IMATS Toronto ’16: Was it worth going??

*WARNING: LONG READ*
** SPOILER ALERT: Scroll down to cheat and see what products I picked up hehe**

IMATS Toronto was here at the Metro Toronto Convention center last weekend and girl was it ever a zoo! Now for those who do not know what IMATS is, it is the International Make-up Artist Trade Show. It’s basically a giant make up convention for all beauty babes to come together and share the love of make-up by purchasing some of their fave brands and checking out professional artists. One characteristic is that it only travels to London, Vancouver, Toronto, Sydney, LA and New York. I’ve been wanting to go for the past few years but never did and this year I said screw it I am going. I was supposed to go with one of my close girlfriends but when she went to go by her ticket, the day I was going was sold out. So SOLO adventures for Steph it was. If you would like to continue to hear how the show was then grab a drink & a snack, get comfy and lets gooooo….!

Still super excited the day of I woke up early and put the best full face of makeup on I could possibly do and I was off. Mike dropped me off at the subway because no way was I going to drive downtown on a Saturday (all you Torontonians out there…you feel me). When I arrived at the convention center, all I had to do was show my ticket, receive my wrist band and I was in. After having a venti Caramel Machiatto in me, I was prepared to do this….then I saw all of the people! TONS!!! EVERYWHERE!! Now I knew it was going to be busy but 11 am and there were massive lines for basically every booth going. Taking deep breaths I managed to locate the reason I came.. MORPHE…I thought I would suck up the wait…its worth it right? No crazy shipping price.. no taxes…. until I saw how long the line up was, and were told that it was going to be a 3 hour wait. I felt so overwhelmed and defeated, I called Mike thinking that its I’m done throwing the white towel in. But I decided to walk around a little and check out the places that didn’t have lines before going home. My mood instantly changed (still overwhelmed, just not defeated) got into my groove and I picked up some things.

 (This was only half of the line for Morphe)
I am pleased with the items I picked up as I would not have thought to order them online although I have admired them. My over all impression of IMATS was it is a cool experience, but without a fellow buddy to go with it can become overwhelming quickly. At least with a friend you can tackle things together as well as switch off during line waits. As for benefits there are not many perks besides no taxes or no shipping costs. UNLESS you are a pro card holder, then there were special booths and discounts dedicated to just them. *I must say, ordering online is so much easier…darn them shipping fees though*

Some vendors included: Kat Von D, Limecrime, Benefit Cosmetics, MAC Pro, Morphe, NYX Cosmetics, NARS, Make Up Forever and Velour Lashes. (See why there were so many lines).

For those thinking of attending next year, here’s a couple of recommendations:
1) Have a friend join you (for reasons stated previously)
2) Rise & Shine…get there first thing when it’s just opened to avoid long waits and first serve
3). Save or Budget money out…going in with a list of desired product or prepped budget. There’s lots of beautiful things and money will go quickly so if you are savy or watching what you spend this is a major tip for you.
4) Pack light… its gets hot quickly in venues with many people, avoid heavy jackets if possible & Bring Cash…..you will get checked out faster than those with card payments.

I hope you enjoyed my IMATs story…the ride home on the subway is a whole different chapter (Typical subway crazies). If you attended this year I would love to hear your opinion of it. What did you pick up?

Scroll down after this blurb to see what I managed to pick up from my trip.
Until next time,
Love Steph xo

Drugstore Lash Tinting..Yay or Nay?

All my fellow blondes will agree with me on this one….Mascara and brow products are a natural blondes best friend. Looking like you have no eyelashes or eyebrows due to the hairs being so light is really not fun at all. So naturally when I saw Rimmel London‘s new Volume and Last tinting mascara I was excited. I’ve been approached before by many saying I should try lash tinting but I am not to sure if I want to commit, or to the price as well. So for my anxious self a lash tinting mascara was the perfect thing to try, plus it was on sale (why not, its screaming try me)! I purchased this from Shoppers Drugmart, which it should be available at all drugstores and Walmarts.

Let’s dig into some information about the mascara shall we, its by Rimmel London and its called the Wonder’lash Volume Colourist Mascara. It is formulated with a last tint complex that is supposed to make your bare lashes darker (tinted) after 2 weeks of daily use. The brush is designed to wrap each lash with blacker than black pigments to make them fuller and darker.

What’s great? The volume concept of the formula is what I like the most. I noticed a difference is length and fullness when wearing the mascara compared to bare or with another brand on. It is a build-able product as well, you can put on multiple coats without it becoming clumpy.

What’s NOT great? The Tinting. The whole purpose of this mascara was to make a noticeable difference in the colour of your bare lashes and I noticed nothing. I was dedicated to wearing this mascara every day and not mixing it with any other product to make sure I was not tampering with results. I did it for the 2 weeks as they said, and noticed no change so I continued wearing for another 3 weeks and nothing.  I knew there was not going to be a significant difference as to if you were to professionally get them done, but I did have some hopes that I would notice something.

Repurchase?  I will NOT be re purchasing again. Using it up for the volume and then on to the next one.

Has anyone else tried this mascara out? If so what were the results like for you? Do you enjoy this product? Have you done actual lash tinting before? Let me know in the comments below!!

Until next time,

Steph xo

Here are the before and after pictures of my lashes, so you can see if you notice any difference.

Sweet treats with IPSY August!

I DID IT! I caved and signed up for my first ever beauty subscription and I am unbelievably excited. It was soo hard to figure out what one to try as there is such a wide range of ones to check out for beauty, fitness and lifestyle. I went with IPSY! With the cute decorative themed bags, wide range of products and affordable price this was the pick for me! If you don’t know anything about IPSY it starts off with a series of questions to see what your type of style is, as well as what type of products are your go to’s. Each bag is designed for that person, so not everyone will get exactly the same products, but a couple are staples for that month. There is also a theme for each month with a cute inspired travel makeup bag.

The theme for August is “Sugar Highness”. The bag is super cute and has a smooth texture, it reminds me of mermaids with the auqa green colours. I love mermaids, they are my spirt sister. We get 5 samples, some items they can be full-sized, and others are deluxe samples. Now let’s get onto the products!!!!

 

1. Trust Found Beauty Lipgasm liquid lip in shade “K, Bye”. I have never heard of this brand yet but what I like so far is that they are vegan and cruelty free, with the logos on the back of the package. A huge point in my books (I’ve been trying to be more cautious on wether or not the products I am buying are cruelty free). The colour is a browny-mauve colour, a beautiful everyday use colour. A great addition to my collection as most of my colours are pink. It’s not a matte lip, but more of a pigmented lip gloss. No fragrance to it, but I am excited to try it out and see what it is like.

   
   

2. Formula X mini nail polish in the shade “Dollparts”. It’s a pale natural pink, very soft and muted. It would need multiple coats to build up more colour. Not a shade for me as I am more of a bright nails lover, but still very feminine and cute. 
   
3. NYX Born to glow Liquild Illuminator in “Sunbeam”. This is just… ugh!! A good ugh!!. This was what I was most excited to find in my bag. I would say it is a deluxe sample with 13 mL, and who doesn’t love a good highlight! It’s a liquid cream based highlighter that is easy to blend with a finger and probably even more of a dream to blend with a beauty blender. Its a beautiful pinkish white shimmer, that could maybe dare I say be a dupe for Benefits High Beam?? At a way more affordable price you can’t that! I cannot wait to play around with this and make my face glow to the point it looks like angels are laying on my cheek bones!!! This would be perfect aid for any strobing techniques.

   
   

4. Dr.G Brightening peeling gel.This is a Korean based skin care product, which Korean skin care is raved about in the beauty world. They generally have the best products for wrinkles, bright skin, anti-aging and acne free. Basically their faces look like they haven’t aged a day over 15 and their skin feels like a baby’s bum. I WANT THAT!!! Now don’t get confused this isn’t one of those gels you put on leave then peel it off like a strip. With this product you massage the gel in circular motions onto dry skin, after you rinse your face thoroughly with water. The purpose of this gel is to instantly brighten the skin and eliminate dead skin cells with the vitamin E gel.

   
   

5. Symphony Beauty Makeup cleaning wipes. These makeup wipes are to moisturise the face while cleaning and brightening the skin. The package comes with 10 wipes that are acceptable for all skin types. It is infused with cucumber and aloe vera to leave the skin feeling soothed and refreshed. I don’t know about you but there is no better feeling then taking a nice cool wipe and putting it over your eyes. Whether it is just to cool them down if they are a tad puffy or to wipe of makeup. literally the BEST feeling. These wipes are paraban, sulphate, alcohol and cruelty free!! Going to be great to throw these in my purse for on the go or travelling, can never go wrong with a refreshing wipe.

   

Not too bad for this month’s products I am excited to receive next months to see the goodies but sadly that will mean that summer is over! NOOO!!!

Are there any great beauty subscriptions that you think are worth a try? Or if you are subscribed to IPSY did you get any different products then me? Let me know!!!

Until next time,
Steph xo

Fri-unday Favourites

Okay now this technically should have been up on Friday as it is Friday’s Favourite five, but something called work (ungodly thing) decided to be incredibly rude and get in the way. Can you believe that?? (if only we could all win the lottery and just chill together in a big pool with an endless about of fun floaties). Nothing will stop this going up even though it’s now on Sunday instead of Friday… but let’s dig down into this past weeks YES-es.

1. Coconut Lime Breeze Fine Fragrance Mist from Bath & Body Works $15 CAD

   Now.. a small disclaimer this fragrance has now been discontinued and only makes an appearance for their semi-annual sales in January and June, sometimes. *tear, tear* Let’s have a moment for me since this is my absolute fave and now I can’t get it!!! Don’t you worry your pretty head…I have a stash. Here in Toronto we are currently experiencing an extreme heat wave. Heat…I love… the humidity index of 79% to where the air is thick and your lungs can’t work…not so much. What I have found is that fresh fragrances that have fruit, citrus or clean notes will make you feel refreshed and cool. Scent and feelings correspond with one another…such as vanilla or amber for a warm cuddly fragrance, Jasmine or musk for more of a flirtatious feel. Thus during the summer I stay away from heavy EDT’s or expensive perfumes and opt out for a refreshing body spray where it is lighter. TIP: Place your body spray in the fridge or freezer for a few minutes when you go to spray it on you, the liquid will be cool and act as a cooling mist for your scorching skin. It works wonders!

   

2. Mediterranean Pasta from Aroma (approx $7)

   You may be thinking that this is some type of pasta dish. WRONG  my friends. It is the amazing duo of salad….and pasta. Yes…pasta and lettuce. You just simply can not beat the combo, mainly because I am a large lover of pasta. Its a simple arugula salad with cherry tomatoes, fresh feta, olives and red onion rings. In that they throw in warm fusilli pasta that has a light oil based coating with spices. A small container of an oil/vinaigrette mixture is given to add on top. It is delish and tricks you into thinking that eating carbs is healthy.

   

3. Aromatherapy Sleep Night Time Tea Body Lotion (Bath & Body Works) $14.5o CAD

   Yes another BBW product but I just had too. Why did you have to Steph, you ask?! Because….Night Time Tea is my ALLLL TIMEEEE favourite fragrance in body lotion. They discontinued it around 4 years ago and they just brought it back as a limited edition for the fall time. I screamed slightly when I saw it came back, some people may have judged but I do not care, just enjoy my excitement. This fragrance is a combination of orange blossom and sandalwood. Its a soft, pretty, just amazing fragrance. Its that fragrance you want to keep smelling over and over, comforts you and pulls you away from everything. If you are not familiar with the Aromatherapy line from BBW, its made up of 100% essential oils and consists of 4 categories each designed with certain fragrance notes that are to target those specific moods/feelings. Stress Relief (Eucalyptus), Sleep (Lavander), Energy (Orange), and Sensual (Jasmine, Blackcurrent). There is multi range of products from bath, to scrub, to body, to even candles.

   

4. Benefit’s Goof Proof eyebrow pencil $30 CAD

   I purchased this around 2 weeks ago give or take but it wasn’t until this week that I was using it consistently. Normally my go to eyebrow product is Anastasia dip brow pomade, but I found it too harsh for when I wanted a subtle make up look or when I only wanted to wear a bare face to work. I picked up the goof proof eyebrow pencil as it gives you the most natural fill in with out the colour being too harsh. I use the shade #1 which is their light/blonde shade. What I like the most about this pencil is the shape of the actual product tip, its in the shape of a diamond which allows you to create that sharp line while being able to have a full fill in. The other end has a spooly brush attached so you are able to brush the product through your hairs lessening or evening the pencil. It’s a super easy product to work with living up to the name goof proof.  This looks great on the days where you just want to wear a BB cream, mascara and make it look like you own a set of eyebrows (welcome to a blonde girls life).

5. The Chainsmokers and Don Diablo

   For the music portion of the favourites I have 2 songs this week that have had the replay button virtually abused and harassed. I am still coming off a Veld high, and currently experiencing slight withdrawals after seeing the Chainsmokers and Steve Aoki. Both closed their sets at Veld music fest in Toronto with new hit tracks that they were just releasing.
   Closer by The Chainsmokers feat. Halsey
   
   I love that this song features Andrew’s vocals who is one of the djs from this dynamic duo. It’s a song he wrote about his ex-girlfriend that he now regrets but this catchy cute song has quickly risen to the top charts of iTunes in Canada.

   What We Started (Feat. BullySongs) by Don Diablo, Steve Aoki, Lush & Simon
   
   It is such an upbeat, pump up make you feel good and ready to go out and take on the world song. If you give it a listen you will know exactly what I mean. It is far from any typical dance or EDM tracks, it is more slow paced with the lyrics then picks it up when it wants you to know you can basically achieve what you want and don’t let anyone stop you.

   Well folks that’s it for the favourites this week, hope this got you to listen or want to indulge some how. What spiked your interest this week? Would love to know.

   Until next time,
   Steph xo