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!

Salon Melbourne 2014 - experience, make-up + haul

I begrudgingly rolled out of bed this cold Melbourne morning to head into the city for Salon Melbourne, exciting but craving less chill in the air. Having gone previous years I knew what to expect, and needless to say I was pumped for a day of new knowledge with Carly by my side.



 I wanted to put more effort into my makeup for this special event, but reality got in the way (in the form of extra snuggles with Charlie and swiping on a bright lip at the last moment...check this post for details on that) so I ended up rocking the Clinique Neutral Territory 2 palette and my beloved Tarte Exposed blush along with my bright coral lip.

 

Carly buying her hair extensions!

I was quite impressed with the Redken stand this year - a popcorn machine (evidence of me chowing down is above) and a claw game style machine full of colourful Redken samples that I wasn't talented enough to win. Another interesting exhibitor was Klara Cosmetics, which were promoting their Kiss Proof Lips and beautiful looking line of lip products.

Having one of the Klara Kiss Proof Lips applied (matte formula)

the beloved French skincare - I love my Bioderma, Nuxe + Uriage <3

the madness that was the Lime Crime stand

one of the best parts of experiences like this - the amazing and inspiring body art (from Melbourne Polytechnic)

Watching Lorna Evans style some up-do's on stage was definitely one of the highlights of Salon for me - something Lorna said about inspiration really stuck in my mind as I perused during the day. She was 'knitting' a wild and very beautiful hairstyle on a model and mentioned to the crowd that a look like this wasn't for her clients - they were not going to walk in and request this for a night out. This sort of look was for her, to keep her inspired and in turn inspire her clients (and in my opinion, it would also highlight her natural talent for hair at the same time) I realised that I think about makeup in beauty in much the same way, and when I create crazy bright eye looks or an icily sculptured look based on a YouTuber, it is to keep my creative flow pumping and gives me a chance to enjoy the sheer beauty of makeup products.

Food for thought, right?

Lorna Evans inspiring the crap outta me

the effervescent Michael Brown teaching me that it isn't only shimmers and brights that can create beauty - matte taupes and browns can be so stunning!

totally losing out at the Redken sample machine

Klara Cosmetics rocking it on the Launchpad Stage with Klara herself

was so tempted to get a Tangle Teezer - so cute and bright!

exploring the Eye of Horus makeup brand for the very first time

one of my very favourite skincare brands had some strong messages for Salon attendees

Klara Cosmetics, again!

I walked into Salon Melbourne knowing that I wanted to pick up some nail supplies since I have begun doing my own gel nails at home with my Sensationail by Nailene machine. I nabbed Carly's loot so that you could have a peek at two hauls in a single post - don't say I don't love ya, okay?

Carly's haul:
Crown Brushes buffing brush
Artiste Lint-Free Nail Wipes
Lime Crime Geranium lipstick
Klara Cosmetics Kiss Proof Lips 06 (free sample)
Colour Club Winter Affair
Girlee Cosmetics 4pan Palette (shades below)
Hair Extensions + care products from Amazing Hair

in love with the Lime Crime bag

Girlee Cosmetics in Mulberry Satin e/s, Pink Glow Illuminator, Dubonnet blush and another e/s I've forgotten the name of

Geranium!

I am pleased as punch with what I brought home from Salon Melbourne - all things I've been lusting over for a while with some random fun things thrown in for good measure.
My haul:
Crown Brushes shader brush and shadow brush
Gelish Fantastic Four Essentials Pack
Gelish Polish in A Mint of Spring
Colour Club Winter Affair
Colour Club Harp on It
Klara Cosmetics Kiss Proof Lips (free sample)
Artiste Lint-Free Nail Wipes
Girlee Cosmetics 4pan Palette (shades below)

A Mint of Spring

Absolutely swooning over these two

Girlee Cosmetics Mulberry Satin e/s, Grenadine blush, Golden Glow illuminator and eyeshadow I can't find the name of- I promise that Carly and I didn't mean to grab so many identical items, it just happened!

Klara Cosmetics and my Girlee palette swatched (I blame the Grenadine blush purchase on Liz!

I had a wonderful time at Salon Melbourne once again this year. The event provides a great opportunity to socialise with likeminded beauty lovers and industry professionals while also being really inspiring for me as a beauty writer. I'd love to know if you've been to events like this, and what you think of my haul products!

 

This is how I felt after walking around Salon Melbourne all day - exhausted!

 

Emma @ emmabovarybeauty

 

*I was invited to Salon Melbourne as a guest of PR, but all opinions are honest as always.

Top 5 Reasons to Head to a Beauty Expo

Having had the pleasure of attending a few beauty expo’s over the years, I thought I would round up the top 5 reasons to head to one! Some general beauty lovers might think that expo’s targeting business professionals don’t have much to offer, but having just experienced my second Salon Melbourne, I can definitely say that this is not the case! Most people have heard of the annual IMATS show that travels around the globe, but until you experience expo's of this size you really don't understand how amazing they can be.

 

 

Reason #1- Stumbling Across New Brands

Now I’m not implying that I have a complete knowledge of every beauty brand in existence, but as a beauty blogger I have to admit that I know of quite a few more than the average consumer. Coming across previously unknown brands is a joyous thing for a beauty lover, and expo’s are rife with new and exciting goodies. Take Master Makeupby Dean Nixon, for example. I had heard brief whispers about how amazing his brush range was, but it wasn’t until I saw the booth at Salon Melbourne that I got a chance to feel how soft they are, and see the amazing shape of the blending and kabuki brush they offer.

 

 

Reason #2- Seeing Amazing & Inspiring Art In Progress

I think it is natural to find extreme makeup looks and the creative process behind it fascinating, so to come to a beauty expo and see it all up close is such a treat! I love seeing the models getting painted up during the day, and this Heart Beauty Magazine design was super pretty with some pretty rad hair to go with it!

 

Reason #3- Heavily Discounted Products

Half price products are hard to come by, and even more so when you are thinking of brands like Zoya and OPI. I was so excited to be able to peruse those brands along with Orly and other gorgeous nail brands at Salon Melbourne, and though I didn’t walk away with any (I had a crazy moment, and regret it now) I was happy to see new collections and brands I had never seen before. Zoya were probably my favourite brand of the expo, selling 5 packs for only $30 and they had some pretty amazing flecked top coats out as well.

Reason #4- The Hauling

So I sort of failed to really tick this reason off at Salon Melbourne, only buying from one stand and all, but most of my fellow beauty lovers walked away with quite a good selection of beauty loot. Zoya packs and Bioderma Crealine H20 bottles filled the bags of many people during Salon Melbourne, and having access to brands like this at such great discounts means that hauling is sometimes too easy! I ended up choosing some basic Konad products to try for the first time, including a pretty plate that Jelena and Sarah helped me to choose!

With Melissa at Salon / At Salon with a stack of beauties / At a Kiehl's launch with Ling and Kerri / With Norlin, one of the nicest people I am lucky enough to know!

Reason #5- Spending Time with Fellow Beauty Lovers

I am lucky to have found a whole bunch of new friends through this blog, and at Salon Melbourne I was grateful to be able to make even more! Meeting Sarah from BreatheBeauty was a wonderful experience, it was her very first blogging event and I think she did a wonderful job of mingling with everybody! I was also lucky to spend time with Jelena from MsJelena and meet up with Melissa from Melissa Bubbles, among a bevy of other bloggers. Beauty expo’s are wonderful places to meet people with similar interests, I highly recommend coming along and if you see me at one, please come and say hello!

 

Now it is your turn! What have your experiences with beauty expos been like in the past? Have you been to Salon Melbourne or IMATS before?

*I was a guest of the PR for Salon Melbourne, but have not been influenced to write this post and my opinions are my own. Honesty, always.