EVENT: IMATS Toronto 2014 + Mini-Haul

My first ever IMATS (International Make Up Artists Trade Show) experience... I attended IMATS on Saturday, November 22, which was sold out by the time I had gotten there. Thanks to the tips from IMATS veterans, I arrived at 7:40AM. There was already a huge line of 100+ people. I picked up my pass and walked in at 8:30 AM. Popular booths like Make Up For Ever (40% off discount), MAC (20% off discount), and Nigel's Beauty Emporium (with Too Faced, Anastasia, Kevyn Aucoin, and a ton of lashes) were crowded upon opening. 

I didn't really plan on "going" with anyone in particular but met up with a ton of Toronto beauty bloggers. The list is quite long... Upon walking in, I spotted the flawlessly grey hair of Zubie's Musings who introduced me to Laura of Lipstick and Laura and Shawna of Spill the Beauty. I also spent quite a bit of time walking around by myself and with Jenn of A Beautiful Zen, Jenn of Vibrant, Vivacious, Veracious Beauty Blog, and Meg of Meg's Makeup Bag. Shoutouts to Stephanie of theFantasia, Aleeza of Stylish & Literate, and Tess of Makeup By Tess who I hadn't seen in a while, as well as Arianne of Glitter Geek (whom I had just met for the first time!). I also met up with Julie of Swatch & Review, Jenn of Scarlet Beauty, and Chelle of Make Up Your Mind to take a CBB Network photo! 

In addition to all the wonderful beauty bloggers, here's a few snaps of the sights of IMATS.... 

Amazing body painting...

A UNICORN!! 

All the baby (fun size) beauty blenders...

a little learning about MAQ-pro cosmetics... 

many, many Morphe palettes... 

 contemplating the purchase of $8 liquid latex from Jordane Cosmetics in preparation for next Halloween (ALREADY!)... 

Ohhs and ahhs for the Hakuhodo brush displays... 

 And a TON of people. It was crowded, almost suffocating but bearable because of all the makeup goodies there were to check out. 

Contrary to popular belief, I don't spend copious amounts of money on beauty product, so long as I can help it (#studentdebtproblems). I spent a total of $99 dollars on four items, which required a lot of restraint - the Ben Nye Banana Powder ($12) from Nigel Beauty Emporium, Hakuhodo Yachiyo Brush - medium ($50), Hakuhodo Eye Shadow Brush Flat and Round J5523 ($23), and a Beauty Blender ($14). The Banana Powder and Beauty Blender seem to be cult staple items and I had wanted to try them for a while. As for the Hakuhodo brushes... I'm considering them to be investment pieces in my brush collection. Also, special thanks to Jenn's friend Tian for the NYX Butter Gloss! 

Would I recommend IMATS? DEFINITELY! If you're a beauty blogger, beauty enthusiast, or MUA, then by all means check out what IMATS has to offer. 

Were you at IMATS? What did you pick up? 

I went to IMATS courtesy of a press pass to cover the event. This is not a sponsored post and all items were purchased by me. 

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IMATS Toronto 2014 is Coming + a Wishlist!

GUESS WHAT? I'M GOING TO IMATS TORONTO!!! I've never been before. I'm so excite. IMATS stands for the International Make-Up Artist Trade Show. In essence, it's a big convention of make-up artists, make-up lovers, and exhibitors. Self-proclaimed "the make-up world's biggest gathering to discuss, display and collect the best the industry has to offer". I fall into the "make-up lovers" category and I have fairly high expectations for my first IMATS experience. 

This year (2014), it's being held in Toronto on Saturday, November 22nd (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Sunday, November 23rd (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in the South Building Halls F&G . 1-day Tickets are sold on the IMATS website here for $45 CAD including HST or $50 at the door. 

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In an attempt to plan my day, I've spent a solid amount of time stalking the IMATS website, making lists of which speakers I'd like to hear and what I want to buy from which exhibitors. 

Classes and Speakers

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Eve Pearl - Earn Double Your Rates in Half the Time. Simple, Effective Beauty Techniques that are Proven to Maximize Your Earnings While Minimizing Your Clutter. 

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Sebastien Tardif - Complexion Perfection for Beauty and Runway Editorial 

3:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. - Battle of the Brushes - Student Competition Character/Prosthetic Awards Show

Exhibitors

Bdellium Tools, Beauty Blender, Beauty So Clean, Blur Makeup Room, Cozzette, Esquido Lashes, Eve Pearl, FACE Atelier, Frends, Hakuhodo, Kryolan, Lip Bar, MAC, OCC, Yaby (see the full listing here)

The (tentative) Wishlist (I'm budgeting ~$150 or less for the day...is that too much/too little?) 

• Hakuhodo Medium Yachiyo, J5523 & G5552-4mm 
• Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer
• Ben Nye Banana Powder
• Beauty Blenders

I'll be going on the Saturday. So, see you there? :) 

Are you going to IMATS Toronto? Have you ever been to IMATS? How was your experience? 

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