IMATS LA- Breakdown Day 1

After months of anticipation and list making ... The IMATS LA came ( and went at the blink of an eye). I must say , It was like nothing I had ever imagined! The venue was the biggest of the show I had ever attended (Toronto Imats and the makeup show NYC) and the attendance was higher than ever!

I must say , I did make up a list of brands and products I was interested in that I stored in my trusty iPhone but that quickly went out the window as I walked in the exhibition hall.  I was lucky enough to have my wonderful companion with me, sparkled beauty, through out the whole trip. As I mentioned before, she got in on  the details and pushed me to go for it, and I am so thankful she did!! I had the best time at this show, 1) because I wasn't alone ( as I was for the Toronto Imats) and 2) I was with someone who shared the same passion as me ( unlike during the makeup show in nyc). 

Dear future makeup show attendees, my number one advice to you .... Go with someone who shares the same love for makeup as you!! It makes the experience SO much better!!

Day 1 :

We got to the Pasadena Convention Center around 9:30 am , we were overwhelmed by the number of people waiting in line ... The line went all the way around the enterance hall! We were fortunate enough to have press passes and not have to wait the 454687 hours long line... Thank you Sara!!

First order of business, Make Up For Ever, The line was going around the booth! We were not discouraged! Sparkled Beauty was smart enough to research what she wanted and make a list...something I didn't do with this particular brand and I should have!!  She waited in line as I went to the front and swatched ...came back with a few things on my list... as the line progressed...more items were being added to my list! Also, While in line, I got to meet Makeupmel, Vee Glamour and DollyBlush! I have been watching these girls since I started Youtube, So Excited!!

    

* A seperate haul post will be done with everything I got!!*

Finally after 3 hrs of waiting time in MUFE, we were FREE with our goodies!!  Next place on our list was the Purely Cosmetics  booth to get the famous Diamond finish powder, I also got 3 pigments from them. I cannot wait to use them, they looks goregous! I think it's safe to say we did most of our shopping on Day and left Sunday for classes and any booths we may have missed!

I am happy because I got to complete my kit  and get everything I needed at a great price!

At the end of the day, we went to a really cute restaurant by the name of Daisy Mint in Pasadena. Although I was practically about to faint from hunger and pain in my feet from wearing heels all day, I tolerated the wait and finally got to ordering... ONE BIG MISTAKE ... I ordered an appetizer and a main meal ... completely forgot about US portions ... I literally got full with my appetizer and didn't even touch the main meal until the next day at lunch ...

Stay tuned for Day 2 :)

p.s: Sorry if I couldn't post more pics...as you all know... my pictures are stuck on an unrecognized SD card...the chances of their recover is extremly low.... fingers crossed though ... If I get them back, I will definitely post up more pics!  These are the pics I had put up on facebook ... at least  I have some ..

* Love this look!

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UPDATE !

Hello!!

It has been a while since I have been back from LA and I should probably already have my posts up by now... but unfortunately .. all my pictures are stored in an SD card that now, shows error ..and I am uncertain whether I will have my pictures back or not...  I am really sorry ... but bare with me!! I am still trying to recover my pics... somehow!


I already have the write up for post number one .. Just bumms me out when I think of all the pictures I took, that I may never get to see again ...

I just thought I should let you know... and also , I felt like I was very neglectful towards my blog !

Bare with me!!

Stay glam,

Naz

p.s : In more joyous news.. I received my Dinair Airbrush kit today (the one I tweeted about winning) as well as my Clairsonic! Cannot wait to review them for you guys!

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IMATS LA , The time has come!!

Oh my ... It's is 24 hours before my flight to Los Angeles... meaning TOMORROW, at this time... I will be in LA.. It still hasn't hit me that I am going there.. who would have known ? Last year, during the IMATS, I was sitting at my boyfriend's dining room table telling him how much I would have loved to go  and it's very unlikely that I would... fast forward a few months and I talk to Sparkled_Beauty and we plan this trip together! I finally get to meet her tomorrow :)

I am looking forward to so much on this trip.. aside from the fact that it's my first time to LA.. I cannot wait to visit the different places and feel the atmosphere, I have heard about so much!  However, the biggest and most important event, the main purpose of this trip is the THE IMATS! The biggest of all...!! I am trying to keep my composure in not feeling overwhelmed by the amount of exhibitors and the wonderful products that will be unveiled specially for the event. 

I am , specially, looking for foundations for my professional kit. I am leaning towards FACE atelier and the concealers from Cover FX.. this is just the tip of my list the size of an iceberg...

This year's event is BIGGER and better than last year's .. In some ways.. .I am happy I waited a year :)

There are Master Classes being offered on the 25th and the 28th, priced at 195$ offered by top make up artists such as Vargas, Kevin James Bennett, Eve Pearl and Rae Morris.

Many classes are going to be taking place during the IMATS ( 26th and 27th) which I will be attending.

I am, most looking forward to the class presented by

DONNA MEE- Mastering Contours and Highlights

 EVE PEARL, HIGH-DEFINITION BEAUTY: For Every Complexion and All Ages

ERIN McCARTHY-'Til Death Do Us Part: Bridal Make-up that Lasts, and

the Guru Summit of course!

I will try to record and cover as much of the show as I can !

Stay Tuned!!

Naz

* All Photo Credit: www.imatsshow.com

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Dickies Cosmetics Bag

This brand bring me back to my high school memories... I remember being in love with their backpacks in grade 7 and 8 and ...years later... I was sent their new line of cosmetic bags. They stayed true to their style and kept the funky designs that I loved so much. However, being a few years older, I decided on a more "layed back" design... the black and gray plaid!

First and foremost, the quality of Dickies products has always amazed me, thus I was really not surprised! however, what surprised me was the amount of make up this little bad boy could carry!  I am currently in the process of packing for the LA IMATS ( YES YES YES!!) and I must say .. this little bag really came in handy! I was able to store ALL of the make up that I wanted to bring with me, including some elf brushes. I will bring my sigma travel brushes and my skin care regime in a separate pouch.

There are hardly any cons to this product! I really like the bottom compartement because I can store all of my compacts and I am sure they will not shatter once I land ! The top compartement is large enough to contain my mascara, 3 elf brushes ( with brush guards!), neutrogena foundation bottle, lippies, paint pot, urban decay primer potion, liner, lippie , Ac solution from Marcelle for my blemishes and etc...

** UPDATE: Many more products were added since this post...final pic will be posted once I get back :)

The bottom, as I mentioned, contains my compacts, 2 bronzers, pur minerals foundation powder ( magic in a compact), Annabelle pearl highlighter, Mac 4 shadow compact, shady lady palette, pur minerals universal blush

Bottom line, this little treasure is perfect for those of us who need their "security blanket" (Aka the need to carry all of the products we used with us), great for heavy make up packers like myself, travels...

There are two different styles and 6 designs to choose from

*Photo Credit: Dickies' twitpic on twitter

Hope you enjoyed this post,

Stay Glam

Naz

*Photo Credit : Dickies Logo -http://www.stylenerds.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/dickies-logo21.jpg

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Maybelline's EYESTUDIO collection

I was contacted by Matchstick.com a little while ago to review Maybelline's brand new collection.  They were generous enough to send me the entire collection ( 4 mascaras, 4 eye liners, 12 quad palettes and 10 duo shadows). Needless to say that when I recieved the package.. I was WOWED....and so was my mother ( she was with me when the package arrived )!!

I have had some time to play around with the colors and try them on, on other people to see how they work with different skin tones and see how they blend.

Here's my review :

Quads/Duos

The quad palettes and the duos are nicely matched , therefore, for someone who isn't a make up artists or someone looking for a quad that has colors in harmony, these are perfect.

There are 12 to choose from, ranging from smokey, to splashes of color to neutrals appropriate for the office. Regardless of mood, personality or style, there's something for everyone.

In terms of pigmentation, many were great but there was the odd color in a palette  that did not give off as much color as I would have liked it to.

The only down side is that, these are mostly suited for the younger crowd due to the shimmer.

Top 3 Faves:  Sapphire Siren,  Irresistibly Ivy, Pink Persuasion

 Duos:

Some were ultra shimmery and hard to blend, however, the duos that had some matte colors in them were very unique and beautiful!

My favorite Duos include :

Top 3 Faves: Carbon Frost, Navy Narcissist, Khaki Craze and Ivy Icon

QUADS/DUOS:

LASTING POWER: 4/5

BLENDABILITY: 3.5/5 for the duos * 4/5 for the quads

PACKAGING: 4/5

PRICING: 3.5/5

WORTH IT?   For someone who is just starting up, who doesn't have much make up or doesn't know which colors to buy , these quads and duos are perfect!

LINERS :

Great Liners! Very similar to L'oreal's HIP liners and MAC's Fluidline! They are pigmented, long lasting and  even great to be used as eyeshadow bases! I definitely think maybelline should add some more colors to the line. As of right now, there are 4; Blackest Black, Eggplant, Brown and Gunmetal ( a very unique, shimmery black with a hint of blue).  

LASTING POWER: 4.5/5

PACKAGING: 4.5/5

PRICING: 4/5

WORTH IT? Yes! Absolutely, they are great!

MASCARAS

 They were good. I didn't see myself using the primer each time but my 2 favorites were the Bold and the Curl. They gave a great volume and I really enjoyed working with the traditional  brush as opposed to the ever so popular plastic/rubber ones.

LASTING POWER: 4/5

PACKAGING: 4.5/5

PRICING: 4.5/5

WORTH IT? I think they are great for someone who'se already got good lashes, and just needs a little definition. However, if you need more than just definition, I suggest you look into another maybelline mascara, the Colossal for example.

Thank you very much to matchstick for giving me the opportunity to try out the product and review it.

Let me know if you have tried the products and your thoughts on it!

Stay Glam,

Naz

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new posts to come!

Hello!

 have been uber busy working and working in preparation to my LA IMATS trip , this coming week... as a result.. little time has been left to dedicate to my blog :(

However, I have 3 reviews coming your way before I leave!

Maybelline eyestudio
Annabelle Bronzer and A-13 brush
Dickies Cosmetic bag

Hope you enjoy them,

Stay Glam and Enjoy the sun on this first day of summer!

Naz

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