Awesome makeup creation at IMATS

I'm back with an IMATS LA experience post as promised!  I went with a few of my good friends Jessica, Stacey, and Pascale.  We have been planning for this trip since the beginning of the year and it was well worth it!  To be honest, I expected this event to be HUGE and overwhelming, but it was not like that.  It was still a huge venue, but because of how spacious it was and how they controlled the traffic.  It was actually pretty comfortable to walk around.  I did not feel suffocated at all even with the amount of people there.  There were so much to see that I think if I had more time, I would go on both days!  I had such an amazing time that I know I have to go back, and hopefully, sometime soon!

On to my actual day at IMATS, when we first arrived in Pasadena, Stacey suggested that we go pick up out tickets in advance to avoid the line at the venue.  Let me reiterate: best decision ever (I said that like 5 times on Saturday lol)... and thank you, Stacey!  It really got us in so fast that we did not need to line up at all.  Since we got inside at around 8:30am, there was not a huge crowd, yet.  We were able to quickly shopped around at the places that we want to go to (e.g. Nigel Beauty Emporium, bdellium tools, NYX, Urban Decay, Naimie, etc.).  After we checked most of the things off our shopping list, we started browsing to look at vendors that are only in IMATS LA.

The bdellium tools guys are super nice!  They remember you if you interacted with them on twitter.  That's great customer service!

On my list: say hi to Edward and Daniel at bdellium tools and get some more brushes XD

AWESOME 3D makeup at Dinair!  I wish my camera has 3D glasses on to show you how cool it was!

Young Blood Cosmetics... Can't believe I forgot to get some foundation to try >////<

The month of love has come to an end.  I'm so glad it's ending because that means my boyfriend is coming back to town =D.  But February was a good month.  It was also my birthday month and I have had the best time for my birthday this year.  I went on an awesome road trip with my girls Joyce, Emily, and Michele (I love these girls <3).  So I guess, these girls are my human favourites of the month lol.

Anyhow, let's jump to the beauty products that I loved this month!

I have always fancied MAC 217 (and yes, I'm feeling a wee bit British today).  It is a cult favourite in the beauty community.  Over time, since it has been so popular, other companies tried to create brushes that posses the similar shape, and try to achieve the similar results that MAC 217 will give to its users.  I couldn't help but acquire a few of these counterparts.  So it's only appropriate if I give my two cents on them and see which ones are worth getting, and which ones are not that great.

From top to bottom: bdellium #776, MAC 217, Sigma E25, Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow Brush, Sigma E25 (Travel) Handle/length comparison

MAC 217 Blending Brush

MAC 217 Blending Brush

Of course, we must start with the original,  MAC 217.  It is my very first MAC brush.  I still remember I was so excited to get it from the MAC counter near my university.  I must say, over the past few years, although the numbering has worn off, the brush itself is still going strong.  One interesting fact about my  MAC 217, it is made in Japan, which is different when comparing it to other brushes company, where majority of them has factory in China.  By the way, I have also had MAC brushes that are made in France

MAC 217 Numbering (faded)

The  MAC 217 bristles are made out of white goat hair, which are not as white as they were few years ago, but they are still as soft, which makes it feels luxurious on the eyelids.  I guess most important part of this brush is its shape.  It does not have super long bristle, and it's flared out to the top into a dome shape.  It is quite stiff and full, but at the same time it is very soft, which makes blending very easy.

I love that it is multipurpose.  Although it is meant for eye shadows, you can also use it for your concealers.  I have done that before, but I have unless you want to pick some white hair out from your face and damage your brush, I would use other brushes for concealers.  For some strange reason, it doesn't shed when it's used to blend out cream eye shadow.  Anyhow, I prefer to use the  MAC 217 purely as an eye shadow (powder or cream) brush, which it excels at.  I like that it is a one-brush-does-it-all brush.  When I'm feeling lazy, I'll use it to apply lid colour and crease colour, use it for blending out the colours, and of course, apply a highlight colour as well.

MAC 217 Brush Head

Pros:

• Soft bristles for your delicate eye lids
• Long lifetime brush makes your investment worth it
• Very very minimal shedding
• Stiff dome shape that makes applying and blending out colour easy
• Long handle provides you the options of the amount of control you want with the brush
• Accessible where you can find it at any MAC stores, counters, or buy it online

Cons:

• Quite expensive as it costs US $22.50 / CA $27
• The whiteness of the bristles is not as long lasting, it can get stained from, say, cream products