3 Really Cool Reasons You NEED to Attend The Makeup Show LA

This year, The Makeup Show is offering 3 chance of a lifetime opportunities for the LA show in March. 3 totally brand new experiences I've never seen offered before at any industry show. Whether similar programs will be offered at the other show locations, I don't know - so if you're geographically located where the LA show is equally as feasible, I'd highly suggest hitting the first show of 2012.

So what's so exciting?

Let's start with the "This Town Is Our Town" contest:
Form a beauty team with your pals to combine MUA, hair/fashion & photography, and take advantage of the opportunity to be a part of the show's Launch Event on March 16th. Create a look/image of your interpretation of This Town Is Our Town (Spotlights the beauty/fashion industry of LA, showcasing iconic Hollywood looks), and submit your photo by Feb 17th. Full details can be found on The Makeup Show's blog, but in addition to all finalists images being displayed with full credit throughout the show, the prize package includes publication in the Spring issue of On Makeup magazine, Studio time at Smashbox Studios, personal consultation & portfolio review with each team member by Timothy Priano, a makeup kit hand picked by James Vincent (worth over $1000) for the MUA, and a hair kit sponsored by T3 for the hair stylist on the team, a featured spot on the Makeup Show blog, and free admission to all of the 2012 Makeup Show cities - just to name a few.

Next really cool thing? Click! You're it!":
Sponsored by Smashbox, Create a look. Play with products. Experience a real photo shoot with a Smashbox photographer! Just bring your own model to The Makeup Show LA, book a station and you will get one hour to create a look with insider input from a Smashbox PRO artist. Take home a CD of pro-quality photos from your shoot. You can book an appointment by calling Merlo at (212) 242-1213, or emailing info@themakeupshow.com.

Finally, The Makeup Show will be offering a brand spanking new Professional Resource Area:
Included are seminars, one on one opportunities and forums from some of the biggest names in the industry. Bring your portfolio and pick some brains!

For the full list of keynote speakers and hands on workshops offered at the LA show, click here. Tickets are on sale now, and you can save by buying advance tickets by March 15th. Ticket information is on The Makeup Show's website here.

Make-Up Artist Magazine!

Make-Up Artist Magazine, a top resource for innovative make-up techniques and the latest industry news and trends (published by Key Publishing Group - the producers of IMATS) is an industry standard.

Could we have been more honored or excited to see this in their Jan-Feb 2012 issue?

(Insert a witty title here)

Not unlike many this time of year, I was reflecting over what 2011 has brought for me, my business, my family. My initial reaction was that yes, I had quite a lot to be proud of on a personal level (I sent my only child off to college 3000 miles from me, I quit smoking, and am simultaneously determined to lose weight), but as far as my business goes, nothing earth shaking happened this past year.

But wait, that's not right. This was a huge year for me! This is the year that Camera Ready Cosmetics started carrying Diamond Perfect Finish. It was this year that I found out that people know me and my products. People in the business. People with klout. People I've never met. People I idolize. All sorts of people! I'd have to call 2011 the Year of Unexpected Flattery:

• Celebrity makeup artist Victoria Stiles groomed Joe Biden in my products for an article that appeared in People Magazine;
• Emmy award winning makeup artist Kevin James Bennett has Diamond Perfect Finish listed on his "go to" list for industry professionals, In My Kit;
• I met the always entertaining Maxi at The Makeup Show, ran into him at IMATS a few months later, where he insisted on buying more Diamond Perfect Finish;
• I was approached by people left and right during IMATS asking where my booth was (although I wasn't exhibiting) because they wanted to buy my products;
• Though it may not seem big to you, even little things like James Vincent tweeting it's odd to see me without Koren was incredibly flattering. I always thought he faked that he knew me!

This stuff sneaks up on you, ya know? Looking back, this has really been a pretty dang spectaculous year!

Cyber Monday 2011 Sale

Need I say more? Click the graphic to go to the website. Shadows will be automatically added to your order during shipping - the $5 discount code is case sensitive. Think that pretty much sums it up :)