So, aspiring to be a freelance makeup artist, what could be better to do than a makeup artist conference? Honestly, I cannot think of a single thing. In this article, I will be featuring THE show among the makeup industry and artists alike. I just hope I do it justice and give valid information. IMATS 2010, here I come!
If you haven’t heard of IMATS (I hadn’t until last summer), IMATS is the International Make-Up Artist Trade Show. Everyone in the industry refers to it as “the show” and what is so great about it is that it is held in five different places annually: London, Vancouver, Pasadena, Sydney, and Toronto, making it accessible to almost anyone around the world. The next one coming up is IMATS Vancouver, on April 17th and 18th of this year, and after that is IMATS Pasadena, where I will be attending.
Since I do not have any kind of license yet, I was worried that I would not be able to attend. However, IMATS is open to the general public which means if you have a ticket, you can go. For Pasadena, ticket prices are about $15 for exhibit floor only/one day and $30 for one day, $60 for full access on both days. What is the difference? Before I tell you about the difference in tickets, I should probably tell you what is at IMATS that is so great you would pay $30 to get in.
IMATS is a two-day event usually held in some kind of convention center with an insane turnout every year. IMATS LA is typically the largest one, though the others are all very good sized as well. At the IMATS, you have student competitions, keynote speakers, classes you can attend, and possibly the most excited for the shopping-inclined, makeup, makeup, and more makeup. Why travel to buy makeup? I am going to attend classes as well as buying makeup. First of all, it is about the IMATS experience. Second of all, almost everything there has some sort of crazy discount.
Now, the difference in tickets. Exhibit floor only tickets will only let you into the exhibit floor meaning, no access to the speakers or classes. But, I believe you can still see the student competition. If you don’t think you will have time to see a class or something, I don’t really see a point in paying the extra $15 to not use the privileges that come with it. Unfortunately, I will only be able to attend one day, but I am definitely going to attend at least one class while I am there.
Some big name brands like Make Up For Ever, MAC, Crown Brush, Eve Pearl, and a few others will be there. You will also see lots of stage makeup like Mehron and Kryolan. Finally, the most exciting part for me, the smaller brands only available online or at trade shows such as IMATS. This is most likely where all of my money will go, especially if I can’t find it anywhere else.
If any of you really like the YouTube beauty community, lots of gurus from YouTube attend the show and some even teach classes. Cool, right?
I will be going on the Saturday, passing through on my family reunion/vacation and am so excited I can hardly contain myself. Anyone who wants to make makeup into a career should definitely look into attending IMATS. Even if you just like makeup and have a free Saturday/Sunday and live in the area of one of these you should try to go. However, if you hate crowds more than you like makeup or the beauty industry, you may want to avoid this event. If anyone wants a follow-up to this article about how IMATS was for me, just leave me a comment or send me a message and I will be happy to oblige.IMATS Pasadena will be held on June 26-27, 2010, in Pasadena, CA. More information about show times, schedules, and exhibitor lists is available at imatsshow.com.
