FRENCH skincare giant L’Oreal marked its 100th anniversary last month. To celebrate, the group is launching 100 charity projects in 100 countries where it has offices.

In Singapore, the company is launching Touching Colours, a project that aims to impart personal-grooming skills to the visually handicapped.

In March, four of the group’s trainers and make-up artists trained special-education teachers at Lighthouse School in basic grooming. The teachers will begin conducting weekly sessions next month for the school’s children, who range from six to 18 years old.

The children will learn the basics of skincare, make-up and hair care. Participants will also be given a grooming journal in braille as well as complimentary make-up kits.

Mr Koh Poh Kwang, the principal of Lighthouse School, said: “Even though my students are visually handicapped, (for them) to know how to take care of their appearance can only help to boost their self-confidence.

Grooming is a very important aspect of social life for everyone.”

One participant, Siti Sakinah, who attended a trial workshop in March, told my paper that her favourite grooming product is shampoo because she “likes its smell”.

When asked what she got out of the workshop, the 12- year-old said: “I feel happy knowing I look pretty.”

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