Events

Indie Expo Canada 2019 – Event Coverage

September 21, 2019

Event Highlights

Pam and her team at Girly Bits Cosmetics have done it again! Indie Expo Canada returns with another top-notch event at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Toronto this last month. Independently-owned makeup and beauty vendors from all over North America came together to bring attendees amazing products. If you haven’t had a chance to attend in the past, this year, the two-day event features not only indie beauty vendors but also nail art tutorial led many various bloggers, a speakers panel, workshops, massage station, photobooth, silent auction, light snacks and beverages and more. Indie Expo Canada is focused mainly on the indie nail polish scene, but also features cosmetics, make-up, skin care, bath & body, wax & home fragrance, and more.

Let’s dig into the details shall we?

Day 1: The workshops

The Polish Making Workshop

Interested participants had the opportunity to learn from the pros and make their own custom nail polish at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Under the direction of Indie Polish Vendors and Nikki of Glitter Unique, participants learn the foundations of created the polish base and blending THREE of their very own custom colours. All necessary supplies and instructions were included in the cost. The workshop was available at 10am or 2pm.

New this year: Meet & Greet Cocktail Reception

Indie Expo Canada 2019 hosted an exclusive social event with makers, customers, bloggers, and volunteers. Attendees had the opportunity to mix and mingle while enjoying a meal and of course, drinks! Attendees also walked away with an exclusive goodie bag, and who doesn’t love a good goodie bag?

Day 2: The Main Event

Admission levels

Attendees could choose to purchase one of three ticket levels:

Early access admissions: Gain access to main event earlier than general admission ticket holders
VIP ticket holders: Gain access to main event two hours before the general admission ticket holders AND receive a swag bag featuring $100 worth of exclusive products from each of the vendors
General admission: Access to main event only at the scheduled doors-open time

Speakers panel

This year’s speakers panel featured the indie brand owners of: Clionadh Cosmetics, Bee’s Knees, Cuter Cuticles, LynBDesigns, and Harlow & Co. The panel discussed the importance of the indie cosmetics industry as a whole, specific challenges of owning an indie brand, successes and failures they’ve encountered, and of course, their love for makeup and beauty!

Hosted by Caitlin Gladney-Hatcher from Streets Ahead Style

The Vendors

Many vendors returned this year along with a few new up-and-coming brands. This year’s roster of indie vendors include:

Image from: indieexpocanada.com

The Press Team

This year’s press team featured 8 bloggers:

Moi (:p)
Lisa Hendy
Michelle of Manicure Manifesto
Anita of Intense Polish Therapy
Caitlin of Streets Ahead Style
Eithne of Tea & Nail Polish
Tammy of Canadian Nail Fanatic
Jenny of The Dot Couture

Click on the links above to find out more about them!

Demo/Tutorial tables:

FREE nail art tutorial sessions were made available at various scheduled time slots. Participants could choose to sit in and learn how to do stamping, water-marbling, fluid art, and free hand tutorials.

Silent Auction

The slient auction featured various beauty goodies from indie brands. All proceeds from the silent auction will be donated to Mount Sinai Marvelle Koffler Beast Centre & Rose of Sharon Services for Young Mothers.

And that’s a wrap! If you didn’t get the chance to come out this year and want to find out more details and when the next event will be, check out indieexpocanada.com to stay in the loop.

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