Beauty studio SugarPop Aesthetics opened a makeup and skin-care shop in Bethesda last month, with a launch party slated for late March.
Licensed esthetician and cosmetic tattoo artist Chastity Evans opened SugarPop in Woodbridge, Virginia, in August 2017. She expanded to Bethesda in November 2018, officially opening a shop at 5001 Wilson Lane on Feb. 1.
Evans said the affluence of the area drew her to Bethesda, and she’s looking forward to offering beauty services to men and women.
“When they leave my studio, I can just tell they’re more confident,” Evans said. “They have an edge up, they look better, they feel better.”
SugarPop offers makeup application, skin-care procedures and waxing, with prices varying based on level of detail and body area.
The studio also does microblading, a type of semi-permanent makeup for correcting or reconstructing eyebrows. Microblading procedures last for one to three years and cost $850, with touch-ups available for an added fee.
Evans said business has been decent in the first month, with customers largely arriving through word of mouth or past interactions. She expects clientele to increase following the March 24 launch party, which will have giveaways, hors d’oeuvres, a question-and-answer session and a 15 percent discount.
Safeway food donation campaign returns
The program that raised more than $355,000 for the Capital Area Food Bank and the Maryland Food Bank is back throughout March, with Safeway groceries in Maryland, Virginia and the District collecting donations at checkout.
Safeway is partnering with the Washington Redskins and the Baltimore Ravens for promotional spots on local television and radio stations. Recorded messages from local celebrities will be broadcast on the stores’ internal radio network.
There are 18 Safeway locations in Montgomery County.
Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce bakes for Hunger Awareness Month
The Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce partnered with King Arthur Flour to host a bake-off on Feb. 27 at JK Moving & Storage in Gaithersburg, with the finished products donated to the community.
Judges included Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman, JK Moving & Storage General Manager Tom Grass and county police officer Andre Smith.
Those who didn’t participate in the bake-off could donate non-perishable items to Manna Food Center.
The friendly competition was an extension of the flour company’s “Bake for Good” program, and contestants baked a dozen cupcakes or muffins using King Arthur flour.
“Food insecurity is always present in our community and the Baking for Good program is bringing this important issue to light,” chamber President Marilyn Balcombe said in a statement. “We were thrilled to be a part of the program. Not only is it a great cause, it really motivated our members to be involved.”
