April 2017 News

There are a lot of new releases at this time of year as brands gear up for the summer. I have been incredibly virtuous and not bought any, and very busy pre-holiday with small (slightly ill boys) and the continuation of the loft extension so I haven't been out swatching the new launches. Maybe I'll sneak out next week but for now here are my pics and also what's been going on elsewhere.

New Releases

Bobbi Brown's Beauty from the Inside Out: Makeup * Wellness * Confidence - after a rather sudden (for us) and surprising (for us) departure from Bobbi Brown (the brand), Bobbi Brown (the woman) has released a new book covering holistic, health and wellness practises to give your skin and body everything it needs to help you look (and feel) your best.  I may not love all Bobbi Brown (the brand) products but I trust the woman's ethics and knowledge so I can't wait to add this to my (terrifying) beauty book collection.

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Cushion Compact - Bobbi Brown bases are not for everyone but this looks to give a really beautiful sheer to medium, buildable coverage and with a great SPF 35. I'm always a bit dubious about cushion compacts and the hygeine implications but this looks very nice.

Charlotte Tilbury - ever up-to-date, Charlotte Tilbury has released a new #GloMo collection. I've always loved the look of the Instant Palettes (though I've heard mixed reviews from other make-up artists) the latest limited edition Instant Look in a Palette in Beauty Glow looks absolutely stunning though with rose gold and bronze colours that are really up my street. There is also an overnight Bronze and Glow mask to give you plumped flawless skin with a sunkissed glow. I would love to try these even though the # in the name makes me feel a bit sick.

Clarins Dare to Go Tropical Summer Collection - is now available. I haven't tried these yet but love the look of the Limited Edition Summer Bronzing and Blush Compact and the Instant Light Natural Lip Balm Perfector. Clarins always do great summery lip products so these may well be something that accidentally falls into my shopping basket when my husbands not looking. Also worth mentioning that if you are looking for a summer fragrance (or indeed are someone who needs a pick-me-up) the Eau Dynamisante from Clarins is my go to scent for summer.

News and Events

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I went to a fantastic launch for Eco Tools - you can see my thoughts on it in this vlog. Such a well organised event, really aimed at helping people get to know the brand and the brushes. Which I'm now well into doing and already have some new favourites.

Sleek Make Up - Boots are offering a free Dip It Eyeliner when you spend £12 or more on Sleek Makeup products. I'm a huge fan of their eye palettes and contour kits and this liner looks great - I love a felt tip liner brush. This offer is open until 9th May.

Products I've Been Testing

Eco Tools - I've been loving trying out the Eco Tools brushes from the event goodie bag. I'm going to do a review of my favourites soon. I would say that if you are looking for high street/affordable brushes these are well worth checking out.

Ilia Illuminator - now I'm not big on highlighter at the moment, mostly because it's so popular and when something is popular it makes me want to do the opposite (imagine how much fun I was for my parents as a teenager). But these highlighter sticks are really subtle and beautiful and easy to apply - they look best blended out with fingers so it doesn't really get much easier than that. Lovely to add a bit of a glow at this time of year, these are another great recommendation from Beauty By Tahira who is a great person to go and check out if you are into ethical and green beauty. I've been trying Sway and Polka Dots and Moonbeams - desperate to get my hands on Cosmic Dancer.

Coming Up

Next weekend is the UMA Expo which I am really looking forward to. It's the highlight of my make-up events each year and a great way to learn and top up your kit.

IMATS is in May and as it's the day I get back from holiday I'm not sure I will attend this year. I have to say that for me this has become a bit too much of a consumer show compared to the make-up artist event it used to be. Though this is great for the company and stands that feature there it's just a bit much for me - especially 8 months pregnant.

Time to get your tickets

There are some really exciting make-up events happening in 2015 and not only are tickets already available but often if you get them early enough you get a lovely discount! In date order...

United Make-up Artists Expo -
When - 11th (9am-6pm) and 12th (9.45am-4.45pm) April 2015
Where - Business Design Centre, Angel, London
Why go? -  This has by far the nicest atmosphere of any of the make-up events I have been to. This is a place where people who are passionate about make-up go to top up their kits, see fantastic exhibitions and learn. If I could only attend one it would be this one.
Ticket Price -  1 Day Pro Ticket - £40, 2 Day Pro Ticket - £50. 1 Day Standard Ticket - £50, 2 Day Standard Ticket - £60 get them here
What I thought in 2014 - check out my video review here

International Make-up Artist Trade Show, London (IMATS) -
When - 10th-12th July 2015 (10th is a Pro Make-up Artists day)
Where - Olympia, London
Why go? - Since moving to Olympia IMATS has vastly improved it is still, however, rather a place to be seen to be at nowadays which can leave to some rather silly behaviour from some (exhibitors and attendees alike). Still it's a great place to top up your kit, buy new products and see some incredible demonstrations from some of the most talented people in the business. If you are not a pro make-up artist then Sunday is often the nicest day to go on.
Ticket Price - £45 get them here
What I thought in 2013 - check out my video here

Olympia Beauty -
When - 4th and 5th October 2015
Where - Olympia, London
Why go? - I actually found this event rather flat make-up wise last year  except for the absolutely incredibly body painting which goes on over both days. I'm hoping for better make-up stands this year. If you are a beauty therapist this is the event for you with everything from products, to demos to clothing.
Ticket Price - free

IMATS

Here's a little vlog about my experience of the IMATS. I really love going to the IMATS but as with everything there's always someone that has to spoil it a little. I don't mean to single out MAC here they weren't the only ones at fault but I had to reshoot this video 100 times...

Also people being a bit bitchy is nothing on have an expensive make-up case stolen which is what happened to one stand on the Sunday. Still completely outraged by that behaviour.

Jim Chapman at IMATS - Friday Video

OK so I'm going to the IMATS tomorrow for the first time, and on my own and I'm a little nervous about it because it's huge and there will be some amazing, awe inspiring people there and I imagine myself just getting trampled to the floor under a mass of amazing peoples feet... so I thought I'd check out some videos to see what exactly to expect and one of my favourite youtube men went with his lovely girlfriend last year and videoed some of it and it made me feel a lot better.