UMD beauty and fashion lovers gather for the second annual Beauty and Fashion Expo
The Makeup Society held their second annual Beauty and Fashion Expo on Nov. 15, 2019 in the Stamp Student Union.
TMS president Paris Rowe, senior criminology and criminal justice major at UMD, designed the event for beauty and fashion lovers who considered themselves novices in makeup routines to professionals.
“Our goal for the club was to help teach people who are interested in makeup, how to do it,” Rowe said.
Rowe wants to use the expo to eliminate the daunting self-misconceptions surrounding people’s ability to fashion their own makeup. She wants everyone to be able to do their makeup really well or “beat their face” no matter their level of expertise.
“I know it can be intimidating seeing someone with a beat face and you don’t know how to do that,” Rowe said. “I wanted to break that down. This club is open to anyone whether you have zero makeup experience or you’re a professional makeup artist.”
A beat face is a face with makeup applied immaculately.
There were over 300 clubs at the University of Maryland when Rowe first enrolled in 2016, but she found it odd that there were not any makeup organizations.
“I know people love makeup, so I felt like this club was needed,” Rowe said. “It's kind of like bonding.” Rowe believes that makeup can have a positive impact on someone’s self-image.
“I know people always say you should love your natural self and I totally agree, but also putting on false lashes, putting on your makeup can make you feel a little bit better,” Rowe said.
The event featured student vendors selling makeup, skincare and other beauty-related products.
Isha Kamara, a senior African American Studies major who serves as the co-creative director of TMS, was also a vendor at this year’s expo. The lack of marginalized groups being represented by makeup companies inspired Kamara to start her own brand.
“I took my experiences working with small businesses and the problems I saw with makeup brands and combined them to start my own business,” Kamara said.
Her table featured lashes and eyeshadows. She hopes to build her brand into something that promotes inclusivity for Black and queer makeup lovers.
The event held performances by student groups on campus. Afrochique, an Afro-beats dance group that performed at the event last year, left quite an impression on Rowe, who had to have them back .
“Afrochique performed last year and they killed it...I’m just truly amazed by the talent my fellow students have. People love a show and this event is about highlighting student artistry,” Rowe said.
Leah Barns, a junior community and behavioral health major and self-described beauty enthusiast, came out to the event in hopes of meeting fellow makeup lovers who have their own businesses.
“I was like let me come and see and network with other people who also do makeup and see what products I can look at to support other members of the community,” Barns said.
TMS holds other events throughout the year such as beauty bootcamps and skin-care parties.