Hi there everyone!!!!!
I went last year too, so was excited to check out what was on offer this year. Especially as I am currently doing my Certificate II in Nail Technology at TAFE.
I had a few big expectations this year. Mainly because I wanted to get a good gauge for nail products, wholesale prices and suppliers for when I start my own business next year. Some of the things I wanted to check out were Acrylic suppliers, Gel suppliers, Nail polish suppliers including the main brands out their like OPI, Orly, China Glaze etc. Gel polishes, and basic suppliers like nail files, acetone, and other items a nail tech uses on a daily basis.
I had a good walk round, when you first enter I got very excited cause there was Inglot at the front. I had a good look about but unfortunately there were no polishes available. I was a little gutted cause I looove Inglot and their polishes.
As I walked through the show I did notice that a lot of the exhibitors from last year were not there this year. There were a lot of places offering eyelash extensions and also lots of places selling eyebrow stuff. I had to chuckle to my self cause every year there seems to be a "fad" and this year it was those two things. Last year it was fake tan. they were everywhere!!!
Switch Funky was my next port of call. They are a great wholesaler who sell an array of brands like Color Club, Artistic and IBX to name a few.
The display area was smaller this year. and only one demo going on. I totally wanted to see the latest Color Club collections but they did not have them in stock at the show, so I ordered them to be delivered to my house (i'm still waiting.....) and when they arrive I will do a review of the oil slick collection for you all.
They also had a good offer of buy 5 get one free which i took advantage off and "may"have brought a few hundred dollars of Color Club.
They also had a small range of Ruby Wing to purchase.
I was keen to check out a few other brands and one of the places on my list to check out was International Beauty Supply. They have a great range of OPI and I wanted to grab the new OPI paints to play with. They also had some classing collections from the past few years as well as the new Venice collection too. I brought they whole paints collection plus 12 other OPI I was missing and some new infinite shine polishes to road test on the blog.
It was cool to also check out the nail comps going on during the day. Nailympia was on while I was there so I watched the ladies create quick and amazing nails.
It was great to see that Morgan Taylor was available to check out. They are now affiliated with Gelish so were on the Gelish stand. The core range is to die for, tho I would have liked to see the newer collections there.
Geilsh also had a acrylic range available. I was not aware that they sold acrylic so I took a few pics to share. Gelish gel range I have always loved but now I know they sell Acrylic I think I would love to try it too.
Bio sculpture and CND were also at the expo. I was hoping that IBD would be there this year but no such luck. It is interesting the difference between this year and last year. Last year it was all about gel polish every second stand seemed to be selling it. this year not so much. for a nail person like myself it was disappointing. I had a lot of cash to spend on different products to set my business up but I hardly spent anything at all. I think maybe $300? if that. I would loe to see more nail related brands next year. Orly was a big one I missed. Their products are awesome and i think there was a big gap this year with them not here.
I did love the fact that Moyou london was there promoting nail stamping.you dont see stamping a lot at wholesalers apart from konad so it was great to see them there. Their were however promoting their water based polishes which I thought was a little weird as this was a trade show and not really for kids, which the water based polish is aimed for.
It was great to see Faby at the expo again this year. I love their polishes and only discovered them last year at the show. I took a few pics and also checked out their gel polishes. The stand was smaller than last year, which I noticed with pretty much all of the stands this year. But check out the newer collections! I may have to make an order??? what do you think??
Young Nails had a big presence again at the expo. It was great to chat to the people there and learn about their acrylic products and get some samples to trial at home.
They also had caption too at the show which is their long lasting polish collection.
The show was great to walk about. I have to admit that this year I found the stand did not share the latest collections of products available. I go to the show to check out new brands and see what is coming out new. but I did not find that this year. Which is a little sad as I know that YOU my readers want to know whats coming out in australia.
I also found that the variety of brands were not at the show. No Orly, China Glaze, ibd, indigo to name but a few who were there last year. And I think it showed in the number of people who were at the expo. It was quite easy to get around unlike last year where it was rammed. I was looking forward to the south african presence at the show but I found it hard to find the brands involved. and no polish either, which was a shame as there are some great brands from south aftrica.
I never found any places who sold nail files or any "basic" items a nail tech needs on a daily basis. Im hoping once the expo returns to darling harbour this will improve.
Glebe Island is not my favourite or places to get too. I drove and It was $25 to park before 10am. I would have caught the train but i cant do buses or boats due to my motion sickness, so I had to drive.
I am looking forward to next year tho and I will attend either on a press pass or as a tech, even tho there was not the variety as the previous years, I got to learn a great deal chatting to different people and I did managed to get some polish!!!!
I hope you have enjoyed my visit to the Beauty Expo Australia 2015. Over the next few weeks I will be reviewing the products I purchased that day.
Posting has been a bit slow of late but I have been having to study for TAFE (college) exams which are on last week and the next 2 weeks.
I have over 30 polishes sitting here to be swatched so stay tuned for some great pics and swatches soon!!!!!
Until next time........
