Getting dressed up to go out for a night on the town with friends to have a few drinks, go shopping and get nails done may seem like guilty pleasures women and even men would enjoy on a Saturday night. Fortunately on Saturday night, these pleasure-seekers may actually be indulging in a good cause.

Beauty Bar was held on Saturday at the Nightlight Lounge in downtown Bellingham. Hundreds of women attended to dress up, hang out and join in the movement to end domestic violence.

Although few men attended, the ones who did were supportive, such as Bellingham resident Jeremy Moore, who came to support his high school friend.

“I’ve seen [domestic violence] happen,” Moore said. “I’ve seen what it does mentally; it’s not a good thing.”

Before this year’s event, the women of Project BHAM, an organization that promotes local businesses and sponsors women's causes, donated 10 percent of the proceeds to the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services (DVSAS) of Whatcom County. This year they have decided to donate half of the event's proceeds to the organization. The other half will go to Project BHAM to continue to host events such as Beauty Bar.

“[DVSAS] is another organization that supports women and we think that is an important thing,” co-founder Michelle Millar said. “We [in Project BHAM] are all businesses owned by women.”

While some walked around shopping, others sat on couches enjoying their beauty treatments and goodie bags with their friends.

“It’s nice to have girls all here,” Western alumna Amanda Sell said. “Cause you know girls only dress up to impress each other, not men, so it’s kind of fun.”

Local DJs played music throughout the whole event. When raffle tickets were called out, the room became quiet as women eagerly stared at their tickets in hopes of winning something. Excitement filled the room as winners were called up to redeem their prizes.

Western junior and co-owner of Georgie Girl boutique Rheanna Guevara said she appreciates being a part of Project BHAM’s events and running her own store because they are ways to get her and other people involved.

“We are [an organization] of local business owners,” Guevara said. “To keep young business owners in this community and in this economy keeps us going and [keeps us] excited about it.”

Danielle Starr, project co-founder and owner of Four Starrs Boutique, said the project is a non-profit retail charter, which she and two other local shop owners,  Millar of Mi Shoes and Shultzie Fay of the Paperdoll, started four years ago. The project was put together to help organize local business owners in general, and being women-driven just fell into place, she said.

Starr said Beauty Bar was also put together to encourage the support of local business. Salons and spas get their name out by giving participants the choice of a manicure, professional hair styling, massage or makeup artistry. Local stores got their names out by setting up booths throughout the lounge. The Bellingham boutiques also put together a fashion show featuring their clothes.

Owner of Sugar Shack Arian Henders said she likes helping nonprofit organizations such as this, especially with all the fun they had participating in the event last year. All her employees have volunteered for the event as a way to contribute to the organizations.

“There’s a lot of talented people here,” Henders said. “A lot of creative minds come together to organize this event, which is really refreshing; they do a lot of work.”

Millar said she enjoys watching the energy of all the women having a great time, without the pressure of too much of the opposite sex around. She said it gives the women a sense of empowerment.

“I think women need to embrace other women and lift each other up,” Millar said.

Be first to comment on this article

Only registered users can post comments.
Please login or register.