IBS New York 2011: The Event

Last Sunday, for the second year in a row, I spent the afternoon at IBS (International Beauty Show) in NYC. The trade show, presented by American Salon magazine, spans three days and showcases some of the best products brands have to offer, many of them at really great discounts that can only be found during the show. The event takes place annually at the Jacob Javits Center in NYC and the convention center is packed with different booths at which products (think nails, hair care, skincare, and beauty tools) are sold and demonstrations are held. The demonstrations run the gamut from hair cutting and coloring to gel nail application/nail design and waxing (don't worry, face only!). The show really caters to beauty professionals - salon owners, hair dressers, nail technicians - with educational classes (some free and some for cost) being given by individuals who are at the forefront of their respective fields as well as brand manufacturers. Though I unfortunately didn't have the chance to take advantage of the classes, I did score some really great things (stay tuned for the haul post!). All in all, it was a great day (even the pouring rain couldn't stop me!). I got to spend some time with my good friend (and fellow beauty enthusiast) Nancy and with Jenny from Beauty and All That. I even got to meet a new blogging beauty, Cristal from Beauty Goodies. Love meeting new beauty lovers!

Here are some pictures from the show. It was so packed!

Some goodies at the Stila booth

One of many hair demos

Mmmm rows of polish at OPI!

Check out this patriotic wig!

Nancy and me

Anatomically correct body painting

More body painting

Jenny and me

I spy Kevin James Bennett at the Royal & Langnickel brush booth!

How cute are these mini polish sets from China Glaze?! These are from last year's Up & Away collection. $6 for a mini 6 pack!

China Glaze's new Anchors Away collection

Gorgeous shimmery pigments from Naked Cosmetics. Check out the middle tower! It's the new Twilight collection and it's already very popular. The teal color when used wet looks AMAZING!!

More shimmery goodness at the Naked booth

Killer lashes on this pink car. I might be just a tad jealous ;)

DermOrganic hair booth. Love that their products are formulated with Argan Oil!

Some rockin' hair

I'm very intrigued by the Supersmile teeth whitening line. My coffee/tea-stained pearly whites are no longer so pearly!

The incomparable Nick Arrojo doing a hair demo at his booth

And finally....need I say more?! ;)

Weigh in: Were any of you also at the show? Are you planning to attend any of the other upcoming beauty shows?

China Glaze Crackle - Collection Info

To say that I'm excited about the China Glaze Crackle collection is definitely an understatement. As someone who doesn't often wear polish (I attribute this solely to the fact that I am awful at applying it!), just seeing images of these texturizing polishes makes me excited to try my hand at a self-manicure once again.

Of late, crackle polishes have come back onto the scene in a big way. Applied in a thin layer over any contrasting color - glitter, shimmer, or creme - the polish shrinks to reveal a super cool pattern which can "edge up" any manicure. The key is to wait until the underlying polish has dried before applying the crackle. Then, after you have applied the crackle enamel, wait about an additional 5 minutes for the pattern to fully develop (before adding a top coat of your choice to seal).

So here's what you need to know about the collection....

The Six Shade offerings (SRP $7.99 each):

Lightning Bolt - White crackle

Black Mesh - Black crackle

Broken Hearted - Pink crackle

Cracked Concrete - Grey crackle

Fault Line - Purple crackle

Crushed Candy - Teal crackle

Availability: The China Glaze Crackle polishes will be available at Sally Beauty Supply locations starting February 2011 (this month everyone, so be on the lookout!). I've also been alerted via the China Glaze Twitter (@ChinaGlaze), that the polishes are now available for pre-order at the Trans Design website. In addition to their availability in 12-piece displays, there will also be 3-piece kits that will include a base color, a crackle polish (in Black Mesh, Broken Hearted, or Crushed Candy), and a top coat.

I definitely plan on collecting them all Pokemon-style (if I can)! I'm especially looking forward to trying the teal, purple (of course, my favorite color would speak to me), and grey shades. Over a black polish?! LOVE! Check out the China Glaze site here.

What do you think? Are you interested in the crackle polish craze? Will you pick up any of these colors? Have you tried a crackle polish before? Weigh in!

Rich, Sexy, And "Retro Glam": A Peek At China Glaze Vintage Vixen Collection For Fall 2010

For all of my nail lovers, I have some exciting info to share with you! Though we've just started to get into the spring and summer months (and I'm digging the super bright and pastel colors of the Up & Away and Poolside collections!), I am coming at you right now with some details about the brand's Fall 2010 offerings! Here's the scoop on the bold and seductively sexy hues (that harken back to the 1940's era) that you can expect from this collection.

The Shades:

--Riveter Rouge - Deep red shimmer

--Foxy - Burgundy frost with shimmer

--Goin' My Way - Brown frost with copper shimmer

--Classic Camel - Khaki creme with gold micro glitter

--Swing Baby - Taupe frost with silver micro glitter

--Ingrid - "Greige" creme with copper micro glitter

--Hey Doll - Rose frost with shimmer

--Bogie - Plum frost with shimmer

--First Class Tocket - Deep purple frost with shimmer

--Midnight Mission - Navy blue frost with silver micro glitter

--Emerald Fitzgerald - Turquoise green frost with shimmer

--Jitterbug - Grey chrome with silver micro glitter

The Vintage Vixen collection will begin shipping on June 6th (internationally) and July 6th (domestically).

Vintage Vixen's shades just scream old Hollywood glamour and sophistication. I can't wait to see them in person! What do you think? Are you enticed?