This post is SO long overdue! Several weeks ago I attended IMATS (International Makeup Trade Show) for the first time. I didn’t know what to expect, but I knew I needed to bring two things- my camera and cash! Check out my IMATS haul below!
It was my first time attending the International Make Up Trade Show and I didn’t know what to expect. It is a two day event that was held in downtown Vancouver at the Convention Centre. Luckily, I ran into a friend to keep me company and then also had Jasmine from The Happy Sloths as my other sidekick. The IMATS are present in different countries and provinces, such as Toronto, New York, LA…and I believe that Vancouver probably has the least amount of brands and exhibitors (as per usual…I guess.) At the IMATS, beauty products are sold at a reduced rate and you don’t have to pay tax, so it’s great for makeup artists or other people who work around with makeup 24/7.
Some familiar brands were Crown Brushes, Make Up For Ever, and Esquido Lashes, but there were tons of other companies selling makeup brushes, Z palettes, beauty blenders…I was a bit overwhelmed! I regretted not getting the Z-Palette now, so I probably will order it off e-Bay. I was surprised how makeup brushes sell from $3-$15 at some places and the rates are so good!! Why, outside world, why are other brushes so expensive?! I wanted to spend at the bare minimum..there were some items I poked around in and eventually ended with these.
1. Feugo Palette: I bought this palette for my friend for $15. There are 28 colours in there and it’s perfect for all her cosplaying needs! Red eyeshadows are hard to come by so I was glad that red was included in this palette.
2. Crown Brushes + Brush Set: I also bought this 15 brush set in this red crocodile print case for my mom. She’s always looking for a brush set for traveling purposes and she loves red purses/pouches. For myself, I bought two makeup brushes- the Syntho Deluxe Precision Crease brush and the Infinity Flat Bronzer Brush which is sooo plushy soft! Though it’s a bronzer blush, I will use it for stippling.
3. The LAST item I got from Crown Brushes are these make up wipes for $3 each which works extremely well!
4. I don’t usually wear false eyelashes unless I go to anime convention, but I thought these Eyemimo False Eyelashes were cute. They were $6 each and buy 1 get 1 50% off! I tried #NTR38 during the anime convention and they looked very natural! #NTR11 is a more dramatic eyelashes so I’m excited to use this for my future costume (perhaps Game of Thrones…I want to be THE Queen.) 
Last but not least is this transparent ziploc pouch to bring all my beauty products while travelling. I’m going camping this Saturday so I’m looking forward to give this thing a spin this weekend! I didn’t take an individual picture because….it just didn’t turn out that good while it sat alone.
I resisted to buy any actual makeup (except for that palette for my friend) so I’m glad I didn’t go crazy spending! I’ve been saving up my money cause I hope to buy a new lens hehe. Apart from the shopping, I felt that there was nothing else that really interested me in during the IMATS. Lots of booths were selling similar things (ie brushes and eyeshadow palettes) so it got repetitive after a while. I definitely understand why makeup artists would thrive in this atmosphere though, they can pick up plenty of new products at a better rate; but as a beauty blogger, I thought it was ok. Entrance fee got bumped up to $45 for one day so the fee is a bit steep, if you’re paying to spend more money.
If I plan to attend in 2015, I would love to see more brands! Have you attended IMATs before?
Disclaimer: I received a press pass to enter in IMATS but all products were purchased by me.
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