IMATS NY 2014 Haul!

As promised, here is my IMATS NY 2014 haul! 

I have been eyeing Sigma for a while and since their products were 30% off, I figured this was my chance! Even if you weren't planning on purchasing anything, you had the chance to pick up a 'gift bag' and it had a few goodies inside (which was in the actual Sigma shopping bag)! Samples of eyeshadows (in tons of different colors), eyebrow powder and even two travel size brushes! 

Of course, I had to buy a brush set. I was pretty undecided on which one to start off with, but I ultimately chose the Essential Kit - Mr. Bunny set.

I was curious about this Brush Cleaning Glove they had. It has different textures and one side is meant for face brushes, and the other for cleaning eye brushes.

I stopped by the Alexa Persico Cosmetics booth to meet Amanda Ensing, but I also wanted to personally have a look at Alexa's line, since its been generating buzz on social media. I got a few Lip Velours and loose pigments.

I was happy to see RCMA at IMATS. I have heard nothing but great things about their foundation palettes and since it was on sale - 2 for $100 (just one costs $72), I HAD to scoop them up! Im slowly but surely starting a freelance kit, so this was a must for me. 

I've obviously been playing around with the colors!

Being sanitary is extremely important, especially when you apply makeup on clients, so I bought this Beauty So Clean cleaning system.

NYX was a madhouse! I tried to pick up as many lip things as I could for my kit. Matte lipsticks, butter lipsticks, extra creamy lipsticks, lip liners, and baked blushes - which is totally not lip related! Oh, and a sharpener LOL.

My IMATS trip wouldn't have been complete if I didn't stop by the Lime Crime booth. That was my first stop as soon as I walked in! The lipsticks were $14.40 each, down from its regular price of $18.00. The Velvetine and the Carousel gloss were regular price.  

I stopped by the Lady Moss booth to pick up some L.A. Girl Pro concealers for my kit. 

The Frends Beauty booth was swarming with people, but I managed to pick up the following - also for my kit! The Z-Palette would be a great help, and Beauty Blenders are a must! I also picked up this acrylic palette called VueSet and plan on putting my NYX lipsticks in there.

Thats all I have for this years IMATS. I will be posting reviews and swatches in the upcoming weeks, so keep an eye out for that! 

XOXO,

grace 

MAC Alluring Aquatic Collection Review and Swatches

MAC really knows how to sucker us into buying their products. I mean, can we talk about the packaging?! The Alluring Aquatic collection comes in a metallic teal colored packaging with realistic water droplets all over. Super unique! When I first saw this online, I honestly thought that it was actual drops to emphasize the aquatic theme, but nope, its actually on the package itself! 

What I picked up from the collection

As far as lipsticks go, I only picked up 2 out of the 5 that were available. I also got one lipglass (out of 5 in total). 

Left: Enchanted One (Matte) Right: Mystical (Cremesheen)

Peachstock Lipglass

Left: Enchanted One Middle: Mystical Right: Peachstock

The Extra Dimension Eyeshadows in this collection are super pigmented, with the exception of Lorelei on my skin - but still such a pretty color. The darker shades are perfect for a smokey eye and has just the right amount of shimmer to it! 

Top: Fathoms Deep Left: Legendary Lure Right: Lorelei

Left: Legendary Lure Middle: Fathoms Deep Right: Lorelei

For the cheeks I got the Extra Dimension Bronzer in Aphrodite's Shell and the Extra Dimension Blush in Seduced At Sea. Aphrodite's Shell is a beautiful bronzer with pinky beige undertones and is light enough for fair skinned girls to wear - so to my fair skinned beauties: you can wear this without looking like you have patches of dirt on your face! Seduced At Sea is a gorgeous mauve-rosy color blush, and would complement a lot of skin tones. 

Left: Aphrodite's Shell Extra Dimension Bronzer  Right: Seduced At Sea Extra Dimension Blush

Aphrodite's Shell Extra Dimension Bronzer

Seduced At Sea Extra Dimension Blush

Left: Aphrodite's Shell Right: Seduced At Sea

Overall, I believe the quality of the product definitely matches its packaging, and is well worth the money. The entire collection is available in MAC stores and counters today (unfortunately it has sold out on the MAC website). It will also be available in Nordstorm, Macy's and Bloomingdales!

What are your thoughts on this collection? 

xoxo

grace

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IMATS NY 2014 Recap

So, I know that I'm a little bit behind in posting about IMATS NY, but better late than never! 

Bright and early at Pier 94!

This was my first time going to IMATS (International Makeup Artist Trade Show), and it definitely won't be my last! I was excited to finally be able to attend, since I have missed out on previous years. 

Before the event I did my research and mapped out the booths I wanted to check out first, and tried to keep myself within a budget, but let me tell you-it was definitely hard doing so! It was every makeup junkie's dream, and to simply walk by some great booths/products without purchasing anything was very hard to do! 

As soon as I stepped foot inside the building, I went straight to the Limecrime booth, and was surprised to see that the line looked pretty ridiculous, being that the event started only 10 minutes prior. I was determined to get the lippies I had my eye on and made the line anyway. A word of advice: if you plan on attending IMATS next year please make sure you have comfy shoes on, get there as early as possible, and have lots of patience! It can get a bit nuts at times. 

A makeup artist at work

At IMATS you also have the chance to meet some of your favorite makeup artists/ beauty vloggers!

So gorgeous! Carli Bybel!

Had a nice chat with Julie G . Such a sweet girl! 

I was looking forward to meeting Amanda Ensing . Beautiful, and down to earth!

The amazingly talented Angel Merino aka @mac_daddyy on Instagram

I will put up a haul of what I got at the event soon. I enjoyed myself so much, that I'm thinking of heading out to IMATS LA next year (my bank account hates me already)!

Have you attended IMATS before? What was your experience like?