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Flashing bulbs and massive crowds came out for The 20th Annual International Beauty & Make-Up Trade Show, celebrating their two decades of artistry, education, and industry innovation at the Metropolitan Pavilion at 125 West 14th Street on May 4th-5th.

Make-up artists, fashion photographers, models, stylists, social media influencers, and hair stylists attended the enormous event, which had something for everybody. The event brought out the beauty industry’s best and brightest and provided an unforgettable weekend of education, shopping, and networking.

The Make-Up show has expanded rapidly since its first show in 2005. The show hosts over 70 vendors and over 5,000 attendees. It is a custom-tailored trade show that began as a small event focusing solely on the make-up lines, initially targeting make-up artists. Over time, the event expanded to multiple cities in the U.S., like Houston, Texas, Chicago, and internationally in Europe, in Berlin. Everyone attending the event is part of the supportive and creative community passionate about make-up artistry.

The event covered everything a beauty expert could want and need, from make-up, nails, hair, eyelashes, make-up brushes, make-up bags, and skincare. Many brands used this event to speak to make-up artists and what they needed for their kits, or speak to hair stylists on the latest hair appliances to make getting that perfect updo happen.

Hundreds of make-up brands came out and gave discounts and special deals on products and networked with customers and artists. “We wanted to connect to the artistry community,” said Cynthia Di Meo, Director of Global Artistry at Rare Beauty. “It is our first trade show, and we value and know how important they are. We are providing Rare Beauty products at a discounted price, which is a first, and helping make-up artists stock their kits,” said Di Meo. “The one thing I like about the trade show is their all about community,”  she said.

Making way through the huge two-floor event, other popular make-up brands were there, like Bobbi Brown’s second make-up line, Jones Road. The Jones Road team used the Make-Up show to announce Bobbi Brown’s 10th, book coming out this fall, “Still Bobbi” and hitting shelves on September 23rd. “We wanted to connect and educate make-up artists in the industry, and Bobbi is always leaning into her make-up artists,” said Cheyenne Pellicoro, Senior Manager of Artistry and Education with Jones Road Cosmetics. “We wanted to get the word out there and keep going with Jones Road!” said Pellicoro. “My favorite part of today is meeting everyone and making connections and enjoying the love of make-up and talking to other make-up artists,” she said.

Right across from the Jones Road table was a table of make-up with a striking hot pink package, belonging to  Basma Cosmetics. “We have a very unique brand,” said Tina Ghandc, Marketing Manager at Basma Beauty. “Our founder, Basma Hameed, is a burn survivor. She wanted to create a very safe and comfortable spot in the beauty community where she felt it was needed growing up,” said Ghandc. “So, she began her mission to create a beauty brand that fits everyone, ” she said.

“The first ever product was our foundation sticks in 42 shades, so everyone was included. Our newest product is The Blurring Gloss Balm. It is in a very unique package and very innovative,” she said. “My favorite part of today is seeing the surprise on people’s faces when they find their perfect shade. That’s something I’m genuinely happy about!” she said.

Basma Beauty wasn’t the only one about inclusivity in their beauty brand. “I love connecting with all the artists that I see each year,” said Pepper aka @perfectedbypepper, Account Manager and Trade Show Runner for Danessa Myricks Beauty.

Danessa Myricks’ brand is a women and black owned beauty brand created by the self-taught artist. “This is our 10th anniversary at the Make-Up show!” said Pepper. “We came today to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Make-Up show, along with our 10th anniversary. My favorite part is seeing the community come together,” she said.

The day continues with the education portion of the show. As part of their anniversary show, the Make-Up show introduced a new education series called The Community Stage. These are special education demos that highlight artists who have been a dedicated part of the beauty community throughout the years. Some of these artists included demos from Jodie Perkins for Lit Cosmetics, Eden Mills for Lemonhead L.A., Beau Nelson for Lashify, Krystal Tapia for KARIS Cosmetics, Arielle Nauiseda for ESSNTLS Lab, Shar Turner from Omnia, and Eugenia Weston for Senna Cosmetics.

The next stop for The Make-Up Show is in Houston, Texas in on September 20th-21st at the Hilton Houston Post Oak.

Make-up artists were not the only ones to strut the Make-Up show. Gerri, aka @iamgerrii, a model for The Make-Up Show for Danessa Myricks Beauty and Timothy Hung, has been a long-time supporter of the event. As she dressed in strapless black haute couture dress, sporting a sexy black smoky eye with sparkling silver decals that look like fireworks exploding on her face, she explained why she enjoys modeling for the Make-Up show “I been modeling for the make-up show for a few years now, and honestly, it’s one of the best experiences.” said Gerri. 

“I honestly love being around creative people because I feel sometimes when you’re not around that creativity, you don’t feel inspired. Once a year, I get to feel inspired by very amazing and talented people. That’s what I love!” she said

 

Photo Credit: Sherica Daley