IMATS 2011:- The damage :)

It's rather scandalous that the first blog post from me in 2011 should be about IMATS. I apologise lovelies. Life is hectic. But I have to keep going!!!!

So I am sure you have had your fair share on IMATS posts. I enjoyed this year better than the last. I know some people found it boring and left after a while but those  of us who are are doing this as part of our living it was fantastic. I was working at the Make-up Artist Boutique this year. And I had a blast I tell you. I got to help sell a brand that I love and have used over and over again. And I got to build my kit some more. The only problem I have now is that it doesn't fit in its current case and I am going to have to re-jig a few things or get a bigger bag. I'm rolling like Pat Mcgrath y'all!!!!

Anyhoo I only went to 3 talks this year. Kevin James Bennet's tool talk (with Royal brush) and Einat Dan's Make-up for Advertising and Dany Sanz's HD talk. All of them were very very good. Can you believe I went all the way to IMATS without my camera. I only realised halfway through the second day. I guess I just wasn't bothered.

KJB aka Blendarella is absolutely bonkers! I even got to meet and chat to him for a while and he was flipping fantastic. A total diva but hey the dude knows his ish! I blame him for my new found love of Royal brushes...I wish I had been able to attend his Embryolisse talk as well. Next time...next time!

Einat Dan was great. A very humble woman which amazing skills. I honestly thought there would be more of a buzz around her but alas she moved seamlessly though the crowds and no one seemed to really notice her which I thought was a shame. I wish I could have gone to her pro class on friday. Maybe next time.

Dany Sanz is off her head! The woman is fabulous but some of the things she came out with made me do a few double takes!!!! She's another one who knows her stuff. What I liked in particular about her talk was that she showed us how to correct skins that you might come across with regular clients. Acne, some who has uneven skin tone and so on. Very helpful stuff.

So what did I buy? Well I bought a lot. Hmm. I had too many regrets last year and I made sure it was not going to happen again this year. So here it is!

 Beauty So clean, Embryolisse, Inglot Liquid Highlighters, Nars Taj Mahal (for myself), MUFE Aqua cream in Orange, MAC Pro Long wear (for myself), Face Atelier lip glaze in Peach, Inglot AMC cream eyeliner, SuperMatt

OCC and Temptu airbrush foundations, Temptu SB concealer, Some OCC liptars, Disposable mascara brushes, OCC face primer, Embryolisse lip treatment

Yaby Pearl Pain Palette, Yaby brow powders, mini set bag, Samples from MUFE, Cozette container

Royal and Langnickel Silk Pro brushes (very soft synthetic brushes)

MAC brushes

Crown Brushes and a Royal brush I forgot to add to the other lot

My beloved Hakuhodo brushes!

Do I have any regrets? Nope. This year was a good year. I loved the fact that there were so many new brands to check out. A few of them were kinda dodgy but hey each one had something unique to offer. The pro shopping hours were DEFINITELY WORTH it. It was so so much quieter and some brands had a further 40% discount on the marked prices shown (hence the Royal Silk pro brushes...). Like I've said before, if you are kit building and wanna meet and network then get thee to IMATS. It will be worth your time.

I hope to get into some regular blogging routine. There are so many reviews I am behind on!!!

Be blessed xxx

An excellent dupe for the MAC 131.

Those of you who know me, know that I am *slightly* bonkers about Hakuhodo brushes. I love the one's I have already and fully intend on replacing a good lot of my artist kit with these. Earlier today I was looking at the Hakuhodo website and noticed that they have a brush on there called the G545 Powder & Liquid brush.

It looks like this:-

Does it look familiar?

Of course it does. It's the Hakuhodo version of the MAC 131 that came out with the Colour Crafted collection which looks like this:-

This brush was very popular when it came out. I've spoken to several people who are looking for it and I know for a fact that it applies cream brushes like a dream. If you have the new MUFE HD Creme blushes this brush will work brilliantly with those! Great product + Great tool = Awesome application and perfect Spring/Summer cheeks!

If you missed out on this brush with the Colour Crafted collection you can get it from the Hakuhodo website for $24 or $30 depending on the size you want. If you are in the USA USPS Priority shipping is $9.00 within 3 working days and USPS is $28.00 next day delivery. International mail is $12.00 USPS first class 10 working days shipping or $36.00 USPS Express Mail 5 working days. Shipping is a bit costly but given the renowned quality of Hakuhodo brushes I suspect the Hakuhodo version will be constructed better than the MAC one.

Whilst you're shopping you might find something else that you like that will making your shipping worth it. Hakuhodo isn't all about expensive brushes. They do some very well made afforable brushes as well so you might be surprised at what you find!

Stay Blessed

xxx

IMATS 2010

Hi people!

I hope you are all well. Welcome to my new subscribers, I notice each and every one of you. Most honoured that you have chosen to join Dvoradivine.

So! Last weekend I took a long trip down to London to sort out a few things as well as attend the International Make-up Artist Trade show at Alexandra Palace. I was ill, so it wasn't the most comfortable of trips. And here I am a week later still ill. But whatever.

On Friday after I'd finished my other shenanigans, I headed to Westfield because I wanted to check out Inglot [the polish make-up brand that is cause a storm] for myself. Let me just say I had no intention of getting anything per say. I was just open to what they would have.

Well so much for self control. I walked away with an eyeshadow palette and a lip palette and the intention of going back one day soon to get some more!

Saturday morning I got up at the UNHOLY hour of 0500hrs to get ready for IMATS. I was on a train to central London at 0559hrs and I arrived at Alexandra palace at about 0735 or something like that. It was freezing and I lost the feeling in my toes long before they decided to open the doors. Speaking of which, I would like to complain because they specified on their site that doors would be open at 8am for people to collect their tickets. No such thing happened. the opened them long at 8.30 which was a bit annoying for those of us who got up at the break of dawn to get in early.

Eventually they opened up the door, by which time there were plenty of people waiting to get in. It took me the whole of 5mins to get my ticket but I've read stories of how some people waited 45mins to get theirs. Double dang. I would not have been pleased!

The rest ladies and gents was a flurry of activity. I got most of what I wanted to get. First stop was the Make-up Artist Magazine stand. I was not leaving with a subscription. I had intended on picking up some make-up books but they weren't discounted enough. I knew I could get them cheaper else where.

After that,  I headed over to the Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Stand where I got 6 lip tars in Black (Tarred), yellow(Traffic) , red (NSFW), blue (RX), white (feathered) and clear (Clear).

I didn't bother with the other colours because I reckon I can use basic colour theory to mix up any colour I need. I've tried it out already and I've mixed up most of the colours you see those little tubes. Takes a bit of patience but it's doable.The review for these is coming up shortly.

I had intentions of going to a few talks that day but they filled up really quickly. I only managed two in the end. The first was Eve Pearl where she did a look for Women of Colour.

I think she was a bit rushed given the tight running of the schedule and the fact that she only had an hour to do the model's face. She did take the time to explain everything from setting up your work station to sanitation. She spoke very thoroughly on her products and how to produce an easy-go to look that will work for most women of colour.

I enjoyed the talk but I didn't feel like I learnt anything from this talk. It was a bit too simplistic for my liking. No offense to her. I knew most of what she spoke about in terms of techniques. I would have loved a more advanced class on the things you don't necessarily learn from places like You tube.

I did like they way she gave ideas on how you can make an extra income as a make-up artist. It was good to hear it from someone who had gone and done it and become a success. She pushed her products a lot and I'm sure they are very good. However I had my mind made up so I didn't buy anything.

There were several brush companies in attendance some of which included Royal and Langnickel which had a good stand. I wasn't feeling any of their brushes however. I was rather disappointed in them after I had seem the brushes on the website. Somehow they just didn't match up to what I had envisioned.

Crown Brush which was absolutely heaving! I managed to get a few lip and liner brushes after waiting like 30 mins. I tried the lip brushes and again I'm not a fan but I kind of expected this with Crown Brush so I don't have buyers remorse.

For me, the Brush company that stole my heart was Hakuhodo. I had had these brushes on my hit list for a VERY long time now. And after seeing them in person, they have no failed me. In fact I am more impressed with them now than I was before and I've decided to rebuild my brush belt with a good proportion of these. They are THAT good.

The Japanese are masters when it comes to making certain items. Their fude (make-up brush) quality is superb. It will be worth the investment when the time comes. (That is when I can get my hands on the credit card...lol!)

I bought two brushes from Hakuhodo and I had to hold myself from buying more. I had other things I needed to get so I'm gonna do a mega haul of some brushes when I've sold my left kidney.

The funny thing is that you guys think I'm joking :)

Yaby Cosmetics was in attendance. I had really wanted to get a few palettes from them but I could NOT justify the price for the size (£65/palette). The pigmentation is brilliant but those pans were too tiny for my liking. I might build my own palette one of these days but for now I'm happy to sit and watch others use it.

MUD cosmetics was in attendance as well. I went to a talk held by one of their lectures Yvonne which was good as well. I learnt a few interesting things during that talk such curling lashes with a spoon. Yep. You read right. It works too.

There was so much going on and if you are a reader of any of the larger UK Beauty Bloggers you would have seem plenty of pictures. Want some crystal clear ones? Try Lipglossiping. Her stuff is ah-mazing.

I know that some people read my blog. But never did I expect to actually meet one of my readers! Gobsmacked is not the word. If it wasn't forhe high melanin levels in my skin, I would have been blushing! Whilst I was at the Charles Fox stand a lady who was standing next to me recognized me and said she reads my blog. I was way beyond chuffed. I totally forgot myself and simply said thank you and she moved off! I didn't even ask her name! GUTTED! Pretty lady if you are still reading this, it was lovely to meet you. Next time I shall at least ask your name!

The second person I met was a lady called Stella. We literally walked into each other and this time I made an effort to talk to her. What a lovely girl. Oh and she's like tall. Like model type tall. Or maybe I'm just really short. She came over from France just for IMATS. And I thought I had travelled far! Hi Stella!!! Twas fab to meet you!!!She make writing this even more enjoyable!

And then just as I was starting to think I should go home, I happened to bump into a fellow MUA by the name of Kemi. Kemi Kings to be exact! We met on facebook. Yes. I know. But she is one of the most down to earth people I have ever come across. It was like seeing a old friend! Couldn't believe it. So we took some time to walk around bit. Exchanged some notes and helped each other out. She really sealed it for me! Her work is fabulous. If you're ever on facebook try and find her. She had a fan page under the name of Kemi the Make-up Artist. Wonderful stuff!

All in all, I had a fantastic time at IMATS. I know other people were somewhat disappointed by the even but I honestly did not mind. The venue didn't bother me, neither did the location. Certain things could have been better but I suspect at lot changed at the last minute. As a trade show for make-up artists, it served me well. It was excellent for Kit building. I'll know to bring more money next time because for me the deals were pretty awesome. Will I be going next year? Most definitely. I've already started my new list. I have a whole year to save for it too. That's the way to do it!

Finally! Onto the haul!

Make-up Artist MAG subscription*MUFE eyeshadow 10 palette*MAC 15 pan palette*MAC 6 pan Blush palette*Inglot 10 eyeshadow palette*Disposables*Kryolan Invisible Matt*Dermacolour Concealer wheel*OCC lip tars*MUFE HD powder*Kryolan under make-up base*Inglot lipstick palett* brushes*3 MAC lipsticks*mini collapsable bin*PP Pill cases for depotting lipsticks*Kryolan 10 eyeshadow palette.

I am happy with my purchases. It's going to serve me kit well and I can't wait to try out certain items. As soon as I am better I'll be posting a bit more.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog.

You stay blessed now! xxx