By Maggie Attridge
Maybelline hosted their first ever pop-up shop at the University of Maryland and brought New York City with them.
The cosmetics brand set up a New York City themed pop-up shop outside Terrapin Row on Oct. 7 and 8 to promote their newest products. The two days at the university are a part of its “On the Way” tour, which includes stops at six university campuses across the country.
The college tour includes naming several “collegiate ambassadors” to the brand from each college where it stops. At the pop up, the ambassadors assisted in mini brow makeovers and handing out product samples.
“I envision my role as a campus ambassador to be a role model for those in the LGBTQ+ community and a friend to the people who love and want to try makeup,” senior marketing and supply chain major Jaime Atilano said.
As a Maybelline brand ambassador, Atilano wants to be a “[representative] for genderqueer people.”
“Makeup is usually geared towards women but I believe this brand is very inclusive and accepting of letting me be myself, said Atilano.
Students lined up to get their Maybelline New York “MetroCard,” a ticket into the pop-up shop. Students got their foundation matched, tried the brand’s newest makeup and took pictures in front of one of the many “Instagram walls,” backdrops designed for social media promotion.
Students were also given personalized eyeshadow palettes, a tote bag and a Target coupon.
“It’s cute and eye-catching for sure,” said Jordan Swarm, a junior journalism major.
The pop-up shop also provided opportunities for students to improve their makeup routines.
“I don’t usually try foundations because I don’t know what shade to get but [Maybelline] is testing testing people here so I thought I would stop by,” Swarm said.
Campus ambassadors and social media posts helped promote the free event.
“I saw the event on Facebook and I like free makeup, so I wanted to see what they had to offer. I also can never find my shade of foundation so I wanted to see what they had,” junior computer and information sciences major Samantha Gessner said.
Maybelline is expected to do more events on campus in the future with brand ambassadors focusing on it’s new products, said Atilano.
“UMD is becoming a new target market for brands to come and show of their products,” Atilano said. “Maybelline is doing this for free and it’s really to help with accessibility for consumers and also to educate new consumers on the experience of putting on makeup. It’s fun and free so why not?”