The Makeup Show was INSANE. And really, really fun. I'm so glad I was able to make it down this year. The seminars were wonderful - Dick Page was the single most inspiring speaker, so much so that I completely forgot to take any pictures or video!!!
The vendor list was incredible as well, with a good balance of big name or high-end brands (Nars, MAC, Ellis Faas), pro artist brands (Graftobian, Cinema Secrets, Mehron, Temptu) and start-ups or those new to the North American market (Layla, MAKE Color). The line-ups were particularly long for OCC, MUFE (which went around the room!) and Inglot, but well worth it for the discounts if you weren't already signed up.
The crowd was interesting. A lot of variety despite it being pro-restricted. You could easily spot the "celebrity" MUAs like Kevin James Bennett, Jon Hennessey and James Vincent, and then the industry workers (I overheard two ladies discussing their work on The Americans) mixing in with the small-scale freelancers and Sephora girls (like me), as well as a lot of students.
I will definitely be going back next year, and if you have a professional interest in makeup, I would highly encourage you to check out the closest show to you next time around. :)
I really enjoyed seeing the random Canadian flag displayed proudly at the Face Atelier booth!
These were some of the vendors on the main floor. I have the say the Nars folks represented their brand most consistently, with their crisp white shirts and pristine makeup. I was really excited to see Ellis Faas there as well, since I had had such mixed experiences with their line and really wanted to give them another chance - and the discount made it easier. :P
Side note - get your shopping done on the first day if you are looking to stock up on certain things. By noon on the second day, a lot of the brands were sold out of the hotter items. (The first thing I snagged was the Nars Pierre Hardy Boys Don't Cry Blush. It was gone by the next morning.)
If you're looking to try things on, don't forget to bring a small mirror. Not all the brands are going to be as ready as the Bite Beauty booth guy was. (PS - Canada represent!)
Then there were the free seminars and demos. This was Keri Blair, one of the top trainers for MAC, teaching Era Reinterpreted, doing a modern take on a 1920s look. She focused on creating a diffused smoky, lamplit eye, perfect but minimal skin, and a vampy rosebud lip. She used a mix of Cyber, Blue Lipmix and Teal Reflects to create the lip, and I wish I had a closer picture to convey its pure awesomeness.
This was James Vincent, a veteran of the industry and the Director of Artistry and Education for The Powder Group and The Makeup Show. He introduced the Keynote speakers (and did the wonderful interview with Dick Page).
This was Brigitte Reiss-Andersen, another 30-year veteran of the industry, who has worked in Fashion, Editorial and as a celebrity makeup artist. Incredible body of work, and she demonstrated her tremendous speed and skill by doing three looks on one model in 15 minutes - 1) clean editorial 2) natural and 3) glamour. If you're inclined to watch, I posted the video I took here.
There were also some fun body-painting demos throughout, particularly at the Kett, Mehron, Graftobian and MUFE booths.
You may recognize the artist in the picture above as Athena Z, from the second season of Face Off. :)
And, of course, there was the shopping....
I restrained myself to the items that I would normally have a harder time getting, especially at the pro discount price. And, of course, I HAD to get my first Hakuhodo brushes. They are, indeed, made of kittens and love.
So yes. That was my weekend, more or less. (Plus visiting with family and friends.) Imma go pass out now.
