Chicago Events. The Makeup Show Comes to Chicago!

Last week marked an important milestone in the Chicago beauty scene—the debut of The Makeup Show in Chicago. The two day beauty convention set up shop in the West Loop event space, Venue One, boasting an impressive array of vendors, workshops and key note speakers geared toward makeup professionals. We were lucky enough to get a sneak peek ourselves, and score a coveted interview with celebrity makeup artist Sam Fine! Fine was in town as a keynote speaker, holding court alongside industry trailblazers such as Reggie Wells and Maurice Stein. Professionals could also get tips from exclusive hands-on workshops led by top artists such as Danessa Myricks, Orlando Santiago, Jon Hennessey and Kathy Aragon.

For the makeup layman, The Makeup Show was a chance to see what was next in the world of professional makeup—the next big tools, colors and technology that we would soon see from the red carpet to the runway. Many labels performed mini applications right on the spot, demonstrating all their products could do. Special discounts, or pro prices, were offered on most of the products and the MUA’s that surrounded us took full advantage by filling up their duffel bags and rolling suitcases with the great deals. We took advantage of the opportunity ourselves (how could we not!) and stocked up on a few must-have items from Smashbox and Makeup Forever, as well as some dirt cheap makeup brushes from Crown Brush.

Probably the highlight of the experience was getting to chat with legendary makeup artist, and personal artist to Oprah, Reggie Wells. Wells had set up shop on the first floor of the show to give personal commentary on his new line of cosmetics, Hissyfit. He was featuring his Hissyfit Clockpots, a chunky, over-sized compact that equips you with the perfect amount of makeup to keep a fresh face from 12 to 9. The makeup is set up in the compact like a clock so the user knows when to use each palette throughout the day, depending on the needs of moisture, coverage and color. The Hissyfit Clockpots come as either foundation compacts with highlighter and concealer, or blush and bronzer compacts. It’s a tiny customizable look that you can tote with you anywhere, and it was amazing getting to hear about it from Wells himself!

As we perused the impressive array of cosmetics, tools, carrying cases and other pro products, we really came to appreciate how complicated and multi-faceted the industry is and how talented the professionals are. From creating a full face of makeup for a night on the town to a grotesque monster face for a movie, makeup artists perform magic every single day and it was a real treat to walk among them for a day and get an insider look on how it all works.

-Alia Rajput Photo Source: Second City Style