Salon Melbourne 2012: Hair & Beauty Expo

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

In Australia, there are 2 major beauty events in the yearly calendar. Sydney has IMATS (International Makeup Artists Trade Show) and Melbourne has Salon Melbourne.

Inspiring hair creations
Salon Melbourne is a hair and beauty expo showcasing the latest products, technologies, hottest trends and talent and live demonstrations by industry experts.
This year the event was held back on the weekend of March 28-29 atthe Melbourne Convention Centre. This expo geared towards salon operators, professionals and students alike and has a plethora of hair styling information, and products for sale, from the latest manicure and waxing tools, spa equipments to a great array of cosmetics and beauty tools.

The place is great to pick up hair inspirations, see the prestigious Hair Expo Awards Finalists gallery of their creative inspirations.
Finalists of the Hair Expo award
I was provided a media pass and was able to see first-hand the hustle and bustle that was the expo of Salon Melbourne.
The displays were plentiful, the offerings vast. It was literally candy-land for any salon fanatic. 
airbrush makeup demonstration
Vani-T lipsticks
more Vani-T lip products
The best things about these exhibitions is the inspirations you get from it, being able to talk to so many like minded individuals and experts in the field and of course the trade prices on the products for sale. Yes, OPI products for half the RRP at the expo and there were Orly and Shellac nail colours in every colour ever invented for sale.

Hair styling products!
Next year, Salon Melbourne will be held on April 14-15th. It's a must-see for anyone working in the beauty industry and I highly recommend anyone who qualifies for registration to do so now so they don't miss it. The event is free for trade attendees (salon owners) and students.

I definitely look forward to visiting again to see next year's trends and new products.

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Skincare Series: Hydration Booster for Winter

Monday, May 7, 2012

Are you one to change skincare with the season? Skin being exposed to different environmental conditions need different protections and with the dry, cold weather in Melbourne, I like switching to slightly richer and more hydrating facial and body creams.

Here are my favourites for this winter season:

L'Occitane Immortelle Precious Cream 50ml – RRP A$82

This cream sinks straight in, provides all day hydrating and works a treat as a rich yet non-greasy day cream over treatment serums (I even use it as a night cream sometimes because it’s rich enough) and suits all skin types particularly those with extremely dry skin. It smells of a bouquet of fresh field flowers and leaves a lovely silky finish on skin.

It contains the Immortelle essential oil (called the immortal flower because the petals doesn't lose colour even when it is dried or dies) to stimulate micro-circulation, increase collagen production and and has good anti-aging properties.

This facial cream is now in its 10th anniversary with a new improved formulation and continues to be one of L’Occitane’s best sellers that will give smoother, firmer skin.

Tip: remember to use on the neck and décolletage for silky soothe skin there too

Available at David Jones, selected Myer stores and L'Occitane online.


We all know by now our skin recharges overnight whilst we sleep so it’s worthwhile investing in products that give it a boosting hand. 

Clinique Turnaround overnight radiance moisturizer 50ml - RRP A$90
This multi-tasker does exactly that by gently exfoliating the skin and increasing cell-turnover (salicylic acid in a time release system and chestnut seed extract) to reveal clearer tone and complexion.

Emollient and rich but not greasy, Clinique Turnover Overnight Radiance Moisturizer works to give intense hydration and facial-like results while you sleep. Not only does it provide that extra hydration boost (hyaluronic acid, hydroxyethyl urea and trehalose) at night without the grease to make skin is brighter and more even in tone after a week’s use, and within a month, I’m seeing smooth velvetly skin that is all plumped up, clear and radiant.

Avaliable at Clinique counters in Myer and David Jones store and Clinique online.  I wasn't provided the product packaging so don't have the ingredients listing for this moisturiser.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate 30ml - RRP A$59
On alternating nights I use this elixir of pure botanicals and essential oils (rosehip, evening primrose, jojoba and rosemary leaf oil). With a light lavender (from the essential oil) and faint squalene (plant-based from olives) scent, it is lightweight and readily absorbs into the skin to leave only a light sheen on the skin and fixes any dry patches, plumps up skin and helps to replenish lost lipids in skin.

Skin is soft, supple and hydrated after two uses and after a month of continued use, I notice faster he I use it in place of my night time moisturiser after applying treatment serums and within a week notice plump, supple and brighter skin.

Available at Kiehl's counters in selected Myer and David Jones stores and Kiehl's online.

Grown Rosa Damascena Acai & Pomegranate Intense Body Cream 120ml - RRP A$29
One of my favourite body moisturiser, it is intensely hydrating but non-tacky and leaves a silky dry finish on skin once absorbed. The cream forms a light shield on skin to help improve the skin's barrier function to increase skin hydration.

It also has a light pleasant orange vanilla scent and enriched with rose oil, pomegranate and acai extract to help improve skin firmness and replenish lost essential fatty acids back into skin. I love rubbing this cream into rough areas like elbows and knees as well as all over the arms and legs for immediately soft, smooth skin.

Available in selected Myer and pharmacies - check here for stocklist and Grown online.

So whether you live in freezing southern states or warmer northern regions, the winter months brings on dryer weather and your skin will need a hydration boost. Be sure to look at your current skincare regime to see what you can introduce to give it that extra level of moisture.


Products featured were provided for consideration.

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