I always get a warm tingly feeling when I see the word “media” to my name 😛
On Sunday, I braved the footy crowds in the city to venture upon more crowds at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre for Salon Melbourne. I think the word crowds was an underestimation. Think thousands of (mostly) women trying to get their hands on cosmetics bargains. Oh yeah.
Salon Melbourne is an expo much like IMATS but with the main focus on beauty salon equipment (unfortunately, unlike the IMATS, this is a trade event, which means it isn’t open to the public to attend). We’re talking about tanning equipment, saunas, therapy beds, waxing material and so on. This year, the beauty section (e.g. makeup, nails) was expanded to more booths selling makeup and tools at discounted prices. Last year’s expo was pretty dull (at least, it was for me) with so much emphasis on salon equipment. It was definitely more interesting this time as there was a lot more makeup to check out.
I took a lot of photos at the expo and I thought I’d share them with you.
Bloggers in action at the Salon Melbourne: Jelena, Norlin, Emma and Val
Of course, I can’t end the post without showing you what I bought at Salon Melbourne :P. The 500ml Bioderma was selling at $30 each and these were very quickly snapped up. Next I picked up a couple of Master Makeup brushes by Dean Nixon. At this point, I left the expo, had lunch with Val and as we were leaving for home, I decided to pop back to the expo with hopes that the crowd has at least simmered down. It did, if only very barely.
I couldn’t leave this time without getting a Girlee Cosmetics Myipalette. I saw this at IMATS last year and kicked myself for not getting one. This time, I jumped on it like a hawk (and trust me, the lady standing in front of me taking her own sweet time swatching every single colour for her palette felt my breath on her neck :P). It’s a customisable palette much like Inglot’s Freedom palette. I decided on a snakeskin-print palette with 3 face colours and 6 blush shades for $75. I was pleasantly surprised at how richly pigmented the blushes were.
That’s it for my experience at the Salon Melbourne this year. It’s no IMATS but that’s a relief because the urge to spend is always high at events like this ;). Still, despite the crowds, it was fun checking out what latest trends and tools the beauty industry has to offer.
Hope you’ve enjoyed the photos. If you were at the expo, how did you find it? More importantly, what did you get? 😛
I can’t believe I missed you yesterday! I agree, it was lots of fun for both consumer and salon owner.
Jen W recently posted..My bathroom cabinet: Lip product organisation
I know! Too crowded, could barely see anyone 🙁 I was busy trying to elbow my way in to check out Crown brushes too. It’s times like this I wished I brought an umbrella so that I could accidentally-on-purpose jab a few toes. 😛
This year I was really good..didn’t spend much. Only on items I actually NEEDED like the Bioderma Crealine cleanser and the Uriage sprays because it’s hard for me to get it at the pharmacies near where I live. Then I also treated myself to some Zoya nail polish…love the mega discounts and I do love their formula and the colours I picked! 🙂
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The Bioderma Crealine was such a bargain, isn’t it? They were actually also doing a deal of buy 4 get one free! Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough people at that point so I just snapped up one 500ml bottle instead. The Zoya nail polishes were a real bargain – only $9.50 each! No wonder that stand was so popular. I could only get my way in after I had my lunch when it wasn’t so crowded. Still, I didn’t get anything ‘cos I already have too many nail polishes. I was contemplating on getting their 500ml nail polish remover. Don’t know how much they cost though, but the smaller bottle with the pump was $13.50 I think.
Looks like a super fun event. It’s makeup heaven there. The Bioderma Crealine is definitely a great deal. I’m hoping to make it to IMATS next year, considering it’s only a short trip from where I love.
Angela @ The Unprofessional Beauty Blog recently posted..Level Naturals Shower Bomb｜Spa Aromatherapy Right In My Bathtub
Go for it! I think you’re going to enjoy the IMATS. Bring cash (much quicker transaction) and wear comfy shoes ‘cos you’re going to be there ALL day 😉
I would have loved to have met you in person; I did see you but you were eating, and I didn’t want to be rude but I’ve been a long time fan of your blogging, and photo taking 🙂 Love your haul!
Kimberley recently posted..L’Oreal Shine Caresse review and why I can’t wear them
Thanks Kimberley! Hope you enjoyed the expo. I was quite restrained in my purchases. At least, that’s what I’ve been told. 🙂
An expo of makeup and I see eye candy there too…hmmmmmmm. 😉 I’d love to get the palettes and brushes! One can never have too many brushes I think.
(And OMG, the guy with the painted ribcage and veins looks like he came out of a horror movie or something!)
Jessica W recently posted..Cupcake love
Haha cool, right? I love body FX makeup. At the IMATS, they are a whole lot more of these sort of makeup. Like something you see out of CSI! 😛
As for that eye candy, I was snapping pictures of him when he saw me taking photos and posed for me 😛
Ahh, a cooperative eye candy makes it all better for the soul..hehe. What was he doing there anyway?
Jessica W recently posted..Cupcake love
He was the model for that spray tan brand 😛
Ahhh, good eye, good eye. 😀
Jessica W recently posted..Cupcake love
Nice to meet you right at the start for a couple of moments before you wandered off haha! Was my first time so I really enjoyed myself and even went back today (didn’t get to see/buy everything yesterday!)
Sue recently posted..L’Oreal Beauty Haul – Nude Magique BB Range
It was nice to meet you too, Sue! So glad you enjoyed yourself. I like that Salon Melbourne has a lot more makeup booths this time, which made it a lot more fun. Last year was mostly salon and hair equipment that weren’t really my thing. Didn’t even buy anything last year. Just got in, took photos and got out. This year, I actually went back in after lunch. It’s a good thing! 🙂
oooooh.. u were in melbourne exhibition centre!! it would have been nice to snap a photo with you! 🙂
Goingkookies recently posted..Tiffany Blue wedding theme
Oooh were you there too? Aww it would have been nice to get a pic with you! 😀
Wow! Amazing photos!
Can’t believe all the colour – incredible – I wouldn’t know where to start looking!
Thanks for all the great photos and coverage – you make it look so exciting and I’d love to get amongst it!
Not a big fan of crushing crowds tho – you’d have to be keen!
Thanks Karen. I find it great practice for me to take photos in situations like this. Learning to snap good photos in massive crowds 🙂
Agree last year was a little meh for me. When i worked out i was going to miss this years because of work i wasn’t too miffed. Good to see they stepped it up a bit this year. It seems to be moving away from more Salon/spa business owner & industry works expo to more of a beauty bonanza weekend. It wouldn’t surprise me if in the next few years the weekend is split into one day industry & one day public access. Which wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing really.
Madam M recently posted..SEPHORA – EYE MAKEUP REMOVING PADS
I really hope so, although I definitely won’t go on days where they’ll have public access. Can you imagine what the crowd will be like? According to one of the bloggers, the queue for the tickets started from the middle of the convention centre to outside the building near the tram stop! >.<