The O2B2 Tour

I have been watching and loving YouTube videos for ages. The makeup videos on the YT allow you to access a world of products often unavailable in Barbados. Not to mention there are a slew of makeup gurus who give you tips and tricks of the professionals. But when I started watching Pursebuzz (Elessa Jade) and Enkore (Koren Zander) I learnt not only tips and tricks but they were truly gurus. From how to make brush cleaner and deodorizer to swatches and reviews of  all the latest pigments, shadows and  glosses and how to properly apply each one.

When I got the opportunity to go to O2B2 (Out Of the Beauty Box ) tour I  was thrilled, not only would I get a chance  to meet people that I have admired forever but I would get a chance to be certified in Bridal or Airbrush makeup application.

I was fortunate enough to attend the July 10th Traditional Bridal Class in Tampa Bay , Florida. I sat in the taxi mentally screaming all the way to the class I was so excited. It is not that I haven't been to makeup classes before.. I went to classes in Barbados conducted by a variety of makeup professionals, but some how going to this one I felt "fussy" :-).

When I arrived at class I was presented with my tiara and bow and started by taking inventory of the FABULOUS kit. I got brushes, HD primer, foundation....too much to mention just click below and look at the product list for the Bridal class.
Traditional Bridal Kit

I have no control when it comes to new stuff so all my boxes were torn and on the floor. ( I sat in awe when others packed their kit back into boxes at the end of the class)

Koren and Elessa worked interchangeably explaining  the fundamentals of colour  theory, foundation selection, eye makeup application  and more.



After each segment was delivered we were given a chance to apply it on our models ......As an out-of-towner  I was unable to bring my model but was lucky enough to have a model who is internationally known and who has been walking catwalks of the makeup world for years!!!!!!!!

 Applying gloss to my model Koren

Using my new Make Up Forever palette on my model Koren ;-)

The final bridal look on my model

I got so much from this class, it gave me a  fresh set of eyes for my bridal makeup. We love colour in the Caribbean and sometimes it is easy to get sucked in to giving your bride all the colours she wants in a look.  But as a makeup artist you are her guide to not just the pretty and  FABULOUS but the classic, timeless, bridal look. I was  excited to get started as soon as I got home.

If you look very closely you will see  two bottles of rum that I brought along with some Barbados Rum Cake for Koren and Elessa.

Koren taking time to help everyone with their individual bridal looks.

                                                                      My certificate

In Barbados all you need to  get started in makeup is a brush and a palette. But when you apply for professional discounts and entry to professional workshops or blog events in the US you have nothing to prove you know a thing. Now I can apply for discounts and procards from MUFE, MAC, ZUCA just to name a few.   I have already started !!!

NOW, if you have not watched these gurus ....start watching !! If you love these gurus......start screaming because they are planning on coming to Barbados to teach the same professional level classes Traditional Bridal and Airbrushing classes. Keep checking the schedule for payment options and information. 

 O2B2 Tour Schedule

Way back when I saw these classes being offered I messaged Koren and asked what it would take to get them to Barbados ?? !! Enter  Colour Coded Makeup who know all about organising stuff and now they are coming !! (Insert screaming and running in circles here)

As soon as I got home I had a chance to work on  a few bridal parties. I was able to whip out my new stuff and my newly acquired skills. Here are some of the bridal parties.

 BRIDESMAIDS

Before

After

Before

After

 THE BRIDE
Before

After

  BRIDE NO.2

Before

After

I had a blast this summer so far!! IMATS, LA SHOPPING, LAS VEGAS , O2B2 THEN CROP OVER !!!!!! More blog posts to come.



Rihanna in Concert in LA

The Rihanna concert in LA was just days after the IMATS ,so I there is no way Rihanna could be performing 20 minutes away and I would miss this show .Especially since it was being held in the home of my beloved Los Angeles Lakers :-)

The hotel's taxi service arranged for my ride to and from the show, and just like everything else at the hotel this service was great. Apparently limos , town cars and Cadis are the vehicles of choice at these shows.Everyone had a limo or a chauffeur waiting outside after the show.

We arrived early since the show was supposed to start at 7:00 . We arrived at 5:30 and........crickets.

The were maybe twenty people , half of whom worked there . No line , no crowds, no fighting for tickets or wondering where to go. Obviously a bajan did NOT organise this. A DJ was stationed outside playing Rihanna music and giving away bags, coolers and prizes from  a local radio station. So everyone was kept entertained and smiling.

Noticeably missing  was the fashion parade which usually accompanies any concert I have been to in Barbados. Flats, jeans, casual tops  were all over. A few girls did come dressed in red wigs and video girl outfits but they were in the minority.

Near the concert time Nivea gave out free Rihanna temporary tattoos. Mine lasted 5 days!!

 You may not be able to  see  but I got a  star tattoo.

 Around 6:30  I was at the front of the line.

The doors opened at 6:30 as advertised (note to BHTA) .At 6:25 I could see all the Staples centre personnel gathering to be briefed and at exactly 6:30 doors opened , I was scanned and I was seated by 6:37pm. It only took that long since I got lost, posed for pictures in front of Kobe  and met an aspiring MUA  who worked at the arena. I can only hope this efficiency will be replicated at the Barbados show.

  KOBE , KOBE KOBE

I was so early no one else was inside LOL!! 

 Only girl in the woooorrrrlllld!

Rihanna rose up from the stage.

 Amazing dancers

 She moved all over the arena onto giant lit platforms and put down some serious moves.

 S& M

 A  tank  came out for So Hard.

 

 The CITI bank VIP section started at $400 US and Rihanna came down and played the drums right in the centre of the arena.

  Moves out of this world.

  Just when all lights went off and we thought the show was over  Rihanna came down from the ceiling on   a piano!!!!!!!!!

A standing ovation

The Rihanna show was AMAZING!! I spent the first 5 minutes standing with my mouth open. Lights, pyrotechnics, dancers, vocals, everything was on point. This is not a show for the faint of heart, the girl came HARD!!!  I know the next day we will hear she needed  more clothes and we saw her crotch  more times than some people would like but I say BOO to you !! She was fabulous. From the sliding stages to the hot shoes everything made me smile. I loved it !! She took a drink on stage and toasted the weekend and give a "big-up" to all the West Indians . Honestly before the show I can't say that I had even heard California King Bed. I am a Beyonce girl. From the big hair to the gold sequins I am a diva at heart. But Rihanna edgy sound and look was infectious and to see so  many  screaming fans and middle aged women "wukking up" and  jumping was great. I would do it all over again ... if there were any tickets left in Bridgetown!!! :-)

Hauling Myself from Barbados To The IMATS

Getting to the IMATS from Barbados proved harder than I thought . The planning and scheduling was perfect but the airlines fought  hard to make my trip less than perfect. My travel agent Kimmele from Destinations Unlimited was great however. My flight out of Barbados  to Miami was delayed, so as I landed I was just in time to watch my connecting flight roll past my plane out of Miami to LAX. Kim was great  she ensured I was on track and re -booked for the flight leaving first thing in the morning out of Miami.
I finally landed at LAX  on Saturday afternoon for a 20 minute drive to my hotel at the Sheraton Pasadena.  I used SafeRide Limo Service.They were prompt, friendly and the driver provided me with lots of information on our ride over.

When I started planning I watched videos form MakeupbyRenRen to plan my attack on the IMATS exhibit floor but she had other valuable information. She suggested  I stay at the Sheraton because it was so close to the convention centre. It is practically on the same grounds. You walk out of the hotel's back door and you are at the convention center.

When you visit the IMATS website you can purchase tickets as well as book your hotel with a discounted rate through the site. http://www.imats.net/los/los_index.php

The service at the hotel was great. Everyone was pleasant , accommodating and full of information. The hotel runs a shuttle to anywhere within a three mile radius and they are ready when you are, to drop you off and pick you back up.  Pasadena is such a "walkable " city that you don't even need it . There are tonnes of restaurants ,supermarkets, and even a Sephora and a MAC store around the corner in case you missed an item at the IMATS.

The Shopping Centre across the street from the IMATS

It has a cute outdoor cafe feel and there was even live music.

Nearby restaurants like Islands , P.F Chang's and Yard House are nice but when you are saving each cent for eyelashes a $25 dollar (US) burger platter can be a bit much. The burger was as big as my head but that is alot of lashes. So after my first day I was looking for options and I found Gelson's Market.

It was indeed a Super Market . I came everyday and bought everything from  a Vicks Inhaler to huge turkey wings for only $2.79. I was able to buy snacks and drinks and "real food' like rice and beef stew to take over to the hotel without breaking my budget,which left a whole lot for my IMATS shopping. The market also has free wifi. The hotel charges for wifi  in the room  so spending a little time at Gelson's is a great idea.

My Haul

I learnt a valuable blogger lesson while trying to photograph this haul. Imagine trying to locate and recall all the pieces I bought at the IMATS weeks after I left :-/  Not a good idea!!! 

A rookie mistake I will remedy next time. 

Here are (the majority of )the items I bought . 

Sponges and puffs from Alcone , all of which were sold in huge packs at super low prices.

Beauty So Clean Makeup Sanitiser spray, wipes and brush cleanser.

  I saw this case on an IMATS vid from last year  ... It's a case with a space for all the thing an MUA would need to complete a client in a convenient case.

 Brush holder, and plastic case with strap.

 there is also a magnetic palette, a tissue dispenser and a mirror in the case.

Eye Kandy Liquid Sugar Base or applying glitter to eyes and lips

Graftobian HD foundation palettes

Inglot 40 palettes

  From Kryolan I got this UV shadow palette and the Derma Color Makeup Fixing Spray

The Mascara Shield

 Napoleon Lipgloss from The Napoleon Perdis booth (sample) Two  Face Shadow Insurance my favourite primer. From Nigel's Beauty Emporium Booth I got these mixing plates.

Also from Nigel's  I got disposables of all shapes and sizes, lip wands, pointed q-tips,mascara wands and 6 beauty blenders and a bottle of cleanser for $70.

Nurturing force blotting papers

OCC cosmetics lip tars and pigment. I got the pigment and the Analog (brown ) from David Klasfeld as a sample.

 Stella Loose Eyeshadow form Sugarpill

Violent Lips Lip tattoos ...Can't wait for Kadooment Day

Ben Nye shadow and Powder from Norcosto MUA booth .

Z palette and empty shadow palette from Cinema Makeup booth

New Temptu Dura Airbrush colours for covering tattoos.

Temptu  Silicone Based  Airbrush Makeup, a great waterproof alternative to traditional foundations.

Temptu Silicone Based Colour Adjusters . All Temptu products from the Temptu Booth

Many booths give free samples, and extras when you purchase. In some case you get full sized items as samples. I got a free dvd from the Graftobian booth, free lip tars, brush cleaners, eyelash curlers and more. 

If you hope to go to the IMATS , the IMATS in LA is the one to get to. Almost 10,000 people a day and a huge exhibitor list make this show the one to beat.