Back to ABBW: September 25th

Gather yourself for Round two of

The Australian Beauty Bloggers Weekend

Day two of the ABBW couldn't come quick enough, so I could head back to Sydney Novotel & meet up with the 83 beauty bloggers again for another jam packed day of beauty information sessions. We started off with a breakfast event with Alpha-H a "corrective & preventative" skincare range, that contain active ingredients to renew & revitalise the complexion.

Karen Ledbury, a Australian TV presenter, spoke to us about her experience with Alph-H & her "desert island product" - Liquid Gold. She uses Alpha-H Liquid Gold as her "sole skincare system", & as she is also a mother of three, it's a product she can easily use at home.

Michelle Doherty, the director of Alpha-H, spoke to us about the Liquid Gold Skin Perfection System which we all got given to try. The three-stage course at night is to "amplify" your current routine to help give dynamic & long-term results.

I'll be starting with the Liquid Gold Prep & Prime to prepare the outer layers of the skin. This is supposed to create a "platform of acceptance" for the active & stimulating ingredients that will be following in the later products Liquid Gold Original & Liquid Gold Radiance, that target the deeper epidermal layers. I'll have to report back in 3 months to let you know how I've gone with this "90 day fix" treatment. (RRP $99AU)

Afterwards we had a chance to mingle & nibble before we headed into the Face of Australia Masterclass where I got a chance to hang out with Ria from LemonTartTree. The director of FOA, Tina Henry, talked about some of the products while the MUA Kirsty Dolores demonstrated some of the makeup in action from the FOA Look Book (this will be coming soon to the FOA site so stay tuned!).

We all were able to follow along at our tables playing with a goody bag of the products & I had an awesome time. I admit the Lip Quench SPF 30+ in Silver Rose is now one of my favourite lipsticks! It's so creamy & I love the slight frosty pink/plum colour. I will be doing an overview & review of the FOA range on my Youtube channel in the near future.

FOA Lip Quench SPF 30+ Silver Rose

Following this we had a chance to go for lunch with Ria & I had a chance to hang out with some gorgeous bloggers: Rachal of fashion fantabulous, Karen from mssparklearkle, Desiree of madame rouge & Emma from Emma Bovary Beauty. How could I have forgotten to get a group photo?! But for a beauticious dose of the ABBW check out the photo gallery.

The last event of the day was hosted by Proctor & Gamble (Beauty & Grooming) that brought to us the fascinating Bahar Etminan of RESCU who detailed her personal experience with creating RESCU & making it in the beauty industry.

Bahar Etminan of RESCU. Photo courtesy of The ABBW Official Gallery

Bahar then lead into speaking about "brand you" - how to get into the beauty business & how to make your blog truly noteworthy. I'd recommend checking out Bahar's keynote presentation at the ABBW site if you are interested in moving from a "hobby blog" to more professional blogging. I picked up some great tips that I will be working on in the next few weeks to jazz up my humble blog.

P&G Beauty & Grooming were also kind enough to leave us some lovely hair products to try from some of the brands - Pantene Pro V & Herbal Essences which I will update on later (as pictured right). Although I have already tried the Herbal Essences Set Me Up Max Hold Hairspray & so far I am enjoying the non-sticky hold as well as the lovely "lily bliss" fragrance it is leaving on my hair!

The day wrapped up & there were beauty bloggers galore saying their goodbyes & their appreciation to all the hard work that Kimmi & Jacie had put in to bringing so many sponsors & events together. Check out the ABBW media release.

I even had a chance to nip back over to IMATS Sydney at the Sydney Convention Centre & meet up with Pearl from pearlbeauty1020 who is just as lovely in person!

If attended the ABBW, what was your favourite part of the weekend? What is your take on hobby vs professional blogging?

Other links: Day 1 of The ABBW & IMATS

IMATS Sydney 2011 Footage

Please note: All products, not otherwise stipulated, are for review purposes & there is no sponsorship or monetary gain from any such reviews. All photos included in this blog are taken & owned by Penumbra Doll Beauty blog & are not to be reproduced unless permission has been sort from the owner. If photos are not taken or owned by Penumbra Doll Beauty the source of the photos will be mentioned. Any brand/company, beauty industry/media or blog sites that are credited for (further or detailed) information, all appropriate links will be provided.

Event: Australian Beauty Bloggers Weekend & IMATS Extravaganza

Australian Beauty Bloggers Weekend

& IMATS Extravaganza

Well folks ABBW & IMATS wrapped up a week ago but I am still reeling from the absolute fabulousness of that weekend! In my recent posts you would have realised how giddy I was with anticipation in spending the 24th & 25th of September with (at least) 83 other beauty bloggers & revealing in the makeup, informative MUA presentations & shopping madness that is the International Make-up Artist Trade Show. As well as the beauty events that the powerhouses of organisation, Kimmi from The Plastic Diaries & Jacie of You've Got Nail, brought together with the ABBW sponsors! So here's the long-winded beauty-tale...

After we registered for ABBW at Novotel & received a lovely little welcome gift box from Garnier, (as above), we all headed over to IMATS at the Sydney Convention Centre, Darling Harbour. We had a good chance to check out the goodies on show & I managed to do a bit of hauling, blogger mingling & presentation watching.

Assembling at the Sydney Convention centre before all pilling

into the make-up madness of IMATS

There was even a bit of pampering hosted by Royal & Langnickel brush just for us ABBW'ers - manicures, make up, delectable bites & even a wonderful gift. I got the R&L Silk GreenLine makeup brush set which I am already using & hope to get the review up after a month of testing.

(Top Right & left): At the Mani's & Makeup pamper session hosted by Royal & Langnickel

Play spot the beauty blogger & beauty gurus...to start - that's the lovely Kimmi

from theplasticdiaries getting glammed up! (top left)

(L): The Royal & Langickel Silk Greenline brush set

That afternoon we rendezvous back at Novotel for the Beauty Directory Event. Jackie Maxted, the Managing Director of beautydirectory.com.au kicked it off & introduced us to some powerhouses behind some exciting brands - Lapurete, The Pure Therapy by Purist & TriShave.

Peter Vranes of Lapurete went over some of the benefits of the products & the wonder ingredient Okuru which is claimed to be "natures alternative to botox".

As pictured above, I picked up the Resurrection Night Cream which purports to "combat the ageing effects of dryness". As the products also target "sagging skin" & "expression lines", I am sharing the lotion with a friend with more "mature & drier skin" in order to review later.

I also was intrigued to try the recently launched Pure Therapy range by Purist after hearing about how it helps dry & sensitive skin conditions such as Eczema, Dermatitis & Psoriasis.

After my recent stint in hospital, & how sensitive some of my skin had become, I am very keen to try this range. I am certainly in need of these "natural products that have a theraputic effect". Purist are also responsible for other great skin & hair care brands such as A'kin & Al'chemy which are also chock full of natural ingredients.

Pure Therapy range (L-R): Repair Gel, Moisture Replenish Conditioner, Moisture Intense Body Cleanser, Body Moisturiser Intense & Extra Gentle Shampoo

Larissa of TriShave walked us through the development & benefits of the range & shared with us four of the "3 in 1" shave cremes & post shave moisturising products to try. My wonderful hubby is happily testing out the "men" targeted items & I hope to bring you his insight, along with my own, on the "women" formulated range.

TriShave: (L-R) Shave Creme for Women, UV Body Defense Post Shave Moisturiser for Women, Post Shave Moisturising Lotion for Men & the Anti-Rash Shave Creme for Men

We also had the opportunity to learn tips for building relationships between bloggers, PR companies & beauty brands from Jackie Maxted. Followed by a Q&A panel discussion with the ABBW organising queen Kimmi from ThePlasticDiaries.com & the editor of InStyle magazine Eleanor Pendleton.

We even had mini thought provoking discussions groups at our tables on different areas in blogging & working with PR companies. Our table's topic was the "do's & don'ts of working with us as bloggers". We also had a chance to introduce our blogs & contact details. It was here that I swore silently to myself to get some business cards (yep, about "bloggin' time) Seriously folks, this was an action packed 2 hours!

Thankfully we could relax & mingle afterwards, champers in hand, with the wonder-minds presented to us. I joined Bini from beeneelicious.com in chatting to Jackie Maxted & was overwhelmed at so many beauty bloggers mingling in one place!

Now, I have to say that, the rest of the "beauty booty" that was given by the wonderful sponsors was phenomenal. I sweetly swear, that my arms where going to break off under the sheer weight of the goody bags of products to try. I think I may be testing & reviewing the products for the next year - but what a year it will be! Check out my upcoming reviews in the ABBW Goody Bag Overview.

Unfortunately that's where day one ended for me. We were to assemble back after going to "glam & bling" ourselves up for the Maxted Thomas event & gala dinner at the Establishment. However due to some issues that presented themselves at my arrival home, in the form of one cranky little baby, I had to pull out. But I admit I have since lived vicarioulsy through the tweets & tales of others - yes I am so envious. It seemed like an amazing time was had by all...drool & double drool!

Luckily determination won out & I made it back for the second day of the ABBW. Join me for part two! & check out my IMATS post & haul.

Did you go to the ABBW &/or to IMATS Sydney? What was your favourite stand/event or presentation & which guru/MUA did you meet there?