Imats hoard - brushes (and welcome)

Hello lovely ladies!

It is nice to see some new faces around here and let me be the first to welcome you to my lil makeup corner of the internet! :)  Alright, on with the show!

Brushes

At Imats Vancouver there were a few vendors selling brushes including Crown brushes, Royal & Langnickel (which I believe are one of the imats sponsors) and another Japanese brand which I had not heard of (Haruhodo?).

At first I went to Crown, but was rather disappointed at the quality of their brushes. I could see some of the display brushes already shedding and the bristles felt rather rough and scratchy.

The Japanese brand brushes were incredibly soft and well made but at close to a hundred dollars per brush (and those were imats prices!) I felt I could find a better deal elsewhere.

SO off to Royal & Langnickel it was. I found they had the largest selection of brushes. Their stand included brushes ranging from synthetic to natural bristles, different colours, different sets, and at a variety of price ranges which was nice.

Here is what I hauled!

Silk Collection- Pointed Dome Powder C130 

I really wanted this brush to be like the MAC 138 tapered brush that I often see Tanya from Pixi2woo use for bronzer and highlight but I don't think it is a dupe. The bristles on this brush are far too long and it isn't as pointed. I think this brush would be better for applying loose powder (like the names says).

Silk Collection - Foundation C141

This flat top kabuki like brush is one my cousin swears by to apply her foundation. It feels pretty soft and has densely packed bristles. I have given it a try with my foundation and it seemed to work even on my dry skin but time will have to tell on this one.

Silk Collection - Contour Blush C125

This brush, like the pointed dome, has those long bristles which give a very light application. I think I prefer a brush with shorter bristles for more control, but we shall see...

Silk Collection - Blush Brush C190

Okay, this brush is da bomb. It makes the others look like a joke! Did I really need another blush brush? No, (espc. considering I wear mostly cream blushes) But this brush stands out from the rest. I think that this must be natural bristles, while the others are synthetic, because it is SO soft! When I saw it I couldn't put it down. I love how soft it is and how it is cut into a perfectly tapered dome. If I had of gone back for day 2 at imats I would have looked for more brushes like these. I don't even want to use it...

Silk Collection - Crease C430

MAC 224 on right, C430 on left

Can't have too many of these blending type brushes. Here it is compared to the MAC224. It isn't quite as full and is shorter..

Silk Collection - Brow/Lash Groomer C521-S

A pretty boring brush, yet very difficult to find. You would think I would be able to pick up one of these bad boys at any drugstore but no...

All in all I think these brushes cost me under 60$. Not too shabby!

-Emily

IMATS HOARD!!! (and 10 things I learned from my first Imats)

Seems like so little, but it was so much!

10 Things I learned:

1. DO have an idea of what you want, so you spend less time fumbling around.

2. DO wear comfy shoes.

3. DO (do?) a lap of the floor and check for vendors carrying similar items, as they will often mark their products down for competition sake, and you won't risk paying more.

4. DO buy something if it is an original, DON'T wait or you might miss out (my small stippling brush)

5. DO take a small cross body purse, bags are provided there.

6.Do say Hi! to fellow bloggers, vloggers and guru's, don't be shy (like me)

7. Do start with the vendors/products that you don't see everyday

8. Do go early!

9. Do go for BOTH days. I found that once I got home there were a few products that stood out from the hourd. I would have liked to go back and purchase more the second day.

10. Do stop, enjoy, and take pictures! (which I didn't do enough of!)

I wish I could write more but I am soooo tired!!!! It has been a long day! There will be a further breakdown of what I got, thoughts and reviews!

All in all I had an amazing time! I am in makeup shock! (my wallet will require some CPR as well)

Talk to you soon!

Top 10 Nail polishes for Summer!

Here is a list of my favourite nail polish colours, every colour of the rainbow in fact, from my collection.

Best RED: Orly's Monroe's Red is that perfect cherry poppin' red with a creamy laquered finish, a la Marilyn.

Best Orange: GOSH's Peachy is my favourite. It isn't a true Tang kinda orange but, more a softer, smoother Orange Float with extra ice cream colour. yum

Best Pink: China Glaze's Flip Flop Fantasy. Do you look like you could pass for a vampire extra on True Blood? Not with this colour. It is like Insta Tan, even on the fairest of the fair. It is a unique super bright warm pink, with almost a coral undertone.

Left to Right: Orly Monroe's Red, GOSH Peachy, China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy

Best Yellow: Orly's Spark is a bright banana yellow that calls for a Pina Colada in one hand and a bottle of Banana Boat SPF 30 in the other. Don't worry, I'll do your back. 

Best Green: Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear's Mint Sorbet: I just got this, and I love it! It is that creamy light green colour, without a trace of blue. Cool and refreshing, just like the name says.

Left to Right: Orly Spark, Sally Hansen Mint Sorbet

Best Blue: China Glaze's  Blue Sparrow is a true American blue ( a little late on this post). It reminds me of the fourth of July with its glittery formula. 3 coats and a top coat, are a must for this polish, but don't let that deter you, a welcome change from the baby blues of summer.

Best...other blue: GOSH's Ocean. Okay okay, I could not pick just one blue! This one is so unique with its swirling green and blue colour and almost a duochrome finish. This is probably what a mermaids tail looks like.

Best Purple: China Glaze's Flying Dragon, a kick ass neon purple infused with purple and blue glitter. Top coat and several layers are a must for this polish, but it is well worth the wait. Go purple or go home!

Left to Right: GOSH Ocean, China Glaze Blue Sparrow, China Glaze Flying Dragon

Best Metallic: Revlon's Copper Penny, a rich glitter packed colour that applies like no body's business! Find one, pick it up, and all summer you will have good luck!

Best Nude: Essie's Topless and Barefoot, looks especially wicked on my tanned tootsies, a great nude with no brown undertones, wears well by itself but looks especially gorgeous under...

Left to Right: Essie Topless and Barefoot, Revlon Copper Penny

OPI's Teenage Dream by Katy Perry, a light pick packed with pink and iridescent glitter. Forget Teenage, this fun colour will look good on any age!

OPI Teenage Dream by Katy Perry

Okay, so this was more like Top 11 polishes, but it doesn't have quite the same ring to it, does it?

What polishes are you loving for summer?