IMATS Toronto 2016 Recap + Haul

Well hello again! I'm just going to let you know now, this is a super picture heavy post! To see what I got, just go to the bottom :) IMATS was definitely eventful for me this year. I got the opportunity to get a press pass to get in this year, so that was exciting. This was only my second year going, and the last time I went was in 2014, if you wanna check out what I got two years ago.

Before we begin, if you don't know what IMATS is, it stands for International Makeup Artist Trade Show, and it's this big awesome two day event where you could purchase make-up with amazing discounts, attend seminars and workshops and basically have an awesome time. My main goal of attending IMATS is of course discounted make-up on brands I love, and the opportunity to try out new products on new and upcoming brands. It gets crazier and crazier every year (that I've heard), and that makes it that much more exciting. 

Another thing that I will mention if you plan on attending in the near future is this: 

PLAN, PLAN, PLAN. 

My mistake this year was not properly doing research on each exhibitor. I went WAY over budget this year, but that's okay, because I got a lot of great stuff. On the IMATS website, they will always post the exhibitor list prior to the event, allowing you to check out their own websites, and seeing what each vendor has to offer. 

I made sure to make a list of all the booths I wanted to visit, what I wanted to buy from each booth and how much the regular prices were, so I knew if it was worth buying or not. I only did that for a few booths, and then I gave up and went to bed early to come early for the event haha.

Another thing:

COME EARLY. 

The first time I went, I arrived 2-3 hours early to line up to check-in. I was the second person in line. Trust me, you want to be there early. An hour before the doors even opened, the line wrapped around two hallways of the convention centre. Not only do you have to line up to check-in and get your wristband, you have to line up again once you checked in, and wait for the doors to open. It's a lot of waiting, especially that early in the morning.

Anyways, that's my two main points if you ever plan on going. Now, here are some pictures I took with my iphone, because I was silly and forgot my camera at home! -__-

Picked up my press pass! I was one of the first people (of the public) to get in, and I honestly wish I tried purchasing at the more busy booths first. I was too occupied snapping pics of all the booths! 

Only a part of the huge line of people waiting to check-in.

Make Up For Ever is always one of the more busier booths. They offer 40% off of everything, so I can definitely see why. If you're interested in Make Up For Ever, definitely make this your first stop. Make sure you have an idea of what you want to purchase so you're not wasting your time looking at all the products. They make you write your name and what you want on a card, and then they call your name and you pay for your stuff. Quite a long process! I skipped this booth again this year because there was nothing I really wanted.

NYX was offering 25% off everything. 

Kat Von D Beauty was my first stop because they had a bundle that I saw on their Instagram. You could get the Shade+Light Contour Palette, Shade+Light Eye Palette, Contour Brush and Eye Brush for $112. That's a $75 savings off the regular price! Everything else was 30% off.

I didn't purchase anything from Saint Cosmetics, but the products and packaging were super pretty.

I didn't try to go to Morphe because the line was crazy, but they had a huge variety of brushes and a lot of their palettes as well. 

Was happy to see LA Splash this year, and of course I had to try their liquid lipsticks.

All stocked up before they all disappeared.

Another great brush brand at the event.

Benefit was offering 40% off which is amazing. I did pick up a few things from this booth as well.

I'm not sure what the discount was at Lime Crime but it was busy as soon as the doors opened. I was a little disappointed because I didn't join the line early on, but then again, there's always next time. 

Super cute popcorn bags!

Seeing all these glitters makes me sad because I should of bought some!

Creepy.

If I'm not mistaken, MAC Pro was 20% off everything.

Beauty Blenders were $20 or 5 for $100. (Originally $28 CAD) When I went two years ago, I was able to get 5 for $60, which was INSANE. I guess since our dollar sucks the price is definitely a lot higher now. I wanted to buy more Beauty Blenders, but I passed on it, and spent my $100 elsewhere haha.

I heard a lot about Violet Voss through Instagram, so I made sure to do my research the night before on what I wanted.

Their eyeshadow palette shades are gorgeous.

Liquid lipsticks!

Here's a breakdown of everything I got and their discounts.

Kat Von D Beauty: 

- Shade+Light Bundle (includes Shade+Light Eye Palette, Shade+Light Contour Palette, Shade+Light Eye Brush, Shade+Light Contour Brush): Retail Price: $188 | IMATS Price: $112 

($76 savings!)

- KVD Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Bow n Arrow and Doubledare: Retail Price: $24 each / $48 total | IMATS Price: $16.80 each / $33.60 total 

($14.40 savings)

- Free: Deluxe Liner in "Trooper", two deluxe Lolita Studded Kiss Lipsticks, Deluxe size Everlasting Liquid Lipstick 

Violet Voss: 

- Holy Grail Eyeshadow Palette: Retail Price: $59CAD | IMATS Price: $55 

($4 savings, but also consider that if you live in Canada you have to pay tax and shipping when purchasing online!)

- Violet Voss Liquid Lipsticks in Wasted, Muse, Breezy, Vanity, and Tryst: Retail Price: $15.75CAD each / $78.75 total | IMATS Price: $65 bundle of 5 

($13.75 savings)

LA Splash Cosmetics: 

- Velvetmatte Liquid Lipsticks in Latte and Tiramisu: 

Retail Price: $18.99CAD each | IMATS Price: $18 each 

($2 savings, but also no tax, no shipping fees)

Benefit Cosmetics: 

- Goof Proof Brow Pencil: Retail Price: $30 | IMATS Price: $18

- Gimmie Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel: Retail Price: $30 | IMATS Price: $18

($24 savings, but paid debit so had to pay tax on top)

Virtzu (sold Beauty Blenders):

- Beauty Blender Blotterazzi: Retail Price: $28 | IMATS Price: $20

($8 savings)

- Beauty Blender Micro Minis: Retail Price: $26 | IMATS Price: $20

($6 savings)

Lady Moss Beauty:

- Clear Acrylic Brush Holder: Retail Price: $18.37CAD | IMATS Price: $15CAD ($3.37 savings, also don't pay tax and shipping)

- KoKo Lashes Lash Glue: Retail Price: $6.55CAD | IMATS Price: $5 ($1.55 savings)

CiCi Fashion Brush:

- 10 Pairs of Lashes for $10

- 2 Pairs of Mink Lashes for $10/pair

- Silicone Brush Cleaner $6

- False Lashes Tweezer $5

Overall thoughts?

I felt IMATS was a success this year. I got a lot of new products I haven't tried, from brands I've been wanting to try as well. I wish I had more time to stay longer (I left after an hour), so I could check out the brands I've never heard of. There was a lot more big brands this year, along with very popular internet famous brands. The discounts were fairly decent at most booths, and there was hardly any wait at most. If you're looking to get something from Lime Crime, Morphe, NYX or Make Up For Ever, definitely go there first. I would probably use the first hour or two waiting in those lines, and use the rest of my day at the smaller booths. I got a lot of great stuff that I can't wait to review. Look forward to sharing my thoughts with you guys! 

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IMATS 2014 Haul + Experience

So last weekend I attended the Toronto IMATS. If you are unaware of what IMATS stands for or what it is, it's the International Make-up Artist Tradeshow. It's basically a huge tradeshow with hundreds of make-up brands in one huge building, selling a boat load of make-up for a discounted price. Now let me tell you my experience.

I absolutely hated it. Not that the deals weren't good, but the fact that it was so busy and unorganized. My main goal was to pick up things from Make Up For Ever, and that didn't happen because they didn't maintain a good enough system to get people in and out from their booth quickly. If you're ever planning to attend IMATS, follow these crucial steps:

1) Make a list - Research the companies, and the brands that are going to be at IMATS. I researched and went on every single exhibitors website so I knew what to expect when I was there. It's way too crazy to be window shopping or thinking of what to buy. Know what you want to buy.

2) Get there EARLY - I didn't even sleep the night before, and I arrived to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre around 6:45AM. The event started at 8:30AM. We were third in line, but of course with being early, there is more waiting. The line was at least an hour or so long just to get your stamp, and then you had to line up to get in. It was insane. I left around 9:45-10:30AM, and there was still a huge line just to get checked-in.

3) Every woman/man for themself - I went there with my cousin and friend, but honestly, I ended up by myself most of the time. If you want to beat the crowds and get what you want, you got to get a move on! Once I purchased what I wanted from one booth, I immediately went to another booth.

4) Try to have a good time! - It honestly was a bad time probably because I was sleep deprived and I hate being in crowded places. I definitely think that most of the sales were worth going for, but maybe next time I will go by myself or have a good nights sleep haha.

My haul is rather small because I just couldn't stand waiting at the booths because everyone literally crowded around every single one. I mainly picked up what interested me or what I really wanted most. The one thing I regret was not running to Make Up For Ever first, considering they had 40% off everything. So sad :( Anyways, on to the haul!

IMATS Toronto Haul

 Considering I only spent $112, I think I did pretty well.

 From the Frends Beauty booth, I picked up a Z Palette I believe for $15-20?, 5 pairs of lashes (they were $1 each!!), and a metal mixing palette? Not sure the exact word for it. I spent $30 in total at this booth.

 I've heard amazing reviews for Morphe Brushes, and picked up only what I felt I needed. I got a brush cleaner spray in hopes I wouldn't be lazy to clean my brushes, a powder/blush brush and an eyeliner brush. In total I spent $22 at this booth.

This was the purchase that made my whole IMATS experience worth it. ONE Beauty Blender is $26(Canadian) at Sephora. Guess how much I paid for this bag of Beauty Blenders and Blender Cleanser Solid? Only $60. That's $10 a sponge and a free freaking cleanser. I am definitely going to buy another bag next year, because this will last me forever. 

Will I go back to IMATS? Was it worth it? 

Some people might think it's not worth it because it gets pretty hectic and busy, and that can be a turn off for many. For some, they love the sales and the chance to purchase make-up they love at really great prices. In my opinion, if you aren't an avid make-up user, or just "like" make-up, it's not worth your time. As much as I didn't have a good time due to being tired and hating the crowds, I may consider going again. I followed my own steps but still got really carried away and forgot where all the booths I wanted to go to were. It gets a bit overwhelming once you're in there. Just remember to have a game plan and to not be upset you didn't get what you came for! 

What are your thoughts on IMATS? Have you been?

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