OCC Lip Tars in Interlace, Marion, and Femme!

These are the OCC Lip Tar shades that I got at IMATS this year. The IMATS price went up from $10 to $12, but the overall amount of product also increased! In this post, I'll show you my hand swatches, lip swatches, and compare the old packaging to the new!

To see more pictures, please keep reading.

Keep reading!

Toronto IMATS Haul!

You can find my wishlist here. I managed to get everything on my wishlist and only purchase four things that were not on it, plus two additional items as Christmas gifts. Not too shabby!





^ I believe I spent a little over $35 at Crown. They raised the show price of the OCC Lip Tars from $10 to $12 each. I did not write down the price of the concealer, but I think it was around $24. The Embryolisse cream was $25. And the Naked pigments were 2 for $50, a great deal since online it's one for $60.

So there we have it! And yes, reviews and swatches are to come! Everything can be found under the "IMATS" label. If you went this year, I hope you found everything you were looking for. :)

IMATS Photos!

Here are a few snapshots that I took while walking around on both days of IMATS! I've collaged them so that I can show more and it not be a massive post. I hope you enjoy seeing some of the wonders that IMATS creates and brings. It's truly an awesome experience and I wish for all of you to make it to one of the events one day!

^ The Makeup Art Museum. This is always a bit creepy and cool at the same time! They change up a few of the exhibits each year.

^ A few captures of some booths. The vendor at Naked Cosmetics was so lovely, even remembering me from last year! They also had a great nail polish booth this time, which I don't recall seeing previous years.

^ The shows that I attended! Josh Turi was fantastic and easily the highlight of IMATS for me. I'm a huge Saturday Night Live fan and hearing him talk about the sets and cast was amazing. He did a presentation on how to do a bald cap. Eve Pearl actually worked on the same model in her show. The bottom right was the MUFE show about HD makeup with MUA David Harbid.

Josh Turi deserved a bigger crowd than what was there, but it allowed me to get a second row seat. I was mesmerized! Afterward, he answered a question that I had about the Zach Galifianakis hosted episode where Zach had his beard, didn't have it, and then had it again. I was amazed that they were able to shave it and apply a fake one so quickly!

His answer: Zach didn't want to shave the beard the whole time and then changed his mind last minute during commercial break! He and another MUA had to tackle both sides of the beard together to have it done in time for the skit. And then at the end, Josh had to quickly apply fake facial hair again.

It took two men to get it done in time! Now, that's dedication to the arts!

^ These are a few body art demos going on at different booths. Always fun to watch!

Me and Christine! We finally met at IMATS this year. I got together with her and her boyfriend (who came with her- what a trooper!) to take in the MUFE show and look around a little. I've linked you all to her page before and I'll do it again. She's fabulous, adorable, and oh so sweet! :)


What a great two days I had! And they've already planned next year's event with a date and location change. The countdown begins!

OOTD for IMATS 11/17-11/18/12

So this past weekend was IMATS here in Toronto. This is the start of my posts! I'm going to share what I wore both days in this one. Stay tuned for my other pictures, hauls, and swatches in upcoming posts throughout the next week or so. There may be a small break in between some posts since it's the week of Thanksgiving. :)

^ This was my outfit for Saturday. Seriously, every single article of clothing and the ankle boots are Old Navy. The purse is H&M. It has a detachable chain so I removed it to make it a clutch for the day.

^ You guys, I'm obviously obsessed with Old Navy because again everything is Old Navy. The shoes are American Eagle Outfitters. Seriously, go out to your local Old Navy and buy this sweater at once! It is the softest sweater I own and I can see it getting a lot of use this winter!

Stay tuned tomorrow for pictures from both of my days there!

IMATS Tips

This is the first of two posts today! My next post will be in a bit (hint: what's in my purse?). :) With IMATS Toronto happening tomorrow, I thought I'd reiterate some of the tips that I shared last year and add a few. I find these things to help me not get overwhelmed in the crowds, booths, and products.

1) Take your camera. I get very camera happy and nobody minds at all. I also use pictures from the last events to look at products that I might have forgotten about and want to take a closer look at them.

2) Take makeup wipes or anti-bacterial hand gel. You will more than likely end up with swatches on your hand and these will come in handy.

3) Dodge the long lines, if you can. If you know what you want, either tell the workers or hand them your list. They'll gather the products up for you and cash you right out!

4) Bring cash. It's so much easier and faster to check out, in my experience. Plus, not all booths offer credit or debit.

5) Hit up the bigger brands first. The MUFE and NYX lines will more than likely be crazy but if you want to get your hands on a specific item, get in those lines! They sell out of certain items pretty quickly.

6) Carry a water with you. You'll be on your feet a lot...which also reminds me...

7) Wear comfortable shoes. I know you want to be cute and fashionable, but at least try to wear shoes that are flat. Your feet will thank you! There aren't many places to sit down, aside from the scheduled presentations. Even then, you're not guaranteed a seat.

8) Don't worry about bringing a bag to carry everything around. A huge IMATS bag is provided.

9) Bring a notepad. You can keep track of what you spent and take notes from the stage shows.

10) Dress in layers. Sometimes the venue's air system is set lower to accomodate the crowds, but you still may get warm moving around and chilled when sitting down.

11)  I suggest leaving your purse at home and just carrying your essentials in a small clutch. That way it will easily tuck into the bag provided, keep your hands free, and your purse won't be bumping into everyone. It's a lot easier keeping up with one bag!

12) Go in with a bit of a schedule and a wishlist. It's a lot easier to stick to a budget with a wishlist. And the schedule just helps move things smoothly. Figure out what booths you want to hit up first (and look at the floor plan) and which times certain stage shows are happening. This will prevent a lot of extra wandering around!

I hope these tips help any of you going to future IMATS shows. I've been going since the very first IMATS Toronto and it's a blast. It just keeps growing and growing! If you're ever in an area where IMATS is taking place, I really recommend it. You get some great deals and discounts and learn loads of secrets from wonderful makeup professionals. There's nothing not to enjoy, if you're a makeup junkie. ;)

IMATS Toronto 2012 Wishlist

IMATS Toronto is quickly approaching. I'm so excited! I was chosen to be given a media pass this year, so I am hoping to go both days and take in most of the speakers and booths. I know I am definitely there most of Saturday! As usual, each year I provide my wishlist, any extra tips I may have, pictures from the event, and then follow it all up with my haul and reviews. These do not just apply to the Toronto IMATS, as most of the booths are present in the other locations as well!

Last year, I was able to get everything on my wishlist plus a few extra things. I like to keep my wishlist to a reasonable size and then allow for a few impulse buys. In a big room filled with makeup, I know I will see extra things that I just "have to have" so I allow for it. ;) If you're going to go all out on makeup buys, what better venue to do so than with a bunch of other beauty addicts?!


OCC Lip Tars in: Marion, Femme, and Interlace
Crown Brushes: C413 Brow Duo, AC009 Deluxe Camo/Lip, and AC010 Foundation/Camo
EmbryoLisse: 24 Hr. Miracle Cream
MUFE: Full Cover concealer

I love double-ended brushes for traveling! Crown Brushes are among my favorite brands. I have never tried an Embryolisse product, but I have heard nothing but raves for their creams. I swear by my Make Up For Ever Full Cover concealer...there is not a thing it doesn't cover! And OCC Lip Tars always make my list. I do typically migrate toward the pinker shades simply because I know I'll wear them more than the other shades. These are so fantastically pigmented and I cannot wait to see the new packaging in person!

You can find all of my previous IMATS experiences and hauls under the IMATS label. If you are going to this year's event, please leave a comment or email me. I'd love to meet you!

OCC Lip Tars in Trollop and Divine

I own four OCC Lip Tars so far. To see my swatches of Hush and Memento, click here. This post shows my latest two that I bought at last year's IMATS. Hush and Memento are more like everyday colors for me, while Trollop and Divine make great statement lip looks.



^ This picture shows how they can separate in the tube. Just flip it the other way and give it a little shake and it mixes back together. I actually don't care for the packaging, because it gets everywhere. And these go on best with a lip brush. I'd rather them be in a lip gloss tube with a wand.

Trollop is a dark pink and Divine is a true pink.

For swatches and rest of review, click to read more!

Keep reading!

IMATS Toronto: Haul

I had so much fun at this year's IMATS. It was probably my favorite yet of the three years that it has been in Toronto. I stuck mostly to my wishlist and only went $5 over my allotted budget. Yay! Better yet, every thing that I got can be used in everyday looks. :)



^ Everything together, minus an OCC Lip Tar in Hush that I picked up for my friend Kerri! One of my Crown brushes is dirty in the picture, because I have no self control and just had to break it in. ;)

^ I believe they had one available for $15, but I think they might have sold out of the singles. I picked up this double set for $30 CAN.

^ NYX Lip Gloss Palettes. I'm not sure why they spell it "pallet". I picked up three of these at $5 each. I got The Nudes, The Naturals, and The Perfect Everyday Colors.

^ Crown brushes. I grabbed all of the ones on my list! Two C433s, C405, and a C412. I can't remember individual prices, but I did spend $29 at the booth.

^ Best kabuki brushes ever. These are part of the Silk line from Royal and Langnickel. They always have an IMATS special where you can get any size of them for $7 each. I got another domed one (in a smaller size from the one I already own) and an angled one.

^ OCC Lip Tars in Trollop and Divine for $10 each.

^ MUFE Aqua Eyes in 24L ($14), Aqua Smoky Lash ($16), and Aqua Cream in #15 ($17).

I'll provide swatches in upcoming posts! To see other pictures from my day at IMATS, just scroll down to my last post. If you're near an IMATS, I really suggest checking it out. Just the discount at NYX alone covered the price of my ticket with what I saved! I already cannot wait until next year!

IMATS Toronto: OOTD and Pictures

Here's what I wore to IMATS and a few pictures that I took. I'll show my haul tomorrow! :) This post is picture heavy!

^ Old Navy blue sweater dress, black leggings, leopard print scarf, charm bracelets, evil eye bracelet, IMATS wristband, Tiffany key (not pictured were my shoes- black boots)

^ Koren doing Tess' makeup

^ I couldn't get my usual pic with Elessa, because she was busy doing body paint so I snapped her in action.

^ NYX had loads of crazy lashes available.



^ Body painting at the MUFE booth

^ I loved this model! She really got into the posing and was a lot of fun.

^ This was one of the student competition models.

^ Horrible picture of me but a wonderful picture of Koren. Seriously, the guy never takes a bad picture.

^ Some of the brushes that were at Royal & Langnickel.

It is always so much fun to get my shopping out of the way and just go to town snapping pictures. I get so much inspiration from it! I look forward to sharing my haul with you tomorrow. I am in love with everything I got. Or if you've been to my YouTube channel, you've already had a sneak peak of what I'm showing tomorrow. ;)

IMATS Wishlist, Tips, and More!

Hey guys! With IMATS Toronto happening this upcoming weekend, I thought I'd do a master post on it. I'll tell you what I'm looking to purchase, a few tips, and what and when I plan on being there. :)


Crown
Studio Pro Series C433 pro blending fluff - A perfect dupe for MAC's 217. I already have one and love it. I'm stocking up...and for under $7 CAD, it's a steal!
Studio Pro Series C405 contour brush - looks like a MAC 165 dupe
Studio Pro Series C412 deluxe pointed crease - looks like a MAC 224 dupe

NYX
Pinky Promise lip gloss palette
The Nudes lip gloss palette

OCC
Trollop Lip Tar
Divine Lip Tar

Royal and Langnickel
SILK red dome kabuki brush

It's not a big list, but those are the things I truly want. Anything else I pick up will be things that caught my eye. And because I always get most of the things on my IMATS wishlists, they dwindle down a bit each year. Probably a good thing with the Sephora VIB sale happening this week! Now onto what I think are "must buys"!

Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer - so amazing at covering under eye darkness
Make Up For Ever HD Foundation - a great discount price
Crown Brush Pro Blending Fluff - see above for why!
Royal and Langnickel domed kabuki - I use it almost everyday with my MAC MSF Natural.
OCC Lip Tar - I really like Hush for a pink lip.

I have a few tips for those going to future IMATS shows.

1) Take your camera. I get very camera happy and nobody minds at all. I also use pictures from the last events to look at products that I might have forgotten about and want to take a closer look at them.
2) Take makeup wipes and anti-bacterial hand gel. You will more than likely end up with swatches on your hand and these will come in handy.
3) Dodge the long lines, if you can. If you know what you want, either tell the workers or hand them your list. They'll gather the products up for you and cash you right out!
4) Bring cash. It's so much easier and faster to check out, in my experience.
5) Hit up the bigger brands first. The MUFE line will more than likely be crazy but if you want to get your hands on a specific item, get in that line! They sell out of certain items pretty quickly.
6) Carry a water with you. You'll be on your feet a lot...which also reminds me...
7) Wear comfortable shoes. I know you want to be cute and fashionable, but at least try to wear flats. Your feet will thank you! There aren't many places to sit down, aside from the scheduled presentations. Even then, you're not guaranteed a seat.
8) Don't worry about bringing a bag to carry everything around. A huge IMATS bag is provided.

I am only attending November 12, 2011- the first day. I'm going to try to get there as early as I can. I think I was there at 9am last year and out of there by 2pm, if I'm not mistaken. With the schedules that IMATS has released, I believe this is close to what my schedule will look like on Saturday.

8:30-9am- arrive at IMATS
10am- Koren's presentation (He's adorable in person, by the way.)
11am-1pm- shop the booths
1pm- MAC Presents Melissa Gibson
2pm- leave IMATS

I'd love to stay longer this year, but my husband has to get me home and go to a side job he has booked downtown.

Past IMATS posts can be found under the IMATS label.

IMATS Toronto + Contest Reminder!

My ticket has been ordered and printed for IMATS Toronto. I'll be going on the first day, November 12, 2011. So if you're going that day, I hope that we can do a quick meet-up or maybe lunch! Be prepared because I get ridiculously hyper around all of the glorious beauty around me with the makeup and artists. ;) Also, if you think it will be awkward to walk up to me...don't worry. I don't bite!

To see what the past two Toronto IMATS events look like and to hear about my experiences, just check out my IMATS label. You'll see pictures, tips, and hauls. With item prices being mostly discounted and getting some hard to come by items, IMATS is worth the ticket price to get in. Hope to see you there!

Also, don't forget that my contest is still open until the end of the month. All it takes is a follow and a comment to enter! Click here to read the instructions and to enter.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

IMATS 2011 Toronto Meet-Up?

*taken last year at IMATS

So who is going?! I don't think I want to go both days as one usually suffices, but that is not set in stone. I want to see the schedules first and I hope that they release them soon!

If you're going to be in/near Toronto, you should come! This is the third year of having the event here and it grows each time. Last year's was amazing! Again, please let me know if you're attending. I'd love to meet you. And if you have any questions of the past events, shoot 'em at me. :)