As beauty enthusiasts gathered at Stamford works in London, they weren't just indulging in skincare and makeup- they were contributing towards an important cause.
The charity beauty sale, organised by beauty journalist Zeynab Mohamed, was designed to raise crucial funds for women and children affected by war and displacement in Sudan, Lebanon and Gaza.
After having an insightful conversation with the host of the big sale, she informed me that the motivation for the event started when she was at a glorious resort in Zanzibar when the horrific attacks began.
"It felt surreal to be surrounded by such beauty while innocent people were being bombed. I felt helpless."
Organising a beauty sale to raise funds seemed to be a way to support charities doing vital work on the ground.
For this event, organisations were carefully selected which could make an immediate impact.
Charities such as Road to Freedom and Restless Beings has helped those displaced from Gaza and Sudan start a new life in foreign land with nothing and provided medical aid and care packages on the ground to those in Gaza.
The process to organise a large scale charity event proved to be challenging, from finding a venue to sourcing products.
"Sherin Awad, the managing director of Out Sources Spaces, has generously hosted us in her beautiful venue for the last two sales. and I couldn’t do it without the beauty journalists and editors who donated products- they’ve been incredibly generous”.
With the support of her family and friends, the event came to life, offering everything from skincare to haircare, with prices starting at just £2.
The sale featured a variety of beauty products from renowned brands, donated by PR companies and content creators Zeynab had connected with whilst working in the beauty community.
"It's really all about asking", she said "people are often more generous than we give them credit for".
But beyond the luxury products, the sale's real value lay in its impact.
"its overwhelming to think about the impact were making because it forces you to think about the weight of what is happening in the world and the vast number of people impacted" Zeynab reflected.
Whilst the contribution may seem small, it is gratifying to be taking action and making a positive change.
For Zeynab, success lies in bringing people together, forming a little community and most importantly raising awareness.
Looking ahead, Zeynab has no plans of stopping and aims to enhance the experience by partnering with more brands and organisations willing to support and donate products .
Her goal remains clear: to continue organising these beauty sales to provide more funds and support to those impacted by war.
In a world where crises seem overwhelming, events like this Charity Beauty Sale offer a glimmer of hope, proving that even small actions can make an important difference.
