I’ve been to IMATS once or twice (it was so long ago that I can’t even remember if I went twice, haha) and The Beauty Social (hosted by Beautylish). I haven’t gone to any in awhile, though!
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Not yet! But I always thought they sounded like something fun and interesting to do! Although perhaps a tad overwhelming due to sheer volume.
Wondering whether or not one needs to be a licensed beauty professional though?
Not yet! I was just in NYC earlier in October, and they had beautycon the day I was leaving to go back home! If I had more time, I definitely would’ve gone 🙂
Not yet, but would like to go to one, but haven’t seen one in my City yet. I would be like a kid in a candy store !
IMA
Imats and the makeup show here in NY
Never! We don’t have any big make-up conventions here I’m afraid.
No and don’t plan to. I love the idea of it (all of that makeup and expertise!), but I think the parking and then navigating the crowds and kiosks would be a nightmare. Sephora or MAC during an “event” is enough of a gathering for me.
Right there with you. My palms get sweaty just thinking about the massive crowds.
Agree. Except I get a headache.
I have not attended any beauty conferences. Would love to attend IMATS.
No, but I wish they would bring IMATS to the Midwest. Chicago would be perfect!
Nope! Unless you count fashion week in Paris. I didn’t go to any shows but I did see quite a few models and celebs. I also went to a party at the Guerlain Boutique on Champs Elysee, which I wasn’t invited to but got in any way. I was just there to see the store and they let me join!
No, but I’d love to. I’ve never seen any advertised for the Portland area. I’d probably have to go into Seattle.
I haven’t because it would be 100% sensory overload for me and I am serious! LOL
I haven’t been to any conventions per say, but I have attended more trade shows than I can count because of the work I did. I have been to a few even since I have retired from the beauty business. You get hooked, and it’s always nice to see people I have known from the business at the shows. I like to see the new products coming out, and the vendors are always so generous, and the classes help me keep up with new developments and trends. I didn’t go this year, so next year I am hoping to go to one in Florida as well as the big one here in my home state of Michigan. I have been attending them since 1983, and I have always learned so much. In the past, I would bring my Mom and sister, and they had a blast just with the vendors, and it’s such a great time for me period.
I would love to go to a beauty convention like imats. Seeing something fun and interesting like imats would be awesome and so helpful.
No I haven’t – but I wouldn’t mind going to one!
I’ve been to PHAMExpo. I went because a lot of internet-based brands (like Sugarpill, Saucebox, Violet Voss, and LimeCrime) were having booths, and it was a chance to “shop before you buy”. Because the booths were run directly by the companies, a lot of the products were cheaper than “in-store” prices. Examples: I got two full-sized Beauty Blenders for $20, and my Make Up For Ever Hi-Def foundation was $26 instead of Sephora’s $40+.
A lot of booths had active demos going on; Violet Voss would put colored glitter on your eyeshadow, eyebrows, and/or lips, Saucebox was doing eyeshadow, etc.
It was a pretty fun event overall.
I went to BeautyCon in NYC last year and IMATS NYC this year. They were both cool but IMATS was like a shopping extravaganza!
No. I only heard about them in the last few years. I do want to attend one in the future. ❤️?
I would go if they had it in my city or if I was visiting a city during a time when there was an event going on, but I wouldn’t travel somewhere just for IMATS or a similar event. They do seem fun however! 🙂
No
Except for this year, I have been going to the LA IMATS (International Makeup-Artists Trade Show) every year since 2012. I attended PHAME (Professional Hair and Makeup Exposition) for the first time this year with my very dear girlfriend (aka: my makeup, beauty products partner-in-crime). I always have lots of fun at IMATS and also did too at PHAME.
I’ve never been to a beauty convention but am very curious about them. Must you have an invitation and how do you get one if needed. What is the cost of entry? Are they only in NYC, LA, and similar places. Can purchases be made there?
Years ago I went to a Doreen Miller one in London. My boyfriend at the time wasn’t impressed that I chose not to spend that evening with him instead 🙂
My daughter and I go to IMATS every year. It’s a fun mother/daughter ritual for us. Every year one booth has the super long line. Last year it was Morphe (everyone buying the Jaclyn Hill eyeshadow pallet that was just released) and the year before that it was Sigma. We are able to score really good makeup deals. Almost all of the vendors offer some sort of a discount.
i thought it was industry only but i see lots of people going! I do worry about the crowds though & not being able to experience everything it has to offer since i have to come from so far…I wouldn’t want to waste a single minute!