London Olympia Beauty 2015 Haul

Olympia Beauty is one of big beauty trade shows that happen each year. Aimed mostly at salon owners and beauty workers to showcase new products; you have an opportunity to stock up on supplies at discounted prices.

This was my first year attending this particular show, and I know from experience how crazy busy other trade shows are, so I came prepared!

• My first rule; never wear a coat/scarf/anything that will keep you warm. These events are so hot, with lots of hustle and bustle everywhere and no air conditioning in sight, you’ll regret wrapping up warm. Luckily, it was a beautiful day in London yesterday, it felt like summer in October!

• My second rule; sharpen your elbows! Prepare to be pushed out the way or you may find yourself waiting to be served for what seems like eternity. If you don’t manoeuvre your way through the crowd, you won’t get very far.

• Lastly, and this may seem quite extreme but I’ll admit I have done this once before. I saw many people with wheelie suitcases, which reminded me.. If you plan on buying tons of stuff, take a suitcase! It may sound crazy to some, but if you’re buying large, heavy items such as wax heaters, wax pots and other salon equipment, you’ll probably be glad you did.

• The event can be a bit overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time going. I like to scour the website in advance and see the list of exhibitors. I make a mental note of what stands I’d like to see and write down the stand codes on my phone. I never like to spend the full day there, and this way I don’t spend hours searching for the products I want to buy!

Now that we have that out of the way, I’m sure you’re keen to see what I bought! I didn’t go wild this year as I’m on a self-imposed spending ban. I mostly bought products that I’ve wanted for a long time and a few things that aren’t available in UK stores. –Ready for a little photo diary?

I made a beeline for the Beauty B Cosmetics stall as they were selling Sigma brushes, theBalm, Milani, Lit cosmetics and LA Girl! It’s highly likely that I’m the last beauty blogger on the planet to try out the infamous Mary-Lou Manizer. It’s so beautiful, I can’t wait to try it!

I also bought Milani baked blushes in Bellissimo Bronze and Berry Amore, LA Girl corrector in orange, Lit cosmetics glitters in Seeing Stars and Oprah and the Sigma F25 brush which feels so soft and luxurious.

I got so excited when I saw that Dr PawPaw were going to be there that I picked up 1 full size and 3 small Original balms and the lovely lady gave me a Tinted Peach Pink balm for free! I had no idea that these products have been available in the UK for quite some time now! -Where have I been!?  

This Australian miracle product is a multipurpose balm with antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that has so many uses. I met the beautiful owner of the company who told me that this is the only British made product using fermented papaya, olive oil and aloe vera. A quick google showed me that it really is available all over the UK! -Seriously, where have I been!?

Finally, I went to see the lovely ladies at Waxperts. I’d had my eye on the Wonder Pads for a while now and have heard so many great things. They are designed to not only remove ingrown hairs, but also target spots, lumps & bumps -all in one pad!

I’ve been following Ellen on Snapchat for a long time, she is the owner and creator of waxperts wax, and it was so great to meet her and her business partner Trish. Her snaps are so inspirational and she gives great advice to other women in business. They’re both so lovely, friendly and down to earth.

I had a bit of a fan girl moment when she asked to take a picture (on snapchat) with me. I mean, she literally has thousands of followers, and it was so sweet of her to give me a mention too! *inserts heart-eyed emoji*

I always feel like I bought more than I did, but that’s all of it bar a Christmas present for somebody that I know is reading this post! -Don’t say it! I know, I know it’s October, but Christmas is only 11 weeks away.. Eek!

In my opinion, Olympia Beauty is the best trade show that I’ve been to. I wouldn’t rush back to the others but I will definitely go to this one again next year. Did you go this year? What did you buy? I love looking at other people’s purchases!

Leave me a comment below if you’ve tried any of the products that I bought. I can’t pick a favourite as I’m so excited to try them all!