If there’s one thing we ladies love, it’s pampering. Fortunately, the Benefits Cosmetics Bus is coming to NUI Galway to do just that. Lyndsay Hughes has more…

Ladies, it’s time to be pampered!
Cosmetics company Benefit are bringing their Benebus to NUI Galway on 6 March (Thursday) as part of a nationwide campus tour leading up to International Women’s Day on 9 March.
International Women’s Day is geared towards raising awareness for women around the world, protecting them, and promoting their equality and independence.
Well-known charity Women’s Aid will visit the campus along with Benefit to raise funds in return for make-overs and Benefit samples.
In Ireland 1 in 5 women over the age of 18 have experienced physical, emotional or sexual abuse – this event aims to raise much needed funds to help these women.
The director of the Women’s Aid charity, Margaret Martin, says; “Women’s Aid is delighted to work with Benefit Cosmetics Ireland as they start their Benefit University Tour. We welcome this opportunity to raise awareness of abuse of young women by those closest to them.”
“In a national survey on domestic abuse, almost 60% of people who had experienced severe abuse in intimate relationships experienced the abuse for the first time under the age of 25,” she explains.
Funds raised by the event will be used to finance the Women’s Aid National Freephone Helpline.
The helpline responds to over 11,000 calls a year from women who feel they are in danger, or have been abused.
The Benebus will be parked at Aras Na MacLeinn this Thursday, and the Benebabes will spend the day offering make-overs, eyebrow shapes, and samples in return for a small donation to the charity.
The College Bar is set to host a reception on Thursday evening to raise further awareness and provide more freebies.
Benefit boss Julie Strang said; “At Benefit we share the belief that it is every woman’s fundamental right to feel safe.
“We hope our University Tour will engage with and inspire young women who may feel confused, vulnerable or at risk,” she continued.
At Benefit Cosmetics, they believe that “every woman has a right to feel happy, cherished and safe”. Their university tour will see them visit five campuses nationwide.
Women’s Aid can be contacted on their National Freephone Helpline on 1800 341 900, which operates 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.