Shanay Nina Miles-- MUA. Blogger. Divafied Doll. : 2016

Hey love bugs! I'm back with another blog for you...

This past week, I had the pleasure of attending The Makeup Show in New York, after not being able to attend last year's due to all the chaos that was going on in Baltimore with the riots. I told myself that I wasn't going to miss going this year, and I'm so happy I went.

For those who don't know what The Makeup Show is... It is a 2 day trade show that unlike IMATS (International Makeup Artist Trade Show) which is open for the general public, this show caters more to the beauty professionals only. Makeup artists, hair stylists, models, designers, bloggers... If you are in the beauty industry, this is the place to be. Here, you can purchase makeup and beauty items for discounted prices, listen in on keynote speeches, attend a hands-on workshop, network with other artists, it is so much you can do at The Makeup Show.

This is not my first time attending; I've been going to The Makeup Show since 2013. So, this is my third year, and I must say, every year keeps getting better and better.

I attended the Monday show, which was the last day. I got there around 10:45 am; although it started at 9. As soon as I walked in the door, it was like makeup artist candy land. Just like at IMATS last month, I felt like I was home. But, unlike IMATS, I really didn't bring a lot of money to spend. But, I was still going to have a good time.

First person I ran into was the Godfather of makeup, Mr. Reggie Wells. He is the maestro in the makeup world, doing celebrities like Chaka Khan, Whitney Houston, Brandy, and Oprah Winfrey. I had the honor of taking one of his classes back in 2013 at Bennett Career Institute in DC. He always said I reminded him of a young Chaka Khan (which I get that quite often) and he remembered who I was when he saw me.

My first purchase of the day was at NARS. I've been wanting to get my hands on the Sheer Glow and All Day Luminous Weightless foundations since the Sephora VIB sale last month, but I told myself I was going to wait till I went to The Makeup Show. Plus it would be 30% off since I had a pro discount. They didn't have the Sheer Glow in my shade, but they did have the All Day Luminous in my shade. So, I got that, and I got the Highlighting Blush in Albatross (I've been wanting that foreverrrr...)

By the time I was done with my purchase with NARS, it was getting close to time for Scott Barnes' keynote seminar. He was one of the main reasons why I wanted to attend this year's show. He's one of my favorite makeup artists, along with Sam Fine, Kevyn Aucoin, Pat McGrath, and Mario Dedivanovic.

Ok loves, for those who don't know who Scott Barnes is, you need to think back to when Jennifer Lopez became J Lo, and her glowy makeup, this artist was responsible for her gorgeous glow. The mink lashes she wore to the 2001 Academy Awards? All because of him. Scott Barnes is a Picasso of makeup artistry.

His seminar was at 12 noon, and I wanted to make sure I was in attendance. His subject was The Signature Style of a Celebrity Artist. He was showing his tips and tricks of how he creates a award-winning look.

Celebrity hairstylist Frank Galasso joined him on the stage to create an va-va-voom hairstyle using his hair extensions...

...voila! Beauty created by two masters of their craft...

The fact that I was able to be in the presence of a phenomenal artist like Scott Barnes is the reason why I will continue going to The Makeup Show. It's artists like him that keeps me motivated and makes me want to continue being a makeup artist. He is a very humble person to be around, and his talents speak for themself. His humbleness rubbed off on me, and I felt like my day was complete.

(yes I bought my book About Face (his first book he published) with me because I had to get it signed by him. And I did!)

Scott Barnes' keynote wasn't the only one I attended that day. Renny Vasquez, who is a talented makeup artist out of the DMV with clients like Gabrielle Union, Lala, Serena Williams, Brandy, and many others, had a keynote on how he made it to become a celebrity artist. I have been witness to his incredible talents; attending his Fine-Vasquez Ultimate Beauty seminar last October. I sat and watched how Renny was able to work magic with his skills and listened to his stories. Incredible. And inspiring to all us makeup artists trying to get where he is today.

During his keynote, he announced that he was collaborating with Celeb makeup artist AJ Crimson, to launch his own line of nude lipsticks as a part of AJ Crimson Beauty. And the best part was he had some of those lipsticks at the show for purchase. (although they have yet to be released). He had three lipsticks in his line; I only bought two. And of course I got my photo-op with DMV's finest.

And to almost think, I was going to back out of going to The Makeup Show 24 hours prior. I'm so happy that I didn't, because if I did, I would've regretted it for a long time. It's not always all about how much money you have and what you spent. I may have had more at IMATS and got more things, but at The Makeup Show, it was about the experience. I gained a lot of knowledge that day, networked with fellow makeup artists from MD, DC, NY, and other cities, was able to meet one of my favorite makeup artists, and walked away with more than what I would've bought. The Makeup Show was a memorable experience and I will forever be grateful to be a part of this awesome makeup artist community. I look forward to next year's show.

***Photos I took that day***

(quick selfie before walking into the building)

I was blessed to take my first makeup class at Bennett Career Institute in 2012 with this man... Talented at best... Orlando Santiago (congratulations on your new engagement)

Body painting at the Make Up For Ever Academy booth

2 of my fav IGers and YouTubers Denise (http://instagram.com/makeupbydenise) and Yarisbeth (http://instagram.com/yariszbeth)

Merrell Hollis-- Another amazing makeup artist I had the pleasure to learn from at the Celebrity Makeup Symposium at Bennett Career Institute in 2013

I soooo loved this lipstick chair at the Kat Von D booth :-)

I was able to meet the owner of the Teknique Agency, Tekoak Hash. Her agency represents many artists who's done makeup for Love and Hip Hop ATL, NY, etc.

She loves her Bennett students... Danessa Myricks

One of my favorite MUAs from the ATL... Alex (http://instagram.com/themuaalex)

It's always a good time whenever I run into my boo Jordan Liberty (http://Instagram.com/jordanliberty) :-)

I got mad love for my DMV artists... Jamaya Moore (http://instagram.com/jamayamoore)... Lauren Nicely (http://instagram.com/lonicely)... sorry guys I don't have the other two dolls info :-(

Nicky Posley... Incredibly talented MUA... I took his Bridal Airbrush class at TEMPTU in 2013 (yep, I'm a certified Airbrush makeup artist since 2013)