Sunday 5 February 2012

My IMATS Experience in Pictures

Yesterday I trotted off to Alexandra Palace for my very first trip to IMATS. I had a fantastic day and spent much of it wandering around with my lovely friend, Sparklz and Shine. I met up with old and new faces, attended talks (more of that later) and took in as much of the atmosphere as possible. In terms of shopping, I was a bit of a failure having bought only one item. I'm still kicking myself about this now. I had fully intended to go back this morning to rectify this until I started panicking about the snow that fell overnight. Rather than dwell on it, I thought I would share my day in pictures.

IMATS+Illamasqua2
David Horne mucking in at the Illamasqua stand with the rest of the team.

Illamasqua were offering some incredible discounts and attracted crowds all day long. I made several attempts to get close to the counter but I'm lacking in the necessary shopping skills for this kind of action. I made up for it by having a lovely chat with Hayley from Illamasqua over lunch.

IMATS+Hakuhodo1

IMATS+Hakuhodo2

You will be unsurprised to learn that I made a beeline for Hakuhodo! It was amazing to be able to see and touch so many of their brushes. If money had been no object, I could have racked up a huge spend. Unfortunately, they were not offering a discount for IMATS so the prices were the same as those on the www.hakuhodousa.com website. The advantage of buying at the show, of course, were that you did not need to factor in shipping costs or the worry about customs charges. I bought one brush and wrestled with the idea of buying a few more. I actually spent a while looking at the numerous other brush makes on offer at the show, and I have to admit that buying Hakuhodo has rather spoiled me. I'm ashamed to admit that I turned a snobby little nose up at many of the alternatives. Champagne tastes and beer money as my Mother would probably say!

Louise Young+IMATS
Louise Young

Louise Young at the PAM stand sharing some of her expert tips with a small crowd, including myself, Sparklz and Shine and The Make Up Fairy. Louise used her own Essential Eye palette and her brushes as you can probably see. It was a thrill to get such a personal audience with Louise and I took away many tips. Although the show is primarily aimed at makeup artists, I think you can gain plenty as a makeup consumer and general enthusiast.

Sleek+IMATS1

Hopefully this picture will give you a general idea of the crowds at the show. It was busy everywhere as I arrived (around 10:30 on the Saturday) and I'm told this is pretty much peak time. Most of the stands were still accessible with the exception of Illamasqua and MAC Pro which were several people deep throughout the day. Many of the stands were also offering excellent show discounts. Having said that, I was quite disappointed at the Embryolisse discounts (I had planned to re-stock) as their prices still seemed to be higher than the cost of buying in France.

OCC+IMATS1

OCC+Lip tars+IMATS
An array of Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics pigments and their famous lip tars

Helen swatched a number of the OCC lip tars and the pigmentation is amazing. I love the colours but I confess, I am a little nervous of them. I'd love to know if you think I missing out on a must have here?

Real Techniques+IMATS

The Real Techniques stand seemed to be attracting quite a bit of interest, especially with their IMATS discount. The brushes are beautifully soft and I toyed with the idea of getting one of the sets but none of the shapes really grabbed me enough to make a purchase. 

IMATS+competition
Artist and models getting ready for the Student Competition

 This year's theme for the student competition was 'Wild Kingdom'.

IMATS+museum1

This was one of the many items on display in the museum area and I was really taken with the detail on the face. From the crows feet to the slight stubble on the neck: I think it's these realistic touches which stop it from looking too cartoon-esque.

Body paint+IMATS2
A very pretty skull design, if that doesn't sound too contradictory!

Enkore+IMATS2
Koren Zander aka Enkore Makeup engrossed in some 3D bodyart

Koren had attracted a little crowd that were all wearing 3D glasses when I took this photograph. I confess, I was most mesmerised by the Hello Kitty brush belt.

Makeup+Atelier+IMATS2

This is Vincent de Monfreid for Makeup Atelier Paris working magic on his extraordinarily professional (and presumably very cold) model!

Body paint+IMATS

The model and artist above were stationed at the Mistair Ltd & Stageline Professional stand. I thought the shirt and tie detail on the model were amazing.

IMATS was a great experience and I'm already turning my mind to 2013. Of course, next year I will definitely be armed with a list!

Disclosure: I received a press pass for the event so admission was free. I paid for my own transport to the event.

32 comments:

  1. Looks great, thanks for sharing. I loved going to IMATS at Sydney last year! Looking forward to the next.

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    1. You're welcome Su. I'm looking forward to going back next year and learning from my rookie errors!

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  2. I went yesterday as well. I enjoyed it but the crowds were a little too much for me, I felt a bit flustered. Like you I tried to get to the Illamasqua stand several times but it was impossible. I am glad you enjoyed it. x

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    1. I think I felt a little better about the crowds as I was there with a friend but understand what you mean about feeling flustered. I can understand why some of the girls get up really early to be there when the doors open x

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  3. The make-up looks breathtaking, such talented artists! I never went to IMATS and now I'm kicking myself for not going after seeing the crazy Illamasqua discounts.

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    1. Hafsa, the discounts at Illamasqua were amazing. I wished I'd been able to get close to the stand to get something!

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  4. Thanks for sharing.... I should try to go IMATS LA sometime, which is the nearest to where I live.

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    1. I hope you get chance to experience it in the future :)

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  5. Great post! I really want to go next year now. SOme amazing mua's in action too.

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  6. Great post, I really want to go next year now, but early to avoid the scrum, don't do well in crowds, being so short! The MUA's would be amazing to watch, I'd be mesmersised.

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    1. It really was fascinating! I think if you live close enough to get there for the doors opening you get a couple of hours of relatively quiet browsing.

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  7. I really want to go to IMATS one day, when I'm employed. I can't wait but the crowds make me a little wary. Maybe if you get there really early?

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  8. I'd really love to go to IMATS, when I have a job! I'm a little wary of the crowds though, maybe if you get there really early?

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    1. It wasn't too crowded overall, but certain stands were quite busy all day long. I think I'd definitely try and make the effort to get there first thing if I can go next year.

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  9. I'd love to go to IMATS but I think the tickets are a little pricey, especially when I know I'd spend a lot once there too.

    I love the body art Koren has done and as for the OCC Lip Tars, they are pretty great with their serious pigmentation. You can always sheer the colour out with a little clear lipgloss so they aren't are 'solid' and scary!

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    1. Yes, I understand what you mean about ticket prices Nazia. It's a very interesting experience though and I'm glad I finally had chance to go. I'll have to have a go using the lip tars with a clear gloss. Thanks for the tip!

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  10. I love IMATS here in oz, and we don't have a show anywhere as big as the rest of the world. I'd love to be able to jet around the globe to attend a larger show.
    And, scary as they are, my kit wouldn't be complete without a selection of OCc lip tars!

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    1. I didn't consider that the shows were of different size depending on the venue but I guess it makes sense. Is it a more relaxed atmosphere do you think? I'm pleased I've given the lip tars a chance since going to IMATS. I just need to get my hands on some reverse lip liner now!

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  11. love ur mothers saying. sums up my beauty addiction too

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  12. This is great! Thanks for the insight! That Hakuhodo brush stand looks mightily impressive - what a treat to have them all lined up for you in real life!

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    Replies
    1. Seeing all the brushes together like that was definitely the highlight for me. If only I could have taken more home with me!

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  13. If those crowd pictures are typical you were in luck. At the L.A. IMATS show you couldn't move. There were people everywhere and you had to elbow your way through. Hakuhodo didn't discount in L.A. either which is why I only ended up with two brushes but if I can go next year then I think I'll start there.

    I think I'd have probably ended up with some Louise Young since The Non-Blonde seems to love that line.

    Sorry you couldn't make it back. I hope though that your new brush keeps you warm.

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    1. Wow, it sounds like you need to made of stern stuff for L.A. IMATS! Yes, the Louise Young brushes are good and I have a couple that I bought last year. I toyed with the idea of getting her big foundation brush whilst I was there. The lady herself is lovely.

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  14. Thanks for sharing. I would love to go to IMATS, looks like fun. :)
    http://happychinadoll.blogspot.com/

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  15. I'm glad you had a good time, it looks very interesting. You are very restrained, I think I would have probably ran to the stands with my grabby hands ;)
    xx

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    1. I'm never sure if it's restraint or if I'm just a very bad shopper. I tend to be more dangerous late at night armed with a glass of wine and my credit card ;) xx

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  16. So Jealous! I can't wait to go to my first IMATS

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