Cancer Patients Told to Keep Their Eyes Closed During Makeovers -- and Get Uplifting Surprise When They Open Them

Giving a patient suffering from cancer and its treatments a makeover is nothing new. But the Mimi Foundation, a nonprofit founded in Belgium, put a bit of a twist on it, giving patients not necessarily makeovers to make feel beautiful, but to make them laugh. And video of the big reveals (they were told to keep their eyes closed) will put a big smile on your face.

"You know what I miss the most? Being carefree," a patient named Amy who was diagnosed with cancer two years ago said, according to a video by the Mimi Foundation.

The foundation's "If Only for a Second" project gave 20 cancer patients the hair and makeup works. Except instead of giving them a look similar to what they had before the disease, the stylists went the fun route.

"During the transformation, they were asked to keep their eyes shut," the description of a video about the project read. "A photographer then immortalized the moment they opened their eyes. This discovery allowed them to forget their illness, IF ONLY FOR A SECOND."

Image source: YouTube

Image source: YouTube

Image source: YouTube

Here's a look at some of their reactions upon seeing themselves.

Ariane (Image source: Vincent Dixon/Mimi Foundation)

Brigitte (Image source: Vincent Dixon/Mimi Foundation)

Fabienne (Image source: Vincent Dixon/Mimi Foundation)

Hayat (Image source: Vincent Dixon/Mimi Foundation)

Jeannine (Image source: Vincent Dixon/Mimi Foundation)

Katy (Image source: Vincent Dixon/Mimi Foundation)

Noella (Image source: Vincent Dixon/Mimi Foundation)

Patrick (Image source: Vincent Dixon/Mimi Foundation)

Watch the video showing their reactions:

The project compiled the photographs by Vincent Dixon into a 60-page book.

"Going through this book, the reader is carried away by laughter, giggles and carefree faces," the Mimi Foundation's website stated.

(H/T: Business Insider)

Originally published December 9, updated December 10.

--

[related]