My first time at IMATS 2013, Toronto!

Quick update on blogging: I haven't been able to post at all really for the month of November :( I have plenty of reviews and a Hunger Games inspired look coming, but it has been a busy month (school-wise) and it was my birthday a few days ago (I celebrated by watching the premiere of Hunger Games: Catching Fire courtesy of Beauty United!) I will definitely get back into things within the next few days, I promise ^_^

Two weekends ago I attended my very first Toronto International Make-Up Artist Trade Show (IMATS) 2013! I was so nervous to go but I had so much fun, despite having to wake up so early. I've definitely acquired a few new makeup tips and got to hear from some of the best in the business. 

Last year I missed out because I procrastinated and didn't buy my ticket in time, and the price at the door was crazy at $50. This year, my friend made sure we bought our tickets in September, which were considered Advanced Tickets, and at the lowest price of $30!

I'm by no means a make-up artist, although my friend is an aspiring make-up artist... does that count? I just have been longing to experience IMATS for quite some time... and discover and shop some good deals! 

Beauty United by P&G Launch

About a month ago, I was invited to attend the launch of P&G's new beauty blogger ambassador program; Beauty United! I cannot even tell you how excited and nervous I was from the moment I was invited to the day of the event. I was so honoured to have been chosen as one of the 30 up and coming beauty bloggers in Canada.

To give you a little more of an understanding of what Beauty United is.. it's a blogger community consisting (so far) of 30 Canadian beauty bloggers. We are all essentially given the privilege to network with one another and with beauty experts, behind-the-scenes coverage with P&G's beauty brands, new products and samples, and the honour of being chosen as a P&G Beauty United Blogger!

Photo Credit: Msl Group

I've been wanting to tell you all about my amazing experience attending this event! This post should have been up sooner, but I have just started my 3rd year of college and it is much more work than you might think!

The bloggers who lived in the GTA were lucky enough to be picked up by taxis, and brought to the Trump Hotel, where the event was taking place. The bloggers from across the country had the luxurious privilege of being flown in and escorted to their hotel room.. yes.. in the Trump Hotel! When I arrived at the hotel, I was asked by a porter if I needed to use the bathroom! Was I really walking that odd in my new heels? :p

Me, Steph of Fun Size Beauty, Christine of Little Red Bow - Photo Credit: Msl Group

At the event I was so happy to see Steph and Christine, who I had met earlier in the year at the Blush Pretty Beauty Board. I was super nervous.. so seeing people that I had previously met was very comforting! We mingled and got to know many of the other beauty bloggers, while enjoying the delicious chocolates and appetizers being brought around.

Me, Steph, Christine, and Esther - Photo Credit: Msl Group

We then proceeded to the presentation room, where we were going to be taught all about skincare and studies on makeup! Unfortunately, the P&G scientists were unable to physically be with us, so they instead spoke to us through the microphone, and presented us with very informative slideshows. They were so knowledgeable, it was hard for me to keep up with the information being thrown at us! We learnt about why natural ingredients are not always the best for your skin... and we were shown studies that women were rated lower by others than themselves (ouch..) and the way they do their makeup can have an affect on whether others think you are a 'bitch' or not!

After the slideshow presentations, we were given Fall 2013 hair and makeup tips by celebrity hairstylist, Justin German, and celebrity hair and makeup artist, Greg Wencel. On the brunette model, they both explained how her slicked back hair and red smokey eye were achieved. CoverGirl's Flamed Out Shadow Pencil in Red Hot Flame was used for her eye makeup and the lips were kept soft an subtle due to it being paired with such a bold eye.

Next, Pantene and Clairol spokesperson, Denis Binet, and Fashion Week Makeup Artist Amelie Ducharme were brought in to show us another fall 2013 trend. Big, teased wavy hair, a bold lip, but subtle eyes. Denis explained how the hair was achieved, by teasing only the bottom, creating a messy but classic look.

Photo Credit: Msl Group

After the fall 2013 hair and makeup tips, we were allowed to wander the room that was set up with individual booths of P&G's different brands, and ask the experts. I wish I had taken a photo of the room, but some of the brands set up were Vidal Sassoon, Crest, Secret, Clairol, Pantene, Covergirl, Olay, Venus... 

Photo Credit: Steph of Fun Size Beauty

I met so many wonderful people at the different booths, I wish I had been courteous enough to get their names! I was able to capture a picture with Clairol spokesperson, Luis Pacheco, over at the Clairol booth! I wanted hair colour advice, and was told my natural colour was beautiful and to stick with it! (I didn't listen.. my hair is red now!)

Some Instagram photos above to help sum up the night! I got to meet the lovely and super friendly, Aleeza of Stylish and Literate, who I have been a fan of for quite some time! 

This was truly an amazing experience for me.. I never thought I'd have been chosen for such a special event like this. I had such a fun time and I hope to see all of the wonderful people I met at the event again! Thank you to Jenn of MSL Group, and P&G for finding and inviting me to this wonderful Beauty United community.

Ps. we got 2 bags full of goodies! I cannot wait to begin sharing them with you all :)

Disclosure: I am a #BeautyUnited blogger. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to P&G events. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Blush Pretty Beauty Board Event 2013

I'm kind of embarrassed to even be posting this so late... I have had quite a few changes recently and it has only made me procrastinate even more. Between getting a new camera, changing the name and URL of my blog, and trying to find a job, I have found little time to actually sit down and type!! But I figured I might as well, it is only like a month late... you know... no big deal.... :p

And.. sadly.. I accidentally deleted all the photos I took at this event. :( I formatted my SD card for my new camera not realizing that I had a bunch of unsaved photos on there, ugh! Anyways, I will link the amazing girls who I met up with at the event and their blog posts so you can see more photos of the vendors at the event!

Blush Pretty Beauty Board: The Toronto Beauty Board is an event hosted by the Blush Pretty team! 2013 is actually the seventh annual Beauty Board Event. Having learnt about this event last year, I had the opportunity to attend this year's event. (Pft. making myself look special here. It is actually an event open to the public, you can buy tickets for it, which is about $35 plus taxes!) The event is set up with skincare and beauty product vendors and you basically play the role of a beauty editor for the day! You are given 3 brands chosen at random, and are encouraged to do a quick review of them by the end of the event to receive your SwagBag!

Me, Steph of Fun Size Beauty, & Christine of Little Red Bow 

Photo from Christine

Christine of Little Red Bow & Myself

Photo from Christine

Me, & Steph of Fun Size Beauty

Photo from Christine

Beatrice of Beatrice Trang, Samantha of Gemstone Beauty, Christine of Little Red Bow, Steph of Fun Size Beauty, & Myself

Photo from Samantha

We spent the few hours walking around gazing at the vendors, testing out some of their products, and learning about how and what they use to create their formulas. The event was hosted at Loft 404. There was a DJ (Dj Bloo), amazing food by SomeGuys Culinary Co (my first time trying Pigs in a Blanket was amazing and I want more!), and awesome macaroons by MANcarons Inc. (Also my first time trying macaroons, they were delicious and super sweet!)
I do believe I saw a few other recognized bloggers there, but I did not get the chance to say hi (slash I was too nervous to come up to you!) so I hope to see them and the girls in the picture above at events in the future! Also thank you to Samantha, and Beatrice, for meeting up with me. I would have been going by my lonesome self (due to my friend bailing on me) if they hadn't!

I wish I had more photos to show, but in the photo above I have linked to their blog posts about this event, so hopefully you can get a better understanding of the event! (Sorry Christine, I couldn't find your blog post!)

And here is what I left with! 

An overview of what I bought: 2 Real Techniques Brushes, Consonant 10% Clay Exfoliating Cleansing Bar, and a KonaKare Lip Butter Balm! (+ Samples in the background!)

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush & Powder Brush: With the FarleyCo booth just staring at me, I knew I couldn't leave without a couple RT brushes. I actually have been using these since. They are super soft, and too affordable. 

Consonant 10% Clay Exfolating Cleansing Bar: This was quite expensive, but I bought it because I liked the minimal and natural ingredients, and it hasn't broken me out! (To be honest.. I just wanted something fron Consonant heh)

KonaKare Lip Butter Balm in French Vanilla: I got to try a sample of this balm and it was soft, buttery and just amazing! It applied so easy and I had to buy one. I was also intrigued by the company background, and how they displayed all of their ingredients on the table so we know what we are putting on our lips and in our bodies. 

Samples from the Consonant Booth, and a paper story.

Now onto the contents of my swag bag! This was a complimentary bag with products or a coupon from all of the vendors. 

The complete contents of my SwagBag! Wow right?

Pelle Beauty Multi-tasking Facial Concentrate: To be used after the facial mist, can be a lightweight moisturizer, make-up remover, soften hair follicles for tweezing/brow shaping, natural make-up primer, base for clay masks, or after-shaving treatment!
Pelle Beauty Botanical Facial Mist: For hydrating, keeps skin fresh and revitalized. Alcohol-free!
Kaia Naturals Gluten-Free Anti-Aging 24hr. Booster Serum: I was surprised to see this! It is said to be a 2 in 1 primer+skincare.
Cheeky Monkey Polish in Cheap Whore: A deep red/wine polish! Yay, I've been wanting to try Cheeky Monkey.
Pure + Simple Sensitive Skin Face Wash: I already finished this and will be going to get a full sized bottle! It is a little expensive, but has kept my breakouts to a minimum and doesn't irritate my skin.

KonaKare Lip Butter Balm Original: Yay, another one!
Sweet Leaf Bath Co. Peppermint Beeswax Lip Balm: I love the packaging this company uses! It is like one of those freezies I had as a kid, where you squeeze the bottom to get more until you finish it. It is also biodegradable!
Crawford Street Skin Care Spearmint-Vanilla Lip Balm: Love the minimal ingredients I see in this one as well. I am happy to be able to try something from this company, as I have heard great things about their lemon deodorant.

Dot & Lil Rose Soap: Nice light rose scent, I have been wanting to try this brand for a while as well!
Ella's Botanicals Beauty Bar Soap Lavender Bliss (Lavender & Rose): Says this can be used for both face and body! 100% from Nature and it smells great and not too strong!
Consonant 100% Organic Olive Oil Body Soap: Says this will leave your skin feeling clean but not stripped of oils! This had a very strong scent when I brought it home but it seems to have died down. I think I should use it before it is too late!

Splat Hair Chalk in Silver Moon: I'm happy I got this colour! I tried it at the event, but unfortunately it wore off when I got home. I'll have to try it all over, and see if it lasts longer than just one strand did!
Flexitol Blistop: To be applied before going out to prevent blisters! It is a spray and kind of acts as a protective layer (like a liquid bandaid!)
imPRESS Press-on Manicure in Over the Moon: I don't wear false nails, but I love the design of these! I am thinking of trying them as accent nails or something! They look quite fun and easy.

Paper Plus Cloth Washi Tape: I love this tape! I don't mind the colour I got, but they have a huge selection on their website (which is now available on their website for $3!) I might just have to get some more..
Montagne Jeunesse for Men Morning After Scrub: I don't know if any guy will use this so I probably will.. but I hope it is fine for girls and won't make me start growing more facial hair! :p
Revolution Organics Freedom Glow in Bronzed: A cream bronze colour for lips, cheeks, forehead, nose. I would only use this as a bronzer. 85% organic ingredients and 100% natural.

a paper story Thank You Cards: 2 Sets of thank you cards that are simple and blank to write all your thanks in!
Miyu Beauty hydrate mi beauty tea: I sampled this at the event and it tasted so good! I have never had tea that wasn't sweetend that actually tastes good. Oh, it's also good for you and your skin.
Nayme.ca 10% Coupon!
Featherband10% Coupon!
LoveSewing.com $25 off Coupon!

Again thank you to the BlushPretty team, they were very welcoming and friendly, as well as the girls and vendors I had met and were able to chat with! I had a great time and hope to attend again next year!

Revlon Nail Art Studio Night

On February 20th I had the amazing opportunity to attend a Revlon event! It was hosted at nail expert Leanne Colley's Tips Nail Bar on Danforth Avenue, Toronto. I feel terrible that this post is a month late but I was initially waiting for my nail swatch wheels to come in, and then hoping that Revlon Canada would put up some photos! I completely forgot to bring my camera to the event!! I have never been to one before, so I was last minute rushing and left my camera charging :( I was lucky to meet up with a fellow beauty blogger, Therese from Canuck Beauty Reviews before the event! I will link her post down at the bottom of this post!

Warning: Post is picture heavy!

Upon arriving we were welcomed by the wonderful Lisa Gerardi, Leanne Colley, and the rest of the Revlon team. Leanne is a top manicurist and nail spokesperson for Revlon. Her nail bar, Tips is a top nail bar in Toronto that has been voted best manicures by mediums such as Blog TO, and Now Magazine! After meeting the team we chatted while the rest of the nail VIP's arrived! Until arriving, I had no clue this was only going to be a small group of maybe 10-12 fellow Toronto bloggers. I felt very honoured to have been one of those selected to participate in this event, thank you Revlon!

We then took our places at the table, and were given an introduction about nail art as well as some tips and tricks from Leanne Colley. We were given the essential tools for nail care, and I was very excited about this because I really needed some of this stuff! I confess I've never used a cuticle clipper, or nail groomer before (I was literally too scared) but I absolutely love these tools! We then began to create some exquisite nail art, and I could not believe how amazing the other girls were! I thought I was decent at nail art, and then I suddenly felt terrible at it haha. They were amazing. It was wonderful to see and hear some great tips from Leanne as well, because I learnt quite a few things about nail art that I  did not know before, and it really gave me a greater interest in it.

I wish I had taken more pictures at the event, I think I really only have one (silly me). I will link some of the other bloggers posts down below so hopefully you can get a much better idea of the event!

Here is what I was given to take home with me, after the event:

Revlon: Crazy Shine Nail Buffer, Expert Nail Groomer Cuticle Pusher/Cleaner, File 'N Peel, Cuticle Nipper, Nail Clip, Pink Sparkly File

We were given the full Revlon Nail Art Collection as well!

Revlon Nail Treatments: Treat & Boost, Nail Brightener, Cuticle Softener

Moon Candy Collection: 200 Moon Dust || 270 Cosmic || 290 Universe || 250 Supernova || 230 Satellite || 240 Eclipse || 280 Orbit || 210 Galactic || 260 Meteor || 220 Milky Way

Neon Collection: 120 Neon Light || 110 High Voltage || 160 Hot Flash || 100 Atomic Pink || 180 Killer Watt || 140 Pink Glow || 170 Ultra Violet || 190 Amped Up || 150 Fluorescent || 130 Laser Beam

Expressionist Collection: 330 Silhouette || 380 Post Modern || 390 Pastel Punk || 340 Pinkasso || 370 Jackson Polish || 320 Monet Monet || 300 Pop Art || 360 Vincent Van Gold || 350 Ulterior Motif || 310 Night & Degas

Swatches:

200 Moon Dust || 270 Cosmic || 290 Universe || 250 Supernova || 230 Satellite

2 Base Coats and 1 Coat of Moon Candy

240 Eclipse || 280 Orbit || 210 Galactic || 260 Meteor || 220 Milky Way

2 Base Coats and 1 Coat of Moon Candy

My favourites so far are Orbit and Galactic. I love the pieces in Metoer as well, the colours are very vibrant and not your typical glitter! It is best to let the moon candy sit upside down for a few minutes, and then flip it over when your ready to apply it. Swirl the brush around the edges of the container because it will likely attract more of the pieces onto the brush! I love these for accent nails!

 120 Neon Light || 110 High Voltage || 160 Hot Flash || 100 Atomic Pink || 180 Killer Watt

1 White Base Coat & 2 Colour Coats

140 Pink Glow || 170 Ultra Violet || 190 Amped Up || 150 Fluorescent || 130 Laser Beam

1 White Base Coat & 2 Colour Coats

The neons basically turned out matte, you have to be sure to have the white base underneath, for the neon shade to really show. I noticed that the last 3 darker colours didn't show up as matte/neon as the others. Also High Voltage and Laser Beam I think were a bit dried out so I had a hard time with application (especially High Voltage), I hope it is fixable! Killer Watt and Pink Glow are my favourites and the most opaque!

Expressionist Collection - 2 Base Coats without Step 2

330 Silhouette || 380 Post Modern || 390 Pastel Punk || 340 Pinkasso || 370 Jackson Polish

2 Base Coats, 1 Nail Art Coat

320 Monet Monet || 300 Pop Art || 360 Vincent Van Gold || 350 Ulterior Motif || 310 Night & Degas

2 Base Coats, 1 Nail Art Coat

My favourite base from the Expressionist collection has to be Silhouette, because it is neutral and very versatile. I love the glitter from Ulterior Motif. I can only imagine so many possibilities with mixing and matching these colours! Night & Degas is a matte black which is lovely as a base!

Overall I really am enjoying the different collections and having fun experimenting with them! I'll be sure to bring some blog posts with some NOTD's as soon as my nails stop peeling on me (I had to give them a break for a bit). Thank you again Revlon, and all the lovely bloggers at the event for the great experience. Here are some of their links:

Canuck Beauty Reviews

On A Chalkboard

From Runways to Realways

Bold N Beautiful

Jamegackie

Polish You Pretty

Al's Loves

Photo Courtesy of Revlon Canada's Facebook Page