With women who get their hair done and make up to regain their self-esteem

Beauty and well-being

On July 9, at the Atelier L'Oréal in Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, a dozen hairdressers and make-up artists work for one purpose: to take care of women skinned, more accustomed to see their mascara flow than to make a beauty.

What give them the taste to take care of them and boost (a little) their confidence. This nice initiative is the Citizen Day, an event organized by the brand of French beauty products for 9 years. All hierarchies combined, employees in 70 countries around the world are called upon to give their time, and to help badociations. In Belgium, sessions were held in Uccle, Ixelles or Molenbeek, and in Walloon Brabant.

"It's wonderful to be here"

New shaded cut and smoky makeup, a young mother of 16 years do not believe his eyes. Since she became pregnant, she does not really have time to think about her. " It's wonderful to be here ," she says after an hour of care. It's been three weeks now since she landed in the guest house the Song of the Bird, in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre. " We will teach her to be a mother without dropping school. A manger is available, we will do anything to help him "says Siham, an educator. With her baby, she will be able to stay in this home until her majority.

Every day, their hairstyle and makeup are not on the list of priorities, and today they are offered on a silver platter. It's great.

This is the first time that the Chant de l'Oiseau participates in this day of L'Oréal's generosity. They were contacted by Hu-Bu, a non-profit badociation that links badociations with businesses. More than successful experience on both sides. " Happiness is on their faces. Usually, it's hard to wake them up in the morning, but at 7:30, they were all up! ", jokes Siham

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Hair and make-up, a real virtuous circle

Sometimes considered futile, hairstyle and makeup are important first steps to regain self-esteem. More than pleasing each other or submitting to the dictates of today's beauty, it is about reclaiming one's image and expressing oneself. Things that women today often need. " It's a virtuous circle, the more you take care of yourself, the more you gain confidence and the more you want to take care of yourself ," explained the researcher Michaela Marzano in ELLE . A real reconquest that starts on the occasion of the Citizen Day.

The reality behind the makeup

A little apart from the group, A., 18, now sports a new haircut Afro very sixties – it fits him perfectly – and blue on the eyelids. But his sweet smile hides a harsh reality. She found herself alone overnight. Her mother threw her out, because she did not want to give in to her demands: a forced marriage in Portugal with a man she had never seen. After 4 months of trials and distress, here she is in Montfort, a non-profit organization that welcomes about 30 women without children in Jette. Here, and " thanks to God ," she says, she regains courage. The one he needs to focus on his project: to become a caregiver. She devotes herself night and day to French to find work as soon as possible.

I do not wear makeup anymore. Except today!

She can also count on the support of L., a sparkling thirty-something who has seen his way of life disintegrate. She has been used to rhinestones and glitter ever since her husband's death forced her to refocus on what is essential. " His partner took everything. Since then I lead a simple life, more down-to-earth, and I find a more human contact with the people around me. I do not wear makeup anymore. Except today! "she concedes in a burst of laughter.

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Creating a comfort zone

Other women find it more difficult to let go. This is the case for some newcomers supported by the VIA reception desk. Muslim women prefer not to take off their veil, even if they do not have their hair done. It has happened that some people refuse to be in the presence of male hairdressers. After one round of observation, one of them will eventually play the game 100%, opting for a blow dry and bright makeup. Without regret. " I'm very happy ," she slips. L'Oréal staff is well aware that this distance must be respected. " It is essential to create a comfort zone with them ," one of them tells us. A rule applied by VIA daily in their premises in Schaerbeek. " The first step of the welcome course is to break the barrier of fear, then we must be attentive to their needs ," explains Lyna, a welcoming

After a souvenir photo and sometimes some selfies, the twenty participants leave the scene slowly comparing their hairstyles and their nails. A certain happiness that, even if it is sometimes ephemeral, is a pleasure to see. For the staff, the beauty is not finished yet. Women from the CPAS Berchem-Sainte-Agathe are expected in the afternoon.