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InspirationPhotography

If only for a second, cancer patients forget about their illness with these crazy makeovers

If Only For a Second is a photography project by the Mimi Foundation, inspired by the sentence: "You know what I miss the most? Being carefree."

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All images courtesy of Mimi Foundation

All images courtesy of Mimi Foundation

It's where 20 cancer patients were asked to take part in a unique makeover, where they closed their eyes and had their hair and makeup overhauled. And then, at the exact moment the makeover was unveiled photographer Vincent Dixon captured that reaction. It's that moment in time when the person in question completely forgets about what they're going through, and has a good old chuckle.

Now a book is available, showcasing each of the makeovers. The intro to the book explains what it's about more eloquently: "Every photo is followed by a caption, the date and the time the photo was taken and most importantly, the exact second when the person forgot about their disease. Going through this book, the reader is carried away by laughter, giggles and carefree faces. Readers will even be surprised to have on their own faces… a smile. This is the heart of the idea of the 'If Only For a Second' project, to spread smiles and happiness."

Open book showing two Polaroid-style portraits of the same person before and after a surprise makeover, displaying contrasting expressions of calm and joyful surprise
Two Polaroid-style photographs showing a cancer patient before and after a dramatic makeover with pink hair and oversized pink sunglasses pushed up on their head, capturing their surprised and delighted reactions
Two polaroid-style photographs mounted in an open book showing a woman with voluminous blonde hair and grey cardigan, with a neutral expression on the left and an excited, open-mouthed expression on the right
Two Polaroid-style photographs showing a woman with voluminous blonde hair and pink bow, wearing burgundy top, with neutral expression on left and surprised smiling expression on right
Two side-by-side Polaroid-style portraits from the If Only For a Second project showing a woman's reaction before and after her makeover reveal, with an elaborate sculptural hairstyle and red accessory
Two polaroid-style photographs in an open book showing a cancer patient before and after their makeover, with an elaborate white powdered wig and makeup, displaying contrasting expressions of neutrality and joy
Book cover for If Only For a Second featuring a woman with voluminous silver curls and closed eyes, with white text reading the project title overlaid on the textured background
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