It was a very last minute decision to head to the United Makeup Artist Expo in Islington on Saturday. I went with my friend, makeup artist, Kenneth Soh as his guest, as I’m (clearly) not a make-up artist! I think I had rather expected something similar to IMATS but thankfully, no! UMAE is a much calmer event, with plenty of space and time to talk to brands and suppliers. Excitingly, David Horne was there with copies of his book The Art of Male Makeup (blogged HERE but now sold out; there is another print run on the way) and the handsome fellow above is the front cover! It was an absolute pleasure to watch him being made-over to look as he does on the cover below.

The United Makeup Artists Expo is for professional make-up artists to stock up their kit, hear lectures, see demonstrations and generally socialise – it’s the UK’s only MUA show.

Obviously, make up artistry isn’t limited to glossy covers; there is all the film work, prosthetics and body painting to take into account as well – I LOVE that you can buy different thicknesses of blood – who knew?! And a nice perky bottom is enough to cheer up anyone’s day ;-).

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I spent a lot of time at the MAC Pro stand, and drooling over Louise Young Brushes (and her cute little powder puffs that attach to a finger so make-up artists don’t disturb the work they’ve just done). The Louise Young site is HERE.

I spotted the new Lime Crime Clueless Witch Collection Velvetines – they’re super powered! I’ve swatched on my arm and borrowed Joyce’s arm from Brides & Beauty (HERE) as she has a different skin tone to me. The Lime Crime Clueless collection is available HERE for £13.50 each.

As you might imagine, there was make up everywhere! However, I also spotted new solid brush cleaners – I’ll be doing a separate post about those tomorrow. If you didn’t manage to pick up the Japonesque Goat Milk brush shampoo, then this brand, Clean, also does one (interestingly, Clean’s came first) as well as lavender, grapefruit and lemon variants which are beautifully fresh. Look out for this tomorrow.

I can’t not mention the amazing body art created by students of Julia Townend – you will have seen Julia’s work everywhere and she’s opening a make-up studio to offer courses soon – I can’t say I’m not tempted. Imagine being able to create something like this from make-up. Julia’s site is HERE but not quite fully ready.

One of the final stands I visited was hosted by The Artistry Network – if you’re a new make-up artist (or even not so new), it’s a community based site that shares MUA relevant information such as jobs and industry guides and allows you to talk to other make-up artists. You can find it HERE.