Salon Melbourne, Part Two - Experience, Photos & Measly Excuse for a Haul

So another Salon Melbourne rolled around and I was totally prepared to fill my head full of new beauty knowledge, gain some much needed blogging inspiration and bring home some hard-to-find goodies with a decent sized haul...two outta three ain't bad?

Salon 2015!

I noted down some of the presentations I was interested in for my first Salon instalment, and soon after arriving I settled down on the bench with my dear friend Norlin (of Baubles Bubbles Bags fame) to let Simone Lee pour some knowledge out for us in Magnifque: Music Artists Vs. Movie Stars. I don't know exactly what I was expecting but I got more than I'd hoped for - Simone turned 3 models into music or movie stars before our eyes and it was a great way for the general public (or bloggers) to connect with the techniques she was speaking about. I think my favourite had to be when she turned her model into Cher's character from Burlesque - I love that movie! 

Youngblood stand, where Norlin bought a thing or two ;)

I was so impressed with the variety at the FABY stand - see my FABY mani here!

shade names on point...

first time I visited a Crown Brush stand without buying something...can someone check my temp?

amazing talent at the Beauty and Hair Academy stall!

pretty awesome catwalk, though how the models danced with that hair and those heels I'll never know...
 

I really thought that Salon Melbourne would break my 'no-shopping' mojo, and I have to admit that I did enjoy swatching and window-shopping the day away, but in the end only a single item was deemed worthy of entering my makeup collection...


I have had my eye on Sugarpill's 'Midori' since I began beauty blogging but have actually never seen the brand in person, and as soon as I swatched this I got those beauty-loving butterflies I've been waiting for since my last big haul. Norlin was actually laughing at how excited I was while buying a single measly eyeshadow, but let me tell you the high was worth it.


How crazy do you go with hauling at events like this?
Does IMATS send you broke every year?
Am I crazy to be this excited over a single shadow?!
-Emma x

*I attended Salon Melbourne as media but was not reimbursed for this post. Honesty, always.

Salon Melbourne, Part One

Truth be told I'm pretty pumped for Salon Melbourne this weekend. It's been so long since I've been able to attend a beauty event and I'm craving some quality time with fellow beauty lovers - something that Salon offers alongside some shopping opportunities and inspiration galore. Although it (funnily enough!) targets salon owners and workers more than beauty bloggers, I still find that I learn a lot from spending the day there and always walk away feeling inspired. I'm planning on attending on Monday (10am-4pm) but it is also on Sunday (9am-6pm) if you can't work in a weekday jaunt.

my favourite advertisement at Salon Melbourne 2014 - Dermalogica, you rock!
love the crowds and checking out all of the stalls (2014 Salon)

I had a good scroll through all of the events for Monday and mapped out the main presentations I wanted to see - a lot of the education sessions are quite focused on things like hair cutting technique and how to use certain machines in a salon and that would definitely go over my head, so I'm sticking to things I can use in my day-to-day beauty life like these ones:

Mastering This Seasons Bold Lip with Ali Price (Launch Pad Stage, Monday March 2nd, 11-11:15am)
I am all about the bold lip in theory, but lately I've been reaching for my nude lip colours and 'Kylie Jenner-esque' shades so I'm hoping this will broaden my current lipstick horizons...

Beauty for EDITORIAL & Commercial with Kryolan & Rachel Montgomery (Main Stage, Monday March 2nd, 12-12:20pm)
This sounds like it will be really interesting, and hopefully I'll pick up some new makeup tips too. I am yet to try anything from Kryolan and don't really know where to begin with the brand, so this should show me some of their wares.

Magnifique Music Artists Vs. Movie Stars (Main Stage, Monday March 2nd,12:30-1:15pm)
I love the idea of a sneak peek into the creation of fictional characters, so this sounds like it will be fun to watch. I'm imagining Avatar-esque creations, but I could be totally wrong!

 

Klara Cosmetics, 2014 Salon Melbourne

What is another reason I adore Salon Melbourne...

SHOPPING!
I'm hoping that this weekend will re-spark a 'sensible' love of shopping for me once again, as I seem to be lacking in shopping skills lately...I went to the Exhibitor section of the site to see what possible haulage was in my future...
Crown Brushes
I always like the pick up some affordable makeup brushes at shows like this (IMATS too, always good for a brush!) and this year I want a new blush brush and some more shadow brushes - perhaps something for foundation application, too?
FABY
I just posted about FABY for my Valentine's Day manicure and I really want to see the full range of colours that they have!
Girlee Cosmetics
I always check out Girlee when I hit up Salon (check out the custom Girlee palette I hauled last year!) and I'm thinking of getting my hands on an icier version of Urban Decay Verve eyeshadow from the Naked 2 palette...
Kester Black
Have never seen these in person, only on Cosmetic Cupcake and they look so good!

my haul from Salon Melbourne 2014

So that is the end of my excited ramble...;)
Part Two of this post will show you what I get up to at the event and what I buy on the day, but in the meantime I'll be popping bits and bobs up on Instagram if you're interested.

If you've never been to this expo before or want some more practical tips, check out this recent post Norlin wrote - very informative!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
-Emma

*I attend Salon Melbourne as a media guest, but have not been compensated for this post. I just can't wait for the expo!