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NORWOOD - 'Now, this is cute," says the middle-aged woman plucking a wig from the boxed assortment on a table.

"I'm into the blonds," she said, pointing to her latest 'do.

She engages another, older woman, who while complimenting the younger woman on a darker, frosted choice, insists that she's not yet ready to trade her current look for one enhanced by a full-headed hairpiece. She's more worried at the moment about the loss of her eyebrows and diminished eyelashes.

The two are among a total of eight women undergoing treatment for cancer who eventually walk into the room at Caritas Norwood for a recent session of "Look Good...Feel Better," a free program offered by the American Cancer Society in conjunction with volunteer cosmetologists through the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association Foundation and the National Cosmetology Association.

The program, started in 1989, provides information and advice on personal care to 50,000 women in this country every year; 650 in Massachusetts annually, said Marisa Connolly of the cancer society's office in Brockton. Participants, largely women, get literature and demonstrations on skin and nail care, suggestions on wig wear and ideas for other head gear, all aimed at helping them to cope with the effects of radiation and chemotherapy.

The sessions also offer support and comfort to women undergoing treatment, with a casual atmosphere involving light banter sprinkled amongst the advice, and a chance to be with others who are going through experiences similar to Terri Langlois's of West Roxbury.

This session was actually her second - the first she attended before chemotherapy.

"I did not believe that I would lose my hair, then when it happened I was in shock," she said. Going through that experience makes someone all that much more appreciative of the program. "You don't realize until you go through it."

To Langlois, having the volunteer cosmetologists and others offer their time to demonstrate skin care and tips on anything from materials for turbans to how to make a wig more wearable, is "very supportive. They show you things can be done" to help counter both the changes in appearance and blow to self-image the disease and treatment can level, she said.

And it all happens "with a group of women where you can take your hat off," Langlois laughs as she briefly removes her cream-colored baseball cap and quickly swishes a hand over her salt-and-pepper hair which is just starting to grow in.

Charlene Mallette gave up trips to the salon during her treatment due to concerns about compromising her immune system and so enjoyed being a 'model' for the cosmetologists at this particular session.

The women in the room watched intently as esthetician Deborah Calcagno-Zolla applies an hydrating spray and then makeup to enhance eyebrows, the upper lash line and to conceal dark rings under the eyes.

"I know you're going through different phases," she told the group before offering her makeup tips. "If during your recovery you have lost some facial hair, as traumatic as that is, you can still regain your image."

Suzanne McGowan, a retired hair dresser from North Attleboro, and Eileen Rhyno of Richard Hair Stylists in North Attleboro, paired up to offer suggestions about wigs and demonstrate ideas for headwear, using anything from a black sequined tube top picked up at a yard sale, to fanciful scarves creatively tied and draped around a cotton turban atop Mallette's bare head. The duo, who have participated in the program for more than a decade, gave practical tips like how to attach material to a headband of a hat to catch perspiration during the hot summer months, tying a kerchief atop a hat on a turban for boat rides, and scarves to jazz up a look for a special occasion.

Rhyno showed how a wig can be worked to create different looks, while also warning the women who wear them to remember to keep away from grills at cookouts, fireplaces and kitchen ovens. "It will frizz, it will melt," she said.

"Wear a wig on your natural hair line," Rhyno added.

Mallette has sat through the whole thing, holding a hand mirror before her, watching, admiring and sometimes laughing at the transformations.

Wearing a soft brown-colored wig styled by Rhyno at the end of the session and getting compliments from the women in the group, Mallette said she found the session "very informative."

"The scarves were nice," she said, noting she had put aside her wig at home in exchange for a baseball cap because it was uncomfortable in the heat. "But this is much lighter," she says, sporting her new 'do.

Now that she's through with the intense part of her treatment and "starting the upside" back to her regular schedule, Mallette's eyebrows are starting to grow back, something she's clearly happy to share. They are the same color as the new wig.

Susan LaHoud can be reached at 508-236-0398 or slahoud@thesunchronicle.com.