Beauty

Mini Toronto IMATS 2013 Haul

preencess_IMATShaul02

Is this a long overdue post or what? The holiday season is always super busy! I finally found some time to write about my small IMATS haul from when I attended the trade show this past November. I think I did a fairly good job sticking to my budget and did not give in to any impulse buys [ok, maybe just one]. I picked up some of my essentials as well as a few products I wanted to try out. My top three things that I wanted to get at the show were MUFE products, a pair of Velour Lashes and an OCC Lip Tar. Out of my haul, I only got one thing that I wasn’t planning on getting beforehand, so I managed to not overspend. Yay! Oh boy, this might be a lengthy one…

preencess_IMATShaul01

1. MUFE Full Cover Concealer [6] 2. MUFE Aqua Lip Liner [3C] 3. Liole Auto Eyebrow [01] 4. Velour Lashes [You Complete Me]
5. OCC Lip Tar [Marion] 6. Ben Nye Banana Powder 7. MUFE HD Foundation [120]

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Sephora VIB Holiday 2013 Mini Haul

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I had already gone to Sephora before IMATS Toronto took place this past weekend, but had to hold off on buying a few things [mostly MUFE products] just in case they were cheaper at the show… which indeed they were! So I went back to Sephora the day after to grab some last-minute things before the VIB sale ended.

Sephora VIB Mini Haul

1. Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette 2. OCC Lip Tar All Star Mini x4 Set 3. Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum

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My IMATS Toronto 2013 Experience

IMATS Toronto!

Makeup mischief, managed!

This past weekend, I was able to attend IMATS Toronto 2013 with two of my girl friends for the first time. I’ve heard about IMATS before mostly via YouTube or beauty blogs and ended up researching earlier on this year about the one taking place in Toronto. Before the show, I read previous experiences from a few bloggers to get an idea of the exhibitors and the discounts as well as how busy it can get. I also tried to make a list of things I wanted to get so that I stay on budget… which I managed to stick to! What a miracle.

From what I’ve read, a few people mentioned to get there early in order to avoid the crowd or a huge lineup. I heard that there was a lineup before the doors opened, but when we got there at around 10:30am, there was no lineup at all to check in and get our wristbands for the day.

MUFE Booth Makeup MagicAlmost done...

Full-body Makeup Work at the Make Up For Ever booth. Amazing!

The booth where I was definitely expecting a lineup was the Make Up For Ever booth and sure enough, there were a bunch of people standing to the side of the booth waiting for their names to be called in order to pay for their purchases. Thankfully, I read about this before going on Saturday and made sure I knew which products I wanted to get so that I wouldn’t have to wait as long or wait around to try the products out. Even still, it was about a 20 minute wait to get your products called out. So if you’re planning to attend in the future, be prepared for this! They had a few promo packages available and I think their IMATS discount was about 30% less compared to Sephora prices. It ended up being cheaper than the VIB 20% discount, so I’m glad I waited to purchase my items from the show. While I was waiting I also saw Maria [well… more like she saw me], which was awesome because we haven’t run into each other for a while. It’s always nice to see friends during events like these!

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Sephora VIB Holiday 2013 Event

Sephora VIB Holiday 2013

Oh dear… why must the Sephora VIB Holiday Event start a few days before IMATS Toronto weekend? So dangerous.

As a VIB member of Sephora’s Beauty Insider rewards program, I received an e-mail a few days ago letting me know that the 2013 VIB Holiday Shopping Event will take place from November 7 – November 11. As long as you have VIB status, you are able to shop at Sephora and enjoy 20% off all purchases made in-store and online [promo code: VIBTOPIA] during this event. Also, you can take home your goodies in a free tote bag [while supplies last]! On top of that, you can also bring in a friend to share your discount with. Isn’t that nice?

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Happy Holiglaze 2013 x After School Boy Blazer

Holiglaze 2013 x After School Boy Blazer

Essie ‘After School Boy Blazer’ as base colour, with China Glaze ‘Be Merry Be Bright’ on middle finger and
China Glaze ‘All Wrapped Up’ on ring finger. Orly Bonder as base coat and Essie ‘Good To Go’ as top coat.

I was just saying to myself the other day that maybe after finally swatching all the nail polishes I already had, that I would be less inclined to get my hands on new shades… but nope. I guess not! Especially when there’s good deals involved. I was able to find the Essie shade in a local Marshall’s for only $5.99CAD and Sally Beauty Supply was having a Buy 2, Get 1 free promo for China Glaze’s holiday collection. Not bad, huh?

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