‘Glam It Up’ event invites women to get pampered up for good cause

Nearly a hundred women came together at Barrie Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram for Sunday’s ‘Glam It Up’ event to support the Women and Children’s Shelter of Barrie.

The sixth annual event welcomed makeup artists, hair stylists, photographers, and other glamour industry volunteers and vendors.

Shakir Barmare, managing director of Beyond Giving, one of the event’s main sponsors, says ‘Glam It Up’ serves three purposes: community, networking, and a great cause.

“Community, this is their chance to come out, get pampered, get their hair, makeup, and photos done,” said Barmare. “Networking, for the glamorous industry to come together and network with each other. And a great cause, the Women and Children’s Shelter, raising funds for them.”

Christine de Cesare-Bouhs was one of the volunteer makeup artists in attendance.

“I’m always looking to volunteer, to give back to the community,” said de Cesare-Bouhs. “I think women should be supporting women. It’s a wonderful opportunity to share my skills and meet new people, and do what I can for others.”

With next Saturday being International Women’s Day, Women and Children’s Shelter executive director Teresa MacLennan says it is a time for women to be recognized and to treat themselves.

“Women carry a lot of things on their shoulders but we want women to come here today to feel pampered, to feel beautiful like they always are,” said MacLennan. “We support women who are being abused, including human trafficking, so all the support from today will go towards helping those women and children that are right now staying in our shelter or using our outreach services.”

‘Glam It Up’ has historically supported more than 600 small businesses and raised more than $40,000 for organizations that uplift women and children in need.