IMATS LA 2015…A Recap of Epic Proportions!

Above: Ready to enter the beauty wonderland otherwise known as IMATS LA 2015. 
Last weekend (1/17-1/18/15), I had the privilege of attending the International Makeup Artist Trade Show (more commonly referenced as IMATS), which was held at the Pasadena Convention Center.  This event, which features a myriad of vendor booths, specialized workshops and expert demonstrations, draws a massive crowd of makeup artists and beauty enthusiasts alike, creating a sea of individuals who revel together in their mutual affinity for all things related to transforming the human image through cosmetic artistry.  I hope you enjoy the recap!
Kindly scroll on for (1) details on the makeup I chose to wear (2) a detailed, image-heavy overview of the event and (3) a preliminary discussion of the products I procured as well as the Bottom Line…
Above: My makeup choices for the day of the event. 
Part I: My Makeup

For a long day of walking and beauty exploration, I embraced one of my favorite looks…even skin, gleaming taupe lids, lots of lashes, a light contour, a soft pink cheek and a nude pink lip.  This particular combination of products were so effective, I didn’t need to touch up anything but my lips!  
I used:

Above: The final look. 
Above: In terms of clothes, I embraced a simple, streamlined look including an Alexander Wang Muscle Tee, J Brand Jess High Rise Jeans (reviewed HERE)Neiman Marcus Cashmere Leopard Cape and Freebird by Steven booties along with my trusty, Seth Wegter bag.
Above: IMATS LA had over 120 vendors, specializing in cosmetics, wigs, tools, special effects makeup and supplies and education.
Part II: The Show
The Pasadena Convention Center main floor is expansive, enabling a host of vendors and demonstration stages at every turn.  Some of the highlights included: 

Above: The debut of the Beautylish booth, which featured Bioderma vending machines…genius!
Above: Face Atelier…this gorgeous line is always a favorite stop for me.  The base products (including the brand new Ultra Face…shown later on in this post) are incredible. 
Above: Makeup artist Anthony Gordon, Face Atelier creator Debbie Bondar and BP at the Face Atelier booth.
Above: With Jouer Cosmetic’s very own artist extraordinaire Niki Metz…her sweet energy and talent are such a delight. 
Above: The venerable Hakuhodo booth…more on the exquisite brushes I bought later on in the post!
Above: The ever-dashing Veil Cosmetics Founder Sebastien Tardiff
Above: Mesmorizing airbrush makeup demonstration in action.
Above: With Surratt Beauty National Artist (and dear friend) Satya Linak.
Above At the Mehron booth…this line offers makeup for both theatrical performers and everyday purveyors of beauty. 
Above: Famed designer Michael Costello and his sister Stephanie happened to be at the Mehron booth when I arrived. 
Above: With Mehron Marketing Director Stephanie Ferreira Koutikas following our meeting. 
Above: The Mehron Celebre Pro HD Cream Foundation comes in a spectrum of skin-matching shades. More on this foundation later on in the post.

Above: I adore the treasures I find at the French-Canadian line Lise Watier, found at the Naimie’s Beauty booth.
Above: With Lise Watier specialist, the beautiful Francoise SaintPierre.
Above: The freshly-relased Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lip Color…so pigmented and creamy.

Above: Not just for brows, Anastasia Beverly Hills also has a stunning variety of concealers. 
Above: The gorgeous Anastasia Beverly Hills Marketing and Social Media Director, Sabrina Sinclair (on left) and another lovely associate.
Above: Can’t get enough Koh Gen Do (at the Frends Beauty booth)

Above: A breathtaking Egyptian-inspired work of artistry.
Above: I loved running into fellow beauty blogger, the radiant Krystal of Beauty by Krystal
Above: Taking glitter to another level entirely…so amazing in person.
Above: Artifacts from the special effects wing…this racoon soldier stole my heart. 
Above: Medieval beauty incarnate.
Above: Thanks for another spectacular show, IMATS LA…see you next year!
Above: My assistant Laura and I directly following our day on the convention floor. 
Above: Sustenance, courtesy of El Cholo. 
Above: These churros may deserve their own blog post.  Insane. 
Above: A sampling of what I procured at IMATS.
Part III: What I Procured

I exercised extreme restraint at this show and embraced a carefully curated collection of products including, but not limited to, the following (close up reviews of these products to follow):
Above: A Hakuhodo retractable blush/bronzer brush and domed eyeshadow brush…the harmony of form and function at its best.
Above: Lise Watier Fondant lip color in Jennifer, a creamy, soft nude pink. 
Above: Veil Complexion Fix in 2G; this multi-tasking wonder is skincare, concealer and foundation in a single product…brilliant!
Above: The brand new Face Atelier Ultra Skin in #3…a buildable foundation with the most unique consistency.  The HD finish looks just like really good skin…more on this products (with swatches!) forthcoming. 
Above: The Mehron Celebre Foundation in ME 2…a perfect match for my NC 25 skin.  Full review soon. 
Above: Gloriously nude lips, courtesy of Anastasia Beverly Hills…this is Pure Hollywood. 
Above: The Anastasia Liquid Lip Color in Pure Hollywood…ultra pigmented, very creamy and uber long lasting…the quintessential lip color trifecta, no?
Above: Anastasia Beverly Hills Pure Hollywood in action. 
–Shop the Post–


Bottom Line: IMATS LA, as always, is a magnificent event for those who have a passion for makeup.  Offered five times a year (the Vancouver, Sydney and Toronto shows occur in late summer/fall…dates to be announced soon), there are two upcoming shows for those on the East Coast and Western Europe.  The New York IMATS takes place on April 10th-12th, 2015 and the London IMATS takes place on July 10th-12th, 2015.  Do mark your calendars if you plan on being anywhere near the vicinity of either! 
Good things ahead, including a link to my latest article for the Neiman Marcus blog, a FOTD featuring a brand new beauty line and a discussion of some of the latest products in my life.
I hope your week is going well…the weekend is almost here!
xx,
–The Beauty Professor
© 2012-14 Beautyprofessor® All Rights Reserved. Do not copy, reprint or republish content and/or photos without author’s written permission.

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Comments (16)

  • Anonymous Reply

    I would love to visit such an event. Unfortunately the one that is on this side of the Atlantic is during summer season, and holidays then are a mythical creature!

    And love the cape! Such a nice touch

    January 22, 2015 at 11:01 am
    • The Beauty Professor Reply

      Hello!

      I wish you had a similar event in your area…it's a must for makeup lovers ; )

      Thanks for your kind words about my cape…it was a great find (on sale!) at Neiman Marcus.

      xoxo,

      –The Beauty Professor

      January 25, 2015 at 11:08 pm
  • wefadetogray Reply

    Wonderful recap.! I adore Hakuhodo brushes. Your curled lashes with 3 coats of mascara look amazing.
    I am wearing by Terry Sheer expert (no 2) and it is very nice, luminous and light. I like it. I have been wearing that or my Vitalumiere so I presume I am back into my light looking/feeling base makeup once again. I also love the by Terry concealer you recommended. It feels like silk on my skin. Love it. I use it alone of over a new discovery: the bareminerals correcting concealer. I love it and I am surprised I do since I do not enjoy anything else from the range.
    Happy Thursday, BP!
    ps: I cannot wait for your thoughts on the new Nars foundation.

    January 22, 2015 at 2:29 pm
    • The Beauty Professor Reply

      Hello Wefadetogray,

      Many thanks to you! Yes, the Hakuhodo brushes are exquisite and I always have to exercise restraint when I have access to them ; ) Thank you for your kind words about my lashes…this mascara is very buildable. So glad you are loving Sheer Expert and the By Terry Concealer…both are so very marvelous. Ahh…I haven't tried anything brom Bareminerals for awhile; I appreciate the suggestion and will have to take a peek the next time I'm at Sephora!

      Hope your wekeend is going well…NARS foundation talk soon ; )

      xx,

      –The Beauty Professor

      January 25, 2015 at 11:10 pm
  • Clever Girl Reviews Reply

    I love all the photos of the stunning makeup. Especially the shot with the airbrush!

    January 22, 2015 at 7:25 pm
    • The Beauty Professor Reply

      Thank you, Clever Girl!

      It was a feast for the eyes, indeed.

      xoxo,

      –The Beauty Professor

      January 25, 2015 at 11:10 pm
  • Jan K Reply

    I'm so jealous. You look fabulous. And, to be surrounded by all that beautiful makeup. Heaven!
    Do you think you'll be reviewing the new foundation by NARS. I understand it's amazing.

    January 23, 2015 at 4:29 am
    • The Beauty Professor Reply

      Thanks so much, Jan! It was heavenly for sure!

      I am hoping to get my hands on the NARS foundation in the very near future ; )

      xoxo,

      –The Beauty Professor

      January 25, 2015 at 11:11 pm
  • Anonymous Reply

    What do you prefer the Giorgio Armani Fluid Eye Color or Tom Ford's Cream Eye Color? I have the Tom ford in platinum and am debating whether I should buy the spice or the Armani Senso. I know the colors are a tad different but they seem like they are in the same family

    January 23, 2015 at 4:49 pm
    • The Beauty Professor Reply

      That's tough as I love them both. If you can get your hands on TF Spice (which is slightly deeper and warmer than GA Senso), I would do it as it is LE and absolutely marvelous. The Armani is permanent and you can always add it into your collection later!

      xx,

      –The Beauty Professor

      Hope that helps

      January 25, 2015 at 11:12 pm
  • BeautyByKrystal Reply

    Awe, I love seeing Sebastien at these beauty events, his positive vibes and charisma are always a delight 🙂 I also picked up [another] Veil Complexion Fix, this year I bought the P2, a pinker version in my #2 range, with the intention of using it under the eyes to brighten and awaken – so far, it is just as magical as the 2N and 2G.

    January 23, 2015 at 9:35 pm
    • The Beauty Professor Reply

      He is such a dear man, Krystal! I love his energy AND his Veil Complexion Fix…so good!

      It was marvelous to see you at the show again this year…xoxo,

      –The Beauty Professor

      January 25, 2015 at 11:13 pm
  • Unknown Reply

    Looks like you had fun at the event. I want to go!!!!!! Will be picking up the Lip gloss you have shown.

    January 24, 2015 at 4:35 pm
    • The Beauty Professor Reply

      Thanks, Judi…it is always a spectacular experience. Let me know what you think of the gloss!

      xoxo,

      –The Beauty Professor

      January 25, 2015 at 11:14 pm
  • Anonymous Reply

    Oh no this is my fourth try at my first blogging attempt ever. Rachael I love your blog. Swatching, beauty and contouring instruction.. I could go on but I'm won't. Re astalift: name of foundation is Lighting perfection moisture pure liquid. Name of shades change. From my chat session I was able to select ochre 007 . I ordered the jelly aquarysta anti aging. I googled astalift found site and was able to peruse their lovely products- mostly skincare. And anti aging at that. Thanks for all you do! Jeanne -any mistakes in this post are all mine.

    January 26, 2015 at 9:03 pm
    • The Beauty Professor Reply

      Hi Jeanne,

      Thanks for the sweet comment! Thanks also for the details on your Astalift order. The names are not the same across the board and I am glad to hear that Ochre 007 was a good match for you.

      Hope your week is going well…xx and keep in touch,

      –The Beauty Professor

      February 2, 2015 at 7:47 pm

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