TMS Chicago 2014

Hi Everyone! 

As many of you know, The Makeup Show came to Chicago this past weekend. 

What does that mean? It means all the artists in the area go a little shop crazy, drink lots of bubbles and network! 

Trade show madness!

This year was only two days (Saturday and Sunday), as opposed to last years 3 day stay (Sat-Mon), so for a lot of freelance artists it was a little tough to get some shopping in as weekends can be busy!

I did have a wedding on Saturday, but finished early enough to swing by the show afterwards. I made sure to make a game plan and shopping list before leaving the house... 

photo c/o JenBrownMakeup Instagram

I ran into some local artists who I love that were working the show that day including, Martina Sykes, Jamie Dahms, Bek Lieto and Crystal Portillo -- All of who were working with Matt and Paul over at the Frends Booth. 

Photo c/o Martina Sykes

I also ran into the lovely and talented Nicole Rogers of Bombshell Artistry over at The Makeup Light Booth. 

Photo c/o Nicole Rogers

Nicole had the super fun job of creating different hair and makeup looks on her model Noelle. 

Nicole working her magic, creating a beautiful braided updo. 

photo c/o Nicole Rogers
Final look

Nicole created a lot of beautiful looks throughout the show- you can see more of them on her instagram HERE. 

I have to say, I really love The Makeup Light. I spent a lot of time at their booth chatting with the creator/owner Michael Astalos. His wife is actually a makeup artist, which makes sense considering how well thought out this product is. It prepares you for any situation you may run into as a freelancer. Not to mention, the quality of light is beautiful, and I totally bought one :) I'll be expecting mine to show up sometime next week! 
I'll be sure to write a follow up post after using it a few times ;) 

You can obviously find their products at any upcoming Makeup Show, but you can also find where to purchase through their website HERE.  

After stalking The Makeup Light booth, I had the pleasure of meeting artists, seeing beautiful body paintings, and of course, picking up the last few things on my list. 

Kathleen Price, Kate Johnson, Martina Sykes.

 Cirque Du Soleil artist, Kathleen with Chicago artists Kate and Martina. 

House of Glam Models

Beautiful body painted Models, walking around the show!

Orlando Santiago and Matt Morelli

Mega talented Orlando and Matt repping the Frends Booth!
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One very special moment that I failed to document while at the show, was meeting the ultra talented, Eugenia Weston. Eugenia is an incredible makeup artist and also the owner of Senna Cosmetics. 
She saw that I was working Sunday's show at the NARS booth (behold the power of social media), and took the time to swing by our booth, ask for me, and introduce herself. I was so floored by this gesture, that I didn't think to take a photo-- But this definitely made my Sunday :) 
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 After making my rounds, here is my collection...
A bit modest compared to most :) 

Nurturing Force Blot Out Offensive and Twinkle eye cream

Nurturing Force Airbrush cleaner

London Brush Company Vegan Brush Cleaner

Makeup Forever Uplight, Lab Shine glosses, Aqua Lips, and Face and Body Foundation

Mario Badescu Rose Spray and Drying Lotion

Embryolisse Hydra Mat and Lait Creme Concentrate

BDellium Concealer and Lip Brushes

Alcone Pro Makeup Wipes and Sponges

NARS Blush, Bronzers, Shadows and Polishes

Disposables

Not pictured: The Makeup Light Pro Kit 

Temptu S/B Foundations

Whew! 

Believe it or not, that is not everything on my list! I was hoping to get some time to shop on Sunday since I was a little overwhelmed on Saturday-- I also wanted to check inventory and set a budget. 

I was working with NARS on Sunday, and the Booth was SO busy, that I didn't have any time to pick up the final Items I wanted to get, which included.. 

Senna Cream Blush Palette and Brow Palette

MAC empty palettes

INGLOT shadows

Luckily, all these items are available online and all offer discounts. I'm bummed I missed the show prices, but you can't win 'em all! Next year I won't hesitate on the products I know I love (such as the Senna blush palette, which sold out!), so I can be sure to get the best products at the best deals! 

Overall, it was a great show weekend! It was so fun and inspiring to be surrounded by all that talent. I had a great time chatting and catching up with fellow local artists who I never get to see, both at the show and at the Chicago Beauty Exchange's Beauty Mash Up Event!  

Jen Brown and Nika Vaughan

Nika Vaughan and I have partnered to create Chicago Beauty Exchange. 

click the link above for more info!

We wanted to host an event around The Makeup Show, to introduce local artists to some of the national trade show artists and vendors. 

Here are some snapshots from the event.. 

The bar at Quay Lounge

Getting things started

Jen Brown and Traci Fine

Nina Ottolino and Kristen Pulice

Mel Wilson and Matt Morelli

Juan Jose, Jordana, and Jen Brown

Sam and Emily

Oluwaseyi, Natali, Erica and Evelyn

The crowd!

Nika Vaughan and Mel Wilson

We had an incredible event!
Thank you to all the artists who stopped by even after working the show all day! Thank you to The Powder Group for making an appearance as well! We had a great time and hope to host another event like this for next year's show! 

IMATS LA 2014

Happy Sunday! 

One week ago I was enjoying the 80 Degree weather, palm trees and witnessing amazing makeup artists showcasing their work! 

Yes, I had the pleasure of attending the IMATS (International Makeup Artist Trade Show) in Los Angeles this year! 

Now, I've never gone to the IMATS before. It was my first experience and it was really wonderful. 

I flew in with my partner in crime, good friend and talented artist-- Martina Sykes. 

She'd been the year before and had a lot of good tips for navigating the show. 

Before I booked my flight, she made sure I had applied (and gotten approved!) for the Makeup Artist Magazine Pro Card. This enables me to go to any Pro Only events before/after the show, it also enables me to have front row seating for the seminars. 

I'm so thankful she told me about it! I had no idea, and it really made a big difference in the experience (from what I've heard!)

FRIDAY

The two of us met at the airport, and to my surprise, two other lovely friends and extremely talented SFX artists from Cirque FX, Crystal and Beka were also on our flight! 

After escaping the Negative degree, snowy Chicago, we landed in Sunny LA! We were REALLY excited to be there :) 

We took a shuttle over to the Sheraton in Pasadena-- we were staying there and it was oh so conveniently connected to the convention center with the IMATS!

We checked in and after freshening up the two of us HAD to get some food before attending the PRO Only shopping event. 

So off we headed to El Cholo for some Mexican fare and margaritas. It was well deserved, and helps with the crowds ;) 

We were also given a complimentary post card with our photos on it! 

Hah! We thought it made for a good souvenir!

Anyway-- Finally made it into the IMATS- and while it was crowded, it was not nearly as bad as it was about to be (ahem, Saturday). 

So we shopped! I purchased some kit staples, like Eye shadow primer, and moisturizer, etc etc. I got to shop Naimies, Frends, Embryolisse, Nurturing Force, Alcone.. and so many more! 

SATURDAY

This was the day I was most excited about! 

Friday was all about shopping, Saturday was all about learning! I had so many seminars/classes I wanted to sit in on-- all back to back to back. 

This is where Martina and I parted ways. She has a love for Character makeup for Film and TV, where I have a passion for beauty/celebrity makeup.

You can view her experience here. 

After waiting in a veeeeery long line, I made my way into my first sit down seminar-- 

GAINING REPRESENTATION

**Featuring two LA agents**

Madeline Leonard of Cloutier Remix

and 

Dion Peronneau of Peronneau Agency

I was really interested in sitting in on this particular seminar, because I am a self made, self-represented artist. I always have been. 

I've had the opportunity to get represented a couple different times by agencies here in Chicago, but it just didn't seem right for me. Now that I'm looking for work in LA, I wanted to learn more about representation there. 

I wanted to know what they look for in portfolios, personalities, and what type of work they get their artists. 

I think the best part was being able to speak with these ladies after their presentation- Madeline was incredibly generous with her time (I'd actually reached out to her agency over the summer, inquiring about a meeting when I was there last!), and her agency has been so lovely and helpful. 

Following next I saw...

REDEFINED BEAUTY AND THE HI-DEF MYTH

**Taught by**

Sian Richards: Founder and owner of London Brush Company

If you don't know who Sian Richards is, I suggest you look her up immediately! She has worked on many incredible films. Watching Sian work was very inspiring. I loved her aesthetic, and hearing her stories were priceless! 

She did half of her model's face with Kryolan's Dermacolor palette. It was really incredible to watch, because she just used a dry brush and worked it gently all over the skin. It was so lightweight and skin like-- I was really dumfounded! Usually when I think of this product, it's being used for heavier coverage, so it was really great to see it being used in a day to day makeup. 

The other half, she used an HD specified line-- it was heavier, and definitely didn't show much of the model's skin. The model remarked that the side with the kryolan didn't even feel like she was wearing anything! 

SOLD! 

Here's the palette from Kryolan's site... 

After speaking with Sian, I caught up to the next seminar... 

COLOR FUNDAMENTALS

with 

Autumn Scruggs

Part of the reason why I wanted to see Autumn's class was because I read her bio and saw that she was part time in Chicago and part time in LA-- exactly what I want to do! On the way to LA, I learned from Martina, that they are actually friends! So I had to see her!

She was a great instructor, very easy to watch. Most of the information in the class I already knew, but I did pick up a lot from watching her work. She had some interesting tips, especially when it came to skincare. She has a background in Esthetics so I was trying to absorb as much as I could from that! 

RED CARPET MAKEUP

with 

Terri Apanasewicz

I've been following Terri's work for some time now. I even tried reaching out to her last time I was in LA about assisting or taking her to coffee-- she got back to me! 

This was a great chance to see how she works (which was also very reassuring because we have a similar aesthetic and do a lot of the same things), as well as taking the opportunity to introduce myself to her. 

She has a great personality, and had some really great stories! The final product was beautiful (as to be expected), with clean skin, lashes and a bold lip. 

LASTLY!!!

Between Autumn's and Terri's seminars, I ran into Madeline (from Cloutier) and she introduced me to the lovely, Kendra Richards. Kendra and I chatted for a good chunk of time before she informed me that she was hosting a seminar herself that afternoon-- which I'd already highlighted and planned on attending!

CREATING THE APPEARANCE OF FLAWLESS- LOOKING SKIN

with 

Kendra Richards

Kendra has worked on some really stunning beauty ads, commercial work and magazine spreads. Watching her work was a dream...

She had a lot of little tips for covering small imperfections- some I knew, but some I hadn't mastered and it was really helpful to watch.  

Her final result was breathtaking- clean, hydrated, skin. So beautiful. 

She has also recently launched a new skin product, called Heir Atelier. A one step prep product- everyone in the seminar received a free sample and I'm so excited to try it! 

SUNDAY

Our last day at the IMATS arrived and I was already pretty beat from networking, talking, shopping and learning! 

Considering Martina and I din't have much we wanted to see right int he morning, we decided to treat ourselves to a nice breakfast. After walking back to the convention center, I just popped my head into a few different seminars. I watched some very talented artists work-- which is always fascinating to me. I love being able to see other people work, no matter what your art form. 

Here are a few I caught a glimpse of...

Kevin James Bennett

Luis Casco

Cory Bishop

Eugenia Weston

and then I lost motivation. I was SO tired and had spent all my time inside a convention center! So I left to lay by the pool for a bit of sun and alone time... 

Aside from the IMATS, I had the pleasure of seeing Chicago's very talented photographer (and friend) Grant Legan on Friday night for a party in the fashion district. 

As for Monday... 

I had the chance to meet up with friend and photographer Braden Moran for a quick head shot session before heading to lunch with my cousin and then the sad sad drive to the airport! 

It was a jam packed weekend that I really enjoyed. I feel completely re-energized, inspired, and assured that I'm on the right track and in the right field. 

Until next year! 

xoxo Jen