The Australian Beauty Bloggers Weekend (ABBW) – Chapter 1

Once upon a time, there were 85 little girls who were so obsessed with makeup they grew up to be beauty bloggers.  From all corners of Australia they would dedicate countless hours sitting at home swatching, doing makeovers, editing photos and writing, all to spread the word of beauty to the world.

As much as they loved blogging, the little girls felt lonely: they dreamt of meeting each other, and the brands that they have grown up loving and blogging about.

One day, two fairy godmothers, Jacie and Kimmi waved their magic wands and on September 24th, 85 talented young ladies were gathered in Sydney, for the inaugural Australian Beauty Bloggers Weekend (ABBW).

The young ladies were greeted with pressies from Dove, Australis, Le Tan, Innoxa and Garnier at registration.  There were also plenty of hugs and kisses, as the beauty bloggers meet face to face.

 The Australian Beauty Bloggers Weekend (ABBW)   Chapter 1

From there the BB’s (beauty bloggers) went on the magic carpet ride that is IMATS (International Makeup Artist Trade Show).  IMATS was filled with all kinds of coloured potions, accessories and expert speakers.  There were also mythical creatures to be seen (and judged)!

 The Australian Beauty Bloggers Weekend (ABBW)   Chapter 1

Royal Langnickel laid out the red carpet, and the BB’s were treated to a VIP retreat that had yummy treats, manicure and comfy couches to rest their tired (and well-heeled) feet.

 The Australian Beauty Bloggers Weekend (ABBW)   Chapter 1

Later that afternoon, the BB’s attended mad tea party held by Beauty Directory and brands such as La Purete, Trishave and The Purist Company.  They happily chatted with each other during the round table discussion, and asked the panel (Jackie Maxted from Beauty Directory, Eleanor Pendleton from InStyle and Kimmi from The Plastic Diaries) all sorts of questions.  The room was abuzz with passion – the BBs are one inspiring bunch of people!

 The Australian Beauty Bloggers Weekend (ABBW)   Chapter 1

In the evening, 85 BB’s turned into 85 princesses as they were whisked away to a gala dinner, hosted by Prince Charming AKA Maxted Thomas PR.

Pre-dinner, the BB’s were presented with many nobilities of the beauty world.  King Nivea offered complete head-to-toe skincare solutions, suncare, ingenious anti-stain deodorants and hours of entertainment with their photo booth.  Sultan Burts Bees bestowed personal care products that are natural, earth friendly and smell honey-licious.

Wizard Orly astounded with Gel FX manicure that gives superior shine, durability and even nourishes your nails (how awesome is that?).  Queen Coty delighted the sense of smell with an incredible collection of luxury perfumes.  Earl Sebastian Professional and Remington were on hand to primp the BB’s tresses into all kinds of gorgeousness.

 The Australian Beauty Bloggers Weekend (ABBW)   Chapter 1 The Australian Beauty Bloggers Weekend (ABBW)   Chapter 1 The Australian Beauty Bloggers Weekend (ABBW)   Chapter 1

And the dinner?  It was a royal feast, naturally! icon biggrin The Australian Beauty Bloggers Weekend (ABBW)   Chapter 1

 The Australian Beauty Bloggers Weekend (ABBW)   Chapter 1

The happy BB’s returned to their boudoirs after a magical Day 1 to have their beauty sleep, and wondered what’s to come on Day 2

*Images taken by Liz Giacco for The Australian Beauty Bloggers Weekend, and are not to be reproduced, republished or reused without inclusion of this credit. Images remain the property of The Australian Beauty Bloggers Weekend. 

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Returning from the Mothership ABBW

I’m back from what I can only describe as a whirlwind weekend that is ABBW (recap here)!

There will be more posts to come, as I have learnt so much from the various media events, met so many wonderful beauty bloggers in person, and ran the Face of Australia Masterclass.  It really was a weekend to remember and I’m so thankful to be a part of it.

Those who read my blog often enough, would know that I’m somewhat of a sporadic blogger.  So, although so many beauty bloggers have been organised enough to post on ABBW already (how do you do it?), I can only give you a taster post today.

Thanks to the generosity of all the sponsors, us beauty bloggers were spoilt big time! Each and every attendees went away with a HUGE amounts of goodies to play with!

 Returning from the Mothership ABBW

Donut and Doof sussing out the new comers to our home

The problem, and I mean that in a good way of course (hubby may disagree, but whatevs), is that being the beauty addict that I already was, we now have a SERIOUS storage problem.  Exhibit A, B and C:

 Returning from the Mothership ABBW

Clockwise from top: bathroom cupboard, remnants of Malaysia/Taiwan haul, stackable storage unit with 5 drawers for my everyday makeup (and bodycare sitting around here and there)

So I will share with you what I considered the most exciting item I saw at IMATS.  Oh geez it’s a beauty.  I would say it has been THE ONE that I have been searching for to complete my beauty obsession (by complete I do not mean end, just to clarify).

 Returning from the Mothership ABBW

Aluminium Makeup Station (code name LOVER1.1)

Specification:

  • 640(w) x 530(d) x 1185(h) mm when closed, with mirror open approx 1535(h) mm
  • High gloss finished metal plate
  • Fully mobile with turning/clasp locks to close and 4 caster wheels
  • Adjustable partitions within top compartment and all drawers
  • Side transparent shelves
  • 6 light bulbs and power output

Isn’t she just lovely???  I literally gasped when I saw it, and she’s also available in black:

 Returning from the Mothership ABBW

LOVER1.1B

But alas, with the $1,250 price tag (which isn’t bad, to be honest, since it’s kinda like a piece of furniture) and consideration for my poor hubby, I just couldn’t take her home with me icon sad Returning from the Mothership ABBW

This gorgeous thing is from Beauty & Spa Solutions, who also stocks a wide range of fake eyelashes, Coastal Scents type eyeshadow palettes, professional makeup cases and supplies.

Here is a thought though: what if I had taken LOVER1.1 home, and find that it STILL does not fit all my beauty supplies???  I shall ponder that for the rest of tonight.

If you went to IMATS, what was the most exciting item you saw?

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The Mothership is here: Australian Beauty Bloggers Weekend (ABBW)

 

imats v4 The Mothership is here: Australian Beauty Bloggers Weekend (ABBW)

Beauty Bloggers are a pretty excitable bunch.  Case in point: Urban Decay Naked Palette – squee!  Clinique Chubby Stick – squeee!!  Tom Ford makeup collection – SQUEEEE!!!

But nothing, NOTHING compares to what is happening this month – the first ever Australian Beauty Bloggers Weekend (ABBW).

As we speak, 85 beauty bloggers Australia wide are quivering with sheer excitement at the arrival of the ABBW: 24th September – 25th September 2011.

The weekend is the brainchild of 2 amazing beauty bloggers: Jacie of YouveGotNail.com, and Kimmi of ThePlasticDiaries.com, and will be jam-packed full of amazing mixer events, workshops, speakers and endless amount of beauty talk!

Say what? SQUUEEEEEEEE!!!!!

The ABBW will of course include attendance of the International Makeup Artists Trade Show (IMATS).

 The Mothership is here: Australian Beauty Bloggers Weekend (ABBW)

IMATS will host a variety of international beauty brands, including Make Up For Ever, Gorgeous Cosmetics, MAC, Kakuhodo to name a few.  I am also super excited for the speaker events, which includes Elessa Jade (of Pursebuzz.com), Rae Morris and Napoleon Perdis.

For me, the ABBW will be twice the excitement as I will be attending both as a beauty blogger and a sponsor icon smile The Mothership is here: Australian Beauty Bloggers Weekend (ABBW) It also means twice the preparation so in true chaos fashion there are still quite a few things on my To-Do list:

  • Blogger business card – new logo 90% there so will be able to tick this off this week.
  • Killer frock – I always, ALWAYS leave clothes to the very last minute cos I hate shopping so much.  And am still hoping to shed a couple of kgs.
  • Hair – will book for a quick trim & do my roots next weekend.
  • Sponsored event – slowly pulling all the details together.  Reasonably on track.

Good news is I have all the accommodation, flights and function requirements booked. And Imma gonna totally own the dance floor White Chicks style (sorry Jacie).

Are you going to IMATS?  If you’re going as a part of ABBW – don’t forget to back me to win the dance-off! icon biggrin The Mothership is here: Australian Beauty Bloggers Weekend (ABBW)

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