The
International Makeup Artist Trade Show will be taking place in London at the beginning of February. The exhibition will be held at Alexandra Palace: Friday 2nd is open to professionals only but the trade show is open to the public on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th. This will be my very first time at IMATS, the show normally takes place in January so giving birth and birthdays have prevented me from attending in the past. I confess that tales of how busy it gets have also made me slightly reluctant too. I tend to get a little flustered in crowds but this year the show has moved to the Great Hall so hopefully there will be more room to move around and explore.
There is a
full list of exhibitors on the IMATS website as well as a schedule of the
classes and events that will take place over the two days. I have been told by more seasoned IMATS visitors that it's best to decide which talks you're interested in attending in advance as there are often queues to hear the speakers and spaces are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. As a first timer I really enjoyed
Lipglossiping's tips on how to get the most out of a visit to the show.
The stands that I am most excited about visiting are
Hakuhodo,
Make Up For Ever,
Emryolisse,
Guru Makeup Emporium and
PAM. The thought of one big room filled with cosmetics and brushes that are usual hard to access is a huge draw. I fear I may struggle with my self-imposed eyeshadow ban as I browse the stands. There are a couple of things that I already know will test my resolve if I spy them. I'm sure there should be plenty to keep me distracted and I can always go and stroke some brushes if I get stressed!
Many thanks to
Sparklz and Shine for giving me permission to share her images from IMATS 2011 with you. Will you be going along to IMATS this year? Do you have any advice for a first time visitor like me?
I am going for the first time this year, I am so excited. My bank balance is not going to like me. haha. x
ReplyDeleteHi hope you have a great time BTG! I'm considering setting myself a budget. I bet it's really easy to go wild!!
Deleteoh wow. thanks for flagging. leinti nti
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteI'm going for the first time too! Which day are you going? x
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely going on the Saturday. I'm staying over in London on Saturday night so that I can go back on the Sunday if I don't feel that I'm 'done'. How about you? Are you excited? x
DeleteI've never been yet and was thinking of going but I don't think I'll be able to show much restraint! I would feel like I would need to hold back on new releases for the rest of the year.
ReplyDeleteI know I need to set myself a budget before I go. It's hard to know where to pitch it though, I don't want to be too generous or so mean that I regret not making the most of it!
DeleteI bet you'll have a lot of fun! I imagine you will have to be a bit argy bargy to get what you want xx
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping that being in a bigger room means that I stand a chance of getting close to the stands. I'm only small (height wise, we'll say nothing of the other) so sometimes feel lost in crowds. I'm still excited though!
DeleteI know the loophole for buying eyeshadows, LondonMUGirl uses some of her Viseart shadows as blush. Reclassify the eyeshadow purchases as blush and you won't break your no-buy!
ReplyDeleteExcellent...... ;)
DeleteIt sounds amazing Jane - I'd love to go, esp since discovering the joys of MUFE lipstick - I want more!!
ReplyDeleteNic x
I wish I could indulge in more of the MUFE creams. Maybe I should look at the lipsticks to make up for this?! x
DeleteMy first time too - am looking forward to it and am terrified at the same time! I'm fortunate to be able to go on the Friday - I would definitely stress in the crowds! Hope you have a fab time!
ReplyDeleteOh, I hope you have a great time Julie. Will you be looking at the Hakuhodo? ;) I wished our visits were coinciding. It would have been great to meet you. x
DeleteI'm going for the first time this year, with the chunnel makes it so easy! Definitely setting myself a "very" small budget, almost as a test to see if I can do it. I don't need any more makeup, but its hard for me to resist.
ReplyDeleteOh, I hope you have a wonderful time. The chunnel is so handy. I often wonder about a kick trip in the other direction to visit Sephora again :D
DeleteYou are going to go nuts. The crowds though are intimidating. Some places like Make Up For Ever are wild. It helps to have a list in advance for them. I'm sorry I didn't take advantage of more Hakuhodo brushes last summer but I'd spent most of my money by then. I won't make that mistake next time.
ReplyDeleteBring blog business cards. You can make some great contacts when you are there.
Wear very comfortable shoes and lightweight clothing!
Thanks for the tips Marcia. A list sounds like a very good idea. I know I tend to become forgetful about what I wanted when faced with crowds. I expect to do some damage at Hakuhodo!
DeleteI would love to go, but as a student teacher I just can't afford it! :( Hopefully next year I'll have a job and I'll be able to go!
ReplyDeletephotographamy
I spotted the other day that they do student discounts on the tickets which is great. I don't suppose it really helps when you have to factor in travel and spending money when you get there though. Fingers crossed for your visiting IMATS next year.
DeleteI want to go to IMATS NYC too but I'm still not sure if I'll be going. It looks fun!
ReplyDeleteThis will be my first IMATS ever, and my first year here in England, so I'm going to get lost (j/k hahaha). I'm super excited to go to Hakuhodo. I'm going early Saturday morning :) YAY! Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteHi Modesty, A list and a pen are what you need ! A big heavy coat is not a good idea as it is baking in there. Layers are best than you can take off. Big handbag is also not a good idea as you get a large bag there to carry your stuff in. It's ultra busy and handbags just get in the way. Think of the tube at rushhour ! Across the body purse/small messenger is ideal.
ReplyDeleteI won't be going this year as they doubled the price of the one day ticket from £20 last year to £40 this year.
I emailed them a few months back and asked them why the price was £40 now and was told it will be £20 and I was to wait until they updated the site. The price stayed the same and when I emaield again they said the price is £40.
Now it's £60 to buy a one day ticket at the door. No way is it worth £60. And, the travel costs too makes it a big whack. That £75/£80 would buy me a few Hakuhodo brushes online or a fistful of makeup !
As I've been there already I know all the brands now and what they are like. I felt doubling the price ticket was more than a bit greedy on their part. They probably doubled the fee for the exhibitors too !
Hope you have a great time. Well, you will have a great time !