Beyond Excited: The Toronto IMATS

November has arrived with a blink of an eye.
Aside from the pesky Canadian winter, the dark mornings and early evenings, and winter preparations I am excited because the IMATS are coming back to Toronto!
The IMATS stands for International Makeup Artist Trade show and will be hosted by the Metro Toronto Convention centre November 9th & 10th 2013!
This trade show is the bomb.com for not only makeup artists but makeup enthusiasts such as myself.
The trade show allows you to shop for makeup brands that are hard to find on the ground, introduces new innovative brands that are coming out, see top makeup artists speak and lend advice on getting started in the industry, as well as get discounted makeup from some of the biggest companies of beauty.
The IMATS are very exciting, I have been 2 years in a row and enjoyed the atmosphere and learning about my favourite subject: Beauty
 IMATS are in other major cities such as New York, LA, London, Vancouver and Sydney and each carry different vendors lines so check your local listings if you are in any of those areas.

Just some pointers if you plan on attending IMATS this year or in the future:

• Purchase your tickets on IMATS website! Unfortunately I already missed the early bird special, however I will be getting the next batch of tickets. Paying at the door is more costly and the event could sell out as well. When you purchase online it also saves you a lot of time at the event and allows you to get your IMAT experience popping ASAP! (Whoop whooooppp)
• Go to the Saturday show if possible and arrive EARLY.  You know what they say: early bird catches the worm, and that ain't a lie. The earlier you come the more you can look around peacefully (for a bit) you can get your hands on the hottest items (which tend to get sold out quickly) and you can navigate your way a bit more peacefully through the vendors. 
• Visit the big vendors first! OCC, Mac Pro, Makeup Forever etc sell out the quickest, and have the craziest lines. Also bring a list because it cuts down on the time you stand there deciding on what products you wish to have.
• Also bring Cash (plenty of it) there is no interact, and very little vendors have credit card terminals! Remember it is a trade show (they operate like the olden days people) Last year I brought some cash and had to go hunt down a bank outside and wasn't impressed! 
• Bring your camera! There are cool exhibits, models in the makeup competition, and you may bump into some cool personalities. Last year I met TheQueenOfBlending from YouTube. I love her and have been following her for years!!
• Wear comfy shoes, a light jacket, and take a small purse! This isn't the club or a fashion show ladies and gentleman. Yes your face should be BEAT. However your 8 inch stilettos will get played out hour one in the Crown Brush line. Your thick winter jacket will have you getting heat exhaustion, and your huge purse will feel like weight after hours. Dress wisely. Cute and comfy I say!
• Take a list of the booths you wish to see ( it can get so overwhelming once you are inside) and jot down the times of the seminars and classes you want to see. (Waiting in line for 45 minutes for eyeshadow and missing a key speaker is very annoying trust me)
• Tissue, makeup wipes, mirrors, and hand sanitizer is also good since you will be swatching products and trying to make quick decisions.
• Have fun! Network, talk to people, participate in seminars, see as many vendors as possible. Take in the experience

Step into the Underworld: Illamasqua Underworld Lipstick Review

I mentioned in my other posts that finally Canada (Toronto specifically) has a Illamasqua counter in The Bay department stores! I have been so delighted because I finally get to see the products and actually play with them, versus gamble and order online.
I have a beautiful lip gloss from Illamasqua called Boost and it is a iridescent purple that is very unique to my lip gloss stash.
I get the most compliments about this amazing lip colour paired over purple lipstick so decided to purchase the matching lipstick to it called Underworld.

Information About Underworld:

Underworld is a iridescent violet colour 

This lipstick can be purchased at Illamasqua.com, Sephora,  and The Bay (varied locations please google)

Retails for $30 CAD at Sephora and $24 CAD at The Bay (The Bay sells Illamasqua cheaper then Sephora)

Here are my thoughts on Underworld:

• Underworld goes on the lips extremely sheer and is very hard to layer over for the ideal coverage 
• The lipstick applies very patchy and emphasizes any spots and fine lines on the lips
• The tube I received had a mouldy like appearance on the lipstick which I was unhappy with
• The lipstick could work if layered with a thicker gloss, or topped over a deeper shade of lipstick, but I like a lipstick that can be worn on its own
• I also found the lipstick very drying on the lips and made it very uncomfortable to wear within an hour 
• The packaging of the lipstick is nice and sleek but you are able to see finger prints all over (not a big deal to me personally)
• This lipstick can be purchased at Illamasqua.com, Sephora,  and The Bay (varied locations please google)
• I returned this lipstick to the counter a week later because I was quite unhappy with it overall, but will probably try some of Illamasqua's other lipsticks in the future
• I was so disappointed in the lipstick that I didn't take a picture I though worthy of it but there are many examples online

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The Cover Up: Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer Review

Lately I have been obsessed with concealer...amongst everything else. I have been getting so little sleep and have been suffering from the worst insomnia of my 29 years of life.
I do not have dark under eye circles or anything major however I do have lines under my eyes that tend to stick out like a sore thumb the days my insomnia is at its worst. 
 I have watched enough tutorials and got enough demo's in store and decided I must get a concealer a bit lighter then my skin-tone to brighten my under eye area.
As a makeup connoisseur I'm sure this sounds like common sense, but in all honesty I think that  look appears funny on me and never turns out how I like. 
Long story short I read and seen rave reviews on the Nars Radiant Creamy concealer and decided to pick it up and jump into the pool of hype lol.

A few details about Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer:

• Nars describes this concealer as a creamy concealer that helps to blur lines, imperfections and hide dark under eye circles while using light diffusing technology to create a smoother complexion. 
• The collection comes with 10 different shades that suit woman of the lightest skin tones to woman of darker skin tones. 
• The packaging is a slim and sleek plastic tube (15 ml) similar to Nars lip-glosses and comes with a doe-foot applicator to apply the product 
• Nars radiant creamy concealer is said to suit all skin types
• The concealer is extremely creamy which allows for you to seamlessly and effortlessly blend it out with your fingers or a brush
• The coverage of is medium to full coverage when layered
• It has a beautiful satin finish that does leave the skin looking luminous and youthful

My Personal Experience:

• I bought shade Amdande for a highlighting effect under the eye but it was a bit too yellow based for my skin, so I exchanged it for Cafe with was a perfect match (I'm Mac NW45 for reference) 
• This shade by no means can highlight your under eye if you are similar to my shade
•  It actually is the exact skin tone match, however the thickness and creaminess of the product helps to conceal under my eye
• For me it would crease and no matter what I tried! I would set it with a setting powder and within hours it creased under my eyes and settled into the wrinkles under my eye
• The formulation is beautiful and the colours are also varied for all types of skin colours but I was disappointed at the continued creasing under the eye
• I returned this concealer after trying to play with it in several ways and likely will just stick to my holy grail Mac prolong-wear concealer to avoid creasing
• Nars radiant creamy concealer can be purchased at Sephora and The Bay and retails for $28 CAD
• I would suggest if you are interested in purchasing this product to try it out in store a few times and see if it works for you
• I am hoping that one day the formulation is improved because the actual product is beautiful
• Many people say it works for them and is a holy grail so give it a shot 

Nars Blush Collection

Skin Care Routine for Combination Skin

Luxury in a Compact: Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder Review

I have a wish-list of many different makeup items I constantly fall in love with and want to purchase in the future, it creates havoc in my head and on my wallet but I need it because I am a beauty junkie.

This list never gets smaller, only larger and I guess I'm like one of the cosmetic industries favourite types of shoppers. The shoppers that don't have much limits and like to own many things (lol).

I have been eyeing Guerlain's bronzing powder for at least 6 months but could not allow myself to spend so much money on it. 

Of course the day came that I was unsatisfied with a product purchased at my beauty counter but couldn't bear to leave the store empty handed and BOOM the bronzing powder was mine.

A few details and my thoughts on this powder:

• Guerlain Terracotta is a finely milled powder that is used to add tan/bronze to the face
•  It leaves a beautiful natural looking glow to the face without being over the top and filled with glitter (leaves a natural looking sheen on the skin)
• This powder has a matte finish with small flecks of sparkle that wear fabulous on the skin
• Guerlain has expanded the shades in the line so that woman of many complexions can find a suitable bronzer ( 8 shades in the collection) 
• The bronzer I picked up is called Ebony and even on my dark skin (NW 45 for reference) it looks beautiful, is build-able, and provides a beautiful glow to the face
• The bronzer blends easily into the skin creating a natural contour and gleam
• Guerlain is said to be packed with moisturizing ingredients and the powder leaves the face feeling lightweight 
• I actually used the product all over my face (Yes I tried it) and it makes my face look flawless 
• This bronzing powder is formulated without: sulfates, phthalates, GMOs, and triclosan
• The wear on the powder is incredible! I wore mine for a full 12 hours and it still was on my face upon returning home
• This powder does have a floral scent to it so if you are sensitive to scents this might be a powder to avoid
• This powder is very pricey $57 CAD (yikes) but is worth the cost in my opinion
• Guerlain can be purchased at Sephora and The Bay (Canada)
• This product does not oxidize and turn a different colour on the face once worn

Overall I recommend this product if your looking to splurge for the holiday season or have been on the hunt for a really nice bronzer/ contour shade!


Take a look at my video I show the product and mention it in my review !!!!

Mini Beauty Haul -Mac Cosmetics, The Bay, Sephora, Etc

Fine like Wine: Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in Lead the Way Review

BareMinerals Marvelous Moxie: Lead the Way Lipstick

While strolling in Sephora (my usual) one day I stopped at the Bare Minerals section of the store and noticed they had a lipstick collection. I am not that familiar with Bare Minerals, however I do know they are known for their foundation and skincare!
 I decided I wanted to expand my brand horizons like any regular makeup junkie should and swatched Bare minerals moxie lipsticks all over my little hands.
All the lipsticks I tried felt extremely moisturizing, and where all pigmented.
I wondered why I had been bias and walked past these lippies all along.

Lead the Way

Anyhow I fell in love with a purple lipstick called Lead the way and decided to bite the bullet and purchase it.

Here are a few details about Lead the way:

• Lead the way is described as a "wine" colour, which is a deep purple
• This lipstick has a creamy formula which wears very comfortable on the lips
• There is also a slightly glossy sheen which is noticeable upon application of the lipstick (satin like finish)
• The lipstick is very pigmented and looks opaque once applied (2 thumbs up)
• Bare minerals says they have included fatty acids and vitamins within the formulation that aid in keeping the lips moisturized (Vitamin A, C, and E) 
• Lead the way and all lipsticks in this collection come in a unique lipstick tube that requires a press of a button to slide the lipstick up (quite innovative but a little tricky at first) 

  

  BareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick Packaging

• All lipsticks within the collection are formulated without parabens, sulfates, and phthalates 
• Lead the way would suit lite, tanned, and darker skin tones with ease
• Perfect for the fall/ winter months especially since keeps lips moist
• Best worn with a darker lipliner to prevent lipstick from bleeding outside of the lips
• Retails for $23 CAD and can be purchased at Sephora or Bare Minerals website
• I did realize (upon returning home) that it resembles 2 other lipsticks that I have in my collection so returned the lipstick
• It looks like a dupe to Mac's Rebel (my favourite) and Wet & Wild's Sugar Plum Fairy 908 C
• Overall I feel it is a beautiful lipstick, however if you have the dupes I have listed I would save money and look at others in the collection 
• Going forward I will be checking out other lipsticks in the line because I believe I will really love the formulation 

  

  Swatch of Lead the Way Lipstick 

• P.S don't forget that you are able to return cosmetics (if you don't like/ have changed your mind) so keep your receipts handy

Dupe Comparison: Wet &Wild 908C, BareMinerals Lead the Way, Mac's Rebel

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