The Makeup Show Chicago

Last Sunday and Monday I had the pleasure of attending The Makeup Show Chicago. If you don't know what that is, it's an exclusive pro-only makeup show and expo that offers seminars by industry professionals, keynotes by amazing industry leaders and lots of amazing savings by top makeup and skincare vendors.

Thanks to Patrice of Afrobella (you should know who she is, duh!), I was able to get in. She delivered a keynote along with Luvvie from Awesomely Luvvie and Nils from Beautylish about social media in beauty, and was able to extend the invitation to her readers. To say I had an amazing time is an understatement. I learned so much in such a short period of time and felt so lucky to be in attendance.

I was able to meet Reggie Wells, Eve Pearl, Maurice Stein, James Vincent, and Merrell Hollis! Amidst all of my excitement, I managed to only take photos of people and not with people, but that's ok. You guys believe me, right?


Merrell Hollis was a joy to be around. He was so fun and informative, and his keynote was fantastic. The room had over 20 people waiting half an hour before it even started. The model transformed before our eyes while he explained his process and shared tidbits from the Wendy Williams show.


I quietly snuck into the tail end of Phuong Tran of NARS' seminar where she created a beautiful smokey eye look. She totally sold me on The Multiple.


MAC's Victor Cembellin led an awesome demonstration on taking an artistic approach to makeup application. His model started out with a very Victorian and glittery blank slate. She then became a sad harlequin, and next, donned a galaxy inspired face using layers (and layers) of MAC's acrylic makeup paint and tons of glitter.


Look at how mesmerized we all were! The final look was a patchwork piece I had to skip out on early because I had to run to Eve Pearl's keynote on building a brand.


I did way more than my fair share of shopping, of course. Now, I'm not normally one for hauls because I don't want to be all ~braggy~ but I absolutely have to share all of my new goodies.


I picked up a few brushes from Bdellium Tools, a palette from NARS, gorgeous glitter from Eye Kandy Cosmetics, a combo brow and eye kit from Anastasia Beverly Hills, the ever famous Embryolisse Hydra-Masque and Lait-Crème Concentrè, a concealer palette and travel size trio of brush cleaner and setting sprays from Cinema Secrets (plus free makeup sponges because the powder puffs sold out), Lip Tars from OCC, a bunch of blush and lip gloss from Auraline Beauty, Strobe Liquid from MAC, and a metal mixing palette... I KNOW.

Let me know if you'd like me to review anything. I will gladly blog about it for you!