Greek Life teamed up with Macy’s last week and held the Macy’s Event, which was aimed towards helping girls learn how to do their makeup for careers and interviews, and then how to transition makeup for a “going out” look. The event took place in Anacon Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 20, from 6 – 8 pm.
Female students gathered in Anacon Hall while chairs were set up in the center of the room for the students to sit, surrounded by six tables. They were introduced to Jacqueline Silvestrov, the head of the cosmetics and fragrances department at the Macy’s store in Eatontown, NJ’s Monmouth Mall.
Silvestrov explained that each table was a different station involving various skin, nail, and fragrance products. The stations consisted of Impulse nails, hair, skin care, makeup, Chanel products, the fragrance department, Clarence skin care, Clinique holiday gift sets, and a snack station.
Students were allowed to travel from table to table and sample what each station had to offer.
Many girls went to Impulse and Chanel to have their makeup done, while others found more interest in smelling all of the different perfumes at the fragrance station. The snack table was also a very popular choice. All of the stations demonstrated how their products could be used to create a professional-looking daytime appearance that can be transformed into a fun look that can be worn out at night.
When asked why the Macy’s team decided to get involved with the University, Silvestrov replied that all of the employees of the department have a passion for cosmetics that they wanted to share with a local university.
“I know you guys are going into your professional careers, so I want you to feel confident in your careers and interviews,” said Silvestrov, “and you’re all young so we want you to be able to go out and have fun afterwards.”
Kristin Fiumara, a junior education major, was among the many girls who volunteered to have their makeup done at the event. She explained, “I’m going to buy primer because it will help my makeup last through interviews or a long day of student-teaching. It will help me look more professional.”
“The Macy’s employees were experts in whichever station they were responsible for. They were extremely down to earth and easy to talk to, inviting girls to ask them whatever they wanted to know. This created a very relaxed, ‘girl’s night’ environment,” said Fiumara.
The Macy’s Event was also enjoyed by sophomore education major, Alexis Sevecke, who stated, “This is a great event because I know many college students would not necessarily go into a store like Macy’s for makeup, but with this event we get to see not only all of the great products Macy’s has to offer, but also how to properly use them.”
Ayla Yildiz, Scholarship Chair for the University’s Panhellenic Council, was in charge of majority of the preparation and organization that went into the event. She was responsible for contacting the sales representatives from Macy’s about bringing their products to the school and hosting the event.
She said, “It was a great opportunity for the women to learn new techniques and styles that will help them look more professional and presentable when having an interview or a future job. I would say it was definitely a success and I hope that the women who attended were able to walk away with some new tips and tricks for the ‘real world.’”
To show their appreciation of people that attended the event, Macy’s distributed handfuls of coupons so the students could buy the products needed to put this knowledge to good use.
Macy’s plans on staying in contact with the University, according to Silvestrov. The cosmetics and fragrances team hopes to return in the near future with similar events to help girls with their looks in preparation for professional interviews and encounters.
PHOTO TAKEN by Heather Muh