I had a really busy weekend so I apologize that this post is mostly of stock photos, I will get to my own photos in future posts!
IMATS Toronto was held this weekend at the Toronto Congress Centre. As I mentioned in this post this was my first time attending IMATS and despite all the warnings about how crazy busy the show can get it was still quite overwhelming! I had meant to arrive at 8am but was late and arrived at 8:20am only to find a LOOOONG line of people waiting to get in! Luckily after checking in with registration the doors opened so I just followed the line in and didn’t have to wait at all.
I loved that bags were provided for shoppers needs because let me tell you the ladies in attendance were there to SHOP! As soon as I walked in a mere 30 seconds after the doors were open this is what I saw.
A crowd of people gathering around the Make Up For Ever counter – all the ladies came prepared most with lists to hand to the sales reps so they could grab their stuff and go! I’m so glad I ran into Fiona Man as she kind of “guided” me through her IMATS process. A list she said was essential. She was very efficient. I tagged along with her and her list was essentially completed by 9:30am!
Another tip I learned from Fiona and another makeup artist and beauty blogger Donna Marie (yay, so happy I FINALLY got to meet her) was to go with friends 
They had a team game plan going one. One person lined up at one booth with their lists and the other went to the other! Saves plenty of time and definitely gets those lists checked off fast!
I didn’t listen to the number one tip from my fellow beauty bloggers: make a list and a budget and stick to it. I actually had my own game plan. Don’t research anything so there would be nothing I would want LOL! Well that plan SORT OF worked. I didn’t make any spontaneous makeup purchases I was however really impressed by the brushes I found at one booth: Bdellium Tools. I was told that this was their first time in Toronto and from the buzz on twitter sounds like Toronto really love them!
Although I wasn’t planning on purchasing anything I did end up getting two of Bdellium’s brush sets both from the “Green Bamboo” line. The foundation 4 piece brush set and the smoky eyes 5 piece brush set.
Later on in the day I was hanging with Arianne of Glitter Geek and Tamara of Beauty Thesis we made a stop at LA Splash yet another brand I had never heard of. They were raving about this eye shadow primer that is made for use with loose shadows especially glitter. I didn’t make any further purchases on day 1 but I went back quickly on day 2 and ended up picking up this primer along with some other amazing eyeshadows. I will do a review in a future post.
I also picked up the Beauty Blender sponge from Nigel Beauty Emporium since I had been wanting to try it out for a while.
My last stop on day 2 was checking out what all the buzz was for Make Up Forever. I know people really like their HD foundations and their Duo Mat Powder foundations but I still have plenty of foundations and powders that I’m happy with at the moment so I didn’t check any of those out. I DID however get suckered into buying their Microperfecting Primer in the yellow as it promised to minimize the appearance of dark areas. We shall see!
I have to agree with everything in this post. Thanks for the useful information.
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Awww thanks Joy, you didn’t have to!
Louise, from what I saw there were really good deals especially for makeup artists looking to refill their kits. I think I got some pretty good deals on the items I purchased! The beauty blender was $32 for example for the 2 sponges and the cleanser (taxes included) when it’s normally $42+taxes!
I definitely will
It definitely was overwhelming but I made sure to go with experienced friends
Yeah they only go to a few cities. I can’t remember where you live but maybe you can plan your next trip around an IMATS event
LOL! Yeah have to admit everyone was pretty hardcore there!
oh ya – added your post to my IMATS post! Somehow I missed your post!
Sucks I missed seeing you too! But I’m so glad you had a great first time at IMATS! Glad you were able to hang with some other bloggers
I love those brushes you got from their eco-line. Next on my list to purchase! lol
Wow, sounds like an amazing event and what a turnout – I would be completely overwhelmed. Were there any good deals? It looks like you were very restrained with your purchases. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the Microperfecting primer!
Looks like you did a really good job of not going overboard in purchases! Let us know how these items work out for you
What a great haul. I have heard of IMATS and know lots of blogger attend. I would love to attend one if one does come near my area but since I am an amateur when it comes to make-up I wonder if I would get too overwhelmed. Nonetheless, looks like you had a great time at this event
fun! I’ve heard of IMATS but never have one nearby so I’ve never gone but I want to! I’d be afraid of spending too much money though, haha! I love buying makeup! Looks like you got some great stuff E! Can’t wait for your next post
I love the brushes that you got. Very pretty.
I’m also interested in a Beauty Blender, I will have to add one to my beauty kit one day.
IMATS looks like it was a lot of fun but probably crazy with all the women.
LOL it definitely was overwhelming but in a good way!
Hey Alicia! I know, great brushes make all the difference!
Thanks Tara, I did and can’t wait to play with them all…now to find the time!
IMATS is “International Make-up Artist Trade Show” but it’s actually open to the public! You need to buy tickets to get in though. And no problem, thanks for holding a great giveaway
Jen, get some make-up lover friends and guaranteed you will hear about IMATS LOL! I first heard about IMATS last year through twitter but didn’t want to go alone
You can just buy tickets, no need to get on a list! Just google IMATS – I don’t know if 2012 information is up yet but I’m sure by the new year it will up. I applied as “media” for my blog and was accepted and given a pass for both days
How Would I be able to get on a list to go to the IMATS?
Were goodies very discounted? This seems like it would be right up my alley!
Wow! How do you find out about all these great events. Looks packed but you got some great items.
Red Soles and Red Wine
What is the IMATS? a makeup convention? Wow if it is that sounds like an amaziiing time! Thanks for participating in my giveaway!
This sounds awesome! Glad you enjoyed yourself and got some fun things!
Great haul! I especially love the green brushes, it’s always so surprising what a difference great brushes make! Looks like a fun event
Wow! Looks and sounds overwhelming!
Oh boo I had no idea!!!! I walked right by!
YES come next year for sure!!!!
A couple of the ladies on twitter (Donna and Naomi) are willing to do a group order so we can beat the system and pay less shipping LOL! I haven’t tried it out yet to see if it would be worth it but we could look into it!
I paid $25 including tax for the yellow primer – on the sephora site it says says $32 before taxes. If I’m not mistaken as a make up artist you would get an even bigger discount! I found out through twitter initially but I’m going to assume you can subcribe to the IMATS website or at least check back with them for the schedule?
It was definitely a nice place to relax but fun waving to you guys too
Hey Michelle! Yes I was so excited about the brushes too, I love them! I’m using the primer for the first time today – I’ll give it a few days and hopefully get a post up (errrr but you know me, I take FOREVER to get posts up
)
Next year? You should definitely go!
Dani did you end up getting bunch of stuff? Send me a link to your post, I’m sure I missed it.
Yay, finally!
OMG Kelly perfect description! Such eye candy for beauty bloggers LOL!
Thanks! Yes it was really fun
I know so glad we got to hang out! I’m already worried about next year, I have a few regrets about NOT buying things LOL!
You should have stopped by the YABY booth on Sun…I was working there!
holy crap, i canNOT go to those things with credit cards looks amazing though… next time you go to one of those things, i’m going to tag along, k?
but will do so without my wallet!
Wish I had a bigger budget to work with for the show lol Next time I will definitely buy some Bdellium brushes
I have the MUFE purple primer but how much did you pay for your yellow one? How does the beauty blender differ from the one at Sephora? How do you find out when an IMATS hits your town?
Can’t wait to read the lounge post! It looked pretty serene up there.
Love the green brushes! Interested to hear how the Makeup For Ever turns out!
I’m so jealous! I hope I can go to an IMATS event one day. =)
I bet you had so much fun! My first IMATS was lovely!
Yay we finally got to meet eachother!
It sounds like Disney Land for makeup lovers! Glad to hear you had a blast.
Great items and it seems like you had a fun time =)
LOL ..I kind of like your game plan. I may have to adopt that for next year. It was fun getting to chat with you, I can’t wait to see your reviews. :]
Hey Justine! They had a list of show specials (that I forgot to take a picture of!) but they were all bundles geared towards make up artists looking to stock their kits. The primer I got was $25 including tax. The Sephora site has them listed for $32 (plus tax I assume!)
I am always curious about the prices of items, that would be my main reason for wanting to go. How much were the MUFE stuff? 40% off?