We often get invited to some pretty cool events. But when I received an impromptu invitation to “Get Ready with Music”, an influencer slumber party organised by Spotify and Maybelline, I knew this would be extra special. It promised a unique blend of music and makeup, tapping into the GRWM trend that’s taken over social media.
The event on Thursday, July 25, 2024, was set to celebrate the powerful synergy between sound and style.
I arrived from Surulere for check-in at the Art Hotel at 2:50 pm — Lagos traffic was light, thank God. The three-year-old gem was the visual delight it promised in its name, large canvases, intricate sculptures and dangling multimedia pieces installed everywhere. I was shown up to my room and immediately received a welcome mixed grill platter.
The room was both spacious and cosy, setting the tone for what lay ahead. I’d dressed for the event at home, so I spent the next five hours watching Netflix movies with my plus one, soaking in the ambiance and excitement.
The event kicked off with a dinner at 8 pm, hosted by an approachable duo in the Big Brother Naija star, Saskay (Tsakute Jonah), and fashion influencer, Nimiie (Ifeoluwa Ogunjebe). From the elevator, we were welcomed into an open foyer where Spotify and Maybelline branded photo booths awaited us.
Servers in livery were on hand to hand us bubbly flutes from their black trays. As I sipped on champagne adorned with pretty faux eyelashes and a lipstick stain, I remembered my “no alcohol for a year” challenge. Alas, seven months of progress were gone in three sips!
After several photos with props at the booth, we saw our way into the dinner hall, a long central table set for 30 or more, with burning candles, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
It was a three-course affair, accompanied by a live performance from Qing Madi, who blessed us with hits like “Ole” — she rapped BNXN’s part, “American Love” and “See Finish.” Her soulful voice and occasional positive affirmation of how beautiful her audience looked, set the perfect backdrop for the evening. As the dinner progressed, the energy only grew, with DJ TGARBS taking over to keep us dancing late into the night.
At 10:41 pm, we returned to our rooms to find surprise gift boxes waiting for us on the bed. Inside were presents from the organisers: a Spotify selfie stick, a Maybelline leather bag filled with makeup products, and a cute ivory Spotify-branded silk pyjama set. We changed into the PJs and headed back to the hall, now transformed into a slumber party paradise with dim pastel lights, fake fog, bean bags, a dessert stand, and a karaoke machine.
From 11:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., it was all fun and games as everyone’s champagne flutes stayed filled and wooden rows of tequila shots followed. I promise I stuck to my bottle of iced water through it all. We danced, laughed and shot content for the ‘gram.
The highlight was the karaoke session, with Big Brother Naija star, Vee Iye nailing “My Boo” by Usher and Alicia Keys, and queen of fashion influencing, Nonye Udeogu (This Thing Called Fashion), bringing down the house with “BedRock” by Lil Wayne and his Young Money crew.
When it was finally my turn, I chose my go-to karaoke song, “Happier Than Ever” by Billie Eilish. But Saskay came over to let me know, unfortunately, our fun time with Spotify and Maybelline had come to an end. My opportunity to show the world my true talent, gone!
We returned to our room once more and slept soundly.
It wasn’t just fun, though. It was also about exploring how music influences makeup application, style choices and overall mood. The GRWM trend has taken social media by storm, showing how people around the world use music to enhance their beauty routines. The data shared by Spotify highlights this fascinating intersection:
Over 900 playlists in Nigeria and 900k globally with titles like GRWM, Get Ready With Me, Makeup and Get Ready with Music. In 2024 alone, over 280,000 playlists globally and over 400 in Nigeria were created with these themes. Lagos alone accounted for over 300 of these. The most popular day to stream GRWM playlists globally, in Nigeria, Abuja, and Lagos is Saturday. The peak times are 4 pm globally, 11 am and 12 pm in Abuja, 11 am in Nigeria, and in Lagos.
Interestingly, male listeners create more GRWM playlists than females. The 18-24 age group leads in Lagos, Abuja, and Nigeria, while globally, the 35-44 age group dominates playlist creation. Gen Z and female listeners dominate the audience across all regions, with the 18-24 age group leading in Lagos, Abuja, Nigeria, and globally.
These statistics reveal a lot about how intertwined music and beauty routines have become. Music is not just background noise; the “Get Ready with Music” event by Spotify and Maybelline beautifully captured this essence, demonstrating the transformative power of combining music with daily makeup routines.
As I reflect on the experience, I realise how this collaboration between Spotify and Maybelline created an immersive experience that celebrates this powerful synergy. It’s a reminder of how influential music can be in our daily lives. It was a celebration of creativity, individuality, and the joy of getting ready.
As we continue to see the rise of the GRWM trend, it’s clear that music and makeup will remain intertwined, each enhancing the other in beautiful and unexpected ways. It was great to be a part of this event showcasing how Spotify and Maybelline are innovatively engaging with the vibrant beauty and music communities in Lagos.
Cheers to more nights of beauty, beats and unforgettable memories.
