How will this affect the makeup community both professional and consumer? Well, only time will tell. Generally speaking when things like this happen the major concern with regards to the professional makeup community are homogenization and lessening of product quality. Consumers generally aren’t aware, but when the mega-companies buy out smaller companies, the formulations of the products often change. This may occur due to changes in sourcing, straight-out reformulation, etc. but whatever the reason, the differences are real and oftentimes not for the better. Also, corporate focus can often change. The line may be sold as one thing when it’s actually something else. The most dramatic example would be when EL Companies bought out MAC. When MAC was an indie line, it was a TRULY makeup artist driven line, the people who worked for the line were makeup artists and MAC was heavily involved in the creative communities. For reasons to long to go into, that all pretty much went away when EL took over in 1996, but EL has been selling the image of MAC being the “pro artist brand of choice” ever since. It’s nearly impossible to adequately explain the before and after of MAC for those who weren’t there to witness it, but for those of us who were, “dramatic” is the only word that comes close. I like MAC fine, they have some good products that are staples in my kit, but they are nowhere near what they were before the sale.

5) Cargo Cosmetics – Lipgloss
This would be higher on the list save for the fact that Cargo changed the configuration and color selection of this item. They used to be lipgloss duos and they were the BEST ever. Now I see they are quads and they didn’t keep any of the same color names. I’m still going to recommend it, however, for a couple of reasons. First of all, the actual formulation of Cargo’s lipgloss was always fantastic; smooth and creamy and full coverage without being sticky or gloopy. Secondly, the amount of product was quite generous. Dunno if it’s still as generous now that it’s a quad, however, the tin is larger and deeper than most tubes AND you can scoop every last bit out. Not sure what the new colors are like but when you’re in Sephora, Cargo is always worth checking out.

4) Tarte Cosmetics – Double Ended Lip Gloss
Underneath the kitschy names and fun color combinations lives a serious lipgloss. Tarte has been slowly but surely making it’s entire line more green, cruelty free, naturally derived, etc. Not only do these lipglosses offer true, sheer (but buildable) pretty color, they’re loaded with good-for-you ingredients AND they’re vegan! Fave colors: Jake & Samantha, Johnny & Baby, Rhett & Scarlett (pictured), and Tarzan & Jane.

3) Korres – Lip Butters
OK, so these aren’t technically glosses but they’re fab. They are tinted lip balms, but really tinted so they give a lovely hit of color and they feel amazing. They are perfect for casual, daily wear. I gave a ton of the Holiday sets away as gifts and every recipient told me they love them AND they use them daily. If you hate the feel of lipgloss but want some color, this is the product for you. Fave colors; all three and then there’s a nude balm as well. (Korres’ Cherry Oil Lipglosses are great as well)

2) Nars – Lip Gloss
What can you say, really? Nars lipglosses are near perfection; high shine but not too sticky, high pigmentation for rich color but not to thick or gloopy, and the colors! Nars is a makeup artists’ brand so I can’t lie and say that all colors work for all women or that they are all easy and wearable… but Nars offers a great range of colors to satisfy the makeup demure and the makeup daring and all points in between. Fave colors; Dolce Vita, Bloodwork, Boogie Nights, Misbehave, Revolt, Ophelia, Rose Birman, Striptease and of course Orgasm.

So who beat out the near perfection that is Nars? The Perfection that is…

- Working in L.A.: The “Working In” series is a staple of the Powder Group’s education series. Personally, having worked my whole career in Los Angeles, I think L.A. is a tricky market and I was interested to hear what the panelists – Koren Zander & Bryin Smoot – both freelance artists along with Lori Taylor, in-house artist for Smashbox Cosmetics and Sarah Lucero, lead artist for Stila Cosmetics) and facilitated by makeup artist James Vincent – would have to say about it. I would have changed the format for this workshop just a bit. The panelists were obviously highly knowledgable, however there was no directed line of conversation. The floor was, instead, immediately opened for questions and as such the questions directed the flow of the seminar. Most of the questions were quite basic – which is fine because people are there to learn – but for artists like my friend who I was with who has already gotten herself firmly implanted on agency assist lists and is working jobs via agents as well as her own Key jobs and is definitely a more intermediate level artist – there wasn’t a whole lot of new information. Not to mention more established artists like myself (but really, I was there more in Blogger capacity). I think there is just an underlying assumption that artists at these shows are complete newbies and that’s not the case so I’d still like to see the shows develop more content for intermediate and advanced – working – artists.

Exhibitors/Shopping:
The floor was jam packed with tempting goodies. I managed to just take a walk-thru and not spend every dime I had right off the bat but here are a few of the folks I plan to go back to today;

- Korres: Y’all know how much I love Korres so ’nuff said there, but they had their fabulous Provitamin Mascara there at a show price as well as some new items I’ve not tried yet. Trade shows are a great time to try new products at great prices, and Korres is one of the few naturally derived lines that works well for both personal and professional use. If you aren’t hip to Korres already, be sure to check them out!

- Ingot: I couldn’t get to a person to get actual assistance so I’ll have to go back today but in addition to their vast array of products they have something called a “Freedom Palette” that I need to go investigate.

- Yaby: Disclaimer – Liz Yu, founder of Yaby, is a friend. However, her line is great so I don’t have to feel guilty about being completely biased. I am giving myself a late pass for just now discovering the fabulous Pearl Paint eyeshadows but I’ll be rectifying that by buying the palette today.

and the Big Winner:

-I Nuovi: I teach periodically at the MKC Academy and founder Margaret Kimura is the new Creative Director for I-Nuovi cosmetics, so I wanted to check the line out. I haven’t been this impressed with a line in a long, long time. Beautiful colors, beautiful textures, beautiful pigmentations (all the colors showed true and beautiful on my dark skintone), an impressively comprehensive array of products… I’ll be real I felt about I-Nuovi the way I thought I was going to feel about Inglot. I was completely blown away by this new line and I think I Nuovi has definite Cult Status potential.

So what does the Makeup Show have to offer? Like most Trade shows, The Makeup Show is a combination of classes and industry-specific exhibitors. Unlike other trade shows, however, the classes are seamlessly integrated into the exhibition space and most of them are included in the entrance price to the show (the Hands-On/Master classes are separate and carry an additional fee). In my opinion this is really key because as fun as the shopping is at a Trade show – and it is fun, let me tell you – the most important thing an artist can get out of a show is really the education. Newbie or old saw, we all need to stay on top of what’s current in our industry and we can all stand to learn some new techniques and information. Some of the floor workshops that caught my eye are;

• HD Makeup for Print Media Covers – Mary Erickson for Graftobian
Mary is a long-time artist and a mentor to many of us who work in the So Cal market. Her store, Camera Ready Cosmetics, has become one of the online go-to shopping venues for professional artists. (And I love Graftobian HD foundations and their dual finish powder foundations)

Working in LA – Presented by The Powder Group
Let’s be real; Having pretty pictures and a website is nice, but the goal is to get people to hire you. Each market has it’s own quirks and LA is one of the trickiest, IMO so this is a great opportunity to learn how to navigate this marketplace.

The Bulletproof Bride: Durable Bridal Makeup – Kevin James Bennett for Make Up For Ever
In today’s market, most artists are going to start out their career at least partially with Bridal clients. Thinking long-term, however, these techniques are beneficial not only for artists who do bridal but later in your career if you start doing events and Red Carpet, that makeup has to last all night long…

Strengthening Your Online Presence – Victoria Stiles for The Powder Group
I’m definitely attending this workshop. If there is one area of the business that has changed the most, it’s how the internet and specifically Social Media have changed promotion and marketing in this business. I warn you now; Keep up or be left behind.

In addition to the floor workshops, there is full schedule of Keynote speakers (featuring heavy-hitters such as Eve Pearl and Joanna Schlip) as well as a multitude of fantastic hands-on workshops taking place both days, so be sure to check the schedule and see which ones strike your fancy (my makeup buddy Kathy Aragon is teaching two classes. Go Kat!).

On the shopping end there are too many exciting vendors (Becca, Stila, Korres, Smashbox) and too many exciting things to go into (apparently MUFE is introducing Hi-Def Blush!!!). I’ll be covering most of that after the show, after I’ve had a chance to use the new products. However I do want to specifically point out that Inglot Cosmetics is going to have a booth at this year’s show. If memory serves they were in attendance last year, but not selling product. What’s the big deal? Inglot is one of the new “it” lines from Europe currently sweeping the makeup landscape. Their products are highly pigmented and come on a vast array of beautiful colors and textures. The rub? Inglot isn’t available anywhere on the West Coast yet. In fact, they aren’t available anywhere in the US except the one store they’ve opened in New York city. Hopefully this will change soon but in the meantime, us West Coast glamazons will have to get our Inglot while the gettin’ is good!

Foundation – Smashbox High Definition Healthy FX Foundation in Light 1 & 2
Stila All Over Shimmer in #1

Eyes – Tarte Lock n’ Roll Cream & Powder eye shadow in Sandstone
Smashbox Eyelights palette in Smokebox
Givenchy Magic Khol eyeliner in Brown.

Mascara – Maybelline Great Lash over individual false eyelashes

Cheeks – NYX Creme Blush in CB02 Natural
Givenchy Prisme Again Blush in Euphoric Orange

Lips – Nars Lip Lacquer in Chelsea Girl
Nars Lip Gloss in Striptease

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