“I wish the trip was longer. I would have loved to have a picnic here,” Celina Kama says as she casts her rod. She is fishing in one of the many lakes at Lakowe Lake. She jokes about wanting a tour of Lakowe; we laugh along. There are five of us, and fishing feels relaxing and fun, yet there’s a sombre mood. Kama said it best: Beauty Hut hosted the first-ever brand trip, and we all wish it never ends.
It is hard to miss the powerhouse company, Beauty Hut. This year alone, they’ve partnered with the best Amapiano rave in Lagos— Amapiano District, the one-stop shop for personalized cards— Anoela Cards (to make tongue-in-cheek beauty-themed cards), and the number one food delivery app in Lagos— Food Court.
From February 7th to 9th, Beauty Hut treated a group of guests to an unforgettable getaway at the serene Lakowe Lake. The luxurious weekend included various relaxing activities, from boating and fishing to golfing, swimming, and yoga – the perfect way to celebrate the Beauty Hut brand. The event du jour? Beauty Hut’s first anniversary.
The brand might be a year old but its detailed and concise structure has been dreamt up for half a decade.
GET TO KNOW BEAUTY HUT
Beauty Hut founder, Subuola Oyeleye.
In a T-shirt that reads, I support women’s wrongs, the founder of Beauty Hut, Subuola Oyeleye, walks around the store in Lekki Phase 1. She is checking up on everyone. “I had such a fun time, too; I appreciate everyone’s support,” she says.
There is a calming presence around her. Just so you know, everyone on this trip is assumed to know her, so an introduction isn’t necessary. However, a month ago, when asked to introduce herself at the 21 magazine dinner in partnership with Beauty Hut, she said, “Hi, I am Subu, and I sell products.”
Simple and precise but not detailed enough.
Beauty Hut is an African-based beauty retailer that offers a wide range of skincare, makeup, haircare, and fragrance products. It operates online and potentially through physical stores, carrying international and possibly local brands. Beauty Hut is a go-to destination for beauty enthusiasts, offering expert advice, curated selections, and a sense of community for its customers. It is actively involved in the beauty and lifestyle scene, as demonstrated by its partnerships with various events and brands.
Their choice to celebrate its first anniversary with an opulent brand trip to Lakowe Lakes reinforces their commitment to building a strong brand identity and fostering relationships.
GET TO KNOW THE GIRLS
Ehi and Nonye.
Beauty Hut has redefined the African beauty space, from partnering with Möet & Chandon events to Times Square appearances in New York. Now, in a red dress and a purple coat, I see a collection of talented women, including musical talents Elestee (formerly Lifesize Teddy), Solis4ever, and DJ Garbs. Reality TV scene stealers Allysyn, Vee, and Saskay were equally present.
Allysyn, Saskay, and Henrietta.
Elestee and Solis.
Among attendees were entrepreneurs like Lotanna of Jbottoms, Angel of Nay Living, Ella of Wallflower Beauty— who announced an exclusive launch with Beauty Hut, Fifunmi of 21 magazine, Ehi of Mane Essentials, and Chef YoYo.
Ella, Fifunmi, Yoyo, and Victoria.
Also, a handful of influential content creators such as Henrietta, Amy Odili, Jaiye, Celina and Felicia Kama, Nonye, Dodo, Marycolette, Shade, Fareedah, Simi, Evelyn, Joy, Jessica, Naomi, Cassandra, Helen, Yobe, Georgia and Victoria.
Felicia and Celina.
That’s over 30 names memorised, and that excludes the amazing Beauty Hut team: Onyeka, Sarah, Sho, Michelle, Uju, who also doubled as the photographer, and Divine, the esteemed videographer. Their names were a lot easier to remember than the average because each person, despite buzzing with excitement and optimism, was more different from the next. Beauty Hut had hand-picked a handful of unique personalities and hosted them at the renowned Lakowe Lake.
This makes it the first beauty company to host a brand trip in Lagos, Nigeria. This exclusive event brought together an array of famous personalities and top models, Laura Ajayi and Ivie, for a Galentine weekend getaway to celebrate its first anniversary.
Evelyn and Laura.
GET TO KNOW THE BRANDS INVOLVED
Beauty Hut’s catalogue has scores of innovative beauty and skincare products. For its brand trip, the team took the opportunity to showcase several products.
A walk into the cottages of Lakowe Lake, a 308-hectare residential and recreational golf estate which features man-made lakes, a championship golf course, and a variety of upscale housing options. Every corner was breathtaking, especially the Beauty Hut decorated rooms.
Inside the rooms, there was an array of products for the guests. From haircare to loungewear, each product is paired with a flash card explaining the best way to use them.
Beauty Hut teamed up with Jbottoms, a cult favourite swimwear brand, for a special branded line. Customized visor hats, polo shirts, and robes were given to the guests. Activewear brands, Sapphire by O and Berbie Beauty provided functional pieces for the yoga and wellness itinerary. Also available for the yoga class were Sunscreen by Cape & Coco, and a Gratitude Journal by Nay Living. At night, guests slept in cosy pieces by Àșàbí.
In the rooms, guests found a curated selection of Uncover, Topicals, and R&R skincare products, all featured brands on the Beauty Hut website. This thoughtful touch highlighted Beauty Hut’s current partnership with Topicals, making their products readily available for guests to enjoy. The bathrooms featured hair care products like Olori and Vive.
GET TO KNOW THE EXPERIENCE
Beauty Hut’s first-anniversary brand trip to Lakowe Lakes was exhilarating, from games and movie nights to themed dinners and meditation. It solidified its position as a trailblazer in the African beauty industry, demonstrating a commitment to offering top-tier products and fostering a vibrant community.
By bringing together a diverse group of influential personalities and partnering with exciting brands, Beauty Hut created a luxurious and meaningful experience. The event showcased the brand’s innovative spirit and its dedication to celebrating beauty in all its forms.
As Beauty Hut looks forward to its next chapter, this successful brand trip is a powerful reminder of its potential and bright future. It’s clear that Beauty Hut is not just selling products; they’re building a brand experience, and this anniversary celebration proves they’re doing it in style.
