Mirror Makeovers

In the introduction to her book, Mirror Makeovers: And Savvy Insights for the Everyday Gal Surviving Cancer and Baldness with a Sense of Humor, author Regina Savage writes she isn’t going to “tackle the sad things about cancer in this book; I’m going to tackle all the good things that cancer helps you find out about yourself, all the good things mostly within you—your spirit and your willingness to fight and move forward and tackle this monster with your will and sense of humor intact.”

For Savage, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at 36, the experience was about her hair—her waist-length, never-been-cut blonde hair. But instead of bemoaning the loss of her locks, Savage decided to take a lighter approach. She gathered some colored markers, sat down in front of her mirror, and drew hair on her reflection. On good days, she was the perky person under the blonde bouffant hairdo with the bow. On bad days, she drew snakes covering her head in the mirror. “Medusa days,” as she calls them, are when you’re mad at the world. “You deserve to feel this way,” she writes. “Just remember not to stay here. Be mad, grit your teeth, scream, turn the whole world or anyone who gets in your way into stone.”

And then move on.

Each book comes with three colorful markers so those who need a mirror makeover can begin quickly.

Aside from a few more hair options, such as the dual cheerleader ponytails or a biker babe motorcycle helmet, Savage also offers tips on how to draw tiaras, eyebrows, eye lashes, earrings, and sunglasses.

It’s all in good fun, which is Savage’s point.

I gave a copy of the book to a friend who was newly diagnosed and wanted something to help her 6-year-old deal with mom losing her hair. What fun to sit on her lap and look in the mirror and draw anything you want on her head where hair used to be.

The heavy paper and light-hearted illustrations complete the package of a fun, creative way to get through cancer.

[Quiet Angel Publishing 2009]