it makes a real difference."

As part of the charity's 20th anniversary celebrations, mobile information service LGFB - On the Move will visit more than 20 UK cities throughout the summer, supporting those affected by cancer.

It is in Glasgow tomorrow, outside Debenhams, in Argyle Street.

THE LGFB Airstream caravan will provide information and support to those living with cancer, as well as advice for their friends and family.

There will be volunteers and patient ambassadors on hand to talk about how we support women going through cancer treatment.

They will also be offering skincare and make-up advice and tips, and have lots of information on how people can get involved with the charity, either through fundraising or volunteering.

In the workshops, every woman gets a gift bag of full-size skincare and make-up products to take home.

"They showed me how to properly put blusher on to highlight my cheeks, which I'd never done before," laughs Anne. "And I have learned how to put foundation on with a brush.

"This is my new regime and I enjoy doing it every day. I like looking after myself and feeling that I have spent five minutes on me. I feel good."

Before she was diagnosed, Anne had lost nine stones and taken part in events from the London Marathon and Great North Run to Tough Mudder challenges to raise money for charity. Now she is turning her attention to LGFB and wants to give something back after it helped her.

"What I've got out of it, I want to pass on to other people. I don't want to use a service that if I'm taking something out of it I can't put something back in.

"If someone else hadn't done that it wouldn't be there in the first place," says the drug and alcohol counsellor at Glasgow City Council.

While stocks last, £5 from the sale of every bareMinerals limited-edition Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Survivor at the Buchanan Street store will be donated to LGFB.

n Visit www.lgfb.co.uk

angela.mcmanus @eveningtimes.co.uk