Our IMATS recap, aka the best weekend EVER!

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photos: we heart this

Oh, what a magical weekend! Why? Because it was IMATS and we heart this was there! The International Makeup Artist Trade Show rolled into the Pasadena Convention Center (one of it’s six locations) and we got the chance to attend for the first time.

100 vendors + 2 days of classes and presentations by the best in the biz + 2 very excited wht owners = a makeup frenzy of astronomical proportions. Join us on a image recap, won’t you?

Well hello sailor! A model at the Royal and Langnickel party.

The weekend kicked off for us with a party hosted by Royal and Langnickel. This brush company was new to both Tyna and I, and we were super impressed. A family owned business that’s been around since 1964, their brushes are ah-mazing; reasonably priced and really high quality. So much so that when we looked at an eight piece set that was marked $25 we were convinced it was a typo! You’ll be hearing more about them from us, they are very heart worthy. The cherry on top? They know how to throw a party! Body painting on cute boy models, nibbles and drinks, manicures, makeup touch ups and a killer gift bag – we were oh-so glad we attended.

Makeup artist Vargas works his magic.

We ran into Diane of Orange to LA at the party, a total doll and a makeup junkie with a major brush addiction. We ended up hanging out with her all weekend and had a blast!

One of the highlights of the party was having our makeup done by celebrity makeup artist Rachel Rose Desimone, an absolute genius!

As press, we were extremely lucky to be able to attend a pro-only sneak preview on Friday night. If you are an artist – make sure you make it to this next year (all you need is to sign up for a pro card). It was the difference between being at a booth with five other shoppers vs. being at a booth with 50 other shoppers.

First stop on Friday, Make Up For Ever for 40% off and no line wrapping around the booth!

I had to stop myself from jumping up and down as we approached the Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Booth. Ok, I think I did actually squeal. I couldn’t help it. Seeing the whole line, every gorgeous product lined up in front of us was one of those moments that made this weekend so much damn fun.

Glitterrama at OCC

Their nail lacquers are as fab as they are pretty.

But perhaps the most magical moment of all? When OCC founder David Klasfeld introduced himself to me. He thanked us for all of our coverage and couldn’t have been more of a sweetheart. I don’t think it’s even possible for me to love this line any more.

A big highlight of Friday was Inglot. Oh, am I a fan! It was my first look at the line and I think I feel a habit forming. Just look at that sea of perfect neutrals above. You choose the palette, anything from two to twenty slots, which you fill with the pans of your choice. It’s called the Freedom System and it’s utterly brilliant, as are the products themselves. The best part is the magnetic boards that you use to shop, attaching products and mixing and matching until you get your dream combo.

The Inglot counter on Saturday. Seems I’m not the only one who was impressed!

A flower by one of Mehron’s artists.

Another line we spent some time with on Friday was Mehron, a theater makeup line. Rachel used the Celebré Pro HD Make-Up on us during our touch ups, and we were floored at the quality. It’s only 10 bucks!

There was a bit more crowd free shopping, and then we headed home to get a good night’s sleep to prepare for the big event on Saturday…

The first thing we were met with were ghouls, lots and lots of ghouls! There are student competitions and demos throughout the event. Almost as much fun as the shopping was watching people transform before our eyes.

Zombies need touch ups too!

I wish I could have seen the final of this Day of the Dead-esque look.

The Napoleon Perdis booth was a definite highlight. Beside being the prettiest booth at IMATS, the staff could not have been sweeter or the makeup more glamorous! Oh, wait till you see Rock on Mineral Makeup foundation…

Oh la la!

The Napoleon Perdis floating chandelier was the classiest touch in the whole convention center.

Just as much fun as going nuts at lines you love, is discover new ones. One of them that we were most impressed with was Koh Gen Do, a Japanese line with gorgeous packaging and equally impressive products. Tyna and I oohed and ahhed over every single item, but couldn’t whip out our wallets fast enough when the rep demoed one of their whipping nets (apparently a staple in all Japanese households! And now two California girl’s as well.)

Another fun aspect of IMATS is running into makeup celebs…

YouTube Guru Tiffany D couldn’t have been nicer or more friendly.

And Amy, founder of Sugarpill was as technicolored as we hoped for.

Tune in tomorrow where I’ll share my IMATS haul with you. It’s a WHOLE lot of pretty….

we heartsters, did you go to IMATS? Share your favorite moments with us!