IMATS Toronto 2010: The Beauty Spree.

November 7, 2010 | 12 Responses

I have so many photos from IMATS that I have to break them up into three posts. This first installation is my collective haul over the two days.

From FACE atelier:
Ultra Foundation in #6 Honey (my shade), $36
Ultra Foundation in #8 Caramel (smaller “Pro” size, for my sister Liza), $26
Lip Glaze in Prim Rose, $19

From Alcone:
Beauty Blender Sponge, $15

From Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics:
Lip Tar in Memento, $10
Lip Tar in Demure, $10

From Crown Brush:
2 x pink Lip Brushes — one for each OCC Lip Tar , $2.50 each
Italian Badger Angle Blush Brush IB106, $8.50
Large Pointed Powder Brush, $19

From Royal & Langnickel:
Silk Pro Complexion C185 Brush, $10

From Nigel Beauty Emporium:
Z-Palette, $20
(Contents not included! )

From Embryolisse:
Lait-Creme Concentre 30 ml, $10
Lotion Micellaire (Rinse-free Makeup Remover), $25

This year I went for quality — not quantity like last year’s haul — and I am very excited to play with my new goodies. When I get my vanity reorganized, I will have some lip swatches for you, and of course reviews! Anything in particular here you would like me to review? Oh, and did you attend IMATS Toronto? Share your haul in the comments!

Stay Tuned for More!

Can’t get enough of IMATS? Stay tuned for more photos, my experience this year, as well as tips and tricks from Kevin James Bennett’s workshop on complexion!

Ready for Another Round of IMATS Toronto?

September 30, 2010 | 12 Responses

Can you believe it’s already October tomorrow? You know what that means — in just a little over a month, the International Makeup Artist Trade Show a.k.a. IMATS will once again be taking Toronto by storm!

My experience last year was extremely fun, and this year is going to be bigger (literally) and better! On November 6 and 7 (Saturday and Sunday) at the Toronto Congress Centre, join me, other Toronto beauty bloggers and makeup artists for two fun-filled days of makeup and artistry.

If you are not familiar with the show and its exhibitors, let me introduce you to some of them.

MAKE UP FOR EVER. If you’re even a tiny bit interested on getting MAKE UP FOR EVER products, get there early on Saturday. Otherwise, expect a long line up as MUFE offers a delicious 40% discount on all of its products. 40% OFF. Need I say more? Here are some of my must haves: Smoky Lash mascara (amazing volume), HD Blushes, HD Concealer, #112 Blush (for a healthy pink glow).
FACE atelier. I still think there’s no better liquid foundation than FACE atelier’s. It is super lightweight, natural looking, and cruelty free. I also am planning to pick up a full sized Peach Lip Glaze.
Crown Brush. Excellent quality brushes for cheap ($2-$7). They make fantastic eye brushes and a big flat top kabuki brush, so stock up!
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics. I didn’t get to buy any OCC last year as they sold out fast, but I plan to pick up one or two of their lip tars this year. I’ve been told that they are also bringing the new Fall 2010 colours.
Alcone. Alcone makeup remover cloth is my top pick for lazy face makeup removal (come on, we all have those days!). They are non-scratchy and in my opinion, better than MAC wipes.

If shopping is not your thing (LOL, yeah right ) the workshops are equally fascinating and great for picking up new tricks. I went to see a MAC workshop last year, where the MAC Senior Artist recreated this runway look:

From what I remember, the artist used Teddy Eye Kohl, and my old standby Dainty Mineralize Blush to get the pink cheek.

So, Will I See You There?

I hope so! What’s on your list of things to get so far? By the way, tickets are now on sale, so get yours here!

IMATS is produced by Make-Up Artist magazine.

FOTD: Subtle Smoky Eyes with Steely Blues.

August 29, 2010 | 12 Responses

Whew! I’m back with another FOTD. I attended a friend’s wedding yesterday and this is the look I wore. Thank goodness the hair was also cooperative. Those are flat iron waves created by yours truly, thankyouverymuch! I haven’t used my MAC Smoke & Diamonds (LE) eyeshadow in any FOTDs so I thought I’d pull it out of hiding for this look. I just kind of winged it, but I really like how it turned out.

Don’t let the finished face fool you; this look was actually quick and easy!

Swatches (from left): MAC Smoke & Diamonds (LE), Annabelle B-Ray (LE), MAC Carbon, MAC Soft Brown, MAC Arena

Get the Look

For the eyes, fill in any sparse areas on your brows (Benefit Medium Brow Zings). After priming your eyes (Too Faced Shadow Insurance), apply a light shimmery peach (MAC Arena) on the inner corners and under the brows. Then, take a shimmery grey taupe (MAC Smoke & Diamonds, LE) all over the lid. Take a matte navy (Annabelle B-Ray, LE) to the outer crease and outer V with a crease brush, and go over it slightly with a matte black (MAC Carbon). Lightly blend above the crease with a matte warm brown (MAC Soft Brown). Smudge the matte navy to the outer two-thirds of the lower lash line. Line the upper lash line (MAC Blacktrack Fluidline) with a slight wing. Line the upper and lower waterlines with a pencil dipped in gel liner (Urban Decay Zero dipped in MAC Blacktrack) for maximum staying power. Apply mascara (CoverGirl LashBlast waterproof) to both upper and lower lashes.

For the face and cheeks, start by priming with a mattifying primer (CoverFX ClearPrep FX). Apply foundation (FACE atelier Foundation #6 Honey), concealer (theBalm TimeBalm Medium), and powder (Marcelle Translucent Medium). Sculpt the cheeks, temples, and jawline with a dark matte brown powder (MAKE UP FOR EVER #17 Espresso). Then, add a pop of matte peachy pink to the apples of your cheeks (Pink Beauty Object of Affection).

For the lips, get your favourite neutral pink lipstick (MAC Viva Glam V) and top it off with a golden pink gloss (Smashbox Candid).

Read on to see more pictures!