For those of you who don’t know IMATS is the International Makeup Artist Trade Show. It happens all over the world in locations like Toronto, Los Angeles, London, Sydney and of course New York.
It is a place where the the make-up addicted join up, from professional stage make-up artists to 13 year old hopeful make-up artists. There are numerous exhibitors ranging from brushes to eye-safe glitter (like lit cosmetics, check them out here) to professional stage and screen make-up and also companies like NYX and Inglot.
It is also a place where amazing inspiring make-up artists come to speak, like Kandee Johnson, Eve Pearl and Kabuki to name a few. YouTube gurus use IMATS as a place to meet and greet their subscribers and get to know the people that watch them from behind a computer screen. Lastly, the make-up obsessed take advantage of the exhibitors discounted prices and stock up on their favorites or try new products they have on their wish lists.
Bottom line: IMATS is a dream land for all those who are make-up and product obsessed or working in a related field.
It was truly an inspiring event for me mainly because of Kandee Johnson. On camera Kandee seems to be such a genuinely happy, kind, loving person but in person these characteristics multiply! Kandee started off her speech by focusing on two young girls who were battling cancer and brought them gifts and offered them her prayers and support. Perhaps more valuable than anything else, she gave them hope and they weren’t the only ones. While waiting in line to speak with Kandee women who were stuggling with unsupportive family lives or obesity told her their troubles with tears running down their faces. Kandee would embrace them and tell them that all you need is one person to believe in you. I believe in you. Their sorrow would melt to a sort of confidence and joy. She literally brought light and hope to them in the 30-60 seconds she spent with each other them. It was truly inspirational.
Kandee made me feel so special when I told her about winning L’Oreal and Destination Beauty’s the Next Beauty Guru competition. I thanked her for putting up that reminder post on facebook because at the time we had limited access to the internet because we were house hunting and staying with friends-life was hectic! Thankfully she did and because of that I entered for the three remaining days of the competition and look what happened. It makes me think of that quote: “You miss 100% of the shots you never take.” You just never know what the outcome will be but you have to try!
I should also mention I met many of my favorite gurus at IMATS this year including Ingrid from MissGlamorazzi, Allison from Amarixe, Fleur of FleurdeForce, Nikki from NikkiPhillippi, Tanya from Pixi2woo, Nikkie from Nikkietutorials, Lauren from QueenofBlendingMUA, Shrinkle of SugarPill Fame and I had a lovely chat with the beautiful Julie G of JulieG713 and the creator of her own line of Nail Polishes from Jesse’s Girl. Please support these girls by subbing to their channels. They have SO much to offer.
Check out my videos from IMATS 2012 for a more in depth look at what IMATS is really like! I hope you enjoyed coming along with me & I hope to see and meet more of you next year!
xox
Di Says: